Method and device for filling nesting containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device (2) for filling multiple containers (1) in a nest (10) comprising columns (101) and rows (102), in particular for filling nesting ampoules or carpules, wherein multiple, in particular all, containers arranged in a column are filled simultaneously by means of a filling needle (200), wherein, during the filling processes of the containers (1), a reaching of a defined fill level is detected by means of a sensor device (21), and wherein the detected reaching of the defined fill level triggers a stop signal for the filling process of the respective container (1).

Description

[0001] Method and device for filling nested containers

[0002] FIELD OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0003] The invention relates to a method and a device for filling a plurality of containers in a nest comprising columns and rows, in particular for filling nested ampoules or carpules, wherein a container is filled by means of a filling needle.

[0004] In the context of this application, a nest refers to a packaging unit in which several containers are arranged in a matrix comprising columns and rows. The terms columns and rows serve merely to distinguish them and do not define the orientation of the matrix or the nest. For a denser arrangement of containers, the columns and / or rows can be offset. In the context of this application, containers refer to objects that can be filled with a liquid, in particular a cosmetic and / or pharmaceutical liquid, such as syringes, vials, ampoules, cartridges, or the like.

[0005] For filling cosmetic and / or pharmaceutical liquids into containers, it is known to wash, sterilize and / or depyrogenate the containers beforehand and to feed them to a filling machine in a sterile packaged nest.

[0006] Depending on the application, filling with a precise filling volume is particularly relevant for pharmaceutical products. DE 103 45 338 B4 discloses a method for the controlled filling of nested containers. The containers in a row of a nest are filled simultaneously, the filled containers are then sealed, and a row of containers is removed from the nest at regular intervals and weighed while empty. The weighed containers are filled simultaneously, and the row of weighed and filled containers is weighed a second time. The row of containers weighed a second time is then returned to the nest.

[0007] TASK AND SOLUTION

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a device for filling multiple containers in a nest, which allow filling a container to a precise fill level. This object is achieved by the method and the device having the features of claims 1 and 9. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0009] According to a first aspect, a method is provided for filling a plurality of containers in a nest comprising columns and rows, in particular for filling nested ampoules or carpules, wherein a container arranged in a column is filled by means of a filling needle, wherein during the filling process of the container, reaching a defined fill level is detected by means of a sensor device, and wherein the detected reaching of the defined fill level triggers a stop signal for the filling process of the container.

[0010] According to a second aspect, a device is provided for filling a plurality of containers in a nest comprising columns and rows, in particular for filling nested ampoules or carpules, comprising a filling system with a filling needle, by means of which a container arranged in a column can be filled, and a sensor device by means of which the reaching of a defined fill level can be detected during the filling process of the container, wherein the sensor device is connected to a control device of the filling system, so that the detected reaching of the defined fill level triggers a stop signal for the filling process of the container.

[0011] The terms “a”, “an”, etc. are used in connection with the application only as specific terms and not as counting words.

[0012] In particular, in one embodiment of the method, it is provided that a plurality of containers arranged in different rows, in particular all in a common column, are filled simultaneously by means of a filling needle, wherein during the filling processes of the containers, the reaching of a defined filling level is detected by means of a sensor device, and wherein the detected reaching of the defined filling level triggers a stop signal for the filling process of the respective container.

[0013] In one embodiment of the device, the filling system is provided with a plurality of filling needles, by means of which a plurality of containers arranged in different rows, in particular all containers arranged in the column, can be filled simultaneously, wherein a plurality of sensor devices are provided, wherein the sensor devices are configured to detect when a defined fill level is reached during the filling processes of the containers, wherein the sensor devices are connected to a control device of the filling system, and wherein the control device is configured such that the detected reaching of the defined fill level triggers a stop signal for the filling process of the respective container. By detecting the reaching of a uniformly defined fill level for the container by means of a sensor device, it can be ensured that the container has a pre-determined fill level after the filling process.

[0014] The defined fill level can be set individually for each container. In other embodiments, the defined fill level is set uniformly for containers in a column or for all containers in a nest. By detecting the reaching of a defined fill level for each container using a sensor device, it can be ensured that each container has a pre-determined fill level after the filling process, wherein in particular all containers in a nest have the same fill level. Such a method and / or such a device is / are particularly advantageous for filling cylindrical ampoules or carpules to be closed with a piston stopper, wherein the piston stopper is to be set in a precise position relative to an upper or lower end of the cylindrical ampoule or carpule for later use, avoiding air inclusions.

