Packaging machine with a system for detecting a packaging element

Abstract

Packaging machine (4) comprising at least one system (1) for detecting the presence and / or absence and / or position of a first packaging element (8) in a packaging machine (4), comprising a profile sensor (2) configured to detect a profile (12) representative of the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element (8), and a control unit (3) configured to evaluate the profile (12) detected by the profile sensor (2) and to provide at least one piece of information relating to the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element (8) based thereon, wherein the packaging machine (4) further comprises at least one holding element (5) for holding the first packaging element (8) and / or at least one sliding element (6) for moving the first packaging element (8),wherein a contour of the retaining element (5) and / or a contour of the sliding element (6) is part (13) of the profile (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a packaging machine with a system for detecting the presence and / or absence and / or position of a first packaging element in the packaging machine, and a method for triggering a rejection process in the packaging machine.

[0002] When sealing packages containing a pharmaceutical or food product, it is essential to ensure that the packaging elements used are connected according to specifications, thus guaranteeing a proper seal. Improperly sealed packaging can, for example, lead to spoilage of the pharmaceutical or food product inside. Leakage of the pharmaceutical or food product from the packaging can also pose a health risk to the consumer. Therefore, improperly sealed packages are rejected after the packaging process.

[0003] To avoid rejecting packages already filled with pharmaceutical or food products, it is advantageous to determine early in the packaging process whether the packaging can be properly sealed. It is also beneficial to verify the proper sealing of the packaging shortly after it has been sealed. This helps protect operators, for example, when processing highly potent pharmaceutical products that could pose a health risk.

[0004] It is known from the prior art to use a camera system to detect the presence and position of a packaging element. However, such camera systems are associated with high costs, which is why in practice they are often used without one, thus accepting a higher health risk for the machine operator. Furthermore, such camera systems have the disadvantage that reflections in the packaging machine or ambient light can cause detection errors.

[0005] In addition to camera systems, the use of individual sensors to detect incorrect positioning of a packaging element is known from the prior art. When using such individual sensors, different format parts are required for their installation in the packaging machine to enable its use for different packaging types, sizes, and shapes. This results in increased effort for maintaining and changing the format parts. Furthermore, such individual sensors must be mounted at a small distance above the packaging elements, which can cause turbulence in the typically laminar airflow.

[0006] Starting from this, the object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art and in particular to provide a system and a method with which packaging that cannot be properly closed and / or is not properly sealed can be identified in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0007] This problem is solved by a packaging machine and a method according to the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims, as well as in the description and, in particular, in the description of the figures. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art can combine individual features in a technologically meaningful way and thereby arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

[0008] This document describes a packaging machine with at least one system for detecting presence and / or absence and / or

[0009] Position of a first packaging element in a packaging machine, comprising a profile sensor configured to detect a profile representative of the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element, and a control unit configured to evaluate the profile detected by the profile sensor and to provide at least one piece of information relating to the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element, wherein the packaging machine further comprises at least one holding element for holding the first packaging element and / or at least one sliding element for moving the first packaging element, wherein a contour of the holding element and / or a contour of the sliding element is part of the profile.

[0010] The profile sensor is an optical sensor, specifically designed as a laser scanner. A sensor signal emitted by the profile sensor, particularly by its transmitter unit, is reflected off surfaces of packaging elements and components of the packaging machine and received by the profile sensor, specifically by its receiver unit. The receiver unit is positioned at a defined distance and angle relative to the transmitter unit on the profile sensor. The profile sensor operates using the triangulation method, thus relying on the principle of triangulation, which enables high measurement accuracy and high detection reliability. The measurement accuracy of such a profile sensor is independent of the material and color of the packaging element or component, as well as the distance between the profile sensor and the packaging element or component.Profile sensors typically have a compact design and are relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, a profile sensor allows for high measurement speeds and, unlike a camera, is not susceptible to ambient light.

