Device for closing containers, closing system, method for closing containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for closing containers (12), in particular individual pharmaceutical containers (12), with closures (18), in particular stoppers (18), comprising: a closure station (24) for placing the closures (18) onto the containers (12), a first transport device (26) for continuously transporting the closures (18) to the closure station (24) along a first transport route, a second transport device (32) for continuously transporting the containers (12) to the closure station (24) along a second transport route, and a gassing device (40) which has at least one first gas channel (42) which is arranged adjacent to the first transport route and is oriented such that a gas stream, in particular a protective gas stream, flowing out of an outlet section (44) of the first gas channel (42) flows obliquely upwards from the outlet section (44) and crosses the first transport route.Furthermore, the invention relates to a closure system (10) and a method for closing containers (12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for closing containers. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a closure system. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for closing containers.

[0002] In packaging systems, containers are often sealed automatically. For example, in pharmaceutical manufacturing, it is common practice to first fill a drug, especially a drug solution or suspension, into a container and then automatically seal the container with a closure.

[0003] In many pharmaceutical applications, the lowest possible residual oxygen content in the container after its closure is desired, in particular a residual oxygen content of less than 1%. Various approaches are known to achieve such a low residual oxygen content. For example, it is known to flood the entire area surrounding a device used for closure with inert gas. However, this requires a large amount of inert gas, so this solution is associated with high costs. It is also known to enclose the device used for closure in a housing and to evacuate the interior of the housing during closure. This solution is also associated with high costs and is technically complex and space-intensive. If the housing is evacuated, only intermittent operation is possible.

[0004] The invention addresses the problem of creating a device for sealing containers that allows for a low residual oxygen content using cost-effective means. In particular, it should also be possible to operate the device without a timer.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a device having the features of claim 1, by a closure system having the features of claim 17, and by a method having the features of claim 18. The respective subclaims and the description specify advantageous variants and embodiments.

[0006] According to the invention, a device for closing containers with closures is provided. The containers are preferably individual pharmaceutical containers, such as vials or injection bottles. The closures are preferably stoppers. However, the device can also be designed to handle different types of containers and / or closures.

[0007] The device according to the invention comprises a closure station for placing the closures on the containers. The closure station is thus designed to carry out the actual closing process. The closure station is preferably designed to press the closures into the containers or to press the closures onto the containers. For this purpose, the closure station can have a projection over which the containers or the closures are transported and which applies a compressive force to the containers or the closures in the direction of the closures or the containers. In the closure station, both the containers and the closures can also be subjected to a compressive force acting in the direction of the other element.

[0008] The device according to the invention further comprises a first transport device for continuously transporting the closures to the closure station along a first transport route. The closures are thus fed to the closure station by the first transport device, specifically along the first transport route. The first transport route describes the path a closure travels in the device before reaching the closure station, in particular the path between a closure reservoir of the device and the closure station.

[0009] The device according to the invention further comprises a second transport device for continuously transporting the containers to the closing station along a second transport route. The containers are thus fed to the closing station by the second transport device, specifically along the second transport route. The second transport route describes the path a container travels in the device before reaching the closing station, in particular the path between a filling system and the closing station.

[0010] The device according to the invention also comprises a gassing device which has at least one first gas channel which is arranged adjacent to the first transport route and is oriented such that a gas flow, in particular a protective gas flow, flowing out of an outlet section of the first gas channel flows obliquely upwards out of the outlet section and crosses the first transport route.

[0011] It has been shown that the residual oxygen content in the containers can be effectively reduced by a first gas channel designed and arranged as described above. When closing a container with a closure, gas, particularly oxygen-containing gas or air, located on the underside of the closure is typically introduced into the interior of the container. This effect is enhanced by the fact that closures often have a depression on the underside that is significantly larger than the free volume of the container to be closed.