[0015] Depending on the design, the containers of the nest can be filled one after the other or individual or all containers in different rows and / or columns can be filled simultaneously.

[0016] The term "defined fill level" refers to a fill level that can be defined by a user and / or when setting up a device or system for filling the containers, depending on the application. Since stopping a filling process immediately upon detection of the defined fill level is not feasible in most applications, or only with considerable technical effort and / or with very long filling times, the defined fill level is selected in embodiments of the method below the fill level specified for filling. The stop signal then makes it possible to terminate the filling process with a refill time and / or a refill volume that can be suitably determined by the specialist.

[0017] In one embodiment, the sensor device(s) is / are mounted at a stationary height. In other embodiments, the sensor device(s) is / are mounted so as to be adjustable in height, whereby by adjusting the height, a defined fill level for the associated container(s) can be individually set and / or two or more fill levels of the associated container(s) can be detected. The filling system can be suitably selected by a specialist depending on the application, for example, from the group comprising a peristaltic pump, a rotary piston pump, and / or a time-pressure system. However, other filling systems comprising filling needles for filling liquids are also conceivable.

[0018] The filling system has a control device by means of which filling processes can be controlled or regulated via the filling needles. In the context of this application, any device by means of which a filling process can be influenced via the filling needles is referred to as a control device of the filling system. In some embodiments, the control device can be distributed electronic units, with the evaluation of signals from the sensor device and the control of the filling system being carried out by means of different electronic units, which are implemented in a common component or in separate components.

[0019] In one embodiment, the reaching of the defined filling level of the container is detected in a plane transverse, in particular perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the container.

[0020] When detecting the fill level in a plane transverse, in particular perpendicular, to a longitudinal axis of the container, the sensor device is arranged at least partially next to the nest. Depending on their position in the nest, the containers monitored by the sensor device are positioned at different distances from the sensor device. To prevent measurement deviations due to the different distances from the sensor device from influencing the fill level of the containers, one embodiment involves evaluating a measurement signal from the sensor device and / or determining a follow-up time and / or a follow-up volume after the stop signal is triggered, depending on the position of the container in the nest.

[0021] In one embodiment, exactly one sensor device is provided, wherein the sensor device is mounted so as to be adjustable in the direction of the columns, so that containers arranged in different rows can be filled one after the other, wherein in each case the reaching of the defined filling level can be monitored by means of exactly one sensor device.

[0022] In other embodiments, several sensor devices are provided so that sensor-monitored filling of several containers at the same time is possible.

[0023] In one embodiment, the sensor devices are each assigned to a row of the nest, wherein, for the filling process of each container, an evaluation of a measurement signal from the sensor device and / or a follow-up time and / or a follow-up volume after triggering the stop signal takes place depending on the position of the container relative to the sensor device, in particular depending on the gaps of the container in the nest. In one embodiment, a transport system is provided by means of which the nests can be transported to the filling system or away from the filling system in the direction of the gaps.

[0024] Depending on their position in the nest, the containers are arranged at different distances from the respective sensor devices arranged next to the nest. In order to prevent measurement deviations due to the different distances to the sensor devices from influencing the fill level of the containers, in one embodiment a measurement signal from the sensor device is evaluated and / or a follow-up time and / or a follow-up volume is determined after the stop signal is triggered depending on the position of the container in the nest. For sensor devices assigned to rows, the evaluation is carried out in particular depending on a column of the associated container. If the containers are arranged staggered in a column, the evaluation is also carried out in one embodiment depending on the row of the associated container.

[0025] As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the reaching of the defined fill level of the containers is detected in a plane transverse, in particular perpendicular, to a longitudinal axis of the container(s). The sensor device can be arranged such that no parts of the sensor device are located above the nest, thus avoiding contamination of the nest or the containers accommodated therein.