[0011] The profile, also known as a height profile, is captured by the profile sensor by measuring the shortest distance between the profile sensor and the packaging element and / or component at numerous measuring points where the sensor signal encounters the packaging element and / or component. This makes it possible, for example, to capture and represent the shape of the packaging element and / or component and—depending on the profile sensor's resolution—its surface texture. The shape or surface texture depicted in the profile essentially corresponds to the actual shape or surface texture, although deviations are possible, for example, due to the profile sensor's resolution.

[0012] "Representative of the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element" means, within the context of this application, that the profile does not necessarily have to include the first packaging element itself. However, the profile must allow conclusions to be drawn about the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element.

[0013] The control unit is preferably arranged separately from the profile sensor and can be a higher-level control unit, for example, of a packaging machine, or at least embedded within it. The control unit is connected to the profile sensor via a data link, through which the control unit can receive data from the profile sensor. This data is used for evaluation by the control unit.

[0014] An evaluation by the control unit can include a comparison of data recorded by the profile sensor and transmitted to the control unit with data stored in the control unit, in particular a storage unit of the control unit.

[0015] The information provided may include, for example, that a first packaging element recorded as present is actually present and / or that a first packaging element recorded as absent is actually absent and / or that an (actual) position of the at least one present first packaging element corresponds to a recorded (target) position and / or to what extent the (actual) position of the at least one present first packaging element deviates from the recorded (target) position.

[0016] The control unit, in particular a storage unit of the control unit, can store different arrangements of several first packaging elements and / or dimensions and / or types and / or shapes of the first packaging element. A corresponding adjustment can thus be made by a simple input to the control unit, so that with the system according to the invention, no stocking and conversion of different format parts is necessary, as is the case when using individual sensors.

[0017] With the packaging machine according to the invention and the system, packaging that cannot be properly closed and / or is not properly closed can thus be identified in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0018] In a particularly advantageous way, the first packaging element is a closure element, preferably a plug.

[0019] Such a closure element can be used to close a second packaging element, for example, a container, in particular a vial, a cartridge, or a (disposable) syringe. The closure element is, in particular, cylindrical, but can also have any other shape, for example, that of a cuboid. The closure element may have steps and / or a meandering structure on a surface adjacent to the second packaging element when attached. The closure element may be at least partially hollow. The closure element is, in particular, made of an elastic plastic.

[0020] Advantageously, a contour of the first packaging element is part of the profile.

[0021] The contour of the first packaging element contained in the profile essentially corresponds to an actual contour of the first packaging element that can be detected by the profile sensor, although deviations may occur as described above. The contour includes, in particular, a surface of the first packaging element facing the profile sensor, especially an end face. The first packaging element may have a further contour or contours that, for example, face away from the profile sensor or are obscured by another packaging element or a component of the packaging machine and are therefore not detectable by the profile sensor.

[0022] In the context of this application, "part of the profile" means that at least one area, section, or fragment of the profile is the contour of the packaging element. Alternatively, the profile may also exist without a contour of the first packaging element. This is particularly the case if the first packaging element is obscured by a component of the packaging machine, for example, the sliding element described below, such that the profile sensor cannot detect a contour of the first packaging element.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the profile sensor is a 2D profile sensor and a sensor signal emitted by the profile sensor is line-shaped.

[0024] The profile sensor is preferably configured to detect a profile that is representative of the presence and / or absence and / or position of several first packaging elements, which are preferably arranged side by side in a row.

[0025] The linear sensor signal is, in particular, a laser line. The profile detected by the profile sensor is, in particular, a linear profile or profile line. A planar profile or profile surface can also be detected using a movable 2D profile sensor.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment, the profile sensor is a 3D profile sensor and a sensor signal emitted by the profile sensor is multi-line, preferably grid-shaped.

[0027] The profile sensor is preferably configured to detect a profile that is representative of the presence and / or absence and / or position of several first packaging elements, which are preferably arranged in a multi-row pattern.

[0028] The multi-line sensor signal comprises, in particular, several adjacent laser lines that can intersect. Preferably, several adjacent laser lines are arranged in a first direction, and several further adjacent laser lines are arranged in a second direction oriented at an angle to the first direction, wherein the laser lines of the first direction intersect the laser lines of the second direction, so that the sensor signal emitted by the profile sensor is a grid-like sensor signal. The profile detected by the profile sensor is a planar profile or profile surface, and the 3D profile sensor does not need to be moved to detect such a profile.

