Automated production facility and production line

Abstract

An automated production facility comprises at least one conveyor device (10) for conveying product units (1) and at least one processing and / or working unit (20) for processing and / or working product units (1). The conveyor device (10) runs through a working area (26) of the at least one processing and / or working unit (20) and comprises at least one holding device (16) for releasably holding at least one product unit (1). The at least one processing and / or working unit (20) comprises a working device (22) for processing and / or working a product unit (1) and a drive device (24) for driving the working device (22). The processing and / or working unit (20) comprises a shield at least between the drive device (24) and the working device (22), which shield separates the drive device (24) from the working device (22).A production line comprises several such production devices which have a common conveyor device (10).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated production facility with at least one conveyor device for conveying product units and at least one treatment and / or processing unit for treatment and / or processing product units, as well as to an automated production line with several such production devices, in particular for the pharmaceutical industry and related fields. State of the art

[0002] In the pharmaceutical industry, as well as in the cosmetics and food industries, automated production lines are used with multiple production units arranged in series. Production lines are particularly used in which pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or food substances are packaged in individual product units and marketed as such. The product units are automatically transported between the production units by a conveyor system and processed and / or processed by them in a work area of ​​the production units. For example, processing and / or processing units are provided for substance feeding, quality control, cleaning of substance containers, filling, weighing, sealing, labeling, packaging, etc.To transfer the product units, the conveyor system is equipped with carriers that are driven along a conveyor line of the conveyor system and carry at least one product unit along the way. The carriers can be designed, for example, as pushers, trays, grippers, clamps, or the like. The carriers grip, for example, a container for holding substances, which is transported along the conveyor line and processed or processed at the individual production devices.

[0003] Strict hygiene requirements apply to the industrial production and processing of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food substances. Drive systems, in particular, but also other components of production facilities, pose a risk of contamination from dust and loss of work materials. The industry standards applicable to each sector are continually updated, and compliance with them is constantly monitored. To achieve a sufficient level of cleanliness, it is common practice, for example, to clean production facilities with aggressive cleaning agents. This entails production downtime for the duration of the cleaning process and a risk of contamination from the cleaning agents. Furthermore, the drive systems and, if necessary, other components of the production facilities must be designed to facilitate cleaning and withstand the cleaning agents.

[0004] Furthermore, it is common practice to locate at least sections of the production line in a cleanroom where the required hygiene conditions are maintained. For example, overpressure is created in the cleanroom to prevent contaminants from entering the cleanroom. Alternatively, negative pressure can be created, as is the case with hazardous substances, to prevent the substances from escaping. Substances and containers of the product units are transferred in the cleanroom by the conveyor systems and processed by production equipment. The finished product units then leave the cleanroom. Maintaining the necessary hygiene standards for all equipment throughout the entire production section in a cleanroom is complex, partly because all components of the equipment are housed in the cleanroom, even those that do not endanger the hygienic atmosphere in the cleanroom.In the event of disruptions to the production line, the entire section must be stopped, which in turn can lead to production downtime.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an automated production facility and an automated production line which avoid contamination of product units during treatment and / or processing, have a simple structure, are flexible in design, prevent cross-contamination between different treatment and / or processing units, in particular through drive devices of the units, and support compliance with hygiene standards. Summary of the invention

[0006] This object is achieved by the invention by an automated production facility according to claim 1 and an automated production line according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] An automated production facility according to the present invention has at least one conveyor device for conveying product units and at least one processing and / or working unit for processing and / or working product units. The at least one processing and / or working unit has a working device for processing and / or working a product unit and a drive device for driving the working device. The conveyor device runs through a working area of ​​the at least one processing and / or working unit so that a product unit can be processed and / or worked in the working area by the processing and / or working unit. Furthermore, the conveyor device has at least one holding device for releasably holding at least one product unit, which is provided on the conveyor device so as to be movable along a conveying direction and is moved by the conveyor device through the working area.According to the invention, the treatment and / or processing unit comprises a shield at least between the drive device and the working device, which separates the drive device from the working device so that contaminants emanating from the drive device can be retained in front of the working device. Preferably, a shield is also provided between the working device and other operating devices of the treatment and / or processing unit, such as a supply device for substances or packaging materials.

[0008] Advantageously, at least the drive device and the working device are designed as separate structural units that are arranged at a distance from one another in the processing and / or working unit. A drive train of the drive device, which is connected to the working device for operating it, can be routed through or around the shield. Further operating devices of the processing and / or working unit can also be provided as structural units that are spaced from the working device. Advantageously, the drive device is located higher than the working device, preferably it is arranged vertically above the working device or the work area. Further operating devices of the processing and / or working unit can also be located higher than the working device.

