Metering disc, filling device and method for metering material

Abstract

The invention relates to a metering disc (10) which is intended for metering material (12) and comprises an upper side (14), an underside (16), opposite from the upper side (14), and at least one metering opening (18) for metering a batch of the material (12), wherein the upper side (14) comprises a suction unit (20), which is designed to suck gas out of or from the material (12) arranged on the upper side (14) and at the same time leave the material (12) on the upper side (14), wherein the suction unit (20) comprises for this purpose a filter (22) which is permeable to gas and impermeable to the material (12). The invention also relates to a filling device (32) with such a metering disc (10) and to a method for metering material (12).

Description

[0001] Title : Dosing disc, filling device and method for dosing material

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a dosing disc for dosing material according to the preamble of claim 1, a filling device for dosing material with features of claim 8 and a method for dosing material with features of claim 11.

[0004] To fill powdered material into a hard gelatin capsule, a method using a dosing disc can be used.

[0005] Dosing discs are known, for example, from DE 10 2006 031 250 A1. The powdered material is pressed into a dosing volume of the dosing disc, thus creating a density of the material in the dosing volume. This then determines the dosage amount for filling the hard gelatin capsule.

[0006] The material to be filled can vary in particle size, moisture content, particle shape, true density, etc. It is desirable to set a density that is as constant as possible and, if necessary, a high density in order to enable, for example, the largest fillings.

[0007] Counterproductive in this regard is that the particles of the powdered material are not completely tightly layered on top of each other, but rather that air is trapped between the individual particles. Moving the components involved in the process, such as the dosing slide, causes the powdered material to become mixed, which leads to renewed air ingress into the powdered material.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dosing disc for dosing material, a filling device for dosing material and a method for dosing material, wherein the material to be dosed or filled can be pre-compacted in order to achieve the most constant or the greatest possible density of the material to be filled.

[0009] The above task is carried out by a dosing disc for

[0010] Dosing of, in particular, powdered, material, preferably in capsules (e.g., hard gelatin capsules), is achieved with the features of claim 1. The material can in particular be a medicinal substance or a material with a medicinal effect.

[0011] The dosing disc comprises an upper surface, wherein the upper surface is configured, at least in part, for depositing (or receiving) the material. The material can be arranged as a powder bed on the upper surface of the dosing disc. The upper surface can be configured, at least in part, in particular completely, as a flat or level surface.

[0012] The dosing disc comprises a bottom side. The bottom side is arranged opposite the top side. The bottom side can be designed to be flat or level, at least in some areas, in particular completely. The bottom side can be designed to be a flat or level surface, at least in some areas, in particular completely.

[0013] The dosing disc comprises at least one dosing opening, in particular a plurality of dosing openings. The dosing opening serves to dose a dose of the material. In other words, a dose of the material to be filled, in particular into a capsule (e.g. hard gelatin capsule), can be determined by the size or shape of the dosing opening and an associated dosing volume (before). The dosing opening can extend from the top to the bottom. The dosing opening can be sleeve-shaped. The dosing opening (in particular its outer surface) can be surrounded by a wall. The dosing opening can be designed as a bore.

[0014] It is also conceivable that the depth of the dosing opening can be adjusted, for example, via a movable base, so that the dose can be set in advance (before the dosing process).

[0015] The upper side comprises an intake section designed to extract gas, in particular air, from the material (or the material bed, powder bed) arranged (lying) on ​​the upper side, while leaving the material on the upper side. For this purpose, the intake section comprises a filter that is permeable to gas, in particular air, and impermeable to the material. The material is retained, in particular, by the filter on the upper side of the dosing disc.

[0016] This ensures that only gas, in particular air, is sucked out and not the material (the material remains on the top). This allows the dosing disc to be vented. This makes it possible for the material to be pre-compressed to such an extent that it is (pre-)compacted on the dosing disc or its top side. This makes it possible to provide a pre-compacted material bed on the top side of the dosing disc, thereby achieving more even filling of the dosing openings (more even dose). This also means that powdery materials can be dosed or filled which would otherwise be too fluffy to achieve a good dosing result. In addition, dosing can be carried out with a lower material bed because the material is already pre-compacted (shorter residence time).Due to the pre-compaction, movements during the dosing process can be reduced and thus any possible demixing of the material due to the movements can be prevented or at least reduced.

