Weighing and filling machine

Abstract

Weighing and filling machine (1) for weighing and filling a container (100), in particular a pharmaceutical container, comprising: - a transport device (2) for continuously transporting a container (100) in a transport direction (101), wherein the transport device (2) comprises at least one transport device receptacle (20), - a filling device (3) for filling the container (100) with a filling product, in particular a liquid, - a weighing device (4) configured to determine a tare weight of the container (100) and a gross weight of the filled container (100), wherein the weighing device (4) comprises a separate tare weight determination device (40) and a separate gross weight determination device (41), wherein the tare weight determination device (40) and the gross weight determination device (41) are each provided with a plurality of load cells (42), - wherein the transport device (2) and the weighing device (4) are synchronously movable relative to each other, so that the tare weight and / or the gross weight of the container (100) can be determined during the continuous transport of the container (100), characterized in that - that the transport device (2) and the tare weight determination device (40) are arranged relative to each other such that a linear path on which the transport device receptacles (20) move and a circular path on which the load cells (42) of the tare weight determination device (40) move touch exactly at a point or at a location where a transport device receptacle (20) and a load cell (42) are present and - that the transport device (2) and the gross weight determination device (41) are arranged in such a way that the linear path on which the transport device receptacles (20) move and a circular path on which the load cells (42) of the gross weight determination device (41) move touch exactly at a point or at a location where a transport device receptacle (20) and a load cell (42) are present.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a weighing and filling machine for weighing and filling containers with a product, in particular for weighing and filling pharmaceutical containers with a liquid. Pharmaceutical containers include, for example, vials, ampoules, syringes, etc.

[0002] Filling machines are known from the prior art. For example, EP 0 623 810 A1 discloses a filling machine for free-flowing and bulk materials in which a tare weight is determined. DE 21 38 747 A also discloses a weighing device for belt-fed products. DE 10 2012 000 758 A1, DE 10 2011 084 721 A1, and DE 10 2005 006 733 A1 disclose devices for filling containers.

[0003] In filling machines, especially pharmaceutical filling machines, determining the fill weight of the container is a highly complex process due to the required accuracies, posing major challenges for both the mechanical and software-based implementation of a suitable station.

[0004] Especially when performing 100% in-process control (IPC) of all filled containers, currently available gravimetric measuring systems repeatedly reach their physical limits. This is due to the fact that gravimetric weighing systems cannot be moved during the downtime of the pharmaceutical containers. To achieve the required accuracy, the containers must remain stationary on a load cell of the weighing system for such a long time that this is only achievable with a clocked machine concept. This results in limited machine output. Higher output with clocked operation is currently only possible by using a large number of load cells. This leads to an increase in the transport distance between the individual stations of the filling machine, and the resulting kinematic parameters push the limits of what is technically feasible.Furthermore, the load cells used, in accordance with the state of the art, are very expensive, which is also reflected in the cost of spare parts. Likewise, the number of format parts required on the system is high, which makes handling more difficult for the operator.

[0005] Continuously operating machines are typically equipped with statistical in-process control (IPC) systems that only check a certain percentage of the filled containers. Especially with freeze-dried products, this means that the end customer must integrate a buffer system at the filling machine's outfeed side. This system allows all containers to be buffered between two consecutive IPC cycles. This prevents containers that appear to be incorrectly filled from being fed into the subsequent process. As a result, effort, space requirements, and investment costs increase significantly. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] The weighing and filling machine according to the invention for weighing and filling containers, in particular pharmaceutical containers, with the features of claim 1, has the advantage of continuous movement of the transport device and the weighing device. Thus, the proposed weighing and filling machine enables monitoring of the fill weight of all containers during transport. This is achieved according to the invention by a weighing and filling machine for weighing and filling a container, in particular a pharmaceutical container, which comprises a transport device, a filling device, and a weighing device. The transport device is configured to continuously transport at least one container in one transport direction. The filling device is configured to fill the container with a product, in particular a liquid.The weighing device is designed to determine the tare weight of the container and the gross weight of the filled container. Furthermore, the transport device and the weighing device are synchronized, allowing the tare weight and / or gross weight of the container to be determined during continuous transport. This makes it possible to determine the fill weight of each container while they are continuously moved by the transport device. This results in a significant increase in output combined with 100% in-process control. Such a continuous machine operation is considerably more resistant to disruptions and gentler on the containers than a machine with a clocked operating mode. Furthermore, a buffer system can be eliminated in freeze-drying product plants.The tare weight of a container is the difference between the gross weight of the container (total weight) and the net weight (pure weight) of the product it contains. In other words, the tare weight is equal to the weight of the container.