[0026] In one embodiment, the reaching of the defined fill level is detected by means of an optical sensor device comprising a transmitter arranged adjacent to the nest and a receiver arranged adjacent to the nest, or by means of several optical sensor devices, each comprising a transmitter arranged adjacent to the nest and a receiver arranged adjacent to the nest. The optical sensor device is, for example, a sensor device which detects light absorption by the liquid, wherein the transmitter and receiver are arranged at the level of the defined fill level. In another embodiment, a camera system with one or more cameras is provided for detecting the fill level.

[0027] In order to achieve the same fill level in all containers of a column in designs with multiple sensor devices, the transmitters and receivers of the sensor devices are all positioned precisely at the same height in one design. In one design, an opaque barrier is provided between the transmitter and the nest and / or between the receiver and the nest, by means of which the radiation emitted by the transmitter is limited at least downwards. The barrier is particularly advantageous in designs with multiple sensor devices in order to compensate for tolerances in the positioning of the sensor devices, with the barrier defining a measuring plane.

[0028] In one embodiment, the opaque barrier is designed as a slit diaphragm. A slit diaphragm is an opaque barrier with one slit in embodiments with exactly one sensor device or – in embodiments with multiple sensor devices – with multiple slits, each assigned to a sensor device. Using the slit diaphragm, the measuring plane can be limited both upwards and downwards. In addition, stray light from adjacent sensor devices is reduced so that the adjacent sensor devices influence each other less. Using the opaque barrier, in particular using the slit diaphragm, the influence of the distance of the container from the sensor device on the measurement signal can also be reduced.The opaque barrier, in particular the slit diaphragm, is advantageous in methods for filling a plurality of containers in a nest, wherein during the filling process of one container or a plurality of containers, reaching a defined fill level by means of a sensor device, in particular an optical sensor device comprising a transmitter arranged adjacent to the nest and a receiver arranged adjacent to the nest, or a plurality of transmitter devices, can also be used independently of any other design of the device.

[0029] A filling process, i.e. a dispensing of liquid at the filling needles, can be suitably defined by a person skilled in the art depending on the application. In one embodiment, it is provided that during the filling process, a volume flow is reduced continuously and / or discontinuously as the defined fill level is approached. In one embodiment, it is provided that a filling process is divided into two or more stages, with a volume flow being individually definable for each stage. Alternatively or additionally, in another embodiment, a continuous change in the volume flow according to a suitably definable linear or non-linear function is provided over the entire filling process or in one stage or in several stages.

[0030] In one embodiment, it is provided that the filling needle or filling needles is / are movably mounted, wherein during the filling process the filling needle is moved relative to the container in the direction out of the container. If multiple filling needles are provided, the filling needles can be moved individually or as a group during the filling processes, depending on the embodiment. In one embodiment, the filling needles are attached to a holder, wherein the holder is adjustably mounted for moving the filling needles. In one embodiment, it is provided that a movement of the filling needles is stopped in a defined position at or before the end of the filling process.

[0031] To ensure a trouble-free measuring process, in one embodiment the container or containers in the column to be filled is / are lifted out of the nest before the filling process. In embodiments, lifting takes place by means of a suitable lifting device. In one embodiment, the lifting device comprises a bolt arranged below the nest, several bolts arranged below the nest and / or a bar arranged below the nest or similar elements, which is / are provided from below to lift the container. If an opaque barrier, in particular a slit diaphragm, is arranged between the nest and the transmitter and / or between the nest and the receiver, it / they must be aligned parallel to the bar.In one embodiment, the lifting device is designed to lift the containers of different columns and / or different rows with a different lift in order to change the defined fill level, to compensate for tolerances and / or to compensate for a distance-dependent measurement signal from the sensor devices. In another embodiment, all containers are lifted with a uniform lift, wherein a stop is provided. In one embodiment, the stop interacts with the element being adjusted, for example the bar or the bolt(s). In other embodiments, the containers are lifted against the stop. In one embodiment, for high precision, it is provided that the element being adjusted, for example the bar or the bolt, or the containers are forced against the stop, for example by means of a spring device.

[0032] In one embodiment, the filling needle is moved into the container when the container is lifted. This enables time-optimized process control.

[0033] In one embodiment, prefilling, in particular volume-based prefilling, of the containers takes place before the filling process using the filling needles. This prefilling device allows for an increase in the device's performance.

