Apparatus, equipment and method for filling containers placed on a pallet

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (2) and a method for filling a plurality of containers (1) in a tray (10) comprising columns (101) and rows (102), in particular for filling ampoules or cartridges arranged in the tray, wherein the containers arranged in a column (101) are filled with a filling needle (200), wherein, before and / or during the filling process, the containers (1) to be filled of the column (101) are lifted from the tray (10) with a lifting device (24), and wherein the containers (1) to be filled are secured against tilting when being lifted at the lifting device (24).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus, device, and method for filling multiple containers in a tray comprising columns and rows, particularly for filling ampoules or cartridges placed on the tray, wherein the containers are filled by means of a filling needle. Background Technology

[0002] In the context of this application, the following packaging unit is referred to as a tray, in which multiple containers are arranged in a matrix comprising columns and rows. Here, the terms "column" and "row" are used only for distinction and do not specify the orientation of the matrix or the tray. For a denser arrangement of containers, the columns and / or rows are staggered in the design. In the context of this application, an object capable of being filled with liquid, particularly cosmetic and / or pharmaceutical liquid, is referred to as a container, such as a syringe, vial, ampoule, cartridge, or similar object.

[0003] For filling cosmetic and / or pharmaceutical liquids into containers, it is known to pre-rinse, sterilize and / or depyrogenate the containers and deliver them to a filling device in a sterilely packaged tray.

[0004] Depending on the application, precise filling volume is particularly important for pharmaceutical products. For this purpose, a method for controlled filling of containers placed on a tray is known from DE 103 45 338 B4, wherein a row of containers on the tray is filled simultaneously, the filled containers are then sealed, and at time intervals, the row of containers is removed from the tray and weighed in an empty state. The weighed containers are simultaneously filled, and the row of weighed and filled containers is weighed a second time. Subsequently, the row of containers weighed a second time is returned to the tray.

[0005] A method and apparatus for filling a container placed on a tray are known from WO 2023 / 174645 A1, wherein during the filling process of the container, a predetermined filling height is detected by means of a sensor device, and a stop signal for the filling process of the container is triggered upon detecting that the predetermined filling height has been reached. By detecting the predetermined filling height of the container, it is possible to ensure that the container has a predetermined filling height after the filling process. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, device and method for filling multiple containers in a tray, which further improves the accuracy of filling containers in the tray.

[0007] The objective is achieved by a device, method, and apparatus having the features of claims 1, 11, and 18. Advantageous designs are derived from the dependent claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect, an apparatus is provided for filling multiple containers in a tray comprising columns and rows, particularly for filling ampoules or cartridges placed on the tray. The apparatus includes a filling system with filling needles by means of which containers arranged in a column can be filled. A lifting device is provided so that, before and / or during the filling process, the containers to be filled in the column can be lifted from the tray using the lifting device. The lifting device also has a fixing device that can secure the containers to be filled at the lifting device to prevent tilting.

[0009] According to the second aspect, a method is provided for filling a plurality of containers in a tray comprising columns and rows, particularly for filling ampoules or cartridges placed on the tray, wherein containers arranged in a column are filled with filling needles, wherein, before and / or during the filling process, the containers to be filled in the column are lifted from the tray by a lifting device, and wherein the containers to be filled are secured at the lifting device to prevent tilting while being lifted.

[0010] According to a third aspect, there is an apparatus for performing process steps at a container, particularly for performing process steps at least partially under cleanroom conditions. The process steps include at least filling and, particularly sealing, the container.

[0011] As mentioned above, the terms "row" and "column" are used only for distinction and do not determine the orientation of the tray in relation to processing.

[0012] In the context of this application, the terms "a," "an," etc., are used only as specific terms and not as numerals. Specifically, in the design of the method and / or the apparatus, multiple containers arranged in different rows, particularly all arranged in a common column, are simultaneously filled with filling needles, wherein the containers for filling are lifted simultaneously or at staggered times by a lifting device.

[0013] The design incorporates a sensor device configured to detect when a predetermined filling height is reached during the container filling process. The sensor device is connected to a control unit of the filling system, and the control unit is configured to trigger a stop signal for the container filling process upon detecting that the predetermined filling height has been reached.

[0014] The design incorporates a filling system with multiple filling needles, enabling simultaneous filling of multiple containers arranged in different rows, particularly all containers arranged in the columns. Multiple sensor devices are included, configured to detect the arrival of a predetermined filling height during the container filling process. These sensor devices are connected to a control unit of the filling system, and the control unit is configured to trigger a stop signal for the filling process of the corresponding container upon detecting the arrival of the predetermined filling height.

[0015] By detecting a consistently predetermined filling height for the container using a sensor device, it can be ensured that the container has a predetermined filling height after the filling process.

[0016] By using a fixing device, the tilting of the container during lifting can be prevented or at least reduced to a tolerable level, thus ensuring that the detection of the specified filling height is not affected by the tilt position of the container.

[0017] The specified filling height can be individually determined for each container. In other designs, the specified filling height is determined consistently for a row of containers or for all containers on a tray. By detecting the consistently specified filling height for each container using a sensor device, it is ensured that each container has a predetermined filling height after the filling process, particularly all containers on a tray have the same filling height. This type of method and / or this type of equipment is particularly advantageous for filling cylindrical ampoules or cartridges that should be sealed with piston stoppers, wherein the piston stoppers are positioned precisely relative to the upper or lower end of the cylindrical ampoule or cartridge for subsequent insertion, avoiding air bubbles.

[0018] According to the design, containers on a tray can be filled sequentially, or individual or all containers in different rows and / or columns can be filled simultaneously.

[0019] Here, the filling height that can be specified by the user and / or in the case of equipment or apparatus for filling containers, depending on the application, is referred to as the "specified filling height". Because stopping the filling process immediately upon detecting the specified filling height is not feasible in most applications, or can only be achieved with high technical costs and / or very long filling times, in the design of the method, the specified filling height is selected below the filling height determined for filling. Triggered by a stop signal, the filling process can then be terminated with a filling time and / or a filling volume that can be appropriately determined by a professional.

[0020] In some designs, one or more sensor devices are fixedly supported at the stated height. In other designs, the sensor device is supported in an adjustable manner, wherein adjusting the height allows for the individual determination of a specified filling height for one or more associated containers, and / or the detection of two or more filling heights for one or more associated containers.

[0021] The design incorporates exactly one sensor device, which is adjustablely supported along the column direction so that containers arranged in different rows can be filled sequentially. The exact one sensor device can monitor the achievement of a specified filling height.

[0022] Other design schemes incorporate multiple sensor devices, enabling simultaneous sensor-monitored filling of multiple containers.

[0023] In the design, sensor devices are assigned to each row of the tray. For each container filling process, the measurement signals from the sensor devices are evaluated and / or the follow-through time and / or follow-through volume are determined based on the container's position relative to the sensor device, particularly the container's row within the tray. A transport system is included in the design, enabling the tray to be transported along the row towards or away from the filling system.

[0024] In one design, the predetermined filling height is detected by an optical sensor device comprising a transmitter and a receiver arranged adjacent to the tray, or by multiple optical sensor devices each comprising a transmitter and a receiver arranged adjacent to the tray. The optical sensor device is, for example, a sensor device for detecting liquid light absorption, wherein the transmitter and receiver are arranged at the height of the predetermined filling height. In another design, a camera system with one or more cameras is used to detect the filling height.