[0017] According to a further development, at least one cavity, in particular a plurality of cavities, can be arranged between the upper side and the lower side. The dosing disc can have at least one suction opening, in particular a plurality of suction openings. A negative pressure (or vacuum) can be applied to the (respective) cavity through the suction opening. The filter, the cavity and the suction opening can be fluidically connected to one another. Gas, in particular air, can be sucked out of or from the material arranged on the upper side of the dosing disc through the filter into the cavity and conveyed out of the dosing disc through the suction opening. The cavity can be designed as a chamber within the dosing disc.

[0018] The filter can be secured in the intake section or the top of the dosing disc by means of clamps, gluing, and / or screwing. The filter can be reversibly and detachably secured in the intake section or the top of the dosing disc.

[0019] This makes it possible to extract gas, especially air, from or from the material arranged on the top side of the dosing disc using simple means.

[0020] In this case, a fluidic connection means that a gas, in particular air, can flow between two elements that are in fluid communication.

[0021] According to a further development, the intake opening can be arranged in the upper side of the dosing disc. Alternatively or additionally, the intake opening can be arranged in the underside of the dosing disc. The dosing disc can have a dome region, in particular a centrally arranged one. It is conceivable that the intake opening can be arranged in the dome region of the dosing disc.

[0022] This allows for easy access to the intake port (using simple means). For example, a simple suction connection (suction pipe, suction hose) can be connected to the intake port (or to the dosing disc).

[0023] According to a further development, the dosing disc can have a plurality of cavities, wherein the cavities within the dosing disc are fluidically separated from one another by walls. The plurality of cavities can be designed as separate, fluidically separated chambers. The respective intake openings belonging to the individual cavities can also be fluidically separated from one another.

[0024] This allows individual, separate areas of the top surface of the dosing disc or the material arranged on the top surface of the dosing disc to be vacuumed. This allows for targeted vacuuming of specific areas.

[0025] According to a further development, at least one dosing opening, in particular several dosing openings, can be arranged within each cavity.

[0026] This allows the immediate area around the respective dosing opening to be vacuumed in a targeted manner. This allows for pre-compaction of the material in the immediate area around the respective dosing opening. This leads to targeted compaction of the material being metered into the dosing opening.

[0027] According to a further development, the dosing disc can be circular. It is also conceivable that the dosing disc can have a different shape, e.g., polygonal, square, triangular, oval, etc.

[0028] This allows the dosing disc to be designed and arranged in the most space-saving way possible.

[0029] According to a further development, the filter can be planar, flat, or level. The filter can be plate-like. The filter can extend flatly in one plane. The filter can be designed as a fine-mesh grid. The filter can have a shape corresponding to the top side (e.g., circular).

[0030] This allows for simple installation of the filter and its attachment in the intake section or the top of the metering disc. Furthermore, it ensures that the top surface is also flat or level.

[0031] The dosing disc may have an opening, particularly a centrally arranged opening. The opening may be designed to accommodate a rotary shaft, by means of which the dosing disc can be rotated about a rotation axis. The rotary shaft may be a component of the dosing disc or a component of a filling device described below.

[0032] The above object is further achieved by a filling device for dosing material, in particular powdered material, preferably in capsules (e.g., hard gelatin capsules), having the features of claim 8. The material can, in particular, be a medicinal substance or a material with a medicinal effect.

[0033] The filling device comprises at least one metering disc according to the above statements. The metering disc can be arranged in the filling device so that it can rotate about a rotation axis. Regarding the advantages achievable with the filling device, reference is made to the relevant statements regarding the metering disc. The measures described in connection with the metering disc and / or those explained below can be used for further configuration of the filling device.

[0034] According to a further development, the filling device can comprise at least one, in particular several, tamping plungers. The tamping plunger can be designed such that the material, which is arranged in particular on the upper side of the metering disc, can be metered into the metering opening by means of the tamping plunger. For this purpose, the tamping plunger can be designed to be movable along the direction of extension of the metering opening and / or along the direction of gravity.

[0035] This allows the material to be dosed into the dosing opening using simple means, thus providing a dose of the material.

[0036] According to a further development, the filling device can have at least one capsule receptacle for receiving at least one capsule half, in particular a plurality of capsule receptacles for receiving capsule halves. The capsule receptacle can be arranged below the dosing opening with respect to the direction of gravity. Alternatively or additionally, the dosing opening can be arranged above the capsule receptacle with respect to the direction of gravity. For this purpose, the capsule receptacle and / or the dosing disc (and thus the dosing opening) can be designed to be movable or rotatable.