[0012] Due to the inventive arrangement and orientation of the first gas channel, the underside of the closures can be specifically supplied with protective gas during operation of the device in order to displace any oxygen-containing gas present there. Preferably, an imaginary straight extension of the outlet section intersects the first transport route, leaving an area between the outlet of the outlet section and the first transport route free. This results in the gas flow flowing out of the outlet section directly crossing the first transport route. The gas flow thus crosses the first transport route without being deflected by one or more fluid guide elements between the outlet section and the first transport route.

[0013] The outlet section is preferably straight. The orientation of a gas stream emerging from the outlet section essentially corresponds to the orientation of the outlet section. The outlet section of the first gas channel is preferably tubular. The outlet section can form a portion of the first gas channel. However, the first gas channel can also be formed entirely by the outlet section.

[0014] In some preferred embodiments, the first gas channel is oriented such that an angle between a horizontal plane and the outlet section of the first gas channel is between +10° and +80°. Such an orientation of the outlet section results in a gas flow that particularly effectively displaces gas present on the underside of a closure. A positive degree in this context means that the outlet section is oriented such that it extends obliquely upward.

[0015] Preferably, the angle between the horizontal plane and the outlet section of the first gas channel is between +30° and +60°, particularly preferably between +40° and +50°.

[0016] In some preferred embodiments, the outlet section of the first gas channel is cut off at an angle at its outlet, and the outlet section is mounted so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal center axis. This means that the opening plane of the outlet is oriented at an angle to the longitudinal center axis of the outlet section. This results in the advantage that the flow direction of the gas stream flowing out of the outlet section can be changed at least slightly by rotating the outlet section about its longitudinal center axis. This has the advantage, for example, that the gassing device can be adapted to closures of different sizes without the arrangement of the first gas channel having to be changed - apart from rotating the outlet section.

[0017] In some preferred embodiments, the gassing device comprises a plurality of first gas channels arranged one behind the other with respect to the first transport route. All of the first gas channels are then arranged adjacent to the first transport route and aligned such that gas streams flowing out of the outlet sections of the first gas channels each flow obliquely upward from the respective outlet section and cross the first transport route. This results in the advantage that the effectiveness of the gassing device with regard to displacing gas on the undersides of the closures can be increased.

[0018] In some preferred embodiments, the gassing device comprises at least one second gas channel, which is arranged adjacent to the second transport route and oriented such that a gas stream, in particular a protective gas stream, flowing out of an outlet section of the second gas channel flows obliquely downwards out of the outlet section and crosses the second transport route. By means of a second gas channel designed and arranged as above, the residual oxygen content in the containers can be further reduced. Due to the arrangement and orientation of the outlet section of the second gas channel, the gas stream emerging from the outlet section of the second gas channel is fed to an opening of a container transported along the second gas channel. The gas stream can enter the interior of the container through the opening and displace any gas present there.Preferably, the second gas channel is oriented such that an angle between a horizontal plane and the outlet section of the second gas channel is between -10° and -80°, preferably between -30° and -60°, particularly preferably between -40° and -50°. A negative degree in this context means that the outlet section is oriented such that it extends obliquely downward. The gassing device can have a plurality of second gas channels arranged one behind the other with respect to the second transport route.

[0019] In some preferred embodiments, the gassing device has at least one third gas channel, which is arranged adjacent to the second transport route and is oriented such that a gas stream, in particular a protective gas stream, flowing out of an outlet section of the third gas channel flows downwards out of the outlet section perpendicular to a horizontal plane and crosses the second transport route. The residual oxygen content in the containers can also be further reduced by such a third gas channel. The gas stream flowing out of the outlet section of the third gas channel can enter the interior of a container through its opening and displace gas present there. The gassing device can have a plurality of third gas channels, which are arranged one behind the other with respect to the second transport route.

[0020] In some preferred embodiments, the first transport device comprises a rotatable first transport wheel for transporting the closures along a circular-arc-shaped end section of the first transport route, the second transport device comprises a rotatable second transport wheel for transporting the containers along a circular-arc-shaped end section of the second transport route, and the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel are arranged coaxially with one another. The transport wheels transport the closures or containers along the end section of the first transport route or the second transport route, respectively. This means that the transport wheels feed the closures or containers to the closure station.The coaxial arrangement of the two transport wheels ensures that the circular end sections of the two transport paths run parallel to each other and are offset vertically. This facilitates the placement of the closures on the containers. The first transport wheel is preferably designed as a sawtooth wheel.