[0025] Depending on the application, a lifting device is appropriately designed to lift one, several, or all containers in a row. In one design, the lifting device includes a lifting unit arranged below a tray in the lifting direction. To lift one or more containers to be filled, the lifting unit is capable of advancing in the lifting direction toward the closed end of the container or containers. In another design, the lifting direction is at least substantially equal to the longitudinal direction of the container. In yet another design, the lifting direction is at least substantially vertical. The lifting device, particularly the lifting unit, includes pins arranged below the tray for lifting exactly one container. In yet another design, the lifting device, particularly the lifting unit, includes multiple pins arranged below the tray for lifting multiple containers, particularly all containers in a row. In yet another design, the lifting device, particularly the lifting unit, includes support bars or similar elements arranged below the tray, which advance from below to lift containers. In yet another design, support bars are provided below the tray, extending along the row direction, and are respectively arranged below a row for filling one or more containers in that row. In other designs, multiple strips are provided, each belonging to a column. In these designs, the lifting device, particularly the lifting unit, includes at least one support strip extending along the column direction and arranged below the tray, and at least one pin disposed at the support strip, particularly multiple pins disposed at the support strip for lifting at least one container, particularly some, particularly all of the containers in the column. In these designs, the pins extend from the support strip in the lifting direction.

[0026] The design incorporates a stop that works in conjunction with the lifting device, particularly the lifting unit, to restrict the movement of the lifting unit in the lifting direction. The design ensures that all containers to be filled are lifted with a consistent stroke, and the stop is included in this design. The stop interacts with the pushed elements of the lifting unit, such as support bars and / or pins. For high precision, the pushed elements of the lifting unit, such as support bars and / or pins, are forced to move towards the stop, for example, by means of a spring mechanism.

[0027] The lifting device has a fixing mechanism, by means of which the container to be filled, or the containers to be filled, can be fixed to prevent tilting during lifting. Thus, precise positioning of the container can be achieved during the filling process.

[0028] In the design, the fixing device is configured to secure the container to be filled at at least one of the following locations to prevent tilting: - In the upper end area, and / or - In the lower end region, and / or - Proximity to the sensor device, and / or - Above the sensor device, and / or - Below the sensor device.

[0029] The area of ​​the container referred to as the upper end region of the container to be filled is connected to the open end for the filling process, and the region extends beyond a maximum of 50%, particularly a maximum of 30%, and particularly a maximum of 15% of the length of the container. In particular, a fixing device is designed to secure the container to be filled at the open end to prevent tilting.

[0030] The area of ​​the container referred to as the lower end region of the container to be filled is connected to the closed end for the filling process, and the region extends beyond a maximum of 50%, particularly a maximum of 30%, and particularly a maximum of 15% of the length of the container. In particular, a fixing device is designed to secure the container to be filled at the closed end to prevent tilting.

[0031] In the design, the fixing device is configured to fix the container at exactly one position.

[0032] In the design, the fixing device is configured to fix the container at multiple locations.

[0033] In particular, the fixing device is configured to fix the container above and below the sensor device, wherein the position below the sensor device is located in the lower end region of the container.

[0034] In the design, an additional combination is implemented to fix the container in place using a fixing device.

[0035] In the design scheme, the container is positioned and centered at the lifting unit of the lifting device by a fixing device. In particular, the device for centering above the open container can be eliminated.

[0036] In the design, the lifting device, particularly the lifting unit, is fluidly connected to a negative pressure source, so that negative pressure can be applied to the lifting device, particularly the lifting unit, when the container to be filled is lifted, wherein the container can be fixed to the lifting device by the negative pressure. A suction force acting on the container is generated at the suction opening of the lifting device via the negative pressure source (also known as a vacuum source). According to the design, the suction opening is located on the support surface of the lifting device, particularly the lifting unit, especially at the bottom of the container to be filled during use, and / or on the side of the lifting device, particularly the lifting unit, that is attached to the peripheral side of the container during use. In the design with the suction opening at the support surface of the lifting device, particularly the lifting unit, no elements surrounding the peripheral side of the container are provided during use, thus reliably avoiding signal interference from the sensor device even when detecting low filling heights.

[0037] In the design, the fixing device includes fixing elements arranged separately from the lifting unit. These separate fixing elements allow the container to be filled to be supported separately from the lifting unit at a support location that can be appropriately determined for the application.

[0038] In the design, the fixing element is fixedly arranged at least during the movement of the lifting unit to elevate the container to be filled and / or during the filling process. In the design, the fixing element is movable relative to the pallet between at least two support positions between two filling processes to interact with at least one container on the pallet for its filling. In the design, the fixing element is fixedly arranged and configured to interact with some, and in particular all, of the containers on the pallet for their filling.

[0039] In the design, the fixing element is configured to support the container to be filled at a distance from the support surface at the lifting unit in the lifting direction. The distance between the support portion of the container at the fixing element and the support surface can be selected according to the application to prevent the container from tilting and / or to lower it to a tolerable level.

[0040] In the design, a fixing element is configured to support the container to be filled at the upper end region. This region of the container, referred to as the upper end region of the container to be filled, is connected to the open end for the filling process, and extends beyond a maximum of 50%, particularly a maximum of 30%, and particularly a maximum of 15%, of the container's length.

[0041] In the design, the fixing element is set to support the container to be filled at the open end.

[0042] In this design, the fixing element acts as a stop that interacts with the open end of the container to be filled during lifting. The container is lifted in the lifting direction by a lifting unit until the edge of its open end abuts against the fixing element. The lifting unit is configured to force the container to the position abutting against the fixing element, particularly with a resilient force. Additional devices, particularly spring devices, are provided to force the container to the stop.

[0043] In this design, the fixing element is arranged close to the sensor device in the lifting direction. Specifically, this arrangement, referred to as "close to the sensor device," ensures that even in a potentially tilted orientation of the container to be filled, the tilt position of the container at the measurement height of the sensor device remains within tolerance. In this design, particularly when the sensor device is designed as an optical sensor device, the fixing element is arranged spaced apart from the measurement height in the lifting direction to avoid interaction between the fixing element and the sensor device's signal. In this design, referred to as "close to the sensor device," the spacing in the lifting direction is at most twice the diameter of the container to be filled, preferably at most equal to the diameter of the container to be filled. In this design, referred to as "close to the sensor device," the spacing in the lifting direction is at most 20 mm, particularly at most 10 mm, for example at most 5 mm. In this design, the sensor device is arranged in the lifting direction on the side of the fixing element facing away from the lifting unit. In this design, the sensor device is arranged in the lifting direction on the side of the fixing element facing the lifting unit. In the design, the sensor device is arranged on the side of the fixing element away from the lifting unit in the lifting direction. Specifically, the fixing element of the sensor device and the fixing device is configured such that, in the lifted container, the fixing element secures the container at a position that is closer to the open end of the container than the position where the sensor device detects.

[0044] In the design, the fixing element is made of sterilizable and / or autoclaved materials. In the context of this application, a component / material is referred to as "sterilizable" if it is suitable for being processed without damage, wherein live microorganisms and viruses are removed during processing to the process safety required by the application. Components and / or materials that can be processed in an autoclave, that is, components and / or materials particularly suitable for being subjected to pressure, moisture, and / or temperature in an autoclave without damage, are referred to as "autoclaved."

[0045] The design incorporates a lifting device, particularly a fixing device, with a receiving portion for the container to be filled. This receiving portion has at least one, preferably two, three, or more contact points, and during lifting, it supports the container peripherally at these contact points. This support at one or more contact points secures the container against tilting. In this design, the contact points are loaded by means of spring elements or similar mechanisms. The contact points are arranged and / or designed such that the signal from the sensor device is not significantly or negligibly affected by the receiving portion.

[0046] In the design scheme, the receiving part is arranged at the lifting unit and can be adjusted in the lifting direction by the lifting unit.

[0047] In the design, the lifting unit includes a clamping device for the container to be filled, the clamping device having at least two clamping elements extending in the lifting direction.

[0048] In the design, the clamping element is deformable and / or adjustable, particularly elastically deformable and / or adjustable. The design incorporates clamping elements such that at least one clamping element is elastically deformable and / or adjusted by the received container, thereby forcing the received container into a predetermined orientation due to the restoring force of the elasticity.