[0007] The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0008] According to the invention, the weighing and filling machine comprises a separate tare weight determination device and a separate gross weight determination device. This allows the tare weight and gross weight to be determined by separate components, thereby increasing the flexibility of the weighing and filling machine.

[0009] Preferably, the tare weight determination device is arranged upstream of the transport device in the transport direction, and the gross weight determination device is arranged downstream of the transport device in the transport direction. This allows the tare weight of the container to be determined before it enters the transport device and the gross weight of the container to be determined after it exits the transport device. This enables the use of a greater number of load cells and thus increases the output of the weighing and filling machine. Furthermore, containers with larger diameters can be processed.

[0010] The weighing device is designed as a separate moving unit. The weighing device moves along a circular path.

[0011] Preferably, the transport device is movable relative to the filling device.

[0012] In particular, the filling device is stationary relative to the transport device. In other words, the filling device does not move. This allows for simpler filling of the container with the product, as no control of the filling device's movement is required.

[0013] The filling device is preferably arranged centrally in the transport direction with respect to the transport device or to an effective transport area of ​​the transport device 2. Thus, the container travels the same distance in the transport direction via the transport device both before and after the filling station. This allows the time required to determine the tare weight of the container to be equal to the time required to determine the gross weight. This leads to an accurate determination of the tare weight and gross weight, and therefore the weight of the product being filled (filled weight). The term "effective transport area" refers to the area of ​​the transport device within which the containers are actually transported.

[0014] The transport device comprises at least one receptacle for receiving the container, which is movable along a linear path. The receptacle is preferably designed as a transport pocket that at least partially surrounds the container. In particular, the transport device comprises a plurality of receptacles.

[0015] Preferably, the transport device can have a rotary wheel or a rotating wheel, with the transport device receptacle arranged radially on the rotary wheel. Alternatively, the transport device can comprise a linear conveying element. With a plurality of transport device receptacles, the receptacles are advantageously distributed uniformly in one circumferential direction of the rotary wheel.

[0016] The weighing device comprises at least one load cell with a strain gauge. By using a load cell based on strain gauge technology, it is possible, for example, to use a rotary weigher ("weighing carousel") equipped with a corresponding number of these load cells as the tare weight determination device of the weighing and filling machine. A strain gauge is a measuring device for detecting tensile and compressive deformations by measuring the change in the electrical resistance of the strain gauge caused by the deformation.

[0017] Furthermore, the weighing and filling machine preferably includes a control unit that is configured to control the transport device and / or the weighing device and / or the filling device.

[0018] The transport device and the weighing device are arranged in such a way that, when the transport device and the weighing device move synchronously, a transport device receptacle is located at the same position as a load cell.

[0019] Furthermore, the weighing and filling machine includes an evaluation unit that is connected to the weighing device via information technology. This allows the determined tare weight and gross weight of a container to be transmitted to the evaluation unit for calculating the fill weight. The transmission of the measurement results to the evaluation unit can be achieved, for example, via radio systems or slip ring contacts.

[0020] The evaluation unit and the control unit are preferably designed as a single component.

[0021] Furthermore, the transport device and / or the weighing device can preferably be supplied with energy via slip ring contacts or induction coupling. Brief description of the drawing

[0022] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein identical or functionally equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numeral. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a simplified schematic top view of a weighing and filling machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 a simplified schematic top view of a weighing and filling machine according to a second embodiment, Fig. 3 a simplified schematic top view of a weighing and filling machine according to a third embodiment, Fig. 4 a simplified schematic perspective view of a weighing and filling machine according to a fourth embodiment, Fig. 5 a simplified schematic top view of a weighing and filling machine according to a fifth embodiment, Fig. 6 a simplified schematic front view of the weighing and filling machine Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 a simplified schematic perspective view of a weighing and filling machine according to a sixth embodiment. Embodiments of the invention

[0023] The following refers to the Fig. 1 a weighing and filling machine 1 for weighing and filling containers, in particular pharmaceutical containers, according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described in detail.

[0024] As from the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the weighing and filling machine 1 comprises a transport device 2, a filling device 3 and a weighing device 4.

[0025] The transport device 1 allows containers 100 to be transported in a transport direction 101. The filling device 3 serves to fill the containers 100 with a filling product, in particular a liquid.

[0026] Furthermore, the weighing device 4 is set up to determine a tare weight and a gross weight of each transported container 100.