[0021] In some preferred embodiments, the first gas channel or at least one of the plurality of first gas channels is arranged adjacent to the circular-arc-shaped end section of the first transport route. The outflowing gas stream accordingly crosses the end section of the first transport route. This has the advantage that gas present on the underside of the closures is displaced by a gas stream, in particular a protective gas stream, shortly before the containers are closed with the closures. However, at least one first gas channel can also be arranged adjacent to a section of the first transport route that is arranged upstream of the circular-arc-shaped end section.

[0022] In some preferred embodiments, the second gas channel or at least one of the plurality of second gas channels is arranged adjacent to the circular-arc-shaped end section of the second transport route. This has the advantage that a gas flow, in particular a protective gas flow, flows through the interior of the containers shortly before the containers are closed with the closures. However, at least one second gas channel can also be arranged adjacent to a section of the second transport route that is arranged upstream of the circular-arc-shaped end section.

[0023] In some preferred embodiments, the second gas channel is arranged upstream of the first gas channel in the direction of rotation of the transport wheels. The first gas channel is thus located closer to the closure station than the second gas channel. The underside of the closures is less protected from gas exchange than the interior of the containers. It is therefore preferable to expose the undersides of the closures to the gas flow or protective gas flow immediately upstream of the closure station.

[0024] In some preferred embodiments, the second transport device comprises at least one further transport unit arranged upstream of the second transport wheel for transporting the containers along a feed section of the second transport route, and the third gas channel or at least one of the third gas channels is arranged adjacent to the feed section. The further transport unit can, for example, comprise a further transport wheel and / or a circular conveyor.

[0025] In some preferred embodiments, the gassing device comprises a casing that at least partially surrounds the first transport route and / or the second transport route. The casing can limit gas exchange between the environment and an area through which the first and second transport routes pass. The casing can be composed of multiple casing parts. Alternatively, the casing can also be formed in one piece.

[0026] In some preferred embodiments, the housing has a side wall that is radially opposite the transport wheels and extends at least partially along the transport wheels in the circumferential direction of the transport wheels. The side wall restricts gas exchange between the environment and the region through which the circular-arc-shaped end sections of the transport routes run. Preferably, the first gas channel protrudes through a first through-opening in the side wall. Preferably, the second gas channel protrudes through a second through-opening in the side wall.

[0027] In some preferred embodiments, the enclosure has a tunnel wall that is open vertically downwards, wherein the feed section extends at least partially through a tunnel volume surrounded by the tunnel wall in such a way that tunnel side walls of the tunnel wall protrude vertically downwards beyond an opening edge of a container transported through the tunnel volume. The tunnel wall, in particular the tunnel side walls, particularly effectively restricts the inflow of gas from the environment into the interior of the containers in the region of the feed section. In particular, the tunnel wall makes it possible to locally generate an atmosphere in the tunnel volume as a whole whose composition corresponds to the gas flow flowing out of the outlet section of the third gas channel.

[0028] In some preferred embodiments, the enclosure has a barrier wall which is arranged at a transition from the feed section to the circular-arc-shaped end section of the second transport route and projects radially between the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel. The transition from the feed section to the circular-arc-shaped end section is particularly susceptible to the inflow of gas from the environment into the region through which the circular-arc-shaped end sections of the transport routes run. This is due in particular to the fact that at this point the transport wheels can convey gas from the environment into the region with the circular-arc-shaped end sections. An inflow into the region can be at least largely prevented by the barrier wall projecting radially between the transport wheels.