[0049] The design includes an adjustment device for moving at least two clamping elements between an open position and a clamping position. The adjustment device allows at least one clamping element, particularly both clamping elements, to move into the open position and / or the clamping position. In the open position, the clamping elements do not interact with the container. The open position allows the container to be introduced into the clamping device and / or receiving section with at least substantially no force when the lifting unit advances, and / or to be removed from the receiving section and / or clamping device with at least substantially no force when the lifting unit moves away from the container.

[0050] In the design, the adjustment device includes an adjustment element that is adjustablely supported in the lifting direction at the lifting unit, for moving at least one clamping element, particularly two clamping elements, to an open position and / or a clamping position.

[0051] In the design, each clamping element has at least one contact point.

[0052] In the design, the clamping device has exactly two clamping elements, wherein the first clamping element has two abutment points spaced apart in the lifting direction.

[0053] In the design, at least one contact point is designed as a curved contact surface, wherein, in particular, the curved contact surface is at least substantially coaxial with the circumferential side of the container received in the receiving part.

[0054] In this design, the receiving part is located at the fixing element. Alternatively, the receiving part for centering the container to be filled is located either at the fixing element or at the lifting unit to avoid over-constraint during positioning. In another design, receiving parts with contact points are provided at both the lifting unit and the fixing element, where these contact points work together to center the container.

[0055] In the design, the fixing element has an empty space that forms a receiving part.

[0056] In one design, the open section has a non-rotationally symmetric cross-section. In another design, the cross-section is elliptical, with the receiving container contacting the open section, particularly at two opposing contact points. In yet another design, the open section has a polygonal cross-section, especially a regular polygonal shape.

[0057] In the design, the empty section has a guide auxiliary part, especially a chamfer. The guide auxiliary part guides the container at the empty section when the container moves relative to the empty section, especially when the container moves through the lifting unit.

[0058] In this design, the diameter of the empty section is smaller than the diameter of the container to be filled in at least one direction transverse to the lifting direction, and especially perpendicular to the lifting direction. In this design, the container is not guided through the empty section during lifting, but instead rests against the lower side of the fixing element facing the lifting unit. In this design, for the filling process, the filling needle is guided through the empty section.

[0059] In one design, the fixing element is designed as an orifice plate including at least one opening, particularly multiple openings forming receiving portions, for containers, particularly all containers in a row or all containers on a pallet. In another design, the orifice plate is fixedly arranged at the equipment, at least during lifting and / or filling, wherein the container to be filled or the containers to be filled are lifted toward the orifice plate by a lifting unit. In yet another design, the orifice plate has multiple openings forming receiving portions for all containers in a row, wherein the orifice plate is positioned at the row for filling the containers. In yet another design, the orifice plate has multiple openings forming receiving portions for all containers on a pallet. In yet another design, the orifice plate is fixedly arranged at the equipment. In yet another design, a pallet with containers to be filled is placed into the orifice plate for processing, particularly for filling, or the orifice plate is arranged at the pallet. In yet another design, the orifice plate also serves as a centering plate during pallet transport.

[0060] In the design, the lifting device is configured to lift containers of different columns and / or different rows by different strokes in order to change the specified filling height, to compensate for tolerances, and / or to compensate for the spacing-related measurement signals of the sensor device.

[0061] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided for performing process steps at a container, particularly for performing process steps at least partially under cleanroom conditions. The process steps include at least filling, and particularly sealing, the container.

[0062] The equipment includes a device for filling multiple containers in a tray, wherein the device includes at least one feature and / or at least one combination of features described previously and / or hereafter.

[0063] The equipment includes, in particular, a transport device for transporting containers placed on pallets, especially for transporting containers placed on pallets in a transport direction. For example, during transport, the columns are oriented transversely to, and in particular perpendicularly to, the transport direction. For example, during transport, the rows are oriented transversely to, and in particular perpendicularly to, the transport direction.

[0064] In the design, the equipment includes a device for pre-filling containers. The equipment is configured to pre-fill containers in the device for pre-filling containers, and then, particularly using a transport device, transport them to a device for filling containers. For example, containers are pre-filled row by row in the device for pre-filling containers. For example, containers are pre-filled column by column in the device for pre-filling containers.

[0065] In the design, the equipment includes means for at least partially sealing a container, particularly a container being filled at a filling device. Specifically, the equipment is configured to fill the container at the filling device and then transport it, particularly using a transport device, to a sealing device. For example, the container is sealed row by row in the sealing device. For example, the container is sealed column by column in the sealing device. For example, the means for at least partially sealing the container is configured to insert a stopper into the container.

[0066] When a process step is performed in all containers in one column and then in all containers in the next column, or in all containers in one row and then in all containers in the next row, the process steps, such as prefilling and / or closing, are performed column by column or row by row.

[0067] The equipment specifically includes a cleanroom structure with a shell, wherein cleanroom conditions are achieved inside the shell of the cleanroom structure. In particular, the cleanroom structure has a barrier. The barrier device protects the cleanroom conditions inside by separating it from the surrounding environment. In some designs, the cleanroom structure includes (particularly closed or open) isolation elements.

[0068] A decontamination-resistant unit is called an isolator, which allows its interior to be isolated from the surrounding external environment. In design schemes, cleanroom conditions are achieved within an interior space equipped with a restricted access barrier system (RABS). Cleanroom structures, particularly isolators and RABS, are used especially in the manufacture, handling, and / or processing of pharmaceutical products, biopharmaceutical products, biological products, highly active products, and / or other highly sensitive products.

[0069] The necessary cleanroom conditions are defined by the application scheme, and in particular by the intended use of the products and / or objects being handled. Specifically, cleanroom conditions require at least a certain degree of sterility. Rules specifying cleanroom conditions include, for example, DIN EN ISO 14644-1 and / or Regulation VDI 2083 and / or “The Rules Governing Medicinal Products in the European Union, EU Guidelines for Good Manufacturing Practice for Medicinal Products for Human and Veterinary Use” (EC-GMP Guidelines), Annex 1 (currently Volume 4, August 22, 2022) and the provisions mentioned therein. For at least some process steps in the equipment disclosed herein, at least partially necessary cleanroom conditions are required, especially according to levels A, B, C, and D of Annex 1 of the EC-GMP Guidelines, particularly levels A, B, and C. Specifically, the filling and / or sealing of containers is carried out under cleanroom conditions of level A.

[0070] In particular, at least one of the following devices is arranged inside the shell of the cleanroom structure: - Equipment for filling multiple containers; and / or - Transport equipment for transporting containers placed on pallets; and / or - Equipment for prefilling containers; and / or - Equipment used to at least partially close a container. Attached Figure Description

[0071] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the description of embodiments thereof, which are hereby illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. These are shown schematically here: Figure 1This shows a cross-sectional side view of a cylindrical ampoule or cartridge bottle sealed with a piston stopper. Figure 2 A top view of a first embodiment of a device for filling multiple containers, particularly multiple cartridge bottles, in a tray is shown. Figure 3 It shows according to Figure 2 A sectional side view of the equipment. Figure 4 It shows something similar to Figure 2 A sectional side view of the equipment. Figure 5 A top view of a second embodiment of a device for filling multiple containers, particularly multiple cartridge bottles, in a tray is shown. Figure 6 It shows according to Figure 5 A sectional side view of the equipment. Figure 7 It shows something similar to Figure 2 A sectional side view of the equipment. Figure 8 A top view of a third embodiment of a device for filling multiple containers, particularly multiple cartridge bottles, in a tray is shown. Figure 9 A side view of the opaque barrier designed as a slit cover is shown. Figure 10 A top view of an embodiment of a device for securing multiple containers, particularly multiple cartridge bottles, in a filling tray is shown, having multiple openings that each form a receiving portion. Figure 11 It shows according to Figure 10 A sectional side view showing details of the fixing element, along with the section of the container abutting the fixing element. Figure 12 It shows according to Figure 10 A side view showing the details of the section of the container with its fixing elements and guides passing through the empty space. Figure 13 A schematic side view of an embodiment showing a fixing element with a void, together with a section of a container that guides through the void and a sensor device, is shown. Figure 14 A schematic side view of an embodiment showing a fixing element with a void, together with a section of a container that guides through the void and a sensor device, is shown. Figure 15 It shows according to Figure 10 In another embodiment, a cross-sectional side view showing details of the fixing element, along with the section of the container abutting the fixing element. Figure 16The diagram schematically shows a top view of the container and the open sections at the three contact points that support the container on the periphery. Figure 17 A schematic top view of the container and the receiving portion that supports the container on the peripheral side at multiple contact points is shown. Figure 18 The perspective view shows a lifting unit with multiple receiving sections for the container. Detailed Implementation