[0009] The shielding, which extends between the drive unit and the work unit, prevents contaminants such as dust, microparticles, or other emissions from the drive unit from entering the work area and contaminating a product unit brought in by the conveyor. However, the area surrounding the product unit, the conveyor unit, and other areas of the production facility remains easily accessible. Malfunctions can be specifically analyzed and remedied without affecting other operating equipment in the production facility. The shielding offers a simple and cost-effective solution for ensuring cleanliness in the work area.

[0010] In one embodiment of the production facility according to the invention, the shielding at least largely encloses the drive device. This means that the shielding covers a lower area of ​​the drive device, which is oriented toward the work device or the work area, as well as lateral areas of the drive device. An upper area of ​​the drive device can be at least partially free of the shielding, for example, to allow access to the drive device for maintenance and adjustment of the drive device. The shielding can consist of closed surfaces. Grid surfaces are not suitable, as contaminants could penetrate through the gaps in the grid.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the production device according to the invention, the shield is designed as a housing that surrounds the drive device on all sides. The housing can have one or more passages for supply or discharge lines, such as electrical cables or other connections. Furthermore, the housing can have a closable access, for example, with a door or removable cover. The access can be opened, for example, for maintenance or supply work on the drive device.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the production device, a pump device is provided for generating a negative pressure around the drive device. In particular, the pump device can be connected to the housing and generate a negative pressure in an interior of the housing. For this purpose, a suction line can be connected to an inlet of the housing. Contaminants from the drive device are sucked away by the pump device. At the same time, the working area of ​​the work device remains without negative pressure, so that processing and / or treatment is not impaired. Furthermore, an electrical connection for supplying electricity to the drive device can be provided through an inlet in the housing. For example, cabling can be provided for electrifying the drive device or auxiliary drive devices, such as sensors, or for controlling the drive device.Access to the housing is sealed as airtight as possible to maintain negative pressure.

[0013] In one embodiment of the production facility according to the invention, a control device for automatically controlling at least the drive device is provided and connected to the drive device. For example, the control device can be connected via a wireless network, so that drive or control signals can be transmitted via the network to the drive device and also to other operating devices of the production facility. Alternatively, the control device can be connected to the drive device via cabling that runs through the housing, as described above.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the production facility according to the invention, a sensor system with at least one sensor for measuring a temperature and / or a pressure is provided in the housing. The sensor system can monitor the physical conditions in the housing and deliver a status signal to the control device, which in turn can control the drive device or the entire production facility depending on the conditions in the housing. The sensor system can be connected to the control device, for example, via the wireless network or via cabling through the housing. Similarly, other operating devices can be equipped with a sensor system and report their status to the control device via a status signal.

[0015] According to a further aspect of the present invention, an automated production line is provided that comprises a plurality of production devices with a shield at least between the drive device and the work device, as described above. According to the invention, conveyor devices of the plurality of production devices are provided as a common conveyor device. In the production line, product units can be conveyed by means of the conveyor device from a work area of ​​a processing and / or finishing unit to the work area of ​​a subsequent processing and / or finishing unit.

[0016] Advantageously, each production facility can have independent shielding, in particular an independent housing, at least for the associated drive unit. This allows the product units to be accessible between the production facilities, for example, for quality control or additional processing steps.

[0017] In one embodiment of the automated production line according to the invention, a pumping device is provided jointly for several housings of several treatment and / or processing units of several production facilities. The pumping device can, for example, extend over several production facilities with a common suction channel that has a suction connection for each treatment and / or processing unit. Thus, the same conditions can be set in the vicinity of the drive devices of the production facilities.

[0018] Furthermore, the automated production line can have a control unit that controls the conveyor system depending on conditions in at least one of the housings of at least one processing and / or finishing unit of the multiple production facilities. The control unit can, for example, comprise a computer with a control algorithm, an input unit, such as a keyboard, a screen, a receiving unit for receiving status signals from the sensors, and the like, components necessary for automation.

[0019] In summary, an automated production facility and an automated production line according to the invention allow the cleanliness and hygiene status of the production facilities, or the work areas of the treatment and / or processing units, to be maintained and adjusted individually and flexibly. The shields between the drive device and the work device represent a simple structural measure that reliably keeps contaminants away from the work areas of the production facilities. Shielding in the form of a housing not only protects the product units on the conveyor system but also enables the drive devices to be supplied and monitored independently of other devices. As mentioned at the beginning, individual shields or housings can also be advantageously used for other operating devices in the production facilities and the production line.