[0029] In some preferred embodiments, it is provided that the first gas channel and the second gas channel are fluidically connected to a respective different gas connection, that the first gas channel and the third gas channel are fluidically connected to a respective different gas connection, and / or that the second gas channel and the third gas channel are fluidically connected to a respective different gas connection. If two gas channels are fluidically connected to a respective different gas connection, the flow velocity of the two gas channels can be adjusted independently of one another. Preferably, the flow velocity is adjusted such that the gas stream flowing out of the third gas channel has a greater flow velocity than the gas stream flowing out of the first gas channel and the gas stream flowing out of the second gas channel.If two gas channels are fluidically connected to a different gas connection, it can also be achieved that gas streams emerge from the gas channels that differ in their composition. Purely by way of example, a protective gas with a greater density than air can be selected for the second and third gas channels. Due to its high density, such a protective gas remains in the containers for a particularly long time. For the first gas channel, on the other hand, a protective gas with a lower density than air can be selected. Due to its low density, such a protective gas remains in a recess on the underside of the closures for a particularly long time. However, the same composition can also be selected for the different gas channels.

[0030] The closure system according to the invention comprises a plurality of containers, in particular individual pharmaceutical containers, and a plurality of closures, in particular stoppers, for closing the containers. The closures each have a bottom side and a top side that can be assigned to the containers. When a closure is placed on a container, the top side of the closure faces away from the containers. The closures preferably have a recess on their bottom side.

[0031] The closure system according to the invention also comprises a device comprising a closure station for placing the closures on the containers, a first transport device for continuously transporting the closures to the closure station along a first transport route, a second transport device for continuously transporting the containers to the closure station along a second transport route, and a gassing device which has at least one first gas channel which is arranged adjacent to the first transport route and is oriented such that a gas flow, in particular a protective gas flow, flowing out of an outlet section of the first gas channel flows out of the outlet section obliquely upwards and impinges on the underside of a closure transported by the first transport device along the first transport route.

[0032] With regard to the advantages achievable with the closure system, reference is made to the relevant explanations of the device and method. The features described in connection with the device and method can be used to further refine the closure system.

[0033] The method according to the invention for closing containers, in particular individual pharmaceutical containers, with closures, in particular stoppers, comprises at least the following: continuously transporting the closures to a closure station along a first transport route; continuously transporting the containers to the closure station along a second transport route; placing the closures on the containers in the closure station, wherein the closures are placed on the containers such that a bottom side of the closures is associated with the containers and a top side of the closures faces away from the containers; and providing at least one protective gas stream which impinges on the bottom side of the closures transported along the first transport route before reaching the closure station. Preferably, a nitrogen stream is provided as the protective gas stream.

[0034] Advantages and further development possibilities of the device are to be understood as being described in relation to the method and, conversely, advantages and further development possibilities of the method are to be understood as being described in relation to the device.

[0035] In some preferred embodiments of the method, the closures have a recess on their underside, and the protective gas flow flows into the recess. Gas present in the recess of a closure enters the interior of a container when the closure is used to close the container. The inflow of the protective gas flow into the recess and the associated gas exchange can particularly effectively reduce the residual oxygen content in the recess and thus in the interior of the container after its closure.

[0036] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the figures, wherein identical or functionally identical elements may be provided with reference numerals only once. The description serves as an example and is not to be understood as limiting. Fig. 1 a perspective view of a locking system; Fig. 2 the locking system Fig. 1, with individual elements of the locking system being left out; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a gassing device of the closure system from Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a view of the fumigation device from Fig. 3 from the bottom; and Fig. 5 a perspective detailed view of the fumigation device from Fig. 3.

[0037] In the Fig. 1 to 5 show a closure system 10 or parts of the closure system 10.

[0038] The closure system 10 comprises a plurality of containers 12. In the present case, the containers 12 are individual pharmaceutical containers 12, namely vials 12. The containers 12 have an opening 14 enclosed by an opening edge 16. The interior of the unsealed containers 12 is accessible through the opening 14.

[0039] The closure system 10 also comprises a plurality of closures 18 for closing the containers 12. In the present case, the closures 18 are plugs 18. The closures 18 each have a top side 20 and a bottom side facing away from the top side, the bottom side not being visible in the figures. The closures 18 have a recess on the bottom side. If a container 12 is closed as intended by a closure 18, the top side 20 of the closure 18 faces away from the container 12. The bottom side faces the container, the recess being in fluid contact with the interior of the container 12.