[0029] The following details the packaging machine with the described system. A holding element is preferably designed to laterally hold the first packaging element. A sliding element is preferably provided for sliding the first packaging element into a second packaging element.

[0030] The packaging machine is used for sealing packages filled with a pharmaceutical product, particularly a liquid, or a food product. The system according to the invention is used to identify packages that cannot be properly sealed and / or are not properly sealed.

[0031] The profile sensor can be configured to detect the holding element and the first packaging element, if any, located within it. Alternatively or additionally, the profile sensor can be configured to detect the sliding element. In this context, "configured" means that the profile sensor is appropriately positioned and aligned within the packaging machine to detect the holding element and / or the sliding element. If both the holding element and the sliding element are to be detected, two independent profile sensors are preferably used.

[0032] The contour of the retaining element and / or the sliding element contained in the profile essentially corresponds to an actual contour of the retaining element and / or the sliding element that can be detected by the profile sensor, although deviations may occur as described above. The contour includes, in particular, a surface of the retaining element and / or the sliding element facing the profile sensor. The retaining element and / or the sliding element may each have a further contour or contours that, for example, face away from the profile sensor or are obscured by a packaging element or another component of the packaging machine and are therefore not detectable by the profile sensor. "Part of the profile" here also means that at least one area, section, or fragment of the profile is the contour of the packaging element.

[0033] The retaining element has, in particular, at least one receptacle which serves to receive the first packaging element. The contour of the retaining element is defined, in particular, by a surface adjacent to the at least one receptacle. If the first packaging element is arranged in such a receptacle, the profile is defined by the contour of the first packaging element and the contour of the surface adjacent to the at least one first packaging element. The retaining element preferably has several receptacles, so that the retaining element can preferably be fitted with several first packaging elements. The receptacles are then preferably arranged side by side in a row. The first packaging element is preferably pressed into the respective receptacle along a central axis running through the receptacle. The retaining element can, for example, be designed as a plug-fork which can receive first packaging elements designed as plugs.

[0034] An actual profile, which includes a contour of the holding element with its receptacles and a contour of the first packaging element, if any, located therein, can be compared with a target profile stored in the control unit, in particular in a memory unit of the control unit. Such a comparison makes it possible, for example, to determine whether a first packaging element stored as present is actually present in a receptacle of the holding element, and / or whether a first packaging element stored as absent is actually absent, and / or whether the actual position of the at least one present first packaging element in a receptacle of the holding element corresponds to the stored target position, and / or to what extent the actual position deviates from the stored target position.

[0035] On the retaining element, preferably on the surface adjacent to the at least one receptacle, at least one reference surface is preferably defined, which can be detected by the profile sensor and is preferably stored in the control unit, in particular in its storage unit. The at least one reference surface is defined, in particular, on an intermediate piece or web between two receptacles of the retaining element or on an end piece of the retaining element adjacent to a receptacle.

[0036] The at least one reference surface serves, for example, to determine a distance or height between a surface on the first packaging element, in particular an end face of the first packaging element, and the reference surface on the holding element. This at least one reference surface can then be used by the control unit when evaluating the (actual) profile to determine, for example, the (actual) distance between the reference surface on the holding element and the surface on the first packaging element. In this way, the (actual) position of a present packaging element can be determined. The at least one reference surface can also be used when defining the stored (target) profile to define a maximum (target) distance and / or a minimum (target) distance between the reference surface and the surface on the first packaging element. The (target) distance is also referred to as the reference height.A reference window is defined between the maximum (target) distance and the minimum (target) distance, within which the first packaging elements must be arranged so that their (actual) position can be considered correct.

[0037] For example, when closing a package consisting of a container (designed as the second packaging element) and a closure element (designed as the first packaging element), which is to be inserted into the container, the described system can be used to check whether the closure element protrudes too far from the retaining element. Such a protrusion from the retaining element increases the likelihood of the closure element becoming misaligned, which can impair or even prevent its insertion into the container.