[0072] Figure 1 A container 1, designed as a cylindrical ampoule or cartridge, is schematically shown in a sectional side view. The container 1 is closed at a first end 11 by means of a cap (not shown), the first end having a head for subsequently discharging the liquid filled into the container 1. At the opposite second end 12, the container is closed by means of a piston stopper 14.

[0073] These types of cartridge vials are typically inserted into specialized syringes (also known as delivery devices). The position of the piston stopper 14 within the cartridge is important for reliable insertion into the syringe and for the reliable functionality of the syringe. This position can be determined, depending on the application, by the distance x between the rear end of the piston stopper 14 and the first end 11 of the cartridge, or by the distance y between the rear end of the piston stopper 14 and the second end 12 of the cartridge.

[0074] In order to fill container 1 to a specified, pre-determined filling height, the filling process is monitored by a sensor device in the design scheme.

[0075] Figure 2 The top view shows the design of device 2, which allows the container 1 in tray 10 to be filled with a predetermined filling height. Figure 3 The diagram showing the section cut along line 102 illustrates the following... Figure 2 Device 2.

[0076] As in Figure 2 As can be seen, the tray 10 shown has a 10x12 matrix, with containers arranged in ten columns 101 and twelve rows 102. Here, the terms "row" and "column" are used only to distinguish and do not determine the orientation of the tray 10 for processing. In other designs, the tray 10 has more or fewer rows or columns.

[0077] Device 2 includes a filling system 20 having a plurality of (twelve in the illustrated embodiment) filling needles 200, by means of which a plurality of (all in the illustrated embodiment) containers 1 arranged in a row 101 can be filled simultaneously. Furthermore, device 2 includes a control device 23 by means of which liquid discharge at the filling needles 200 can be individually controlled or regulated. Here, the filling system 20 for filling by means of the filling needles 200 can be appropriately selected by a professional depending on the application. For example, however not in a closed manner, the filling system 20 includes a peristaltic pump, a rotary piston pump, and / or is designed as a time-pressure system.

[0078] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 The device 2 shown also includes a plurality of (twelve in the illustrated embodiment) sensor devices 21, by means of which the specified filling height can be detected during the filling process of the container 1 by means of the filling system 20.

[0079] If passed Figure 2 As schematically indicated by the arrows, sensor device 21 is connected to control device 23 for filling system 20. The connection between sensor device 21 and control device 23 may be wired or wireless, depending on the application.

[0080] Here, the control device 23 is configured such that a stop signal for the filling process of the corresponding container 1 is triggered upon detecting that a predetermined filling height has been reached. According to the design, the filling process ends immediately after the stop signal is triggered, or it ends after a predetermined filling time and / or with a predetermined filling volume. This allows the container 1 in the tray 10 to be filled to a pre-determined filling height.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, the measurement direction of the sensor device 21 is located in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 1. The illustrated sensor device 21 is an optical sensor device comprising a transmitter 210 and a receiver 212 arranged adjacent to the tray 10. Here, the transmitter 210 and receiver 212 are arranged at a suitable height to detect when a predetermined filling height has been reached.

[0082] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, an opaque barrier designed as a slit cover 5 is provided between the transmitter 210 and the tray 10 and between the receiver 212 and the tray 10. Figure 9 The slit cover 5 is shown in the side view. The slit cover 5 has a plurality of slits 50, wherein the number of slits 50 is equal to the number of sensor devices 21.

[0083] With the aid of the slit cover 5, the radiation transmitted by the transmitter 210 and received by the receiver is limited downward, upward, and laterally. With the aid of the slit cover 5, the tolerances in the positioning of the sensor device 21 can be balanced, so that the same measurement plane exists for all containers 1.

[0084] In the design, the container is filled column by column. In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth column 101 from the left is filled in the drawing plane, with the filling needle 20 arranged above this column 101 for this purpose. (As shown by...) Figure 2 As the arrows in the diagram schematically indicate, the filling needle 20 can be movably supported along the direction of row 102 and thus can be positioned above the container 1 of the column to be filled.

[0085] Device 2 also has the following features: Figure 3 The lifting device 24 shown includes a lifting unit 240, wherein, prior to the filling process, the containers 1 to be filled in column 101 can be lifted from the tray 10 by the lifting device 24, particularly by the lifting unit 240. In one design, the lifting unit 240 includes a support strip extending along the longitudinal direction of column 101, which is supplied from below. Here, in one design, a support strip is provided for each column 101. In other designs, a support strip is provided, wherein the support strip can be adjusted along the direction of row 102 together with the filling needle 20, and thus can be positioned below the containers in column 101 to be filled. The support strip is oriented parallel to the slit cover 5, that is, parallel to the slit 50 of the slit cover 5 (see...). Figure 9 ) Orientation.

[0086] As an alternative or supplementary solution to the support bar, in other designs, the lifting unit 240 includes multiple pins, each positioned below the container 1 to lift it. In one design, the pins are fixedly arranged in a horizontal plane and assigned to exactly one container. In other designs, the pins are adjustable in the horizontal plane.

[0087] exist Figure 3The lifting device 24 shown has a receiving portion 241 arranged at the lifting unit 240 for each of the containers 1 to be filled in the column 101. The receiving portion 241 has a plurality of contact points 242 distributed around the periphery of the received container 1, wherein the container 1 can be supported at the contact points 242 on the periphery side at the lifting unit 240 during lifting. In the illustrated embodiment, three contact points 242 are provided, of which only two are visible. Reliable centering of the container can be achieved by the three contact points 242. In other designs, more or fewer than three contact points 242 are provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the three contact points 242 each extend only beyond the area of ​​the head of the container 1 that is positioned below during filling.

[0088] In other design embodiments, the receiving portion 241 includes fingers extending in the lifting direction and having abutment points 242. The fingers are designed such that they, as if... Figure 3 As indicated by the dashed lines, it extends to the region of container 1 with a larger diameter, as shown in the diagram. Figure 1 The piston plug 14, as shown in the diagram, is inserted into this area. Here, the finger and / or abutment point 242 are selected such that collisions with the elements of the tray 10 used to center the container 1 within the tray 10 are avoided when lifting the container 1.

[0089] By means of contact point 242, the container 1, or rather the containers 1 of column 101 to be filled, is prevented from tilting during lifting. Thus, the container 1 can be accurately positioned relative to the sensor device 21.

[0090] As in Figure 2 As can be seen, the sensor devices 21 are respectively assigned to rows 102 of the tray 10. In order to fill all the containers 1 of the tray 10, the containers 1 of each row 101 can be lifted from the tray 10 by means of the lifting device 24, and can be filled by means of the filling needle 200. Here, the filling process of the containers 1 in each row 102 can be monitored by means of the sensor device 21, and can therefore be performed at a determined filling height.