[0020] The invention has been presented using specific embodiments. The individual technical features of one embodiment can also be used in combination with another embodiment with the advantages described. The description of the technical features of the invention is therefore not limited to the respective embodiment. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] An advantageous embodiment of the automated production facility and the automated production line according to the invention is presented below with reference to the figures, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be interpreted in a restrictive manner. Features of the invention revealed by the figures, individually and in any combination, are to be considered part of the disclosure of the invention. The figures show: Fig. 1 a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a production device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 a side view of the production device from Figure 1 with a conveyor line for product units running from left to right, Fig. 3 a side view of the production facility from Figure 1 with a conveyor line running into the plane of the drawing, and Fig. 4 an exemplary representation of an automated production line according to the invention with two production devices. Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0022] In the following, certain designations are used for convenience and are not to be construed as limiting. For example, the words "right," "left," "bottom," and "top" indicate directions in the figures to which reference is made. The terms "inside," "outside," "below," "above," "left," "right," or similar terms may be used to describe the arrangement or movement of designated components relative to one another as shown in the figures. Such spatial relative terms also include positions and orientations other than those shown in the figures.

[0023] Figure 1shows an embodiment of a production facility according to the present invention with a conveyor device 10 for conveying a product unit 1 and a treatment and / or processing unit 20 for treatment and / or processing of the product unit 1. The conveyor device 10 is designed as a circulating conveyor device having two parallel, elongated conveyor segments 12 that are connected by deflection segments 14. The conveyor device has at least one movably mounted holding device 16 that is moved by the conveyor device along the conveyor segments 12 and 14. The holding device 16 is designed as a gripper that releasably grasps the product unit 1. The treatment and / or processing unit 20 has a working device 22 for treatment and / or processing of the product unit 1 and a drive device 24 for driving the working device 22. The working device 22 defines a working area 26 (see Figure 2), in which the product unit 1 is processed and / or treated. The conveyor device 10, in particular the elongated conveyor segment 12, runs through the working area 26 of the processing unit 20. Between the drive device 24 and the working device 22, a shield in the form of a housing 30 is provided, which separates the drive device from the working device. The housing 30 surrounds the drive device 24 on all sides, so that the drive device 24 is enclosed in the housing 30. A pump device is connected to the housing 30 by means of a suction line 42 and generates a negative pressure around the drive device in the housing 30.

[0024] In Figure 2a section of the production facility is shown from one side such that a product unit 7 is conveyed in a holding device 76 along the conveyor segment 12 in a conveying direction from left to right in the image plane. In the view shown, the product unit 7 is still shown in front of the work area 26. The drive device 24, which is provided in the housing 30, is arranged above the work device 22 at a distance from the latter. A drive train 25 passes through the housing 30 on an underside and connects to the work device 22 in order to drive the latter. The passage of the drive train 25 is sealed airtight. In the example shown, the treatment and / or processing unit is designed as a closing unit for closing the product unit 7. The closing unit can be used, for example, toClosures, attachments, or inserts, for example in the form of pumps, plugs, caps, measuring cups, actuators, or the like, can be attached, screwed, crimped, flanged, rolled, or pressed on. The working device 22 has two parallel working heads 23 arranged next to one another, which can be moved toward the product unit 7 by means of the drive device 24. Similarly, it is possible to provide three, four, or even more working heads.

[0025] Furthermore, a channel 42 is connected to the housing 30 and serves for the supply of electrical cables for supplying power to the drive device 24 and for cables of a control device for controlling the drive device 24. Furthermore, the channel 42 serves as a suction line to generate a negative pressure in the housing. A further operating device 50 is provided upstream of the working device 22 in the conveying direction. The operating device 50 serves to supply closure elements, such as caps, plugs, pumps, measuring cups, etc., to the working device 22. The housing 30 is held in a suspension 28.

[0026] In Figure 3a view of the production device is shown from one side such that the conveying direction runs into the plane of the drawing. This shows that the drive device 24 and the working device 22 are arranged vertically one above the other. One of the working heads 23 places a closure element, such as a metering pump for a nasal spray, into the product unit 7. The channel 42 leads from a support structure 60, which is supported on the conveying device 10, to the housing 30, which surrounds the drive device 24 and shields the working device 22. The support structure can, for example, also accommodate further supply elements of the treatment and / or processing unit and make them available to the unit. The drive device 24 drives the working head 23 by means of the drive train 25, so that the working head 23 can be raised and lowered and close the product unit 1.The housing 30, as a shield for the working device 22, in particular the product unit 7 in the working area 26, prevents contamination of the product unit 7 by dust particles or other particles released from the drive device 24. At the same time, the working device 22, the product unit 7, the operating device 50, the channel 42, and all other components of the production device remain directly accessible. The housing 30 has an access closed by a cover (not shown), through which maintenance or adjustment of the drive device can be carried out.