[0034] For this purpose, the device comprises, in one embodiment, a prefilling device, by means of which prefilling, in particular volume-based prefilling of the containers, can be carried out prior to the filling process using the filling system. The prefilling device is arranged in one embodiment to fill containers in a nest in rows. In one embodiment, filling takes place during continuous or synchronized transport of the containers in the nest. In one embodiment, two or more prefilling devices are provided, each having filling needles of different sizes.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, the containers are sealed after the filling process, in particular they are vacuum sealed.

[0036] For this purpose, the device comprises, in one embodiment, a closing device by means of which, after the filling process, the containers can be closed by means of the filling system, in particular by vacuum sealing them. In one embodiment, the closing device is arranged and configured to close containers in a nest in rows.

[0037] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Further advantages and aspects of the invention emerge from the claims and from the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures. The figures schematically show:

[0039] Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of a cylindrical ampoule or carpule closed with a piston stopper,

[0040] Fig. 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a device for filling several containers, in particular several carpules, in a nest,

[0041] Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the device according to Fig. 2,

[0042] Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of the device according to Fig. 2 during an alternative filling process,

[0043] Fig. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a device for

[0044] Filling several containers, especially several cartridges, in one nest,

[0045] Fig. 6 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a device for filling a plurality of containers, in particular a plurality of carpules, in a nest, and Fig. 7 is a side view of an opaque barrier designed as a slit diaphragm.

[0046] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0047] Fig. 1 shows a schematic, sectional side view of a container 1 designed as a cylindrical ampoule or carpule. The container 1 is closed at a first end 11, which has a head and serves for the subsequent dispensing of a liquid filled into the container 1, by means of a crimp cap (not shown). At the opposite second end 12, the container is closed by means of a plunger stopper 14.

[0048] Such cartridges are typically used in special syringes, also known as initiators. The position of the plunger plug 14 within the cartridge is critical for secure insertion of the cartridge into the syringe and its reliable functionality. Depending on the application, this position can be specified by a distance x between a rear end of the plunger plug 14 and the first end 11 of the cartridge or by a distance y between the rear end of the plunger plug 14 and the second end 12 of the cartridge.

[0049] Due to tolerances of the container 1, the positions x, y may differ from one another for different containers 1 of the same design and from the same manufacturer during volumetric filling and closing of the container 1 with the piston stopper 14 without air inclusion.

[0050] Fig. 2 shows a plan view of a device 2 which allows filling of the containers 1 in a nest 10 with a predetermined filling level.

[0051] The nest shown in Fig. 2 has a 10x12 matrix, with the containers arranged in ten columns 101 and twelve rows 102. The terms "rows" and "columns" serve only for differentiation and do not specify an orientation of the nest 10 for processing.

[0052] Fig. 3 shows the device 2 according to Fig. 2 in a section along a row 102.

[0053] The device 2 comprises a filling system 20 with several, in the illustrated

[0054] Embodiment twelve, filling needles 200, by means of which several, in the illustrated

[0055] In this embodiment, all containers 1 arranged in a column 101 can be filled simultaneously. Furthermore, the device 2 comprises a control device 23, by means of which the liquid delivery to the filling needles 200 can be individually controlled or regulated. The filling system 20 for filling using the filling needles 200 can be suitably selected by a specialist depending on the application. For example—but not exclusively—the filling system 20 comprises a peristaltic pump, a rotary piston pump, and / or is designed as a time-pressure system.

[0056] The device 2 further comprises a plurality of sensor devices 21, twelve in the illustrated embodiment, by means of which the reaching of a defined filling level can be detected during the filling processes of the containers 1 by means of the filling system 20.

[0057] The sensor devices 21 are connected to the control device 23 for the filling system 20, as schematically indicated by arrows. Depending on the application, the connection between the sensor devices 21 and the control device 23 is wired or wireless.

[0058] The control device 23 is configured such that the detected reaching of the defined fill level triggers a stop signal for the filling process of the respective container 1. Depending on the configuration, after the stop signal is triggered, the filling process is terminated immediately or after a defined refill time and / or with a defined refill volume. This allows the containers 1 in the nest 10 to be filled to a predetermined fill level.

[0059] Measuring directions of the sensor devices 21 lie in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the containers 1. The sensor devices 21 shown are optical sensor devices comprising transmitters 210 and receivers 212 arranged adjacent to the nest 10. The transmitters 210 and receivers 212 are arranged at a suitable height in order to detect when the defined fill level is reached.