[0091] To change the specified filling height, the stroke of the lifting device 24 is made variable in the design. Alternatively or additionally, in order to balance tolerances (e.g., when assembling the sensor device 21), the containers 1 of a row 101 are lifted with different strokes for different rows 102. For this purpose, in the design, the receiving portions 241 of the lifting device 24 belonging to different rows 102 can be adjusted relative to each other.

[0092] In the illustrated embodiment, the transmitter 210 and receiver 212 of the sensor device 21 are arranged outside the tray 10 in a fixed position relative to the tray 10 in the direction of row 102, so as to avoid contamination of the tray 10 and / or the container 1 arranged therein by the sensor device 21.

[0093] Due to the arrangement of transmitters 210 and receivers 212 outside the tray 10, containers 1 in different columns 101 are arranged with corresponding transmitters 210 and receivers 212 at different intervals. To avoid measurement deviations caused by the different intervals with transmitters 210 and receivers 212 affecting the filling height of containers 1, control device 23 is configured to, for each container 1 filling process, evaluate the measurement signal of sensor device 21 based on the column 102 of container 1 in the tray 10 and / or determine the follow-through time and / or follow-through volume after a stop signal is triggered. For example, in an optical sensor device, the sensor signal can be correlated with the spacing so that the predetermined filling height is detected earlier for containers 1 centrally arranged between transmitters 210 and receivers 212 compared to containers 1 positioned closer to transmitters 210 or receivers 212. Here, for example, the design is configured such that a longer flow time and / or a larger flow volume is predetermined for containers 1 arranged in columns 101 centrally within the tray 10, compared to containers arranged in columns 101 at the edge of the tray 10. As an alternative or additional solution, the position of container 1 within the tray 10 is taken into account when evaluating the measurement signal from sensor device 21. In yet another design, to compensate for the spacing-related measurement signal, containers 1 in different columns 101 are lifted by varying strokes using lifting device 24.

[0094] The filling process, that is, the liquid discharge at the filling needle, can be appropriately determined by a professional based on the application. For example, the design may specify that the filling process takes place in two or more stages, with the volumetric flow rate decreasing with each stage. Alternatively or additionally, the design may specify a continuous decrease in volumetric flow rate as a linear or non-linear function that can be appropriately determined, either throughout the filling process, within one stage, or across multiple stages. Here, the filling process can be pre-defined differently for different containers 1. In other designs, substantially the same filling process is pre-defined, with the distinction made only in the stage following the triggering of a stop signal.

[0095] If passed Figure 3As schematically shown by the arrows, in the illustrated embodiment, the filling needles 200 are movably supported individually or in groups, allowing them to move relative to the container 1 in a direction away from the container 1 during the filling process. To achieve consistent fluid rupture, the control device 23 is designed to stop the movement of the filling needles 200 at a predetermined position at or before the end of the filling process. For rapid process execution, the design incorporates the filling needles 200 being introduced into the container 1 when it is lifted from the tray 10.

[0096] As in Figure 2 As schematically shown, the tray 10 can be moved in a transport direction perpendicular to the measurement direction of the sensor device 21 before, during, and / or after the filling process. Here, in order to move the tray 10 during the filling process by means of the filling needle 200, in this design, the filling system 20, the sensor device 21, and the lifting device 24 are movably supported and can move together with the tray in the transport direction. In other designs, the tray 10 is held in a predetermined position for the filling process.

[0097] Figure 4 A cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of device 2 is shown. According to... Figure 4 Device 2 is similar to that according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Device 2, and use consistent reference numerals for the same or similar components.

[0098] As in Figure 4 As schematically shown in the diagram, in accordance with Figure 4 In the design, the lifting device 24 includes a fixing element 243 arranged separately relative to the lifting unit 240. This fixing element acts as a stop, wherein the container 1 for filling is lifted by the lifting unit 240 (particularly by support bars and / or pins) and forced to move to the fixing element 243, which acts as the stop, for example by a spring 244, which is schematically shown. The stop allows the container 1 to be lifted very accurately to a predetermined position relative to the second end 12 of the container 1 (see [reference]). Figure 1 The specified filling height. In the design, the fixing element 243 is fixedly arranged at least during the movement of the lifting unit 240 to lift the container to be filled and / or during the filling process of the container 1 in the column 101. In the design, the fixing element 243, together with the lifting unit 240, is adjustablely supported relative to the tray 10 so as to position the fixing element 243 in another column 101 for filling the container 1 in that column 101.

[0099] Through Figure 4The fixing element 243 shown here supports the container 1 to be filled, or these containers to be filled, at a distance from the support surface at the lifting unit 240 in the lifting direction.

[0100] Through Figure 4 The fixing element 243 shown here supports the container 1 to be filled, or the containers to be filled, at the open end.

[0101] exist Figure 4 In the middle, the fixing element 243 is arranged above the sensor device 21.

[0102] In the design scheme, such as in Figure 3 and Figure 4 As schematically illustrated, the entire filling process is accomplished by means of... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The filling needle 200 shown is used to fill an empty container.

[0103] In another design scheme, there is a setting in Figure 5 The pre-filling device 3 shown is used to pre-fill the material by means of the filling system 20 before the filling process.

[0104] In this design, the container 1 is filled volutely using a pre-filling device, wherein a specified volume is supplied to each container 1.

[0105] Subsequently, as in Figure 6 As schematically shown, the pre-filled container is precisely filled to a determined filling height by means of a filling needle 200, wherein the filling needle 200 is inserted into the pre-filled container 1.

[0106] Figure 5 It schematically shows something similar to Figure 2 The device 2 for filling and sealing container 1 includes a prefilling device 3, a filling system 20 and a sealing device 4. Figure 6 The diagram showing the section cut along line 102 illustrates the following... Figure 5 Details of device 2. According to... Figure 5 and Figure 6 Device 2 is similar to that according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Device 2, and consistent reference numerals are used herein for the same or similar components. Detailed descriptions of the already described components are provided above.

[0107] exist Figure 5 The design shown includes a pre-filling device 3 that fills the containers 1 in the tray 10 row by row, and a closing device 4 that closes the filled containers 1 in the tray 10 row by row.

[0108] Conversely, containers 1 are processed row by row using a filling system 20 with filling needles 200, wherein sensor devices 21 for monitoring the filling process using the filling needles 200 are arranged so close to the tray 10 that each row can be monitored individually. Here, the complete filling and closing process can be performed along a linear transport direction without changing the tray 10. Figure 5 In the embodiments shown, unlike Figure 2 The containers 1 in a row of 101 are not oriented in a straight line, but are staggered in a gap-like manner to allow for a close arrangement of the containers in the tray 10. Similarly, the filling needles 200 are staggered alternately along two parallel lines.

[0109] In the design scheme, by means of... Figure 5 The filling and closing process of device 2 can be performed as follows.

[0110] Container 1 is supplied to device 2 in the form of a tray. Here, in the design, the tray 10 is located in a basin (also referred to as a plate) not shown for transport, as is generally known.

[0111] To handle container 1, in the design, pallet 10 is removed from the basin and placed into a centering plate (not shown) for transport via device 2. In containers without flanges (such as those in…), Figure 1 As shown in the cartridge bottle, the centering plate can only position the tray 10 and cannot (as in a container with a flange, such as in a syringe) center the container itself.

[0112] The centering plate transports pallet 10 to pre-filling device 3. In the illustrated embodiment, this pre-filling device operates at 10 stations. After all containers 1 on the pallet have been pre-filled to their pre-filled volumes, in the design, pallet 10 is transported to a transposition station (not shown) whereby pallet 10 is transferred from the first transport system to the second transport system.

[0113] The second transport system delivers the pallet 10 containing the pre-filled container 1 to below the filling needle 200. Using the filling needle 200, the container 1 is filled to a predetermined filling height as described above.

