Filling device

Abstract

To provide a filling device in which a structure on a stage is simplified.SOLUTION: A filling device 1 which fills a paste-like material into a syringe 100 from a first opening part 112 provided at the syringe 100 includes: a stage 12; a syringe holding part 20 which detachably holds the syringe 100 on the stage 12; and a material supply part 60 which supplies a material. The stage 12 has a penetration port 14 which communicates the first opening part 112 and the material supply part 60. The syringe holding part 20 has: a fitting part 22 which has a supply port 26 communicating with the material supply part 60 and in which an end part 116 on the first opening part 112 side of the syringe 100 is fitted; and a pressing part 40 which is contactable / separable to / from an end part 118 on a second opening part 114 side of the syringe 100. The filling device is configured so as to be held by pinching the syringe 100 by the fitting part 22 and the pressing part 40 in an axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling device, and more particularly to a filling device for filling a syringe with a paste-like material. [Background technology]

[0002] A filling device for filling a syringe with a paste-like material is known. Examples of the material include a paste-like material, i.e., a fluid having a higher viscosity than a liquid, which is used in the fields of medicines, chemical materials, foodstuffs, paints, semiconductor device materials, etc.

[0003] Here, if air bubbles are mixed into the above-mentioned material, it can cause variations in the amount of material discharged from the syringe, non-discharge, or product defects due to these, so a filling device and method that is less likely to cause air bubbles to be mixed in when filling the syringe has been developed. As an example, a filling device equipped with a rotating table has been developed (see Patent Document 1: International Publication WO2022 / 153816). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. WO2022 / 153816 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the filling device exemplified in the above Patent Document 1, a series of processes such as degassing the inside of the syringe and filling with material can be continuously performed by providing a rotating table on the stage, and therefore production efficiency can be improved while preventing product defects due to air bubbles being mixed in. On the other hand, since the device is configured to screw and connect multiple syringes to the rotating table (specifically, an adapter is screwed into a threaded portion provided on the syringe, and the syringe is connected to the rotating table via the adapter), it takes time to attach the syringes and the structure on the stage becomes complicated, and cleaning up leaked material is particularly time-consuming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a filling device with a simplified configuration on the stage.

[0007] The present invention solves the above problems by the means described below.

[0008] This filling device is a filling device that fills a paste-like material into a syringe through a first opening provided in the syringe, and is equipped with a stage, a syringe holding portion that detachably holds the syringe on the stage, and a material supply portion that supplies the material, wherein the stage has a through hole that connects the first opening and the material supply portion, and the syringe holding portion has a supply port that connects to the material supply portion and has an engagement portion into which the end of the syringe on the first opening side is engaged, and a pressing portion that can be brought into contact with and separated from the end of the syringe on the second opening side, and is configured to be able to clamp and hold the syringe in the axial direction between the engagement portion and the pressing portion.

[0009] The syringe may further include a supply section which sequentially supplies the syringes before they are filled with the material, a recovery section which sequentially recovers the syringes after they have been filled with the material, a transfer section which transports the syringes from the supply section to the syringe holding section, and a transfer section which transports the syringes from the syringe holding section to the recovery section, and the syringe holding section is configured to be capable of holding the syringe by pressing the first opening against the periphery of the supply port by pushing the syringe in the axial direction. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a filling device with a simplified configuration on the stage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a filling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part III in FIG. [Figure 4] Fig. 4A is an enlarged view of part IV in Fig. 2, and is an explanatory view for explaining the operation of the pressing unit 40. Fig. 4B is an explanatory view following Fig. 4A. [Diagram 5] Fig. 5A is a front cross-sectional view showing an example of a syringe filled with a material using the filling device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5B is a front cross-sectional view showing another example of a syringe. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a fitting portion into which the syringe shown in FIG. 5A is fitted. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a pressing portion that presses the syringe shown in FIG. 5A. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a positioning member for positioning the syringe shown in FIG. 5A. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating an example of a filling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a filling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion XIII in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an example of a fitting portion into which the syringe shown in FIG. 5B is fitted. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] First Embodiment The filling device 1 according to the present invention is a device for filling a syringe 100 held by a syringe holding portion 20 on a stage 12 with a paste-like filling material (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "material") delivered from a material supplying portion 60. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view (schematic view) showing a configuration example of the filling device 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view (schematic view) taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of part IV in FIG. 2, and is an explanatory view of the operation of the pressing portion 40. FIG. 4B is an explanatory view of the operation of the pressing portion 40 following FIG. 4A. In addition, in all the drawings for explaining each embodiment, members having the same function are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof may be omitted. In addition, as a structural material of the device, a general structural material (metal material, resin material, etc.) is used unless otherwise specified.