[0060] In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, an opaque barrier designed as a slit diaphragm 5 is provided between the transmitter 210 and the nest 10, and between the receiver 212 and the nest 10. Fig. 7 shows the slit diaphragm 5 in a side view. The slit diaphragm 5 has a plurality of slits 50, the number of slits 50 being equal to the number of sensor devices 21.

[0061] The slit diaphragm 5 limits the radiation emitted by the transmitter 210 and received by the receiver downwards, upwards, and laterally. The slit diaphragm 5 can be used to compensate for tolerances in the positioning of the sensor devices 21, ensuring a uniform measurement plane for all containers 1.

[0062] The containers are filled column by column. In the example shown, the fourth column 101 from the left in the plane of the drawing is filled, with the filling needles 20 arranged above this column 101 for this purpose. As schematically indicated by an arrow in Fig. 2, the filling needles 20 are mounted so as to be movable in the direction of the rows 102 and can thus be positioned above the containers 1 of a column to be filled.

[0063] The device 2 shown further comprises a lifting device 24 shown in Fig. 3, wherein before the filling processes the containers 1 to be filled in the column 101 can be lifted out of the nest 10 by means of the lifting device 24. In one embodiment, the lifting device 24 is a bar which is fed from below. In one embodiment, a bar is provided for each column 101. In other embodiments, the bar is adjustable in the direction of the rows 102 and can thus be placed under the containers of the column 101 to be filled. The bar is aligned parallel to the slit diaphragm 5, i.e. parallel to the slots 50 (cf. Fig. 7) of the slit diaphragm 5.

[0064] As can be seen in Fig. 2, the sensor devices 21 are each assigned to a row 102 of the nest 10. To fill all containers 1 of the nest 10, the containers 1 of a column 101 can be lifted from the nest 10 by means of the lifting device 24 and filled by means of the filling needles 200. The filling process of the containers 1 of each row 102 can be monitored by means of a respective sensor device 21 and can thus be carried out at a predetermined fill level.

[0065] In one embodiment, it is provided that a stroke of the lifting device 24 is variable to change the defined fill level. Alternatively or additionally, in one embodiment, to compensate for tolerances, for example, during assembly of the sensor devices 21, the containers 1 of a column 101 for different rows 102 are lifted with a different stroke.

[0066] The transmitter 210 and the receiver 212 of the sensor devices 21 are arranged outside the nest 10 in a fixed position relative to the nest 10 in the direction of the rows 102 in order to avoid contamination of the nest 10 and / or the containers 1 arranged therein by the sensor devices 21.

[0067] The containers 1 of different columns 101 are therefore arranged at different distances from the respective transmitters 210 and receivers 212. To prevent measurement deviations due to the different distances to the transmitters 210 and receivers 212 from influencing the fill level of the containers 1, the control device 23 is configured to evaluate a measurement signal from the sensor device 21 and / or determine a follow-up time and / or a follow-up volume after triggering the stop signal for the filling process of each container 1 depending on the column 102 of the container 1 in the nest 10. For example, in the case of an optical sensor device, a sensor signal can be distance-dependent in such a way that reaching the defined fill level is detected earlier for containers 1 arranged centrally between the transmitter 210 and the receiver 212 than for containers 1 positioned closer to the transmitter 210 or the receiver 212.In one embodiment, for example, it is provided that for containers 1 arranged in columns 101 arranged centrally in the nest 10, a longer follow-up time and / or a larger follow-up volume is specified than for containers in columns 101 arranged at the edge of the nest 10. Alternatively or additionally, in one embodiment, a position of the container 1 in the nest 10 is taken into account when evaluating the measurement signal of the sensor device 21. In yet another embodiment, to compensate for a distance-dependent measurement signal, the containers 1 of different columns 101 are lifted with a different stroke by means of the lifting device 24.

[0068] A filling process, i.e. a dispensing of liquid at the filling needles, can be suitably defined by a person skilled in the art depending on the application. For example, in one embodiment, provision is made for a filling process to take place in two or more stages, with a volume flow decreasing with each stage. Alternatively or additionally, in one embodiment, a continuous reduction in the volume flow according to a suitably definable linear or non-linear function is provided over the entire filling process or in one stage or in several stages. In one embodiment, the filling processes can be specified differently for different containers 1. In other embodiments, essentially identical filling processes are specified, with the filling processes differing only in a phase after the stop signal is triggered.