[0114] In the illustrated embodiment, the filling process, monitored by means of sensor device 21, is carried out in 12 stations, wherein the holder for receiving the filling needle 200 is arranged rotated 90° relative to the pre-filling device 3.

[0115] After all containers 1 are fully filled to the determined filling height, pallet 10 is retransported to a transposition station (not shown) where it is placed into the third transport system.

[0116] The third transport system delivers the pallet 10 to the sealing device 4, by means of which the container 1 is sealed with a piston plug 14. Here, in the illustrated embodiment, the plugging is performed at station 10.

[0117] After sealing, the tray 10 can be returned to the associated basin.

[0118] Figure 7 A cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of device 2 is shown. According to... Figure 7 Device 2 is similar to that according to Figure 3 Device 2, and use consistent reference numerals for the same or similar components.

[0119] As in Figure 7 As schematically shown in the diagram, in accordance with Figure 7 In this embodiment, the lifting device 24 is fluidly connected to a negative pressure source 246 (also referred to as a vacuum source). The negative pressure source 246 is, for example, a vacuum pump. The illustrated lifting device 24 includes a lifting unit 240 with a support bar that pushes the container 1 from below for lifting. Suction openings 247 are provided at the support surface of the support bar of the lifting unit 240. These suction openings are fluidly connected to the negative pressure source 246 such that a suction force can be applied to the container 1 at the suction openings 247, allowing the container 1 to be fixed to the lifting unit 240 of the lifting device 24 by means of negative pressure. By fixing and centering by means of negative pressure, the container 1 can be lifted from the tray 10, preventing interference with sensor signals. In this design, it is also feasible to reliably detect small filling amounts by means of a sensor device 21.

[0120] Figure 8 The top view shows device 2 similar to the one shown below. Figure 2 Another embodiment of device 2. Consistent reference numerals are used herein for the same or similar components, and detailed descriptions of known components are provided above.

[0121] Unlike according to Figure 2 Equipment 2, according to Figure 8 The filling system 20 includes only a single filling needle 200 and a single sensor device 21. The filling needle 20 is adjustable along row 102 to fill the containers 1 in row 102 sequentially. Furthermore, the tray 10 is movable along column 101 so that containers 1 in different rows 102 move sequentially toward the filling needle 200, wherein the sensor device 21 is positioned at the height of the filling needle 200 to monitor the filling process in each row 102.

[0122] As a lifting unit of the lifting device (in) Figure 6(Not visible in the middle) Here, a pin is provided in the design, which can be adjusted synchronously with the filling needle 200 along the row 102 so as to successively lift the container 1 of the row 102 along the direction of the filling needle 20.

[0123] In another design not shown, the lifting device 24, the sensor device 21, and the filling needle 200 can move synchronously along the column 101 so as to lift each other successively and fill the containers 1 in the fixedly arranged trays 10 in a sensor-monitored manner.

[0124] In yet another design not shown, the lifting device 24, the sensor device 21, and the filling needle 200 are fixedly arranged, wherein the spacing between the transmitter 210 and the receiver 212 of the sensor device 21 is chosen to be large enough to cause the tray 10 to be misaligned along column 101 and along row 102 for sensor-monitored filling.

[0125] Figure 10 An embodiment of the fixing element 243 is schematically shown in a top view, the fixing element being used in... Figure 10 Devices not shown in the image for filling multiple containers, particularly multiple cartridge bottles, in which... Figure 10 In a tray not shown in the image. Figure 10 The fixing element 243 shown is similar to that according to Figure 4 The fixing element 243, and relative to the Figure 10 Lifting unit 240 not shown in the image (see, for example, see...) Figure 4 Arranged separately. Figure 10 The fixing element 243 shown has a plurality of open portions 245 that respectively form receiving portions. Figure 10 The number and distribution of the empty portions 245 are merely exemplary. In the design, the number and / or arrangement of the empty portions 245 correspond to the number and / or arrangement of the containers in the tray.

[0126] Figure 10 The illustration of the blank portion 245 is merely exemplary. In a design, the blank portion 245 has a non-rotationally symmetric cross-section, such as an elliptical cross-section.

[0127] according to Figure 10 The fixing element 243 is at least in the lifting unit 240 in the design scheme (see Figure 4 () is used to lift the container 1 to be filled during movement and / or to be fixedly arranged during the filling process.

[0128] exist Figure 10The fastening element 243 shown, which includes multiple openings 245, is plate-shaped in the design. The plate-shaped fastening element 243 with multiple openings 245 is also referred to as a perforated plate.

[0129] Figure 11 It schematically shows the following according to Figure 10 The fixing element 243 is along the empty part 245 according to Figure 10 A sectional side view showing the details of the embodiment, including the section of container 1, in the cross-section of line XI-XI. Figure 11 In the embodiment shown, the diameter of the empty portion 245 is transverse to the diameter of the passage. Figure 11 The lifting direction indicated by the arrow, especially in at least one direction perpendicular to the lifting direction, is smaller than the diameter of the container 1 to be filled. Figure 11 In the illustrated embodiment, container 1 rests against fixing element 243 with its open end. In the design, such as by... Figure 11 As schematically shown by the arrow, container 1 is lifted toward fixing element 243 in the lifting direction, such that the open end of container 1 abuts against the wall of the empty portion 245.

[0130] exist Figure 11 The shown empty portion 245 has an introduction auxiliary portion, particularly a chamfer 248, which causes the empty portion 245 to gradually narrow, and the container 1 is centered when introduced into the empty portion 245. The wall of the empty portion 245 is inclined relative to the lifting direction at the chamfer 248. Figure 11 In the illustrated embodiment, the chamfer 248 extends across the entire height of the retaining element 243. Here, the minimum diameter of the recess 245 is sufficiently large such that the filling needle 200 (see...) Figure 4 It can be imported into container 1 through the empty section 245.

[0131] Figure 12 It schematically shows the following according to Figure 10 The fixing element 243 is along the empty part 245 according to Figure 10 A sectional side view showing the details of the embodiment, including the section of container 1, in the cross-section of line XI-XI. Figure 12 In the embodiment shown, the minimum diameter of the empty portion 245 is transverse to the passage. Figure 12 The lifting direction, indicated by the arrow, and especially the direction perpendicular to the lifting direction, is at least substantially equal to the diameter of the container 1 to be filled. Specifically, in the design, the minimum diameter of the empty portion 245 is chosen such that the container 1 can be introduced into the empty portion 245 with a gap. Figure 12In the illustrated embodiment, container 1 is inserted into the empty portion 245 and tilted is prevented by the fixing element 243. Specifically, the gap of container 1 in the empty portion is small enough to reduce tilting to a tolerable level. In particular, container 1 abuts its circumferential side against the contact point of the fixing element 243 at the empty portion 245 to reduce tilting to a tolerable level.

[0132] In the design scheme, such as through Figure 12 As schematically shown by the arrow, container 1 is lifted toward fixing element 243 in the lifting direction, such that the open end of container 1 is guided through the opening 245 of fixing element 243. Figure 12 The empty portion 245 shown has an introduction auxiliary portion, and in particular has a chamfer 248 that extends over the entire height of the fixing element 243, so that the diameter of the empty portion 245 gradually decreases, and the container 1 is centered when it is introduced into the empty portion 245.

[0133] Figure 13 A schematic side view of an embodiment showing a fixing element 243 with a clearance 245, a section of container 10 guiding through the clearance 245, and a sensor device 21 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing element 243 is arranged close to the sensor device 21. Specifically, the fixing element 243 is arranged below the measurement height 214, schematically indicated by a dashed line, in the lifting direction indicated by the arrow. In this design, the fixing element 243 is spaced apart from the measurement height 214 to prevent signal interference from the sensor device 21.