[0038] The sliding element, designed, for example, as a plunger, in particular as a plug plunger, can be arranged in relation to the first packaging element, or the first packaging element can be arranged in relation to the sliding element, such that the first packaging element is at least partially obscured from the profile sensor by the sliding element. "At least partially obscured" in this context means that the first packaging element cannot be detected by the profile sensor, or can only be detected partially. This is particularly the case when the sliding element is arranged between the profile sensor and the first packaging element. The profile sensor then detects a contour of the sliding element with the first packaging element located below it, i.e., on a side of the sliding element facing away from the profile sensor, with the first packaging element in contact with the sliding element.

[0039] The detectable contour of the sliding element includes, in particular, an end face of the sliding element. The contour of the sliding element, which is part of the profile, is representative of the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element, since the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element affects the position of the sliding element. During evaluation by the control unit, the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element can then be determined indirectly by considering the part of the profile that is generated by the contour of the sliding element.

[0040] An actual profile, which includes a contour of the sliding element, can be compared with a target profile stored in the control unit, in particular in a memory unit of the control unit. Such a comparison makes it possible, for example, to determine whether a first packaging element stored as present is actually present, and / or whether a first packaging element stored as absent is actually absent, and / or whether the actual position of the at least one present first packaging element corresponds to the stored target position, and / or to what extent the actual position of the at least one present first packaging element deviates from the stored target position.

[0041] The principle described herein of representing the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element by the sliding element is transferable to any other component of a packaging machine that at least partially covers the first packaging element and on which the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element has an effect, wherein the first packaging element is in contact with the component in particular.

[0042] The packaging machine can have a nest for receiving secondary packaging elements, in particular containers, especially vials, cartridges, or (disposable) syringes. The nest preferably has nest receptacles arranged in one or more rows in which the secondary packaging elements can be placed.

[0043] Additionally or alternatively, the packaging machine can include a staging unit for providing first packaging elements. The holding element is then specifically configured to receive the first packaging element on the staging unit and move it, preferably by means of a kinematic mechanism and particularly in a pivoting motion, to the nest, especially via a second packaging element arranged in the nest. The holding element is movable from a receiving position to a dispensing position. On the staging unit and in the receiving position of the holding element, the first packaging element is preferably pressed from below into a receptacle of the holding element. In particular, the holding element receives several first packaging elements, preferably simultaneously.The holding element is then moved into the dispensing position, with the first packaging element being placed above the second packaging element, which is located, in particular, in the nest. In the dispensing position of the holding element, the first packaging element is inserted from the holding element and into the second packaging element, preferably by means of the sliding element.

[0044] The packaging machine is preferably also used for filling the packaging, in particular the second packaging element, with a pharmaceutical or food product and can therefore additionally or alternatively have a filling unit for filling the second packaging elements, preferably at a filling station of the packaging machine. The filling unit is, in particular, attached to a free end of a robot arm and can be positioned above the second packaging elements, which are arranged, in particular, in the nest, in order to fill the second packaging elements. The filling unit has, in particular, several filling elements, which are preferably arranged side by side in a row.

[0045] The control unit of the system according to the invention can be a higher-level control unit of the packaging machine or at least embedded therein. In the control unit, particularly in a storage unit of the control unit, different arrangements and / or dimensions and / or types and / or shapes of the first packaging element, for example, different reference surfaces can also be stored.

[0046] Advantageously, the sliding element is provided to be slidably mounted in a sliding element holder and a contour of the sliding element holder is part of the profile.

[0047] The contour of the sliding element holder contained in the profile essentially corresponds to an actual contour of the sliding element holder detectable by the profile sensor, although deviations may occur as described above. The contour includes, in particular, a surface of the sliding element holder facing the profile sensor. The sliding element holder may have a further contour or contours that, for example, face away from the profile sensor or are obscured by a packaging element or another component of the packaging machine and are therefore not detectable by the profile sensor. "Part of the profile" here also means that at least one area, section, or fragment of the profile is the contour of the sliding element holder.

