BAG FILLING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING AND FILLING BAGS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement comprising bags and a bag filling device as well as a method for processing, filling and preferably closing the bags according to the preamble of claim 1, according to US 2003 / 056466 A1. State of the art

[0002] Bag filling machines are used, for example, to process and fill plastic bags with liquids such as insulin or other pharmaceuticals. For certain applications, aseptic processing of the bags is required, and high efficiency necessitates a high bag throughput. Filling machines for infusion bags are well-known, but these often fail to meet the required sterility standards. However, in certain applications, aseptic processing combined with high bag throughput is essential. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] In contrast, the arrangement according to the invention with the features of claim 1 offers the advantage that aseptic processing and filling of pouches is enabled while simultaneously achieving high pouch output. This results in a very cost-effective method of filling the pouches. According to the invention, this is achieved by providing a pouch filling device for the aseptic processing and filling of pouches, preferably with a pharmaceutical agent.The bag filling device comprises a receiving unit with a plurality of receptacles for each receiving a bag, a feeding unit configured to arrange the bags in the receptacles of the receiving unit, a bag filling unit for filling the bags in the receiving unit, a bag sealing unit for sealing the bag openings, a removal unit for removing the filled bags from the receiving unit, a plurality of clamping devices configured to clamp one bag opening each, and an actuating unit configured to actuate the clamping devices. Actuating can be understood as either opening or closing the clamping devices. The receptacles of the receiving unit are arranged along a transport direction of the receiving unit and are slot-shaped.The receptacles are positioned essentially perpendicular to the transport direction in order to arrange the bags one behind the other in the transport direction, with their flat sides also essentially perpendicular to the transport direction, within the receptacle. A flat side of a bag is defined as one of the two sides of a bag that, when empty, is film-like and thus has a negligible thickness compared to its width and height. The transport of the receptacle in the transport direction can, for example, be linear. Arranging the bags one behind the other and perpendicular to the transport direction is particularly advantageous with regard to a space-saving and therefore cost-effective design of the bag filling device. Furthermore, the bag filling device according to the invention can achieve a very high bag output, which ensures high efficiency of the device.In particular, the bags can also be sealed using the bag filling device.

[0004] The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0005] The clamping devices are particularly advantageous, as they simultaneously clamp and release the openings of numerous bags. This saves time during bag processing and results in a particularly high machine output.

[0006] Furthermore, it is advantageous if each clamping device includes a clamping element designed to clamp the bag opening against the receiving device in order to close the bag. This ensures reliable clamping of the bags. Moreover, such a clamping mechanism is particularly simple, inexpensive, and reliable, as fewer parts, especially fewer moving parts, are required to clamp the bags.

[0007] It is particularly advantageous if the clamping elements are arranged in a sliding manner, and especially if the clamping and opening of the bag openings is achieved by sliding the clamping elements along the transport direction. This allows for a particularly simple and cost-effective design of the clamping devices.

[0008] It is also considered advantageous if the clamping elements are interconnected. This allows for further simplification of both the clamping devices and the actuating mechanism. For example, it makes it particularly easy to actuate all clamping devices on a receiving device simultaneously.

[0009] Particularly preferably, each clamping device comprises a clamping mechanism, wherein each clamping mechanism includes a clamping element configured to rotate a rotational axis of the corresponding clamping mechanism. The rotational axis can, for example, be located essentially in the center of the clamping element. When a free end of the clamping element is actuated, rotation can occur, whereby the other end of the clamping element clamps the bag opening, for example, against a fixed edge of the receiving device. Designing the clamping devices with a clamping mechanism enables very efficient and reliable clamping of the bags. Furthermore, it allows for a more flexible arrangement and design of the actuating device.

[0010] Furthermore, the actuating device preferably comprises actuating elements, wherein each actuating element is arranged in the transport direction between two bags and is configured to actuate two clamping devices. This significantly reduces the number of components in the bag filling device and lowers costs.