[0134] Figure 14 A schematic side view of an embodiment showing a fixing element 243 with a recess 245, together with a section of container 10 guided through the recess 245 and a sensor device 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing element 243... Figure 14 The lifting direction indicated by the arrow is positioned above the measurement height 214, schematically shown by the dashed line. In this design, the fixing element 243 is spaced apart from the measurement height 214 to prevent damage to the signal from the sensor device 21. Specifically, the fixing element 243 is positioned close to the sensor device 21. Figure 14 In the illustrated embodiment, the container 1 is supported by a fixing element 243, particularly in the upper end region. In this design, the container 1 is supported at the upper end by the fixing element 243. Specifically, for small filling heights, the arrangement of the fixing element 243 above the sensor device 21 is advantageous.

[0135] Figure 15 It schematically shows the following according to Figure 10The fixing element 243 is along the empty part 245 according to Figure 10 A sectional side view showing the details of the embodiment, including the section of container 1, in the cross-section of line XI-XI. Figure 14 In the embodiment shown, the minimum diameter of the empty portion 245 is transverse to the passage. Figure 15 The lifting direction indicated by the arrow, especially in at least one direction perpendicular to the lifting device, is smaller than the diameter of the container 1 to be filled.

[0136] exist Figure 15 The empty space 245 shown faces the lifting unit 240 in the lifting direction (in Figure 15 The first side (not shown) has an introduction aid, particularly a chamfer 248, which causes the empty portion 245 to gradually narrow, and the container 1 is centered when introduced into the empty portion 245. Adjacent to the chamfer 248 in the lifting direction, the empty portion 245 has a region with a constant diameter. In the illustrated embodiment, the constant diameter is larger than the diameter of the container 1. On the second side opposite the first side, the fixing element 243 has at least one protrusion 249 protruding into the empty portion 245. In one design, the protrusion 249 is uninterrupted along the periphery of the empty portion 245. In another design, the protrusion 249 is interrupted along the periphery of the empty portion 245, forming at least two abutment points separated along the periphery of the empty portion 245.

[0137] exist Figure 15 In the illustrated embodiment, container 1 is inserted into the empty portion 245 and its upper end abuts against the contact point of the protrusion 249 at the empty portion 245 of the fixing element 243. In the design, as by... Figure 11 As schematically shown by the arrow, container 1 is lifted toward fixed element 243 in the lifting direction until the open end of container 1 abuts against the contact point of protrusion 249.

[0138] Professionals can appropriately select the design of the void 245 according to the application to fix the container to be filled during lifting to prevent tilting, and in particular to prevent tilting or at least lower it to a tolerable level. In the design, the void 245 is selected so that the container 1 can be introduced through the void 245, wherein the wall section of the void 245 forms a contact point.

[0139] In the design, the cross-section of the open section is polygonal, particularly a regular polygon. The polygon has at least three wall sections, wherein the wall sections form abutment points, and the container 1 can be supported at the wall sections.

[0140] Figure 16A schematic top view of container 1 and the open space supporting container 1 on the peripheral side at three abutment points 2450 is shown, wherein, Figure 15 Only the wall section with contact point 2450 in the open section is shown.

[0141] Figure 17 A schematic top view of a container 1 and an empty portion 245, having a cross-section of at least substantially square, supporting the container 1 at a plurality of contact points 2450 on the peripheral side. In this design, the container 1 is received with a gap in the empty portion 245. In this design, the gap is chosen such that the container 1 is supported at the contact points 2450 to reduce tilting to a tolerable degree.

[0142] In the design, the lifting unit 240 does not have a receiving part 241 for centering the container 1. The lifting unit is used to lift the container 1 to be filled, especially to lift some, especially all, of the containers 1 in a row 101, which is consistent with the design. Figures 11 to 17 The fixed element 243 in one of the diagrams works together.

[0143] In the design, the lifting unit 240 has a receiving part 241 for centering the container 1. The lifting unit is used to lift the container 1 to be filled, especially for lifting some, especially all, of the containers 1 in a row 101, which is consistent with the design. Figures 11 to 17 The fixed element 243 in one of the diagrams works together.

[0144] Figure 18 The perspective view schematically shows a lifting unit 240 having multiple receiving portions 241, which are respectively used for... Figure 18 Container 1, not shown in the image. Lifting unit 240 is capable of advancing toward the tray in the lifting direction schematically indicated by the arrow, for lifting a column (101, see...). Figure 2 Some, especially all, containers 1.

[0145] Lifting unit 240 includes along a column (101, see...) Figure 2 The support bar 2400 extends in the direction of lifting and includes a plurality of pins 2402, each fixedly arranged at a position on the support bar 2400 and extending from the support bar 2400 in the lifting direction. The free ends of the pins 2402 each serve as a support surface for exactly one container. In the illustrated embodiment, a receiving portion 241 is provided at the free end of the pin 2402 in the region of each support surface. The illustrated receiving portion 241 has two abutment points 242 extending beyond the peripheral region of the receiving portion 241.

[0146] The lifting unit 240 shown also has a clamping device 25 for the container 1 to be received in the receiving part 241.

[0147] The clamping devices 25 include a first clamping element 251 and a second clamping element 252. These clamping elements 251 and 252 extend in the lifting direction and protrude from the receiving portion 241. The clamping devices 25 are respectively configured to fix the container received in the receiving portion 241 at a distance from the supporting surface in the lifting direction to prevent tilting.

[0148] In the design, clamping elements 251 and 252 are elastically deformable. Clamping element 251 is elastically deformable from its resting position, particularly by the receiving container against its restoring force, wherein the receiving container is clamped between clamping elements 251 and 252 and forced to move into an upright position.

[0149] The clamping device 25 shown includes an adjusting device 253 for moving the clamping elements 251, 252 between the shown open position and the clamping position not shown.

[0150] The adjusting device 253 includes an adjusting element 254 movably supported in the lifting direction at the lifting unit 240. The adjusting element 254 is particularly capable of automatic adjustment relative to the support bar 2400 via a drive mechanism (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the adjusting element 254 has two arms 2540 extending in the lifting direction. Each arm 2540 interacts with clamping elements 251 and 252 respectively to adjust the clamping elements 251 and 252 from the illustrated open position to a clamping position (not shown) as the adjusting element 254 moves from the illustrated rest position to the operating position, particularly as the adjusting element 254 moves upward in the lifting direction from the illustrated rest position. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping elements 251 and 252 pivot about a pivot axis, particularly arranged below the support surface, via the adjusting element 253, thereby reducing the distance between the clamping elements 251 and 252 at their free ends.

[0151] In the illustrated embodiment, the adjusting element 254 for some, especially all, containers that can be received by the lifting unit 240 for lifting is implemented as a common structural unit, and can move together in order to manipulate the clamping device 25, especially in the lifting direction relative to the support bar 2400.

[0152] The clamping elements 251 and 252 are specifically designed such that when the adjusting element 254 returns to the illustrated rest position, the clamping elements 251 and 252 are forced into the open position based on an internal restoring force. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the clamping elements 251 and 252 have a support bar 258 inclined with respect to the lifting direction, which forces the clamping elements 251 and 252 into the open position.

[0153] Clamping elements 251 and 252 each have at least one contact point 255 and 256.

[0154] In the illustrated embodiment, the first clamping element 251 has two abutment points 255 and 256 spaced apart in the lifting direction. The first abutment point 255 is located at the distal end of the first clamping element 251. The second abutment point 256 is arranged more closely to the receiving portion 241 in the lifting direction. The second clamping element 252 has exactly one abutment point 255 located at its distal end.

[0155] At least one, and in particular all, of the contact points 255 and 256 are designed as curved contact surfaces. The curved contact surface is at least substantially in contact with... Figure 18 The peripheral side of the container, which is not shown in the image, is coaxial with the clamping device 25.

