Powder dispenser with magazine device

Abstract

A powder dispenser (14) for the metered dispensing of powder.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a powder dispenser, i.e. a device for dispensing a powder, in particular a powdered pharmaceutical, into a powder receptacle.

[0002] Such a powder intake can be a capsule segment, a vial, a bottle or any other container for a powder, especially a pharmaceutical product.

[0003] A powder dispenser of this type, as known from the prior art, can have a storage container. The storage container, in turn, has a reservoir for a quantity of the powder to be dispensed. The storage container further has a dispensing opening and a closure for the dispensing opening. The closure is designed and arranged to open and close the dispensing opening, thus allowing powder to be dispensed. For this purpose, the closure is typically actuated. In particular, the closure can be moved back and forth between an open and a closed position.

[0004] Powder dispensers known from the prior art usually have a segmented rotary conveyor as a transport device that moves the powder receptacles along a transport path.

[0005] Along the transport path, the powder receptacles, for example capsule segments, pass through various stations. The powder dispenser is designed to dispense powder into the powder receptacles at a filling position along the transport path. For example, the filling position is located at a specific rotational position of the segment conveyor that transports the powder receptacles, e.g., capsule segments.

[0006] In conventional powder dispensers, only one type of powder is dispensed into each powder receptacle at a filling station. These known powder dispensers are typically used in mass production, so this is not a problem. For this purpose, a pharmaceutical active ingredient to be filled is mixed with excipients and, if necessary, other active ingredients, and then the mixture is dispensed into the capsule using the powder dispenser. For production facilities that conventionally use these known powder dispensers, this is not only unproblematic but even advantageous, since all powder receptacles, or capsules, are filled with the same mixture.

[0007] The present invention is based on the objective of creating a powder dispenser that makes it possible to carry out automated filling even for small batch sizes.

[0008] Solutions according to the invention are described below, illustrated with reference to the figures, and specified in the claims. Advantageous embodiments, variants, and further developments of the invention are also described below and in the claims. The individual features described may be important for the invention both individually and in combination.

[0009] The powder dispenser is designed for the metered dispensing of powder, in particular a powdered pharmaceutical, into a powder receptacle, especially a capsule segment.

[0010] The powder dispenser has multiple reservoirs. Each reservoir has a storage compartment for a specific quantity of the powder to be dispensed. The reservoirs may be removable from the dispenser. However, the dispenser may also be designed so that the reservoirs are permanently integrated and cannot be easily removed.

[0011] The storage containers each have a dispensing opening and a closure, the closure being designed and positioned to open and close the dispensing opening. Powder can be dispensed from the storage containers via the dispensing opening. Specifically, the storage containers are designed such that they dispense powder when the closure is open and prevent powder dispensing when the closure is closed. The storage containers may include additional components. For example, the storage container, e.g., located in the storage room, may have a dispensing aid that facilitates the discharge of powder or mobilizes the powder in the storage room so that it is dispensed through the dispensing opening by gravity. For example, a circumferential rod may be arranged in the storage room that can detach the powder from the walls.

[0012] The powder dispenser has a transport device designed to move the powder receptacles along a transport path. The transport device can, in particular, be designed as a segmented rotary conveyor. The segmented rotary conveyor can, in particular, transport the powder receptacles by rotation about a vertically extended axis of rotation.

[0013] The powder dispenser is further designed to dispense the powder into the powder receptacle at a filling position along the transport path. In other words, the powder receptacles are filled at the filling position. This filling position can, for example, be located at a specific rotational position of the segment drive.

[0014] The powder dispenser features a magazine mechanism. This mechanism comprises the powder hoppers and is designed to alternately move them into the dispensing position. The magazine can therefore move one hopper out of a dispensing position and another hopper into a dispensing position. In this way, the hoppers can alternately dispense powder into the powder receptacle while in the dispensing position.

[0015] The magazine mechanism allows the powder hopper at the filling position to be replaced, enabling the dispensing of a different type of powder from a different hopper into the same powder receptacle. The powder receptacle itself can remain in the same position while the hopper is exchanged. The powder receptacle does not need to be moved and can remain in its original position.

[0016] A powder dispenser according to the invention is particularly advantageous in the field of personalized medicine or when conducting test series, since in extreme cases each powder intake can be filled individually.