[0011] It is particularly advantageous if the actuating device includes spring elements designed to pre-tension the clamping devices in order to clamp the bags. This ensures in a simple way that, for example, unwanted opening of the bags is prevented during transport. Opening the bags is then made possible, for example, by overcoming the spring force when the actuating device is activated, so that the clamping devices release the bag openings.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the aseptic processing and filling of bags. The method comprises the following successive steps: Arranging the pouches in a receiving unit, transporting the receiving unit with the pouches to a pouch filling unit, filling the pouches in a pouch filling unit, clamping the pouches using clamping devices, transporting the receiving unit with the pouches to a pouch sealing unit, sealing the pouches, in particular with a stopper each, transporting the receiving unit to a dispensing unit, and removing the pouches from the receiving unit. This method enables particularly efficient processing of pouches under aseptic conditions with a high output from the device.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous if the procedure also includes the following steps: The bags are clamped using clamping devices after being arranged in the receiving unit, and opened before being filled in the bag filling unit. This allows for particularly easy handling of the bags and the receiving unit.

[0014] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if the procedure also includes taking samples from the filled bags. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawing. This drawing shows: Figures 1a and 1b show a bag filling device according to a first embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 shows a detail of the bag filling device. Figure 1According to the first embodiment, Figure 3a, a detail of a bag filling device; according to a second embodiment, Figure 3b, a detail of the Figure 3a Figure 4: A top view of the detail of the Figure 3a Figure 5, an enlargement of the detail of Figure 3a , and Figure 6 shows a detail of a bag filling device according to a third embodiment. Embodiments of the invention

[0016] In the figures, functionally identical components are each marked with the same reference symbol.

[0017] The Figure 1a , 1b and 2 show a bag filling device 1 for aseptic processing, filling and sealing of bags 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0018] From above Figure 1a and the perspective view of Figure 1bThe entire bag filling device 1 is shown. The description follows the order in which the bags 2 are processed in the bag filling device 1, from left to right.

[0019] A feeding device 4 arranges a specific number of bags 2 in a receiving device 3. The bags are fed in via a separate feeding path 41. In all illustrated embodiments, the receiving device 3 can hold eight bags. In the first embodiment, the feeding device 4 is a robot arm 40. The processing and transport of the bags 2 in the receiving device 3 essentially takes place on a transport path 50 along a linear transport direction A.

[0020] Following the feeder 4 in the transport direction A of the receiving device 3 is a bag filling device 5, which is configured to fill the bags 2 arranged in the receiving device 3. For example, all bags 2 located in the receiving device 3 can be filled simultaneously by the bag filling device 5.

[0021] The bag filling device 1 further includes a bag closing device 6 for closing the bags 2. For example, it is possible to close each bag 2 with a stopper in the bag closing device 6.

[0022] It is also possible, for example, to remove defective objects after sealing the bags 2 using a device for removing defective objects 45.

[0023] At the end of the bag device 1 located in the transport direction A (see Figure 1a and 1b(right) This includes a removal device 7 for removing the filled bags 2 from the receiving device 3. In the first embodiment, the removal device 7, like the feeding device 4, is a robot arm 70. From the removal device 7, the filled bags 2 are transferred to another robot arm 75, which transfers the bags 2 to a separate discharge path 42, by means of which they are transported away.

[0024] After removing the bags 2, the dispensing device 7 can transfer the empty receiving device 3 to a return transport section 51. On the return transport section 51, the empty receiving device 3 can be transported back to the feeding device 4 in the opposite direction to transport A. The receiving device 3 can then be transferred from the feeding device 4 back to the transport section 50. The transfers of the receiving device 3 from the transport section 50 to the return transport section 51 and from the return transport section 51 to the transport section 50 are described in the Figure 1a indicated by arrows 52 and 53.

[0025] The following section describes reception facility 3 in detail. Figure 2 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the receiving device 3 of the bag filling device 1 according to the first embodiment. For the sake of clarity, only one of the identical elements is provided with a reference numeral.