[0069] As schematically illustrated by an arrow in Fig. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the filling needles 200 are movably mounted individually or as a group, so that during the filling process, the filling needles 200 can be moved relative to the containers 1 in the direction out of the containers 1. To enable consistent fluid separation, the control device 23 is configured in embodiments to stop movement of the filling needles 200 in a defined position at or before the end of the filling process. For rapid process execution, one embodiment provides for the filling needles 200 to be inserted into the containers 1 as soon as the containers 1 are lifted from the nest 10.

[0070] As schematically illustrated in Fig. 2, the nests 10 can be moved before, during, and / or after the filling process in a transport direction perpendicular to the measuring direction of the sensor devices 21. For moving the nest 10 during the filling process by means of the filling needles 200, in one embodiment the filling system 20, the sensor devices 21, and the lifting device 24 are movably mounted and can be moved with the nest in the transport direction. In other embodiments, the nest 10 remains in a defined position for the filling process.

[0071] In one embodiment, as shown schematically in Fig. 3, the entire filling process is carried out by means of the filling needles 200 shown in Figs. 2 and 3, wherein the filling needles 200 are inserted into empty containers.

[0072] In another embodiment, a prefilling device 3 shown in Fig. 5 is provided, by means of which prefilling takes place before the filling process by means of the filling system 20.

[0073] In one embodiment, filling of the containers 1 by means of the pre-filling device is carried out in a volume-based manner, with a defined volume being supplied to each container 1.

[0074] Subsequently, the pre-filled containers are precisely filled to a predetermined fill level by means of the filling needles 200, as schematically shown in Fig. 4, whereby the filling needles 200 are inserted into the pre-filled containers 1.

[0075] As shown schematically in Fig. 4, the lifting device 24 in one embodiment comprises a stop 241, wherein the container 1 is lifted for filling by means of a bar 240 or a bolt and is forced against the stop 241, for example by means of a schematically shown spring 242. The stop allows a very precise lifting of the container 1 to a defined filling height defined relative to the second end 12 (cf. Fig. 1) of the container 1.

[0076] Fig. 5 schematically shows a device 2 similar to Fig. 2 for filling and closing containers 1, comprising the prefilling device 3, the filling system 20, and a closing device 4. Identical reference numerals are used for identical or similar components, and reference is made to the above description. The embodiment shown in Fig. 5 provides that the prefilling device 3 fills the containers 1 in the nest 10 row by row, and the closing device 4 closes the filled containers 1 in the nest 10 row by row.

[0077] By means of the filling system 20 with the filling needles 200, the containers 1 are processed column by column, wherein the sensor devices 21 for monitoring the filling process by means of the filling needles 200 are arranged adjacent to the nest 10 in such a way that one row can be monitored at a time. The entire filling and closing process can be carried out along a linear transport direction without relocating the nest 10. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 - in contrast to Fig. 2 - the containers 1 of a column 101 are not aligned along a straight line, but are offset with gaps to ensure a dense arrangement of the containers in the nest 10. The filling needles 200 are correspondingly also arranged alternately offset along two parallel lines.

[0078] The filling and closing process by means of the device 2 according to Fig. 5 can be carried out in one embodiment as follows.

[0079] The containers 1 are fed to the device 2 in a nested form. The nests 10 are arranged in a manner generally known for transport in troughs (not shown), also referred to as tubs.

[0080] To process the containers 1, the nests 10 are removed from the trays and inserted into a centering plate (not shown) for transport through the device 2. In the case of a container without a flange, such as a carpule shown in Fig. 1, the centering plate can only position the nest 10 and not, as with containers with a flange, for example syringes, center the container itself.

[0081] The centering plate transports the nest 10 to the prefilling device 3. In the illustrated embodiment, this operates with 10 stations. After all containers 1 of a nest have been prefilled with a prefill volume, the nest 10 is transported, in one embodiment, to a position change station (not shown), by means of which the nest 10 is transferred from a first transport system to a second transport system.