[0048] The sliding element is displaceable, in particular along its central axis, in a sliding element receptacle provided in the sliding element holder. The sliding element is preferably moved by a hydraulic or pneumatic drive. If the sliding element is designed as a plunger, the sliding element holder is designed as a plunger holder. Preferably, several sliding elements are slidably mounted on the sliding element holder. These multiple sliding elements are then preferably arranged side by side in a row. The number and arrangement of the sliding elements preferably correspond to the number and arrangement of receptacles on the holding element.

[0049] Preferably, at least one reference surface is defined on the sliding element holder, which can be detected by the profile sensor and is preferably stored in the control unit, particularly in its memory unit. The at least one reference surface is preferably defined on an intermediate piece between two sliding elements of the sliding element holder or on an end piece of the sliding element holder adjacent to a sliding element.

[0050] The at least one reference surface serves, for example, to determine a distance or height between a surface on the sliding element, in particular an end face of the sliding element, and the reference surface on the sliding element bracket. This reference surface can then be used by the control unit when evaluating the profile to determine, for example, the actual distance between the reference surface on the sliding element bracket and the surface on the sliding element. In this way, the actual position of the sliding element can be determined. The reference surface can also be used when defining the stored target profile to define a maximum and / or minimum distance between the reference surface and the surface on the sliding element. The target distance is also referred to as the reference height.A reference window is defined between the maximum (target) distance and the minimum (target) distance, within which the sliding elements must be arranged so that a first packaging element can be considered present and / or the (actual) position of the first packaging element can be considered correct.

[0051] As previously described, the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element affects the position of the sliding element in the sliding element holder. The respective position of the sliding element, in turn, affects the contour detectable by the profile sensor and thus the profile of which both the sliding element and the sliding element holder are a part. Since the profile is therefore representative of the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element, the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element can be indirectly determined from the position of the sliding element relative to the sliding element holder.

[0052] The profile sensor is arranged in a particularly advantageous manner above (especially vertically above) the holding element and / or the sliding element and / or the sliding element holder.

[0053] The profile sensor is preferably arranged above the retaining element and / or the sliding element and / or the sliding element holder such that the sensor signal emitted by the profile sensor propagates perpendicular to a plane in which the at least one first packaging element can be arranged in the retaining element, in particular in one of its receptacles, and / or the sliding element is arranged in the sliding element holder. In this plane, the previously described surface of the first packaging element and / or the sliding element and / or the previously described reference surface of the retaining element and / or the sliding element holder is arranged. The sensor signal of the profile sensor then preferably extends parallel to the central axis running through the receptacle and / or parallel to the central axis of the at least one sliding element.

[0054] Alternatively, the profile sensor can be positioned at a different angle to the retaining element and / or the sliding element and / or the sliding element bracket, for example, if the profile sensor is intended to detect the profile during movement of the retaining element and / or the sliding element and / or the sliding element bracket. The profile sensor can also be positioned laterally offset from the retaining element and / or the sliding element and / or the sliding element bracket, either alternatively or additionally.

[0055] In particular, the profile sensor is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the staging unit on a side facing away from the staging unit and / or in the immediate vicinity of the filling station on a side facing away from the nest. Such an immediate vicinity is defined in particular by a direct, especially immediate, proximity to the staging unit and / or filling station and differs in particular from an area of ​​the packaging machine further away from the staging unit and filling station, in which the camera of a camera system known from the prior art is usually arranged.

[0056] The profile sensor is preferably arranged at such a distance to the holding element and / or the sliding element that a laminar flow over the first packaging element and / or the second packaging element is not affected, in particular impaired, by the profile sensor.

[0057] Furthermore, a method for triggering a rejection process in a packaging machine according to the invention is described here, wherein the profile sensor detects the profile which is representative of the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element, and the control unit evaluates the detected profile and, based on this, provides at least one piece of information concerning the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element, and wherein, based on this at least one piece of information provided, a control command for the rejection process is generated, preferably by means of the control unit.

[0058] It should be noted that the special advantages and design features described in connection with the system and packaging machine described above are also applicable and transferable to the described process.