[0017] The magazine assembly can be designed to rotate the storage containers around a vertical axis to change the container in the filling position. Rotation around a vertical axis ensures that the storage containers remain in the same orientation and can be rotated quickly and precisely. The rotation axis of the magazine assembly can be parallel to, and specifically spaced from, the axis of rotation of the segment conveyor. For example, the magazine assembly can have a multi-armed structure, with each arm carrying a storage container. The magazine assembly can, for example, have a cross-shaped structure.

[0018] The magazine assembly can be designed to move the storage containers translationally in a horizontal direction to change the container in the filling position. Even during a translational exchange movement, the storage containers can remain in the same orientation, particularly with the dispensing opening facing downwards. Translational movement in the horizontal direction offers the particular advantage of a compact installation space. The translational movement can be linear. The storage containers can, for example, be arranged to move along a rail.

[0019] The magazine system can also include a robotic arm that can pick up a powder dispensing container and move it into the filling position. This can be particularly advantageous if the magazine system is to include many different dispensing containers. These can then be stored at intervals from the filling position and moved into the filling position as needed by means of the robotic arm.

[0020] The magazine assembly can also be designed to pivot the hoppers around a horizontally extending pivot axis. This allows the magazine assembly or powder dispenser to be designed particularly compactly. The pivot axis of the magazine assembly can be aligned orthogonally to the axis of rotation of the segment concentricity.

[0021] The magazine mechanism can be configured to feed the storage containers to the filling position in a continuous cycle. The storage containers can therefore be moved one after the other through or past the filling position until the first storage container returns to the filling position.

[0022] The magazine mechanism can be configured to feed the storage containers to the filling position in a back-and-forth motion. The storage containers can thus be moved through or past the filling position one after the other. To move the first storage container back into the filling position, the direction of movement is reversed, and the storage containers are moved through or past the filling position in reverse order.

[0023] The magazine mechanism can be specifically designed to move the storage containers past the filling position and, in a separate movement, e.g., by a pivoting motion, to move the storage container intended for powder dispensing into the filling position. This allows the change of the storage container to be prepared while the previous storage container is still dispensing powder.

[0024] Each of the storage containers arranged in the magazine unit can be equipped with a drive for the closure. The drive is designed to open and close the closure. When the storage containers are replaced, the drive is also replaced, which can increase the speed of the replacement process. Disconnecting the storage container from the drive is unnecessary, allowing for quick replacement of the respective storage container while it is in the filling position. The drive can be specifically designed to move the closure in or out of the dispensing opening by means of a translational displacement, thus opening or closing it.

[0025] Each of the storage containers arranged in the magazine assembly can be equipped with a vibration actuator. The vibration actuator is designed to vibrate a section of the respective storage container. The vibration actuator serves to increase the mobility of the powder within the storage container. In particular, the vibration actuator can be a piezoelectric actuator. Specifically, the vibration actuator can vibrate a portion of the storage container housing, i.e., a section of the wall surrounding the storage chamber. Typically, the vibrating wall section encompasses the dispensing opening. This mobilizes the powder, especially in the area of ​​the dispensing opening, and prevents or breaks up clumping. This facilitates precise powder dispensing and prevents blockages of the dispensing openings.A vibration drive on each storage container enables a quick change of the respective storage container dispensing powder and located in the filling position.

[0026] The powder dispenser can include a central drive for closing the various storage containers, and the powder dispenser can be configured to alternately couple and decouple the storage containers with the drive in the filling position when the storage container is changed in this position. In this embodiment of the invention, the storage containers can be opened and closed via the central drive. The various storage containers are alternately fed to the drive so that they can dispense the powder in the filling position. This reduces the complexity of the powder dispenser, as only one drive is required for multiple storage containers. Furthermore, the powder dispenser can be designed to be more compact.

[0027] The powder dispenser can include a vibratory drive, and the magazine assembly can be designed to alternately couple the hoppers to the vibratory drive in the filling position. A vibratory drive that can accommodate different hoppers in the filling position simplifies the operational design of the powder dispenser and allows for a compact form factor.