[0026] Each bag 2 has a bag nozzle 23 for particularly easy arrangement and filling of the bags 2 in the receiving device 3. These bag nozzles 23 can be made of plastic or a similar material, for example, and are each arranged at a bag opening 20 of a bag 2. The bag nozzles 23 also each have an inlet opening 22, which simplifies the filling of the bags 2 in the bag filling device.

[0027] The receiving device 3 has a plurality of receptacles 30, each of which receives a bag 2. The receptacles 30 are slot-shaped and perpendicular to the transport direction A of the receiving device 2 (see figure). Figure 1a) arranged. This means that the bags 2 are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction A and with their flat sides 21 perpendicular to the transport direction A. A plurality of clamping devices 8 are arranged on the receiving device 3, each configured to clamp off one bag opening 20 of a bag 2. In the first embodiment, the clamping devices 8 are arranged in Figure 2 The clamping device 8 is designed as a sliding mechanism. Each clamping device 8 comprises a clamping element 80, which is slidably arranged and configured to clamp a bag opening 20 against the receiving device 3 in order to close the bags 2. The clamping elements 80 are moved along the transport direction A.

[0028] Furthermore, the bag filling device 1 includes an actuating device 9, which is located in the Figure 2In the first embodiment shown, the actuating device 9 is designed as a lever. The actuating device 9 also includes spring elements 91, which are configured to pre-tension the clamping devices 8 in order to clamp the bags 2. Actuation of the actuating device 9 occurs against the spring force of the spring elements 91 and opens the bag openings 20.

[0029] The bag filling device 1 according to the invention is characterized in particular by the fact that a very efficient processing of the bags 2 is enabled in a space-saving and cost-effective design. The essentially vertical arrangement of the bags 2 in the receiving device 3 and the special clamping mechanism result in an optimized ratio between machine length and high output.

[0030] The Figures 3 to 5show details of a bag filling device according to a second embodiment, which essentially corresponds to the first embodiment with an alternative design of the receiving device 3 and the clamping mechanism.

[0031] In Figure 3a is a reception facility 3 similar to the one in Figure 2 The one shown is depicted with an alternative clamping mechanism. For the sake of clarity and comprehensibility, in Figure 3b a section of recording facility 3 of Figure 3a The clamping devices 8, shown with hidden lines, comprise the following: Figure 3a and 3bIn the illustrated embodiment, each clamping mechanism 10 comprises a clamping element 80. Each clamping mechanism 10 includes a clamping element 80, which is configured to rotate a rotational axis 11 of the corresponding clamping mechanism 10. The actuating device 9 comprises several actuating elements 90. Each actuating element 90 is arranged in the transport direction A between two bags 2 and is configured to actuate two clamping devices 8.

[0032] The Figure 4 and 5 show a top view or a further enlarged detail of the recording device of Figure 3 For a clearer illustration of the functioning of the pliers mechanism, see section 10.

[0033] The clamping elements 80 are essentially mounted at their center on the axis of rotation 11, around which they can rotate. Rotation causes one end of the clamping element 80 to clamp the bag opening 20 against the receiving device 3 (see figure). Figure 4A rotation in the opposite direction causes the bag opening 20 to open. The clamping elements 80 each have a groove 93 at their other ends. Two grooves 93 of two adjacent clamping elements 80 engage with a bolt 92, which is part of the actuating device 9. The bolt 92 is fixedly connected at a right angle to an actuating element 90, which is also designed as a bolt. When actuated by the actuating element 90, in this case by pressing the actuating element 90, the bolt 92 is displaced transversely to the transport direction A. Due to the corresponding shape of the grooves 93 of the clamping elements 80, two adjacent bag openings 20 are opened.

[0034] In the second embodiment, the actuating device 9 also includes spring elements 91 which pre-tension the clamping devices 8 (see Figure 3The spring elements 91 are arranged such that they displace the actuating elements 90, and thus also the bolts 92, in the opposite direction to the actuating direction, so that the clamping elements 80 rotate in the other direction and clamp the bag openings 20. The clamping mechanism 10 allows for very efficient and reliable clamping of the bags 2. Particularly at high output rates of the bag filling device 1 and thus at high processing speeds, reliable opening and clamping of the bags 2 is ensured.