[0027] In particular, the weighing device 4 has a separate tare weight determination device 40 and a separate gross weight determination device 41. The tare weight determination device 40 and the gross weight determination device 41 are preferably identical.

[0028] The transport device 2 and the weighing device 4 are movable synchronously with each other. In particular, the transport device 2 is movable synchronously with the tare weight determination device 40 and the gross weight determination device 41.

[0029] Thus, the tare weight and the gross weight of the containers 100 are determined simultaneously during the transport of the containers 100.

[0030] The transport device 2 preferably has a plurality of transport device receptacles 20, each transport device receptacle 20 serving to receive a container 100. The transport device receptacles 20 are each designed, in particular, as a transport pocket that at least partially surrounds the container 100.

[0031] Furthermore, the transport device 2 is designed as a linear conveying element. This means that the transport device mounts 20 are movable along a linear path when transporting the containers 100.

[0032] Furthermore, the tare weight determination device 40 and the gross weight determination device 41 are each equipped with a plurality of load cells 42. Advantageously, each load cell 42 includes a strain gauge for determining a weight.

[0033] In particular, the tare weight determination device 40 and the gross weight determination device 41 are each designed as a rotary unit on which the load cells 42 are arranged radially. Thus, the tare weight determination device 40 and the gross weight determination device 41 each rotate about an axis, with the load cells 42 moving on a circular path.

[0034] The transport device 2 and the tare weight determination device 40 are arranged relative to each other such that the linear path on which the transport device receptacles 20 move and the circular path on which the load cells 42 of the tare weight determination device 40 move touch exactly at one point or at a location where a transport device receptacle 20 and a load cell 42 are present.

[0035] Accordingly, the transport device 2 and the gross weight determination device 41 are arranged relative to each other such that the linear path on which the transport device mounts 20 move and the circular path on which the load cells 42 of the gross weight determination device 41 move touch exactly at one point or at a location where a transport device mount 20 and a load cell 42 are present.

[0036] The filling device 3 is preferably stationary and arranged centrally in the transport direction 101 with respect to the transport device 2 or to an effective transport area of ​​the transport device 2. The effective transport area corresponds to the area of ​​the transport device 2 between the tare weight determination device 40 and the gross weight determination device 41.

[0037] To fill the containers 100 with a product, the containers 100 are conveyed in the transport direction 101 by means of the transport device 2. Simultaneously, the tare weight determination device 40 rotates synchronously with the transport device 2 (arrow 102). At the point where the linear path of the transport device 2 intersects the circular path of the tare weight determination device 40, the tare weight of the container 100 located at that point is determined.

[0038] After the tare weight of container 100 is determined, container 100 is transported to filling device 3. There, container 100 is filled with a product, in particular a liquid.

[0039] The filled container 100 is subsequently transported further in the transport direction 101 by means of the transport device 2. At the same time, the gross weight determination device 41 rotates in synchronization with the transport device 2 (arrow 103). The gross weight of the container 100 is determined at the point where the linear path of the transport device 2 intersects the circular path of the gross weight determination device 41.

[0040] The determined tare weight and gross weight for each container 100 are transmitted to an evaluation unit 10. Evaluation unit 10 is configured to determine the net weight of the product based on the determined tare weight and gross weight and to compare this with a predefined reference weight. This allows the system to determine whether the containers 100 have been filled with the desired quantity of product.

[0041] The evaluation unit 10 also serves as a control unit, which is set up to control the transport device 2 and / or the weighing device 4 and / or the filling device 3.

[0042] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a weighing and filling machine 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] The weighing and filling machine 1 according to the second embodiment differs fundamentally from that of the first embodiment in that, in the second embodiment, the tare weight determination device 40 is arranged upstream of the transport device 2 in the transport direction 101, and the gross weight determination device 41 is arranged downstream of the transport device 2. In other words, in the weighing and filling machine 1, the transport device 2 is located downstream of the tare weight determination device 40 in the transport direction 101 and upstream of the gross weight determination device 41.

[0044] This means that the containers 100 can be transferred from the tare weight determination device 40 to the transport device 2 or from the transport device 2 to the gross weight determination device 41.

[0045] Furthermore, the weighing and filling machine 1 comprises an inlet wheel 5 and an outlet wheel 6. In this embodiment as well, the effective transport area is arranged between the tare weight determination device 40 and the gross weight determination device 41 in the transport direction 101.