[0040] The closure system 10 also comprises a device 22 for closing the containers 12 with the closures 18.

[0041] The device 22 comprises a closure station 24 designed to place the closures 18 onto the containers 12. In the present case, the closure station 24 comprises a projection (not shown) for this purpose. If a container 12 and an associated closure 18 are transported along the projection, the projection exerts a compressive force on the container 12, which presses the container 12 against the closure 18 arranged above it. The closure 18 is thereby placed onto the container 12.

[0042] The device 22 also comprises a first transport device 26 for continuously transporting the closures 18 to the closure station 24. The first transport device 26 transports the closures 18 along a first transport route. The first transport route describes the path that a closure 18 travels in the device 22 before reaching the closure station 24, in particular the path between a closure reservoir (not shown) of the device 22 and the closure station.

[0043] The first transport device 26 comprises a rotatable first transport wheel 28, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a sawtooth wheel 28. For transporting the closures 18, the first transport wheel 28 has a plurality of recesses 30, each of which is designed to receive and hold a closure 18. During operation, the first transport wheel 28 transports the closures 18 along a circular arc-shaped section of the first transport route. The first transport wheel 28 feeds the closures 18 directly to the closure station 24, so that the circular arc-shaped section is a circular arc-shaped end section of the first transport route. Fig. 2, the first transport wheel 28 is cut out to identify the parts underneath.

[0044] The device 22 further comprises a second transport device 32 for continuously transporting the containers 12 to the closing station 24. The second transport device 32 transports the containers 12 along a second transport route. The second transport route is the path that the containers 12 travel in the device 22 before reaching the closing station 24, in particular the path between a filling system (not shown) and the closing station 24.

[0045] The second transport device 32 comprises a rotatable second transport wheel 34. For transporting the containers 12, the second transport wheel 34 has a plurality of recesses 35, each of which is designed to receive and hold a container 12. During operation, the second transport wheel 34 transports the containers 12 along a circular arc-shaped section of the second transport route. The second transport wheel 34 feeds the containers 12 directly to the closing station 24, so that the circular arc-shaped section is a circular arc-shaped end section of the second transport route.

[0046] The first transport wheel 28 and the second transport wheel 34 are arranged coaxially with each other. The recesses 30 and 35 of the transport containers 28 and 34 are equidistant in the radial direction from the common rotation axis of the transport wheels 28 and 34. Accordingly, the circular-arc-shaped end section of the first transport route and the circular-arc-shaped end section of the second transport route run parallel to each other and are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0047] In this case, the second transport device 32 also comprises a plurality of further transport units 36, 38. The further transport units 36, 38 transport the containers 12 along a section of the second transport route, which is referred to below as the feed section.

[0048] The additional transport unit 36 ​​is designed as an additional transport wheel 36. The additional transport wheel 36 is located directly upstream of the second transport track 34.

[0049] The further transport unit 38 is designed as a circular conveyor 38. The circular conveyor 38 is located directly upstream of the further transport wheel 36.

[0050] Depending on the contents of the containers 12, it is desirable that the residual oxygen content in the containers 12 be as low as possible after their closure. To achieve a low residual oxygen content, the device 22 has a gassing device 40, the structure of which is explained in more detail below.

[0051] The gassing device 40 comprises at least one first gas channel 42. The first gas channel 42 is arranged adjacent to the first transport route and oriented such that a gas stream flowing out of an outlet section 44 of the first gas channel 42 flows obliquely upward from the outlet section 44 and crosses the first transport route. During operation of the closure system 10, protective gas or a protective gas stream preferably flows out of the first gas channel 42. Given the arrangement and orientation of the first gas channel 42, the gas stream impinges on the undersides of closures 18 being transported along the first transport route during operation of the closure system 10. In particular, the gas stream enters the aforementioned troughs on the undersides of the closures 18 and displaces the gas present in the troughs. In the present case, the first gas channel 42 is arranged adjacent to the circular-arc-shaped end section of the first transport route.