[0013] First, the configuration of the syringe 100 to be filled with a material using the filling device 1 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the syringe 100 includes a tip portion 102 having a first opening 112 with a relatively small inner diameter, a tapered portion 104, a body portion 106, and a flange portion 108 having a second opening 114 with a relatively large inner diameter (here, a case where a material is filled into the syringe 100 having the shape shown in FIG. 5A is illustrated). In this embodiment, the material is filled into the syringe 100 from the first opening 112 (it may be filled from the second opening 114). A plunger 120 is slidably fitted into the syringe 100, which is pushed when the filled material is sent out from the first opening 112 while sealing the second opening 114. In addition, a plunger weight 122 is provided on the upper portion of the plunger 120 to prevent the upper surface (liquid surface) of the filled material from rising. The materials used to form the syringe 100 and the plunger 120 are not particularly limited, and are formed using a resin material appropriately selected depending on the properties of the filling material, etc., and the plunger weight 122 is formed using a metal material.

[0014] The tip 102 of the syringe 100 is provided with a screw portion 102a, and is configured to allow a cap (not shown) to be fitted thereon (so-called luer lock type). Examples of the screw portion 102a include a configuration in which the tip 102 is formed into a single cylinder (single cylinder) and the screw portion 102a is provided on the inner or outer circumference thereof, or a configuration in which the tip 102 is formed into a double cylinder and the screw portion 102a is provided on the inner circumference of the outer cylinder. In this embodiment, the latter configuration is illustrated. The syringe 100 may be configured without the screw portion 102a (so-called luer slip type).

[0015] Next, the configuration of the filling device 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the filling device 1 includes a stage 12, a syringe holder 20 that detachably holds a syringe 100 on the stage 12, and a material supply unit 60 that supplies a material.

[0016] The stage 12 has a through hole 14 that communicates the first opening 112 of the syringe 100 held by the syringe holding part 20 with the material supply part 60 (see FIG. 3). This allows the material to be delivered by the material supply part 60, thereby filling the syringe 100 with the material.

[0017] The syringe holding portion 20 has a fitting portion 22 into which the (first) end portion 116 (at least the area including the tip portion 102) of the syringe 100 on the first opening 112 side is fitted, and a pressing portion 40 that can be brought into contact with and separated from the (second) end portion 118 (flange portion 108) on the second opening 114 side of the syringe 100.

[0018] The fitting portion 22 includes a holder 24 into which the tip portion 102 of the syringe 100 is fitted and which has a supply port 26 communicating with the first opening 112, and an adapter 28 which is cylindrical and has a flange portion 30 (for example, two pieces arranged to form an angle of 180°) on the outer periphery and is connected to the holder 24 (see Figs. 3, 6, and 7). In this embodiment, the tip portion 102 of the syringe 100 is supported by the holder 24, and the tapered portion 104 and the body portion 106 are supported by the adapter 28 (however, it is sufficient that at least the tip portion 102 is supported). The adapter 28 also has the effect of preventing material leaking from a gap between the first opening 112 and the supply port 26 from scattering onto the stage 12. The fitting portion 22 is removably attached to a predetermined position on the stage 12 by a receiving base 34 that secures the flange portion 30 of the adapter 28 and a fixing member (for example, a bolt) 36, and can be replaced as appropriate to suit the type of syringe and the shape of the tip.

[0019] The pressing part 40 has an abutment part 42 that abuts against the second end 118 of the syringe 100 and presses it from the axial direction (see Figs. 4A, 4B, and 8). The abutment part 42 is configured to be able to approach and separate (up and down movement (including front and rear components)) from the second end 118 by a moving mechanism 44 attached to a frame 18 mounted on the pillar 10. In this embodiment, the abutment part 42 approaches (moves downward) the second end 118 by raising the lever 46 toward the front side of the device (see Fig. 4A), and the abutment part 42 moves away (moves upward) from the second end 118 by pushing down the lever 46 toward the back side of the device (see Fig. 4B). The moving mechanism 44 is not limited to the lever 46, and may be another known mechanism such as a cylinder (not shown).

[0020] In this manner, the syringe holding part 20 is configured to hold the syringe 100 by clamping it in the axial direction with the fitting part 22 that fits the first end 116 of the syringe 100 and the pressing part 40 that presses the second end 118. This simplifies the syringe mounting configuration, and the syringe 100 can be easily mounted in a short time. In addition, the configuration on the stage 12 can be simplified, and the ease of cleaning on the stage 12 can be improved.

[0021] In addition, for example, in the filling device exemplified in Patent Document 1, the syringe must be screwed and connected to the rotating table, which makes it difficult to automate the supply and collection of the syringe. The filling device 1 according to this embodiment solves this problem by adopting a configuration in which the syringe 100 is held on the stage 12 without being screwed.