[0028] A scale can be positioned at the filling station to measure the weight of the powder being dispensed before, during, and / or after filling with powder from one of the storage containers. A scale positioned at the filling station allows for precise determination of the dispensed quantity of powder from each storage container. This also represents a simple design, as a single scale can measure the total quantity of dispensed powder as well as the individual quantities of the dispensed powder components or types. Particularly when dealing with highly potent pharmaceutical ingredients, the trolleys used must be extremely accurate, and incorporating multiple trolleys into the powder dispenser makes it expensive and prone to malfunctions.

[0029] A scale can be positioned along the transport path of the conveying device before and / or after the filling position. This scale can measure the weight of the powder receptacle before or after it is filled with powder at the filling point. This offers the advantage that each powder receptacle can be weighed separately from the filling process, which can increase the speed of the powder dispenser. Weighing can even take place while another powder receptacle is being filled.

[0030] The storage containers can be designed such that the respective storage chamber tapers towards the dispensing opening. This prevents or reduces powder buildup in the storage container and thus increases dispensing accuracy.

[0031] The storage containers can be multi-part and include at least one container section with a storage chamber having a cross-section that tapers towards the dispensing opening. Another container section can, in particular, have a substantially straight cylindrical storage chamber. Such storage containers are simple and modular to manufacture, and the multi-part design facilitates cleaning after use. Furthermore, the container section containing the dispensing opening can be vibrated by a vibration drive to mobilize the powder.

[0032] The respective closure of the storage containers can be designed as a metering control element that extends from the metering opening through the storage space and through a wall of the storage container opposite the metering opening, and has a coupling point at its end facing away from the metering opening for coupling with the drive. This design of the storage containers and / or the closures of the storage containers facilitates the coupling of the closure or the metering control element to the drive. The drive can be located above the storage container where sufficient installation space is available.

[0033] The storage containers can have a coupling point for coupling to the vibratory drive in the area of ​​the dosing opening, particularly on a container section that encompasses the dosing opening. This allows the vibratory motion to be introduced into the relevant part of the storage container, making powder discharge particularly efficient.

[0034] Since the powder dispenser has a magazine mechanism that can alternately move the hoppers into the filling position, changing the hopper is possible without additional equipment or manual intervention. The powder dispenser can autonomously perform the hopper change.

[0035] The invention also includes an insulator in which the powder dispenser according to the invention with magazine device, as described here, is arranged.

[0036] The powder dispenser can be designed in such a way that the magazine device and the transport device are arranged on a common base.

[0037] Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of a preferred embodiment.

[0038] The drawing shows Fig. 1. A perspective view of a powder dispenser; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a storage container; Fig. 3 A partially cutaway side view of a powder dispensing unit with a storage container in a closed state; Fig. 4 the powder dispensing unit Fig. 3 with the storage container in the open state; Fig. 5 a perspective view of a powder dispenser; Fig. 6 a perspective view of another powder dispenser; Fig. 7 a perspective view of another powder dispenser; Fig. 8 a perspective view of another powder dispenser; and Fig. 9 A top view of a transport device designed as a segment conveyor.

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 shows a powder dispenser 14 for metered dispensing of powder 50. The powder dispenser 14 includes a powder dispensing unit 16. The powder dispensing unit 16 is arranged at a filling position 18 of a transport device 20, which is designed as a segmented conveyor.

[0040] The transport device 20, or segment conveyor, has a plurality of receptacles 22 for powder receptacles 24 to be filled. By rotating about the axis of rotation D, the transport device 20 moves the receptacles 22, or the powder receptacles 24 held therein, one after the other through the filling position 18.

[0041] Powder is dispensed via the powder dispensing unit 16 into the respective powder receptacle 24 at the filling position 18. The powder dispensing unit 16 has a storage container 26 in which powder is held for filling the powder receptacles 24. The storage container 26 is attached to a bracket 28 and connected to and held by this bracket in a machine frame.

[0042] The storage container 26 is further connected to a drive 30, which can cause powder 50 to be dispensed from the storage container 26.

[0043] In the present example, the storage container 26 is further connected to a vibratory drive 32. The vibratory drive 32 is arranged and designed to subject the storage container 26, or a part of the storage container 26, to vibration.