[0052] Preferably, the first gas channel 42 is oriented such that an angle between a horizontal plane and the outlet section 44 of the first gas channel 42 is between +30° and +60°. In the present case, the angle is approximately +40°.

[0053] The outlet section 44 of the first gas channel 42 is obliquely cut off at its outlet 46. Furthermore, the outlet section 44 is mounted so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal central axis. The combination of these two features makes it possible to slightly change the flow direction of the outflowing gas stream, namely by rotating the outlet section 44.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the gassing device 40 comprises a plurality of first gas channels 42 in which the above features are implemented. The first gas channels 42 are arranged one behind the other with respect to the first transport route.

[0055] In this case, the gassing device 40 also comprises at least one second gas channel 48. The second gas channel 48 is arranged adjacent to the second transport route and oriented such that a gas stream flowing out of an outlet section 50 of the second gas channel 48 flows obliquely downward from the outlet section 50 and crosses the second transport route. Due to the arrangement and orientation of the second gas channel 48, the gas stream, in particular the protective gas stream, enters the interior of the containers 12 during operation of the closure system 10 and displaces the gas present in the interior. In this case, the second gas channel 48 is arranged adjacent to the circular-arc-shaped end section of the second transport route.

[0056] Preferably, the second gas channel 48 is oriented such that an angle between a horizontal plane and the outlet section 50 of the second gas channel 48 is between -30° and -60°. In the present case, the angle is approximately -40°.

[0057] The outlet section 50 of the second gas channel 48 is obliquely cut off at its outlet 52. Furthermore, the outlet section 50 is mounted so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal central axis. The combination of these two features makes it possible to slightly change the flow direction of the outflowing gas stream, namely by rotating the outlet section 50.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the gassing device 40 comprises a plurality of second gas channels 48 in which the above features are implemented. The second gas channels 48 are arranged one behind the other with respect to the second transport route.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the second gas channels 48 are arranged in front of the first gas channels 42 in the direction of rotation 56 of the transport wheels 28 and 34. The first gas channels 42 are therefore located closer to the closure station 24 than the second gas channels 48.

[0060] In this case, the gassing device 40 also comprises at least one third gas channel 58. The third gas channel 58 is arranged adjacent to the second transport route and oriented such that a gas stream, in particular a protective gas stream, flowing out of an outlet section 60 of the third gas channel 58 flows downwards from the outlet section 60 perpendicular to a horizontal plane and crosses the second transport route. Given the arrangement and orientation of the third gas channel 58, the gas stream enters the interior of the containers 12 during operation of the closure system 10 and displaces the gas present therein. In this case, the third gas channel 60 is arranged adjacent to the supply section of the second transport route.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the gassing device 40 comprises a plurality of third gas channels 58 in which the above features are implemented. The third gas channels 58 are arranged one behind the other with respect to the second transport route.

[0062] The gassing device 40 also includes a casing 62 that at least partially surrounds the first transport route and the second transport route. The casing 62 shields the transport routes from the environment. Accordingly, the casing 62 reduces the inflow of gas into the area through which the transport routes run.

[0063] The enclosure 62 comprises a side wall 64, which is radially opposite the transport wheels 28 and 34 and extends in the circumferential direction of the transport wheels 28 and 34, at least partially along the transport wheels 28 and 34. The outlet sections 44 of the first gas channels 42 and the outlet sections 50 of the second gas channels 48 are arranged in a respective different through-opening of the side wall 64.

[0064] The closures 18 are fed to the first transport wheel 28 through a notch 65 formed in the side wall 64. The notch 65 accordingly forms the first transport route.