[0037] This allows the dose of material located in the dosing opening to be transferred into the capsule half located below the dosing opening. For this purpose, the dose of material located in the dosing opening can be ejected from the dosing opening using an ejection plunger. The ejection plunger can be designed similarly to the stuffing plunger.

[0038] The above object is further achieved by a method for dosing material, in particular powdered material, preferably in capsules (e.g. hard gelatin capsules), with the features of claim 11. The material can in particular be a medicinal substance or a material with a medicinal effect.

[0039] The procedure includes the following steps:

[0040] Arranging the material on an upper surface of a metering disc, the upper surface comprising a suction section.

[0041] Extraction of gas, especially air, from or from the material (or material bed) arranged on top of the dosing disc. The gas, especially air, is extracted through the intake section. The extraction can be achieved by applying a negative pressure or a vacuum.

[0042] This ensures that only gas, in particular air, is sucked out and not the material (the material remains on the top). This allows the dosing disc to be vented. This makes it possible for the material to be pre-compressed to such an extent that it is (pre-)compacted on the dosing disc or its top side. This makes it possible to provide a pre-compacted material bed on the top side of the dosing disc, thereby achieving more even filling of the dosing openings in the dosing disc (more even dose). This also makes it possible to dose or fill powdered materials that would otherwise be too loose to achieve a good dosing result. In addition, dosing can be carried out with a lower material bed because the material is already pre-compacted (shorter residence time).Due to the pre-compaction, movements during the dosing process can be reduced and thus any possible demixing of the material due to the movements can be prevented or at least reduced.

[0043] According to a further development, the gas, in particular air, can be extracted through a filter arranged within the intake section, with the material being retained by the filter. This allows the retention of the material to be achieved using simple means.

[0044] According to a further development, the procedure may include the step :

[0045] Suction of gas, in particular air, through at least one suction opening which is fluidly connected to a cavity and the filter.

[0046] This makes it possible to extract gas, especially air, from or from the material arranged on the top side of the dosing disc using simple means.

[0047] According to a further development, the procedure may include the following steps:

[0048] Suction of gas, in particular air, through a first suction opening which is fluidly connected to a first cavity and the filter.

[0049] Suction of gas, in particular air, through a second suction opening which is fluidly connected to a second cavity and the filter.

[0050] The two suction steps can be performed simultaneously (simultaneous suction at the first and second suction openings) or sequentially (first suction at the first suction opening followed by suction at the second suction opening, or vice versa). This allows for targeted suction of individual areas on the top side of the dosing disc.

[0051] According to a further development, a dosing disc according to the above embodiments or a filling device according to the above embodiments can be used to carry out the method.

[0052] Regarding the advantages that can be achieved with the process, reference is made to the relevant explanations regarding the dosing disc or the filling device. For further

[0053] The measures described in connection with the dosing disc or the filling device and / or those explained below can serve to design the process.

[0054] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show, schematically:

[0055] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dosing disc according to a first embodiment;

[0056] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the dosing disc according to Figure 1;

[0057] Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the dosing disc according to a second embodiment; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the dosing disc according to a third embodiment and

[0058] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a filling device.

[0059] In the following description and in the figures, corresponding components and elements bear the same reference symbols. For the sake of clarity, not all reference symbols are shown in all figures.

[0060] Figure 1 shows a perspective view and Figure 2 a sectional view of a dosing disc 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The dosing disc 10 serves for dosing material 12, in particular powdered material. The material 12 can be dosed into capsules (not shown), for example, hard gelatin capsules, using the dosing disc 10.

[0061] The dosing disc 10 comprises an upper side 14. The upper side 14 serves, at least in part, to deposit the material 12. The material 12 can be arranged in the form of a material bed (or powder bed) on the upper side 14 of the dosing disc 10 (see Figure 2).

[0062] The dosing disc 10 is circular in shape. The dosing disc 10 has a dome region 28. The dome region 28 is arranged centrally within the circular dosing disc 10. The dome region 28 represents a raised portion of the otherwise flat upper side 14.

[0063] The dosing disc 10 comprises a bottom side 16 opposite the top side 14. The bottom side 16 is flat in the present case.

[0064] The dosing disc 10 has a centrally arranged opening 15. The opening 15 is designed to accommodate a rotating shaft 17 (see Figure 2, not shown in Figure 1). The dosing disc can be rotated about a rotation axis 34 by means of the rotating shaft 17.