[0044] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a single storage container 26. In this example, the storage container 26 is constructed in multiple parts and comprises a first container part 34, which tapers towards a metering opening 36. The first container part 34 is connected via a connecting ring 38 to a second container part 40, which in this case is cylindrical.

[0045] The second container section 40 is closed at its end opposite the metering opening 36 with a lid 42. A closure 44 protrudes from the lid 42. The closure 44 is designed as a rod-shaped metering control element and, with its end protruding from the lid 42, which includes a coupling point 51, can be connected to the drive 30 of the powder metering unit 14.

[0046] The drive 30 is designed to move the closure 44, or the metering control element, up and down along its longitudinal axis, so that the metering opening 36 is opened or closed by the metering control element 44. The first container part 34, which includes the metering opening 36, is further designed to be connected to the vibratory drive 32 via a coupling point 47 arranged on it, so that the latter can introduce vibrations into a region of the storage container 26 that is located near the metering opening 36.

[0047] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the storage container 26. It can be seen that the dosing control element 44 extends through the storage container 26 and the storage space 46 enclosed by it.

[0048] The vibration drive 32 is connected to the first container part 34 via a coupling element 48, which engages at the coupling point 47, in order to introduce vibrations near the metering opening into the storage container 26.

[0049] The storage chamber 46 tapers continuously towards the dispensing opening 36. The dispensing control element 44 is located in the illustration of Fig. 3 in the closed position, in which it completely closes the metering opening 36 and prevents the escape of powder 50, which is symbolically represented.

[0050] In Fig. 4 is the storage container 26 made of Fig. Figure 3 shows the metering control element (or closure 44) in an open position, allowing powder 50 to exit through the metering opening 36. The discharge of powder through the metering opening 36 can be improved by activating the vibratory drive 32.

[0051] Fig. Figure 1 further shows a magazine unit 52 in which several additional storage containers 26 are held. The magazine unit 52 also includes a robot arm 54, which can place the storage containers 26 held in the magazine unit 52 into the filling position 18. This allows, for example, the type of powder 50 dispensed at the filling position 18 to be changed by exchanging the storage container 26, thus enabling several types of powder 50 to be dosed into a single powder receptacle 24.

[0052] In the example of Fig. The magazine unit 52 is designed such that it only exchanges the storage container 26 in the filling position 18. The robot arm 54 is designed to alternately couple different storage containers 26 with the central drive 30 and the central vibration drive 32, which are located at the filling position 18. The storage container 26 coupled with the drive 30 and the optional vibration drive 32 together with these forms the powder dispensing unit 16.

[0053] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a variant according to the invention in which the magazine device 52 is designed such that each storage container 26 in the magazine device 52 has its own drive 30 and its own vibration drive 32.

[0054] When changing the respective storage container 26 in the filling position 18, not only is the storage container 26 changed, but the entire powder dispensing unit 16 comprising the storage container 26, the drive 30 and in this example the vibration drive 32.

[0055] In the example of Fig. 5 the magazine device 52 is designed such that it can exchange the various storage containers 26, or the powder delivery unit 16, by a rotation about a vertically extended axis A.

[0056] Fig. Figure 6 shows a further alternative embodiment of the powder dispenser 14. In this variant, the storage containers 26, or the entire powder dispensing unit 16, are moved linearly back and forth in the horizontal plane by means of a translational movement, which in this case is in the horizontal plane. The powder dispensing units 16 with the respective storage containers 26 can be moved into and out of the filling position 18.

[0057] In the powder dispensers shown, 14 of the Fig. 1, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 and those described below Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. A scale 58 is arranged below the filling position 18. It is also possible to arrange a scale 58, alternatively or additionally to the scale 58 arranged at the filling position 18, on the transport device 20, or the segment conveyor, before and / or after the filling position 18.

[0058] Fig. Figure 7 shows another variant of the powder dispenser 14 according to the invention. In the variant of Fig. 7 The magazine device 52 is designed such that it can move the powder dispensing unit 16 into or out of the filling position 18 by pivoting it about a horizontally extended pivot axis S. Also in the example of Fig. 7 the transport device 20 is designed as a segmental circular route.