[0065] The enclosure 62 also comprises a tunnel wall 66 that is open vertically downwards. The feed section of the second transport route extends through a tunnel volume 68 enclosed by the tunnel wall 66 in such a way that tunnel side walls 70 of the tunnel wall 66 project vertically downwards beyond the opening edge 16 of a container 12 transported through the tunnel volume 68. This is shown, for example, in Fig. 4, which shows the gassing device 40 from below. The side walls 70 extend vertically downwards to such an extent that, viewed horizontally, they almost completely cover the container 12 shown as an example.

[0066] The outlet sections 60 of the third gas channels 58 are formed by through openings 74 formed in a ceiling 72 of the tunnel passage 66.

[0067] The enclosure 62 also includes a barrier wall 76, which is arranged at a transition from the feed section to the circular-arc-shaped end section of the second transport route. The barrier wall 76 extends radially between the first transport wheel 28 and the second transport wheel 34.

[0068] The gassing device 40 comprises at least one first gas connection 78. In the present case, exactly one first gas connection 78 is provided. The first gas connection 78 is fluidically connected only to the first gas channels 42. Thus, a gas, in particular a protective gas such as nitrogen, can be supplied to the first gas channels 42 through the first gas connection 78, but not to the second gas channels 48 and the third gas channels 58.

[0069] The gassing device 40 also includes at least one second gas connection 80. In this case, exactly two second gas connections 80 are provided. The second gas connections 80 are fluidically connected only to the second gas channels 48. Thus, a gas, in particular a protective gas such as nitrogen, can be supplied to the second gas channels 48 through the second gas connections 80, but not to the first gas channels 42 and the third gas channels 58.

[0070] The gassing device 40 also has at least one third gas connection 82. In the present case, exactly two third gas connections 82 are provided. The third gas connections 82 are fluidically connected only to the third gas channels 58. Thus, a gas, in particular a protective gas such as nitrogen, can be supplied to the third gas channels 58 through the third gas connections 82, but not to the first gas channels 42 and the second gas channels 48.

[0071] The above-described equipment of the gassing device 40 with the gas connections 78, 80 and 82 makes it possible to adjust the flow velocity of the gas flows flowing out of the first, second and third gas channels 42, 48 and 58 independently of one another.