[0059] Within the framework of the inventive method, the system is used, in particular, to first check whether a first packaging element stored as present is actually present and / or whether a first packaging element stored as absent is actually absent and / or whether the (actual) position of a present first packaging element corresponds to a stored (target) position and / or to what extent the (actual) position of the present first packaging element deviates from the stored (target) position. Subsequently, a control command is generated based on the result of this check. The control command is generated, in particular, if a first packaging element stored as present is absent or if the (actual) position of the present first packaging element does not correspond to the stored (target) position or deviates too far from the stored (target) position.

[0060] The method is preferably carried out (shortly) after the at least one first packaging element has been arranged in the holding element. The profile sensor is preferably configured such that the holding element is detected in the immediate vicinity of the dispensing unit. This makes it possible to generate (and execute) the control command before the holding element would have to dispense the at least one first packaging element at the filling station.

[0061] The process is preferably carried out alternatively or additionally before and / or during the moving of the first packaging elements or the insertion of the first packaging elements into the second packaging elements.

[0062] In a particularly advantageous way, the control command for the rejection process includes the requirement that the first packaging element be removed from the holding element and / or that the second packaging element be marked.

[0063] The rejection can therefore involve the rejection of a first packaging element and / or the rejection of a second packaging element.

[0064] The first packaging element is rejected and removed from the holding element, in particular, if it is not correctly positioned in the holding element's receptacle, i.e., if the actual profile does not correspond to the stored target profile or deviates from it too significantly. When the first packaging element is rejected, the control command is then issued, in particular, to a device configured to remove the at least one first packaging element from the holding element. If a first packaging element stored as present is absent, preferably all first packaging elements present in the holding element are removed from the holding element, especially by means of the device provided for this purpose. This approach allows for a comparatively simple design of a placement device on the staging unit.It may be provided that the holding element is subsequently restocked with initial packaging elements, particularly at the provisioning unit.

[0065] The second packaging element is discarded, in particular, if no first packaging element was provided to seal the second packaging element. Based on a marking, also known as a "bad" marking, the affected second packaging element can then be sorted out.

[0066] Advantageously, an evaluation by the control unit includes determining a distance between a first level of the profile, preferably generated by a reference surface on the holding element or the sliding element holder, and a second level of the profile, preferably generated by a surface on the first packaging element or the sliding element.

[0067] The respective area and reference area were previously described within the context of the system and the packaging machine.

[0068] If the distance between the first level and the second level is greater or less than a predefined distance, the control command for the rejection process is generated. It should be noted that the second level generated by the surface on the sliding element can be influenced by the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element, so that the second level allows conclusions to be drawn about the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element.

[0069] The control command for the rejection process is preferably generated when the (actual) position of the at least one present first packaging element is outside the reference window defined between the maximum (target) distance and the minimum (target) distance.

[0070] The invention and its technical context are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show a preferred embodiment, to which the invention is not limited. It should be noted that the figures and the size relationships depicted in the figures are only schematic. The following are shown by way of example and schematically: Fig. 1 : a described packaging machine with a holding element and a described system; Fig. 2 : a described packaging machine with a holding element; Fig. 3 : a described packaging machine with a sliding element holder and the described system; Fig. 4 : a described packaging machine comprising a holding element, a sliding element holder, a staging unit and a nest; and Fig. 5 : a section of a profile captured with a profile sensor.

[0071] The Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a described packaging machine 4 with a holding element 5 and a described system 1.

[0072] System 1 is configured to detect the presence and / or absence and / or position of a first packaging element 8 and comprises a profile sensor 2 and a control unit 3 arranged separately from the profile sensor 2. The profile sensor 2 is connected to the control unit 3 via a data connection 22. The control unit 3 can receive data from the profile sensor 2 via this data connection 22.

[0073] In the illustrated embodiment, the profile sensor 2 is a 2D profile sensor that emits a line-shaped sensor signal 11. The emitted sensor signal 11a is reflected by components of the packaging machine 4, in particular the holding element 5, and the first packaging element 8, or rather their surfaces. The reflected signal 11b is received by the profile sensor 2. The profile sensor 2 operates using the light sectioning method and thus is based on the principle of triangulation, wherein a receiver unit (not shown) of the profile sensor 2 is arranged at a defined distance and angle to a transmitter unit (not shown) of the profile sensor 2.