[0027] The production facility further comprises a control device for controlling the drive device or the work device, as well as a sensor system with at least one sensor for measuring a temperature and / or a pressure in the housing 30. The control device can be enclosed in the drive device by means of a cable through the channel. Sensors of the sensor system can also be connected to the control device via a cable through the channel. The control device serves to drive the production facility automatically. In particular, product units can be automatically conveyed along the conveyor device 10 and automatically processed by the treatment and / or processing unit. In the event of negative feedback from the sensor system by means of a status signal regarding the conditions in the housing 30, the control device can also automatically adjust the drive device 24.

[0028] Figure 4shows, by way of example, an embodiment of an automated production line with a first production device 100 and a second production device 200, as well as a conveyor device 10 along which product units 7 are conveyed. According to the invention, the production line can have further production devices, which, however, are not shown for the sake of simplicity. In this example, the first production device 100 is provided as a fastening device with a fastening work device 122 and a fastening drive device 124. The fastening drive device 124 is provided in a housing 130, which serves as a shield between the fastening work device 122 and the fastening drive device 124.The second production device 200 is provided as a supplementary device for supplementing further elements of the product unit 7 with a supplementary work device 222 and a supplementary drive device 224. The supplementary work device 222 places, for example, a measuring cup on the product units 7. The closure drive device 224 is provided in a housing 230, which forms a shield between the closure work device 222 and a closure drive device 224.

[0029] The product unit 7 is first transported by the conveyor 10 to a work area 226, where the inspection work device 122 inspects the product unit 7. The inspection work device 122 can send a feedback signal to a control device of the production line or the production device. The conveyor 10 then conveys the product unit 7 to a work area 226 to seal the product unit 7. The sealing work device 222 can again send a feedback signal to the control device. Of course, additional production devices can be provided along the conveyor. The product units are protected from contamination by the drive devices by the housings surrounding the drive devices, while the remaining areas, operating devices, and components of the production line remain flexibly accessible. Reference symbol

[0030] 1 Product unit 100 first production facility 7 Product unit 122 Fastening work equipment 10 conveyor system 124 Fastening drive device 12 Funding segment 126 Control work area 14 Deflection segment 130 Housing 16 Holding device 160 supporting structure 20 Treatment and / or processing unit 200 second production facility 22 Work equipment 222 Supplementary work facility 23 Working head 224 Supplementary drive device 24 drive device 226 Shutter working area 25 Powertrain 230 Housing 26 Workspace 260 supporting structure 28 suspension 30 Housing 42 channel 50 Operating equipment 60 supporting structure 76 Holding device

Claims

1. An automated production facility comprising at least one conveyor device (10) for conveying product units (1) and at least one processing and / or working unit (20) for processing and / or working product units (1), wherein - the conveyor device (10) extends through a working area (26) of the at least one processing and / or working unit (20) and comprises at least one holding device (16) for releasably holding at least one product unit (1), which holding device is provided on the conveyor device (10) so as to be movable along a conveying direction, and - the at least one processing and / or working unit (20) comprises a working device (22) for processing and / or working a product unit (1) and a drive device (24) for driving the working device (22), characterized in that- the treatment and / or processing unit (20) has a shield at least between the drive device (24) and the working device (22), which shield separates the drive device (24) from the working device (22).

2. Automated production facility according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive device (24) is arranged at a distance from the working device (22) and vertically above the working device (22) or the working area (26).

3. Automated production facility according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shielding at least largely encloses the drive device (24).

4. Automated production facility according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shield is designed as a housing (30) which surrounds the drive device (24) on all sides.

5. Automated production facility according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thata pump device for generating a negative pressure around the drive device (24) is provided, in particular is connected to the housing (30).

6. Automated production facility according to one of the preceding claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the housing (30) has a lockable access.

7. Automated production facility according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 6, characterized in that an electrical connection for the electrical supply of the drive device (24) is provided on the housing (30).

8. Automated production facility according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 7, characterized in that a control device for automatically controlling the drive device (24) is introduced into the housing.

9. Automated production facility according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 8, characterized in thata sensor system with at least one sensor for measuring a temperature and / or a pressure is provided in the housing (30).

10. Automated production line with a plurality of production devices according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor devices of the plurality of production devices are provided as a common conveyor device (10).

11. Automated production line according to claim 10, characterized in that each production device has an independent shield, in particular an independent housing (130; 230), at least for the associated drive device (124; 224).

12. Automated production line according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a pump device is provided jointly for several housings (130, 230) of several treatment and / or processing units of several production devices.

13. Automated production line according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in thata control unit is provided which controls the conveying device (10) depending on conditions in at least one of the housings (130; 230) of at least one treatment and / or processing unit.

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