Claims

[1] Device (22) for closing containers (12), in particular individual pharmaceutical containers (12), with closures (18), in particular stoppers (18), comprising: - a closure station (24) for placing the closures (18) on the containers (12), - a first transport device (26) for continuously transporting the closures (18) to the closure station (24) along a first transport route, - a second transport device (32) for continuously transporting the containers (12) to the closure station (24) along a second transport route, and - a gassing device (40) having at least one first gas channel (42) arranged adjacent to the first transport route and oriented such that a gas stream, in particular a protective gas stream, flowing out of an outlet section (44) of the first gas channel (42) flows out obliquely upwards from the outlet section (44) and crosses the first transport route. [2] Device (22) according to claim 1, characterized by that the first gas channel (42) is aligned such that an angle between a horizontal plane and the outlet section (44) of the first gas channel (42) is between +10° and +80°, preferably between +30° and +60°, particularly preferably between +40° and +50°. [3] Device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the outlet section (44) of the first gas channel (42) is cut off obliquely at its outlet (46), and that the outlet section (44) is mounted rotatably about its longitudinal central axis. [4] Device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the gassing device (40) has a plurality of first gas channels (42) which are arranged one behind the other with respect to the first transport route. [5] Device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the gassing device (40) has at least one second gas channel (48) which is arranged adjacent to the second transport route and is oriented such that a gas stream, in particular a protective gas stream, flowing out of an outlet section (50) of the second gas channel (48) flows out of the outlet section (50) obliquely downwards and crosses the second transport route, in particular wherein an angle between a horizontal plane and the outlet section (50) of the second gas channel (48) is between -10° and -80°, preferably between -30° and -60°, particularly preferably between -40° and -50°. [6] Device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the gassing device (40) has at least one third gas channel (58) which is arranged adjacent to the second transport route and is oriented such that a gas flow, in particular a protective gas flow, flowing out of an outlet section (60) of the third gas channel (58) flows out of the outlet section (60) perpendicular to a horizontal plane downwards and crosses the second transport route. [7] Device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first transport device (26) has a rotatable first transport wheel (28) for transporting the closures (18) along a circular arc-shaped end section of the first transport route, that the second transport device (32) has a rotatable second transport wheel (34) for transporting the containers (12) along a circular arc-shaped end section of the second transport route, and that the first transport wheel (28) and the second transport wheel (34) are arranged coaxially to one another. [8] Device (22) according to claim 7, characterized by that the first gas channel (42) is arranged adjacent to the circular arc-shaped end section of the first transport route. [9] Device (22) according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized by that the second gas channel (48) is arranged adjacent to the circular arc-shaped end section of the second transport route. [10] Device (22) according to claim 9, characterized bythat the second gas channel (48) is arranged in front of the first gas channel (42) in the direction of rotation of the transport wheels (28, 34). [11] Device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the second transport device (32) has at least one further transport unit (36, 38) upstream of the second transport wheel (34) for transporting the containers (12) along a feed section of the second transport route, and that the third gas channel (58) is arranged adjacent to the feed section. [12] Device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the gassing device (40) has a border (62) which surrounds the first transport route and / or the second transport route at least in regions. [13] Device (22) according to claim 12, characterized bythat the enclosure (62) has a side wall (64) which is radially opposite the transport wheels (28, 34) and extends in the circumferential direction of the transport wheels (28, 34) at least partially along the transport wheels (28, 34). [14] Device (22) according to one of claims 12 and 13, characterized by in that the enclosure (62) has a tunnel wall (66) which is open vertically downwards, wherein the feed section extends at least partially through a tunnel volume (68) surrounded by the tunnel wall (66) in such a way that tunnel side walls (70) of the tunnel wall (66) project vertically downwards beyond an opening edge (16) of a container (12) transported through the tunnel volume (68). [15] Device (22) according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized bythat the enclosure (62) has a barrier wall (76) which is arranged at a transition from the feed section into the circular-arc-shaped end section of the second transport route and projects radially between the first transport wheel (28) and the second transport wheel (34). [16] Device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first gas channel (42) and the second gas channel (48) are fluidically connected to a respective different gas connection (78, 80), that the first gas channel (42) and the third gas channel (58) are fluidically connected to a respective different gas connection (78, 82), and / or that the second gas channel (48) and the third gas channel (58) are fluidically connected to a respective different gas connection (80, 82). [17] Closure system (10) comprising: - several containers (12), in particular individual pharmaceutical containers (12), - a plurality of closures (18), in particular plugs (18), for closing the containers (12), wherein the closures (18) each have a bottom side and a top side (20) which can be assigned to the containers (12), and - a device (22), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 16, the device (22) comprising: i. a closure station (24) for placing the closures (18) on the containers (12), ii. a first transport device (26) for continuously transporting the closures (18) to the closure station (24) along a first transport route, iii. a second transport device (32) for continuously transporting the containers (12) to the closing station (24) along a second transport route, and iv. a gassing device (40) having at least one first gas channel (42) arranged adjacent to the first transport route and oriented such that a gas stream, in particular a protective gas stream, flowing out of an outlet section (44) of the first gas channel (42) flows obliquely upwards out of the outlet section (44) and impinges on the underside of a closure (18) transported by the first transport device (26) along the first transport route. [18] Method for closing containers (12), in particular individual pharmaceutical containers (12), with closures (18), in particular stoppers (18), comprising: - Continuously transporting the closures (18) to a closure station (24) along a first transport route, - Continuously transporting the containers (12) to the closure station (24) along a second transport route, - placing the closures (18) on the containers (12) in the closure station (24), wherein the closures (18) are placed on the containers (12) in such a way that a bottom side of the closures (18) is associated with the containers (12) and a top side (20) of the closures (18) is facing away from the containers (12), and - Providing at least one protective gas stream which impinges on the undersides of the closures (18) transported along the first transport route before reaching the closure station (24). [19] Method according to claim 18, characterized by that the closures (18) have a recess on their underside and that the protective gas flow flows into the recess.

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