[0082] The second transport system transports the nest 10 with the prefilled containers 1 beneath the filling needles 200. Using the filling needles 200, the containers 1 are filled to a predetermined fill level as described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the filling processes monitored by the sensor devices 21 are carried out in 12 places, with a holder accommodating the filling needles 200 being arranged at a 90° angle to the prefilling device 3.

[0083] After all containers 1 have been completely filled to the specified filling level, the nest 10 is again transported to a position change station (not shown), at which the nest 10 is inserted into a third transport system.

[0084] The third transport system transports the nests 10 to the closing device 4, by means of which the containers 1 are closed with the piston stopper 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the stopper is inserted in 10 places.

[0085] After closing, the Nest 10 can be placed back into the corresponding tray.

[0086] Fig. 6 shows a plan view of another embodiment of a device 2 similar to the device 2 according to Fig. 2. For the same or similar components, uniform reference numerals are used; for a detailed description of known components, reference is made to the above.

[0087] In contrast to the device 2 according to Fig. 2, the filling system 20 according to Fig. 6 comprises only a single filling needle 200 and a single sensor device 21. The filling needle 20 is adjustable along the rows 102 in order to fill the containers 1 of a row 102 one after the other.

[0088] In addition, the nest 10 is movable along the columns 101 in order to move the containers 1 of different rows 102 one after the other to the filling needle 200, wherein the sensor device 21 is arranged at the level of the filling needle 200 in order to monitor a filling process in the individual rows 102.

[0089] In a further embodiment not shown, the sensor device 21 and the filling needle 200 are movable in a synchronized manner along columns 101 in order to fill containers 1 in a stationary nest 10 one after the other.

[0090] In yet another embodiment not shown, the sensor device 21 and the filling needle 200 are arranged in a stationary manner, with a distance between the transmitter 210 and the receiver 212 of the sensor device 21 being selected to be sufficiently large to displace the nest 10 along the columns 101 and along the rows 102 for sensor-monitored filling. The illustrated embodiments are merely schematic, and numerous modifications are conceivable. In particular, it is conceivable to combine components illustrated and described as part of one embodiment with those of other embodiments in order to obtain further configurations.