[0046] The infeed wheel 5, which rotates in the opposite direction to the tare weight determination device 40 (arrow 104), is configured to feed containers 100 to the tare weight determination device 40. The filled containers 100 are removed from the gross weight determination device 41 via the outfeed wheel 6, which rotates in the opposite direction to the gross weight determination device 41 (arrow 105).

[0047] In this embodiment, the containers 100 are first guided via the infeed wheel 5 to the tare weight determination device 40. There, the tare weight of the containers 100 is determined by means of the provided load cells 42. The determination of the tare weight of a container 100 can take place before and / or at the point where the linear path of the transport device 2 intersects the circular path of the tare weight determination device 40.

[0048] The containers 100 are then transported to the filling device 3, where they are filled. Afterwards, the gross weight of the filled containers 100 is recorded by the gross weight measuring device 41. The gross weight can be recorded at or after the point where the linear path of the transport device 2 intersects the circular path of the gross weight measuring device 41. The filled containers 100 are then removed via the discharge wheel 6.

[0049] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a weighing and filling machine 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Here, the transport device 2 and the weighing device 4 are preferably designed as a single unit.

[0051] In other words, the transport device 2 is equipped with a plurality of load cells 42. Particularly preferably, each transport device receptacle 20 is equipped with a load cell 42.

[0052] In particular, the transport device 2 is designed as a rotary wheel on which the load cells 42 are arranged radially. Within the scope of the invention, the rotary wheel can therefore also be understood as a star wheel.

[0053] In this embodiment, the transport device mounts 20 are moved on a circular path.

[0054] The filling device 3 is arranged radially in a fixed position relative to the transport device 2 and does not move.

[0055] The load cells 42 move with the transport device 2 in the transport direction 106. The transport direction 106 corresponds to a rotary transport direction.

[0056] The tare weight of the containers 100 is determined in an initial section 21 of the transport device 2, which is located in front of the filling device 3 during the rotation of the transport device 2. This initial section 21 thus serves as a tare weight determination device.

[0057] Accordingly, in an end section 22 of the transport device 2, which is located after the filling device 3 during the rotation of the transport device 2, the gross weight of the filled containers 100 is determined. This end section 22 is thus to be understood as a gross weight determination device.

[0058] An intermediate area 23 between the initial area 21 and the final area 22 corresponds to the area in which the containers 100 are filled with the filling product by means of the filling device 3.

[0059] In particular, the initial area 21 is defined by the inlet wheel 5 and the filling device 3, and the final area 22 by the filling device 3 and the outlet wheel 6.

[0060] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a weighing and filling machine 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] As in the third embodiment, in the fourth embodiment the transport device 2 and the weighing device 4 are preferably designed as a single unit.

[0062] In other words, the transport device 2 is equipped with a plurality of load cells 42. Particularly preferably, each transport device receptacle 20 is equipped with a load cell 42.

[0063] In the fourth embodiment, the transport device 2 is designed as a linear conveying element, wherein the transport device receivers 20 and thus the containers 100 are moved on a linear path.

[0064] The initial section 21 of the transport device 2 corresponds to the section in front of the filling device 3 in the transport direction 101. In particular, the initial section 21 is limited by the infeed wheel 5 and the filling device 3.

[0065] The end region 22 of the transport device 2 corresponds to the region after the filling device 3 in the transport direction 101. In particular, the end region 22 is limited by the discharge wheel 6 and the filling device 3 in the transport direction 101.

[0066] The determination of the tare weight of the containers 100 takes place in the initial area 21, while the determination of the gross weight of the filled containers 100 is carried out in the final area 22.

[0067] The following refers to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 a weighing and filling machine 1 according to a fifth embodiment is described.

[0068] The weighing and filling machine 1 according to the fifth embodiment looks similar to the one according to the third embodiment with regard to the design of the transport device 2.

[0069] The fundamental difference is that in the fifth embodiment, the weighing device 4 is not integrated with the transport device 2, but is movable in the transport direction 106.

[0070] The following will be based on the Fig. 6 explains the movement sequence of the weighing device 4.

[0071] To determine the tare weight of the containers 100, the weighing device 4 first moves in a first vertical direction 107, which is perpendicular to a transport plane 108 of the containers 100, until the load cells 42 contact the containers 100 located in front of the filling device 3.

[0072] The weighing device 4 is then moved synchronously with the transport device 2 in the transport direction 106, whereby the tare weight of the containers 100 is determined.

[0073] The containers 100 are then filled with the product via the filling device 3. During this phase, the weighing device 4 rotates continuously with the transport device 2.