[0059] The powder dispenser 14, as it is in Fig. Figure 8 illustrates a similarity to the variant of Fig. 1. A central drive 30 and a central vibration drive 32 are mounted, and the individual storage containers 26 are each moved into the filling position 18 and coupled to the central drive 30 and the central vibration drive 32 to dispense powder in the filling position 18. For this purpose, the storage containers 26 are arranged in the magazine unit 52 so as to be displaceable along a movement path located in the horizontal plane. The magazine unit 52 is shown symbolically in this example.

[0060] In Fig. Figure 9 shows alternative positionings of the scale 56 in the transport direction of the segment rotation 20 before (position 58) and / or after (position 60) the filling position 18.

Claims

[1] A powder dispenser (14) for metered dispensing of powder (50), in particular a powdered pharmaceutical, into a powder receptacle (24), in particular into a capsule segment, with a plurality of storage containers (26) wherein the storage containers (26) each have a storage space (46) for a storage quantity of the powder (50) to be dosed, wherein the storage containers (26) each have a dispensing opening (36) and a closure (44), wherein the closure (44) is designed and arranged to close and open the dispensing opening (44), wherein the powder dispenser (14) has a transport device (20), in particular a segment rotary conveyor (20), to move the powder intake (24) along a transport path, wherein the powder dispenser (14) is configured to cause the powder (50) to be dispensed into the powder receptacle (24) at a filling position (18) along the transport path, characterized by , that the powder dispenser (14) has a magazine device (52) which includes the storage containers (26) and is designed to move the storage containers (26) alternately into the filling position (18) so that the storage containers (26) can alternately dispense powder (50) into the powder receptacle (24) in the filling position (18). [2] Powder dispenser (14) according to claim 1, wherein the magazine device (52) is configured to rotate the storage containers (26) about a vertically extending axis (A) in order to change the storage container (26) located in the filling position (18). [3] Powder dispenser (14) according to claim 1, wherein the magazine device (52) is configured to move the storage containers (26) translationally in a horizontal direction in order to change the storage container (26) located in the filling position (18). [4] Powder dispenser (14) according to claim 1, wherein the magazine device (52) is configured to pivot the storage containers (26) about a pivot axis (S) extending in a horizontal direction in order to change the storage container (26) located in the filling position (18). [5] Powder dispenser (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a drive (30) for the closure (44) is arranged on each of the storage containers which is arranged in the magazine device (52) and the drive (30) is designed to open and close the closure (44). [6] Powder dispenser (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a vibration drive (32) is arranged on each of the storage containers which is arranged in the magazine device (52) and the vibration drive (32) is designed to subject at least one section of a respective storage container (26) to vibration. [7] Powder dispenser (14) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4 or 6, wherein the powder dispenser (14) comprises a central drive (30) for the closure (44) of the storage containers (26) and the powder dispenser (14) is designed to alternately couple and decouple the storage containers (26) with the drive (30) in the filling position (18). [8] Powder dispenser (14) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5 or 7, wherein the powder dispenser (14) comprises a vibration drive (32) and the magazine device (52) is designed to alternately couple the storage containers (26) with the vibration drive (32) in the filling position (18). [9] Powder dispenser (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a scale (56) is arranged at the filling position (18) which can detect the weight of the powder intake (24) before, during and / or after filling with powder (50) from one of the storage containers (26). [10] Powder dispenser (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a scale (56) is arranged along the transport path of the transport device (20) in a position (58) before and / or a position (60) after the filling position (18), which can detect the weight of the powder receptacle (24) before or after filling with powder (50) at the filling position (18). [11] Powder dispenser (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage space (46) of the storage container (26) tapers towards the metering opening (36). [12] Powder dispenser (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage containers (26) are constructed in multiple parts and at least one container part (34) is formed with a storage chamber section having a cross-section tapering towards the metering opening (36) and a further container part (40) is formed in particular with a substantially straight cylindrical storage chamber section. [13] Powder dispenser (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective closure (44) of the storage container (26) is designed as a metering control element which extends from the metering opening (36) through the storage space (46) and extends through a wall of the storage container (26) opposite the metering opening (36) and has a coupling point (51) at its end away from the metering opening (36) for coupling with the drive (30). [14] Powder dispenser (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage containers (26) have a coupling point (47) for coupling with the vibration drive (32) in the area of ​​the metering opening (36), in particular on a container part (34) which includes the metering opening (36).

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