Claims

Claims: Method for filling several containers (1) in a nest (10) comprising columns (101) and rows (102), in particular for filling nested ampoules or carpules, wherein a container arranged in a column (101) is filled by means of a filling needle (200), characterized in that during the filling process of the container (1) the reaching of a defined filling level is detected by means of a sensor device (21), wherein the detected reaching of the defined filling level triggers a stop signal for the filling process of the container (1).Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the reaching of the defined filling height of the container (1) in a plane transverse, in particular perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the container (1) is detected, wherein for the filling process of the container (1) an evaluation of a measurement signal of the sensor device (21) and / or a follow-up time and / or a follow-up volume after triggering the stop signal is carried out depending on the position of the container (1) relative to the sensor device (21), in particular depending on the gap (101) of the container (1) in the nest (10).Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the several containers arranged in different rows, in particular all containers arranged in a column (101), are filled simultaneously by means of a filling needle (200), wherein during the filling processes of the containers (1) the reaching of a defined filling level is detected by means of a sensor device (21), and wherein the detected reaching of the defined filling level triggers a stop signal for the filling process of the respective container (1), wherein in particular the sensor devices (21) are each assigned to a row (102) of the nest (10), wherein for the filling process of each container (1) an evaluation of a measurement signal of the sensor device (21) and / or a follow-up time and / or a follow-up volume after triggering the stop signal is carried out depending on the position of the container (1) relative to the sensor device (21), in particular depending on the column (101) of the container (1) in the nest (10).Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reaching of the defined filling level is detected by means of an optical sensor device comprising a transmitter (210) arranged adjacent to the nest (10) and a receiver (212) arranged adjacent to the nest (10). A method according to claim 4, characterized in that an opaque barrier is provided between the transmitter (210) and the nest (10) and / or between the receiver (212) and the nest (10), by means of which radiation emitted by the transmitter (21) is limited at least downwards, wherein in particular the opaque barrier is designed as a slit aperture (5). A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that during the filling process a volume flow is continuously and / or discontinuously reduced as the defined filling level is approached and / or that during the filling process the filling needle (200) is moved relative to the container (1) in the direction out of the container (1), wherein the movement of the filling needle (200) is stopped in a defined position at or before the end of the filling process, wherein in particular the filling needles (200) are moved as a group.Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, prior to the filling process, the container (1) to be filled is lifted from the slot (101) out of the nest (10), wherein in particular the filling needle (200) is moved into the container (1) during lifting, and / or wherein, in particular to change the defined filling height, to compensate for tolerances and / or to compensate for a distance-dependent measurement signal of the sensor devices (21), the containers (1) of different slots (101) and / or different rows (102) are lifted with a different stroke.Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that pre-filling, in particular volume-based pre-filling of the containers (1), takes place before the filling process, wherein in particular containers (1) are pre-filled in a nest (10) in a row, and / or after the filling process the containers (10) are closed, in particular vacuum-sealing the containers (1), wherein in particular containers (1) are closed in a nest in a row.Device for filling several containers (1) in a nest (10) comprising columns (101) and rows (102), in particular for filling nested ampoules or carpules, comprising a filling system with a filling needle (200) by means of which a container (1) arranged in a column (101) can be filled, characterized in that a sensor device (21) is provided, wherein the sensor device (21) is configured to detect when a defined filling level is reached during the filling process of the container (1), wherein the sensor device (21) is equipped with a. The control device (23) of the filling system is connected, and the control device (23) is configured such that the detected attainment of the defined filling level triggers a stop signal for the filling process of the container (1). The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the measuring direction of the sensor device (21) lies in a plane transverse, in particular perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the container (1), wherein the control device (23) is configured to perform an evaluation of a measuring signal from the sensor device (21) and / or a determination of a run-on time and / or a run-on volume after triggering the stop signal as a function of a position, in particular of the gap (101), of the container (1) in the nest (10). The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the filling system has several filling needles (200) by means of which several containers (1) arranged in different rows, in particular all,Containers (1) arranged in a common column (101) can be filled simultaneously, wherein several sensor devices (21) are provided, wherein the sensor devices (21) are configured to detect when a defined fill level is reached during the filling processes of the containers (1), wherein the sensor devices (21) are connected to a control device (23) of the filling system, and wherein the control device (23) is configured such that the detected reaching of the defined fill level triggers a stop signal for the filling process of the respective container (1), wherein in particular the sensor devices (21) are each assigned to a row (102) of the nest (10), wherein the control device (23) is configured to evaluate a measurement signal from the sensor device (21) and / or determine a run-on time and / or a run-on volume after triggering the stop signal for the filling process of each container (1) depending on a position,in particular the gap (101) of the container (1) in the nest (10). Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the sensor device (21) is designed as an optical sensor device comprising a transmitter (210) arranged adjacent to the nest (10) and a receiver (212) arranged adjacent to the nest (10). Device according to claim 12, characterized in that an opaque barrier is provided between the transmitter (210) and the nest (10) and / or between the receiver (212) and the nest (10), by means of which a signal from the transmitter, (21) emitted radiation is limited at least downwards, wherein in particular the opaque barrier is designed as a slit aperture (5). Device according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the control device (23) is configured to continuously and / or discontinuously reduce a volume flow rate during the filling process as the defined filling level is approached, and / or that the filling needle (200) is movably mounted so that during the filling process the filling needle (200) is movable relative to the container (1) in the direction out of the container (1), wherein the control device is configured to stop movement of the filling needle (200) at or before an end of the filling process in a defined position, wherein in particular several filling needles (200) are movably mounted individually or as a group.Device according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that a lifting device (24) is provided by means of which the container to be filled can be lifted from the slot (101) of the nest (10) before the filling process, wherein in particular the lifting device (24) is configured to lift the containers (1) of different slots (101) and / or different rows (102) with a different stroke in order to change the defined filling height, to compensate for tolerances and / or to compensate for a distance-dependent measurement signal of the sensor device (21), and / or wherein the lifting device (24) has a stop (241).Device according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that a pre-filling device is provided by means of which pre-filling, in particular volume-based pre-filling of the containers (1), can be carried out before the filling process by means of the filling system, wherein the pre-filling device (3) is in particular configured to fill containers (1) in a nest in a row, and / or that a closing device (4) is provided by means of which closing of the containers (1), in particular vacuum closing of the containers (1), can be carried out after the filling process by means of the filling system, wherein the closing device (4) is in particular configured to close containers in a nest (10) in a row.

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