[0074] After the filling device 3, the gross weight of the filled containers 100 is determined by means of the weighing device 4, which is still moving in the transport direction 106.

[0075] When the determination of the gross weight of the filled containers 100 is complete, the weighing device 4 is moved in a second vertical direction 107', which is opposite to the first vertical direction 107. This breaks the contact of the filled containers 100 with the load cells 42.

[0076] The weighing device 4 is then moved in a direction 106' opposite to the transport direction 106, so that a new movement sequence of the weighing device 4 and thus a new filling and weighing process can begin.

[0077] Thus, during the determination of the tare weight, the filling of the containers 100, and the determination of the gross weight of the filled containers 100, the weighing device 4 is located in the first vertical direction 107 below the transport device 2. In particular, during the determination of the tare weight, the filling of the containers 100, and the determination of the gross weight of the filled containers 100, each load cell 42 of the weighing device 4 is located in the vertical direction 107 directly opposite a transport device receptacle 20 of the transport device 2.

[0078] The Fig. Figure 7 represents a weighing and filling machine 1 according to a sixth embodiment.

[0079] The weighing and filling machine 1 according to the sixth embodiment is a modification of the weighing and filling machine 1 according to the fifth embodiment, in that a transport device 2 designed as a linear conveying element is provided here.

[0080] To determine the tare weight of the containers 100, the weighing device 4 first moves in the first vertical direction 107, which is perpendicular to the transport plane 108 of the containers 100, until the load cells 42 contact the containers 100 located in front of the filling device 3.

[0081] The weighing device 4 is then moved synchronously with the transport device 2 in the transport direction 101, determining the tare weight of the containers 100. The containers 100 are then filled by means of the filling device 3. During this step, the weighing device 4 moves continuously with the transport device 2. After the containers 100 have been filled, the gross weight of the filled containers 100 is recorded by the weighing device 4, which is still moving in the transport direction 101.

[0082] The weighing device 4 is then moved in a second vertical direction 107', which is opposite to the first vertical direction 107. This interrupts the contact between the filled containers 100 and the load cells 42.

[0083] The weighing device 4 is then moved in a direction 101' opposite to the transport direction 101, so that a new movement sequence of the weighing device 4 and thus a new filling and weighing process can begin.

[0084] Thanks to the weighing and filling machine 1 according to the invention, in which the weighing device 4 can be moved synchronously with the continuously running transport device 2, a standstill time is no longer necessary and the weight determination can take place during the transport movement.

Claims

[1] Weighing and filling machine (1) for weighing and filling a container (100), in particular a pharmaceutical container, comprising: - a transport device (2) for continuously transporting a container (100) in a transport direction (101), wherein the transport device (2) comprises at least one transport device receptacle (20), - a filling device (3) for filling the container (100) with a filling product, in particular a liquid, - a weighing device (4) configured to determine a tare weight of the container (100) and a gross weight of the filled container (100), wherein the weighing device (4) comprises a separate tare weight determination device (40) and a separate gross weight determination device (41), wherein the tare weight determination device (40) and the gross weight determination device (41) are each provided with a plurality of load cells (42), - wherein the transport device (2) and the weighing device (4) are synchronously movable relative to each other, so that the tare weight and / or the gross weight of the container (100) can be determined during the continuous transport of the container (100), characterized by , - that the transport device (2) and the tare weight determination device (40) are arranged relative to each other such that a linear path on which the transport device receptacles (20) move and a circular path on which the load cells (42) of the tare weight determination device (40) move touch exactly at a point or at a location where a transport device receptacle (20) and a load cell (42) are present and - that the transport device (2) and the gross weight determination device (41) are arranged in such a way that the linear path on which the transport device receptacles (20) move and a circular path on which the load cells (42) of the gross weight determination device (41) move touch exactly at a point or at a location where a transport device receptacle (20) and a load cell (42) are present. [2] Weighing and filling machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tare weight determination device (40) is arranged in the transport direction (101) in front of the transport device (2) and the gross weight determination device (41) is arranged after the transport device (2). [3] Weighing and filling machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport device (2) is movable relative to the filling device (3). [4] Weighing and filling machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein the filling device (3) is stationary relative to the transport device (2). [5] Weighing and filling machine (1) according to claim 4, wherein the filling device (3) is arranged centrally in the transport direction (101) with respect to the transport device (2). [6] Weighing and filling machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the weighing device (4) comprises at least one load cell (42) with a strain gauge.

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