[0074] The profile sensor 2 is arranged vertically above a holding element 5 of the packaging machine 4. The holding element 5 is a flat component with recesses, which is movable by means of a kinematic mechanism 21. The holding element 5 has ten receptacles 5a and can therefore be fitted with a total of ten first packaging elements 8, which are designed as plugs 9. At the time shown, the holding element 5 is indeed fitted with ten first packaging elements 8. The holding element 5 can alternatively have more or fewer receptacles 5a. It is also possible that, due to a specification made, for example, by the control unit 3, not every receptacle 5a is fitted with a first packaging element 8 when the holding element 5 is fitted with a first packaging element 8.

[0075] Profile sensor 2 is used to create profile 12 (see Figur 5 ) detectable, wherein a contour of the retaining element 5 and a contour of the first packaging elements 8 are each part 13 of the profile 12. The system 1 can thus be used to determine, via the profile 12 detected by the profile sensor 2, whether in each recording 5a in which a first packaging element 8 is recorded as present, the respective first packaging element 8 is actually present.

[0076] The Fig. 2 shows a described packaging machine 4 with a holding element 5.

[0077] This view clearly shows how the first packaging elements 8 are arranged in the retaining element 5 or in the receptacles 5a of the retaining element 5. It can also be seen that the first packaging elements 8 have a meandering structure on a surface in the contact area with the receptacle 5a of the retaining element 5.

[0078] The retaining element 5 has a surface 5b facing the profile sensor 2. A total of three reference surfaces 20 are defined on the retaining element 5, in particular on surface 5b. The reference surfaces 20 of the retaining element 5 are arranged in a plane to which the sensor signal 11a emitted by the profile sensor 2 extends perpendicularly. The reference surfaces 20 can be used to check whether the first packaging elements 8 are arranged in the correct position in the retaining element 5 or in the receptacle 5a of the retaining element 5. For example, a distance between the reference surface 20 and an end face 8a on the first packaging element 8 can be determined.

[0079] The Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a described packaging machine 4 with a sliding element holder 7 and the described system 1.

[0080] In this embodiment, the profile sensor 2 is arranged vertically above a sliding element holder 7 and sliding elements 6 that are movable within it. The sliding elements 6 are slidably mounted along a central axis 6b of the sliding element 6 and are used to insert the first packaging elements 8 into second packaging elements 10. For this purpose, the sliding element holder 7 is positioned above the first packaging elements 8, which are arranged above the second packaging elements 10.

[0081] The profile sensor 2 can detect the sliding elements 6 and the sliding element holder 7, or a contour thereof, using the sensor signal 11a emitted by the profile sensor 2. In particular, an end face 6a of the sliding element 6 can be detected. The sliding element holder 7 and the sliding elements 6 are each part 13 of the contour 12.

[0082] The first packaging elements 8 are, however, obscured by the sliding elements 6, so that no contour of the first packaging elements 8 can be discerned. The presence and / or absence and / or position of a first packaging element 8, however, affects the position of the respective sliding element 6, so that the position of the respective sliding element 6 is representative of the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element 8.

[0083] Compared to the one in the Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the system 1 can be used to determine, via a profile 12 detected by the profile sensor 2, whether the first packaging elements 8 can be correctly inserted into the second packaging elements 10 or have been inserted.

[0084] The Fig. 4 Figure 4 shows a described packaging machine with a holding element 5, a sliding element holder 7, a staging unit 14 and a nest 16.

[0085] The first packaging elements 8 are provided at the staging unit 14. At the time shown, the holding element 5 is in a receiving position in which the first packaging elements 8 provided by the staging unit 14 can be received by the holding element 5.

[0086] The packaging machine 4 also includes a filling station 23, at which the second packaging element 10, designed in particular as a disposable syringe, can be filled, in particular with a liquid pharmaceutical product. The holding element 5 is, in particular by means of the Figur 1 The kinematics 21 shown are movable to the filling station 23. A filling unit 15 for filling the second packaging elements 10 is provided at the filling station 23. The filling unit 15 can be moved in space by a robot arm 15a.