[0035] In Figure 6 A third embodiment of a bag filling device 1 is shown. The third embodiment corresponds essentially to the first embodiment with the difference of a further alternative design of the receiving device 3 and the clamping mechanism.

[0036] The clamping mechanism, i.e., the arrangement and operation of the clamping devices 8, essentially corresponds to the second embodiment in the Figures 3 to 5 , which is rotated by 90°. This means that operation using the 90° actuating elements is performed from below.

Claims

1. Arrangement comprising bags (2) and a bag-filling apparatus for aseptically processing and filling the bags (2), in particular filling them with a pharmaceutical agent, the bag-filling apparatus comprising: - a receiving device (3) having a plurality of receptacles (30) for receiving one bag (2) in each case, - a feeding device (4) that is configured to arrange the bags (2) in the receptacles (30) of the receiving device (3), - a bag-filling device (5) for filling the bags (2) in the receiving device (3), - a bag-sealing device (6) for sealing bag openings (20) of the bags (2), - a removal device (7) for removing the filled bags (2) from the receiving device (3), - the receptacles (30) of the receiving device (3) being arranged along a transport direction (A) of the receiving device (3) and being slot-shaped and substantially perpendicular to the transport direction (A), in order to arrange the bags (2), in the receiving device (3), one behind the other in the transport direction (A) and so that the bags have their faces (21) substantially perpendicular to the transport direction (A), characterized in that - the bags (2) have two faces, and in that the bags (2), when empty, are film-like and have a thickness that is negligible compared with their width and height, furthermore characterized by - a plurality of clamping apparatuses (8) that are designed to clamp one bag opening (20) of a bag (2) in each case, and - an actuating device (9) that is designed to actuate the clamping apparatuses (8).

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, the clamping apparatuses (8) being designed to simultaneously clamp and release the bag openings (20) of the plurality of bags (2).

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, each clamping apparatus (8) comprising a clamping element (80) that is designed to clamp a bag opening (20) against the receiving device (3) in order to close the bag (2).

4. Arrangement according to claim 3, the clamping elements (80) being arranged to be movable and, in particular, the clamping and opening of the bag openings (20) being carried out by moving the clamping elements (80) along the transport direction (A).

5. Arrangement according to either of claims 3 or 4, the clamping elements (80) being connected to each other.

6. Arrangement according to claims 1 to 3, each clamping apparatus (8) comprising a pincer mechanism (10), and each pincer mechanism (10) comprising a clamping element (80), which clamping element is designed to rotate about a rotation axis (11) of the corresponding pincer mechanism (10).

7. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, the actuating device (9) comprising actuating elements (90), an actuating element (90) being arranged in the transport direction (A) between two bags (2) in each case and being designed to actuate two clamping apparatuses (8) in each case.

8. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, the actuating device (9) comprising spring elements (91) that are designed to preload the clamping apparatuses (8) in order to clamp the bags (2).

9. Method for aseptically filling bags (2), comprising the steps of: - arranging the bags (2) in a receiving device (3), - transporting the receiving device (3), together with the bags, to a bag-filling device (5), - filling the bags (2) in the bag-filling device (5), - transporting the receiving device (3), together with the bags (2), to a bag-sealing device (6), - sealing the bags (2), in particular by means of one stopper in each case, - transporting the receiving device (3) to a removal device (7), and - removing the bags from the receiving device (3), characterized by - clamping one bag opening (20) of the bags (2) in each case, by means of the clamping apparatuses (8), after the bags (2) have been filled in the bag-filling device (5) and before transporting the receiving device (3), together with the bags (2), to the bag-sealing device (6).

10. Method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of: - clamping the bags (2) using the clamping apparatuses (8) after the bags (2) have been arranged in the receiving device (3), and - opening the bags (2) before filling the bags (2) in the bag-filling device (5).

11. Method according to claim 9 or claim 10, further comprising the step of: - sampling from the filled bags (2).