[0156] The embodiments shown are merely illustrative, and numerous variations are conceivable. In particular, it is conceivable that components shown and described as part of the embodiments can be combined with components of other embodiments to obtain alternative designs.

Claims

1. Device for filling a plurality of containers (1) in a tray (10) comprising columns (101) and rows (102), in particular for filling ampoules or cartridges arranged in the tray, said device comprising a filling system with a filling needle (200) with which containers (1) arranged in a column (101) can be filled, wherein A lifting device (24) is provided, wherein the lifting device (24) is used to lift the container to be filled in the column (101) from the tray (10) before and / or during the filling process, characterized in that the lifting device (24) has a fixing device, wherein the container to be filled (1) is fixed to prevent tilting when lifted at the lifting device (24) by means of the fixing device.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sensor device (21) is provided, wherein the sensor device (21) is configured to detect that a predetermined filling height has been reached during the filling process of the container (1), wherein the sensor device (21) is connected to a control device (23) of the filling system, and wherein the control device (23) is configured to trigger a stop signal for the filling process of the container (1) upon detecting that the predetermined filling height has been reached, wherein, in particular, the sensor device (21) is designed as an optical sensor device, the sensor device including a transmitter (210) arranged adjacent to the tray (10) and a receiver (212) arranged adjacent to the tray (10).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The lifting device (24) includes a lifting unit (240) arranged in the lifting direction below the tray (10), which, in order to lift the container (1) to be filled, can be advanced in the lifting direction toward the container (1) or the containers (1) at the closed end of the container (1), wherein, in particular The lifting device (24), especially the lifting unit (240), includes exactly one pin arranged below the tray for lifting exactly one container (1), and / or The lifting device (24), especially the lifting unit (240), includes a plurality of pins arranged below the tray for lifting some, especially all, of a row of containers (1), and / or The lifting device (24), especially the lifting unit (240), includes support bars arranged below the tray and extending along the direction of the column (101) for lifting some, especially all, of the containers (1) in a column (101), and / or A stop is provided that works in conjunction with the lifting device (24), especially the lifting unit (240), to restrict the movement of the lifting device (24), especially the lifting unit (240), in the lifting direction.

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The fixing device is configured to secure the container (1) to be filled at at least one of the following locations to prevent tilting: - In the upper end area, and / or - In the lower end region, and / or - Adjacent to the sensor device (21), and / or - Above the sensor device (21), and / or - Below the sensor device (21).

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The lifting device, particularly the lifting unit (240), is fluidly connected to a negative pressure source (246) such that a negative pressure can be applied at the lifting device, particularly the lifting unit (240), when lifting the container to be filled, wherein the container (1) can be fixed at the lifting device, particularly the lifting unit (240) by the negative pressure.

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The fixing device has fixing elements (243), particularly fixing elements (243) arranged separately relative to the lifting unit, wherein, in particular, The fixing element (243) is fixedly arranged at least during the movement of the lifting unit (240) for lifting the container (1) to be filled and / or during the filling process, and / or The fixing element (243) is configured to support the container (1) to be filled at a distance from the support surface at the lifting unit (240) in the lifting direction, and / or The fixing element (243) is configured to support the container (1) to be filled at the upper end region, and / or The fixing element (243) is configured to support the container (1) to be filled at the open end, and / or The fixing element (243) serves as a stop that works in conjunction with the open end of the container (1) to be filled during lifting, and / or The fixing element is arranged adjacent to the sensor device in the lifting direction, and / or The fixing element is made of sterilizable and / or autoclaved materials.

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The lifting device (24), and especially the fixing device, has a receiving portion (241) for a container (1) to be filled, wherein the receiving portion (241) has at least one, preferably two, three or more contact points (242), and wherein the container (1) can be supported on the periphery side at at least one contact point (242) when lifted.

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The receiving part (241) is arranged at the lifting unit (240) and can be adjusted with the lifting unit (240) in the lifting direction, and / or The lifting unit (240) includes a clamping device (25) for the container (1) to be filled, having at least two clamping elements (251, 252) extending in the lifting direction, wherein, in particular, The clamping element (251) is deformable and / or adjustable, especially elastically deformable and / or adjustable, and / or An adjusting device (253) is provided for moving at least two clamping elements (251, 252) between an open position and a clamping position, wherein, in particular, the adjusting device (253) includes an adjusting element (254) movably supported in the lifting direction at the lifting unit (240), and / or The clamping elements (251, 252) each have at least one contact point (255), and / or The clamping device (25) has exactly two clamping elements (251, 252), wherein the first clamping element (251) has two abutment points (255) spaced apart in the lifting direction, and / or At least one contact point (255) is designed as a curved contact surface, wherein, in particular, the curved contact surface is at least substantially coaxial with the circumferential side surface of the container (1) received by the clamping device.

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The fixing element (243) has a recess (245) forming the receiving portion, wherein, in particular, The empty portion (245) has a non-rotationally symmetric cross section, and / or The blanking portion (245) has an introduction auxiliary portion, especially a chamfer, and / or The diameter of the empty portion (245) is smaller than the diameter of the container (1) to be filled in at least one direction transverse to the lifting direction, and / or The fixing element (243) is designed as a perforated plate including at least one empty portion (245), and in particular a plurality of empty portions (245) forming receiving portions, for some containers (1) in a row (101), in particular all containers or all containers of the tray (10).

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The lifting device (24) is configured to lift containers (1) of different columns (101) and / or different rows (102) by different strokes in order to change the specified filling height, to compensate for tolerances and / or to compensate for the spacing-related measurement signals of the sensor device (21).

11. A method for filling a plurality of containers (1) in a tray (10) comprising columns (101) and rows (102), particularly for filling ampoules or cartridge bottles placed on the tray, wherein, The containers arranged in a row (101) are filled using a filling needle (200), wherein, before and / or during the filling process, the containers (1) to be filled in the row (101) are lifted from the tray (10) using a lifting device (24), characterized in that the containers (1) to be filled are secured at the lifting device (24) to prevent tilting.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, During the filling process of the container (1), a sensor device (21) detects that a predetermined filling height has been reached, wherein the detection of reaching the predetermined filling height triggers a stop signal for the filling process of the container (1), wherein the determination of filling height is detected in particular by an optical sensor device comprising a transmitter (210) arranged adjacent to the tray (10) and a receiver (212) arranged adjacent to the tray (10).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, In order to lift the container (1) to be filled, the lifting unit (240) of the lifting device (24) is pushed into the container (1) at the closed end of the container (1) and is arranged below the tray (10) in the lifting direction.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that, A negative pressure is applied at the lifting device (24), and especially the lifting unit (240), when the container to be filled is lifted, wherein the container (1) is fixed at the lifting device (24), and especially the lifting unit (240), by means of the negative pressure.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The container (1) to be filled is secured against tilting by fixing elements arranged separately relative to the lifting unit as it is lifted by the lifting device (24), wherein, in particular, In particular, The fixing element is arranged in a fixed manner at least during the movement of the lifting unit used to lift the container, and / or The container to be filled is supported at a distance from the working part of the lifting unit by the fixing element, and / or The container to be filled is supported at the upper end region by the fixing element, and / or The container to be filled is supported at the open end by the fixing element, and / or The fixing element serves as a stop for the open end of the container during lifting.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that, The container (1) to be filled is received in the receiving part of the lifting device (24), especially the fixing device, when it is lifted, wherein the receiving part has at least one, preferably two, three or more contact points, and the container (1) is supported at the contact points on the peripheral side.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that, In order to change the specified filling height, to compensate for tolerances and / or to compensate for the spacing-related measurement signals of the sensor device (21), the containers (1) of different columns (101) and / or different rows (102) are raised by different strokes.

18. Equipment for performing process steps at a container, particularly for performing process steps at least partially under cleanroom conditions, wherein, The equipment includes the equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and / or wherein the equipment is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

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