[0087] Nest 16 is configured to receive several second packaging elements 10. Nest 16, loaded with the second packaging elements 10, is moved to the filling station 23, but can also be moved within the filling station 23. After the second packaging elements 10 have been filled by the filling unit 15, the first packaging elements 8 are inserted into the second packaging elements 10. For this purpose, the sliding elements 6, mounted on the sliding element holder 7 shown, are used.

[0088] The Fig. 5 shows a section of a profile 12 captured with a profile sensor 2.

[0089] The profile 12 is composed of several parts 13. Part 13a is the contour of a first packaging element 8, and part 13b is the contour of the retaining element 5 in the area of ​​a reference surface 20. The reference surface 20 creates a first level 18 of the profile 12, and the contour of the first packaging element 8 creates a second level 19 of the profile 12. The control unit 3 can determine a distance 17 between the first level 18 and the second level 19. Based on this distance 17, the control unit 3 can provide at least one piece of information regarding the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element 8. Reference symbol list

[0090] 1 System 2 Profile sensor 3 Control unit 4 Packaging machine 5 Holding element 5a Receptacle (holding element) 5b Surface (holding element) 5c Center axis Receptacle (holding element) 6 Sliding element 6a End surface (sliding element) 6b ​​Center axis (sliding element) 7 Sliding element holder 8 First packaging element 8a End surface (first packaging element) 9 Plug 10 Second packaging element 11 Sensor signal 11a Transmitted sensor signal 11 Reflected sensor signal 12 Profile 13 Part (profile) 14 Preparing unit 15 Filling unit 15a Robot arm 16 Nest 16a Nest receptacle 17 Distance 18 First level 19 Second level 20 Reference surface 21 Kinematics (holding element) 22 Data connection 23 Filling station

Claims

1. Packaging machine (4) comprising at least one system (1) for detecting the presence and / or absence and / or position of a first packaging element (8) in a packaging machine (4), comprising a profile sensor (2) configured to detect a profile (12) representative of the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element (8), and a control unit (3) configured to evaluate the profile (12) detected by the profile sensor (2) and to provide at least one piece of information relating to the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element (8) based thereon, wherein the packaging machine (4) further comprises at least one holding element (5) for holding the first packaging element (8) and / or at least one sliding element (6) for moving the first packaging element (8),wherein a contour of the retaining element (5) and / or a contour of the sliding element (6) is part (13) of the profile (12).

2. Packaging machine (4) according to claim 1, wherein the first packaging element (8) is a closure element, preferably a plug (9).

3. Packaging machine (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a contour of the first packaging element (8) is part (13) of the profile (12).

4. Packaging machine (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the profile sensor (2) is a 2D profile sensor and a sensor signal (11) emitted by the profile sensor (2) is line-shaped.

5. Packaging machine (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the profile sensor (2) is a 3D profile sensor and a sensor signal (11) emitted by the profile sensor (2) is multi-line, preferably grid-shaped.

6. Packaging machine (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a sliding element (6) is provided for inserting the first packaging element (8) into a second packaging element (10).

7. Packaging machine (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sliding element (6) is slidably mounted in a sliding element holder (7) and a contour of the sliding element holder (7) is part (13) of the profile (12).

8. Packaging machine (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the profile sensor (2) is arranged above the holding element (5) and / or the sliding element (6) and / or the sliding element holder (7).

9. Method for triggering a rejection process in a packaging machine (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the profile sensor (2) detects the profile (12) which is representative of the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element (8), and the control unit (3) evaluates the detected profile (12) and, based on this, provides at least one piece of information relating to the presence and / or absence and / or position of the first packaging element (8), and wherein, based on this at least one piece of information provided, a control command for the rejection process is generated, preferably by means of the control unit (3).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the control command for the discard process includes removing the first packaging element (8) from the holding element (5) and / or marking the second packaging element (10).

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein an evaluation by the control unit (3) comprises determining a distance (17) between a first level (18) of the profile (12), preferably generated by a reference surface on the holding element (5) or the sliding element holder (7), and a second level (19) of the profile (12), preferably generated by a surface on the first packaging element (8) or the sliding element (6).

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