[0065] In this case, the dosing disc comprises thirty dosing openings 18, each for dosing a single dose of material 12. The dosing openings 18 are arranged in six groups of five dosing openings 18 each, evenly distributed around the rotational axis 34 of the dosing disc 10. Within each group, five dosing openings 18 are arranged equidistantly along a line. Each dosing opening 18 extends from the top side 14 to the bottom side 16 of the dosing disc 10. The dosing openings 18 are each designed as sleeve-like bores.

[0066] The upper side 14 has a suction section 20. The suction section 20 is designed to suck gas, in particular air, out of or from the material 12 (or the material bed) arranged on the upper side 14, while leaving the material 12 on the upper side 14.

[0067] The intake section 20 has a filter 22 that is permeable to gas, in particular air, and impermeable to the material 12. In this case, the filter 22 is plate-like and circular with recesses for the metering openings 18 and the dome region 28.

[0068] In the present case, a cavity 24 is arranged between the upper side 14 and the lower side 16. The dosing disc 10 has six intake openings 26. The intake openings 26 are arranged in the dome region 28, evenly and equidistantly distributed around the rotation axis 34. In the present case, the cavity 24, the intake openings 26, and the filter 22 are fluidically connected to one another. A negative pressure (or vacuum) can be applied to the cavity 24 through the intake openings 26. This allows gas, in particular air, to be sucked out of or from the material 12 through the filter 22 into the cavity 24 and out of the cavity 24 through the intake openings 26 out of the dosing disc 10. A suction connection can thus be provided (or connected) on the upper side 14, in the dome region 28.

[0069] The path traveled by the extracted gas, particularly air, is indicated by arrows in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the metering disc 10 according to a second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 in the following:

[0070] In this case, the dosing disc 10 has only one intake opening 26. The intake opening 26 is located on the underside 16 of the dosing disc 10. In other words, the underside 16 is (at least partially) open at the bottom. This allows a suction connection to be provided (or connected) on the underside 16.

[0071] The path travelled by the extracted gas, in particular air, is indicated by arrows in Figure 3.

[0072] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the dosing disc 10 according to a third embodiment. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 in the following:

[0073] In the present case, the dosing disc 10 has six cavities 24 and six suction openings 26, wherein each suction opening 26 is fluidically connected to a respective cavity 24 and the filter 22. The individual cavities 24 and suction openings 26 are fluidically separated from one another by walls 30. The walls 30 are each indicated in Figure 4 only by a dashed line. In the present case, the walls 30 divide the dosing disc 10 like a piece of cake. In this way, each individual cavity 24 can be supplied with negative pressure or vacuum by means of the corresponding suction opening 26. In this way, an area of ​​the filter 22 or the suction section 20 of the upper side 14 of the dosing disc 10 corresponding to the respective cavity 24 can be suctioned off in a targeted manner.

[0074] Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a filling device 32. The filling device 32 comprises a metering disc 10 according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. The metering disc 10 is rotatably mounted in the filling device 32 by means of the rotary shaft 17.

[0075] The filling device 32 comprises at least one tamping ram 36. The tamping ram 36 is designed such that the material can be metered into the metering opening 18 by means of the tamping ram 36. For this purpose, the tamping ram 36 is designed to be movable along the longitudinal extent of the metering openings 18 or along the direction of gravity 19. The tamping ram 36 is only indicated schematically in Figure 5.

[0076] The filling device 32 comprises at least one capsule receptacle 38 for receiving a capsule half of a capsule (e.g., hard gelatin capsules). The capsule receptacle 38 can be arranged below the dosing opening 18, or the dosing opening 18 can be arranged above the capsule receptacle 38. For this purpose, the capsule receptacle 38 and / or the dosing disc 10 can be designed to be movable and / or rotatable.

[0077] For ejecting the dose of material 12 from the dosing opening 18 into the capsule half arranged below the dosing opening 18, the filling device 32 in this case has an ejection plunger 37. The ejection plunger 37 is designed to be movable along the direction of gravity 19 or along the longitudinal extent of the dosing opening 18.

[0078] In the following, a method for dosing material, in particular powdered material, preferably in capsules (e.g. hard gelatin capsules), is described by way of example with reference to Figures 1 to 4:

[0079] First, the material 12 is placed on a top surface 14 of a metering disc 10. The top surface 14 includes a suction section 20.

[0080] After the material 12 has been arranged on the upper side 14, gas, in particular air, is extracted from or by the material 12 arranged on the upper side 14 of the metering disc 10 (material bed). The extraction of gas, in particular air, takes place through the suction section 20.

[0081] The extraction of gas, in particular air, can be carried out through a filter 22 arranged within the intake section 20. The material 12 is retained by the filter 22 (on the upper side 14).

[0082] The suction of gas, in particular air, can take place through at least one suction opening 26, which is fluidically connected to a cavity 24 and the filter 22.

[0083] The extraction of gas, in particular air, can take place through a first intake opening 26, which is fluidically connected to a first cavity 24 and the filter 22. The extraction of gas, in particular air, can take place through a second intake opening 26, which is fluidically connected to a second cavity 24 and the filter 22. The extraction of gas, in particular air, can be carried out simultaneously through the first and second intake openings 26. Alternatively, the extraction of gas, in particular air, can be carried out successively through the first and second intake openings 26 (first extraction of gas, in particular air, through the first intake opening 26 and then extraction of gas, in particular air, through the second intake opening 26, or vice versa).

[0084] To carry out the method, a dosing disc 10 according to one of the three embodiments described above and shown in Figures 1 to 4 or a filling device 32 according to the embodiment described above and shown in Figure 5 can be used.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Dosing disc (10) for dosing, in particular powdered, material (12), preferably in capsules, wherein the dosing disc (10) comprises an upper side (14), wherein the upper side (14) is designed at least in regions for depositing the material (12), a lower side (16) opposite the upper side (14), and at least one dosing opening (18) for dosing a dose of the material (12), wherein the dosing opening (18) extends in particular from the upper side (14) to the lower side (16), in particular in a sleeve-like manner, characterized in that the upper side (14) comprises a suction section (20) which is designed to suck gas, in particular air, out of or from the material (12) which is arranged on the upper side (14) and in the process to leave the material (12) on the upper side (14), wherein the suction section (20) for this purpose has a Air-permeable and impermeable to the material (12) filter (22).

2. Dosing disc (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one cavity (24) is arranged between the upper side (14) and the lower side (16), wherein the dosing disc (10) at least one suction opening (26) through which a negative pressure can be applied to the cavity (24), wherein the filter (22), the cavity (24) and the suction opening (26) are fluidically connected to one another.

3. Dosing disc (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the suction opening (26) is arranged in the upper side (14), in particular in a dome region (28) of the dosing disc (10), and / or underside (16) of the dosing disc (10).

4. Dosing disc (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the dosing disc (10) has a plurality of cavities (24), wherein the cavities (24) within the dosing disc (10) are fluidically separated from one another by walls (30).

5. Dosing disc (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that at least one dosing opening (18) is arranged within each cavity (24).

6. Dosing disc (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosing disc (10) is circular.

7. Dosing disc (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter (22) is flat.

8. Filling device (32) for dosing material (12), in particular powdered material, preferably in capsules, comprising at least one dosing disc (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular wherein the dosing disc (10) is arranged in the filling device so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (34).

9. Filling device (32) according to claim 8, characterized in that the filling device (32) comprises at least one stuffing punch (36), wherein the stuffing punch (36) is designed such that the material (12) can be dosed into the dosing opening (18) by means of the stuffing punch (36).

10. Filling device (32) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the filling device (32) has at least one capsule receptacle (38) for receiving at least one capsule half, wherein the capsule receptacle (38) can be arranged below the dosing opening (18) with respect to the direction of gravity (19) and / or the dosing opening (18) can be arranged above the capsule receptacle (38) with respect to the direction of gravity (19).

11. Method for dosing, in particular powdered, material (12), preferably in capsules, comprising the steps: Arranging the material (12) on a top side (14) of a dosing disc (10), wherein the top side (14) comprises a suction section (20), Extraction of gas, especially air, from or by the material (12) which is arranged on the upper side (14) of the dosing disc (10), wherein the suction of gas, in particular air, takes place through the suction section (20).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the suction of gas, in particular air, takes place through a filter (22) arranged within the suction section (20), the material (12) being retained by the filter (22).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized by the step: Suction of gas, in particular air, through at least one suction opening (26) which is fluidically connected to a cavity (24) and the filter (22).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized by the steps: Suction of gas, in particular air, through a first suction opening (26) which is fluidically connected to a first cavity (24) and the filter (22), Suction of gas, in particular air, through a second suction opening (26) which is fluidically connected to a second cavity (24) and the filter (22).

15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that for carrying out the method a dosing disc (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 or a filling device (32) according to one of the Claims 8 to 10 are used.

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