[0022] 10, the filling device 1 further includes a supply section 2 which sequentially supplies syringes 100 before being filled with a material, a recovery section 3 which sequentially recovers syringes 100 after being filled with a material, a carry-in section 4 which carries (attaches) the syringes 100 from the supply section 2 to the syringe holding section 20, and a carry-out section 5 which carries the syringes 100 from the syringe holding section 20 to the recovery section 3, and the syringe holding section 20 is configured to be able to press the first opening 112 against the periphery of the supply port 26 and hold the syringe 100 by pushing the syringe 100 in the axial direction. This makes it possible to automate at least the supply and recovery of the syringes 100.

[0023] As an example, the supply unit 2 and the recovery unit 3 are implemented as slide-type stockers (feeders), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a conveyor or the like may be used (not shown). Note that the supply unit 2 and the recovery unit 3 may be implemented as a (single) transport device (not shown).

[0024] An example of the configuration of the loading unit 4 and the unloading unit 5 includes a loading (unloading) head that holds the syringe 100 by a chuck mechanism or the like, a moving mechanism (cylinder or the like) that moves the head vertically, and a moving mechanism (cylinder or the like) that moves the head horizontally between the supply unit 2 and the syringe holding unit 20, or between the syringe holding unit 20 and the recovery unit 3 (all not shown). Note that the configuration is not limited to this, and a configuration using a robot hand, a linear guide, a rack and pinion, or a ball screw and nut, etc. may also be used (not shown). Also, a configuration including a (single) transport device that serves both the loading unit 4 and the unloading unit 5 may also be used (not shown).

[0025] Here, a position sensor 16 that detects the position of the upper surface of the material in the syringe 100 is provided directly above the syringe 100 held on the stage 12. As an example, a laser distance measuring sensor that measures distance using laser light is used as the position sensor 16, but this is not limited to this. The contact part 42 of the pressing part 40 has a through hole 48 that passes the laser light irradiated from the position sensor 16 (see FIG. 8), and the filling state in the syringe 100 can be detected even in a state where the second end 118 of the syringe 100 is pressed.

[0026] Furthermore, the syringe holding portion 20 has a positioning member 50 below the pressing portion 40, which supports the vicinity of the second end 118 of the syringe 100 and positions the syringe 100. The positioning member 50 has a positioning hole 52 (see FIG. 9), and by fitting the syringe 100 into the fitting portion 22 through the positioning hole 52, it is possible to accurately center the first end 116 (first opening 112) and prevent the syringe 100 from tilting.

[0027] Next, the material supply unit 60 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the material supply unit 60 is disposed directly below the stage 12, and includes a storage unit 62 for storing the material to be filled into the syringe 100, a piping unit 64 for circulating the material, and a pressurizing unit 66 for applying pressure to send the material from the storage unit 62 to the piping unit 64.

[0028] The piping section 64 has a spacer 68 on the inside of its tip, and the spacer 68 is connected to the supply port 26 of the holder 24 through the through hole 14 of the stage 12 (i.e., the piping section 64 is connected to the first opening 112 of the syringe 100 via the supply port 26).

[0029] The pressurizing unit 66 has a moving mechanism 72 that moves the storage unit 62 up and down. The storage unit 62 is raised by the moving mechanism 72, and a pressure plate 74 disposed directly below the stage 12 presses the upper surface (liquid surface) of the material in the storage unit 62, thereby applying pressure to send the material to the piping unit 64. As an example, the moving mechanism 72 uses a known linear motion mechanism equipped with a stepping motor 76, but is not limited to this.

[0030] Next, an outline of a process for filling syringe 100 with the paste-like material contained in reservoir 62 using filling device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

[0031] As an example, a case where the supply and withdrawal of syringe 100 and the operation of pressing unit 40 are performed manually will be described.

[0032] First, a preparation step PM1 is performed. Specifically, an empty syringe 100 is prepared.

[0033] After the preparation process PM1, the loading process PM2 is performed. Specifically, the syringe 100 is fitted into the fitting portion 22 through the positioning hole 52 of the positioning member 50. Next, the lever 46 of the pressing portion 40 is raised toward the front side of the device, and the abutting portion 42 is brought into contact with the second end 118 of the syringe 100 fitted into the fitting portion 22 to clamp the syringe 100, and the first opening 112 of the syringe 100 is pressed against the supply port 26 of the holder 24.

[0034] After the carrying-in step PM2, the filling step PM3 is performed. Specifically, the moving mechanism 72 is operated to raise the pressing plate 74, and the material in the storage part 62 is pressed to fill the material into the syringe 100 through the piping part 64.

[0035] After the filling step PM3, the unloading and recovering step PM4 is carried out. Specifically, the lever 46 of the pressing part 40 is pushed down toward the rear of the device, and the contact part 42 is separated from the syringe 100 filled with the material, thereby releasing the clamping of the syringe 100. Next, the syringe 100 filled with the material is recovered from the fitting part 22.

[0036] As another example, a case will be described in which the supply and recovery of syringe 100 and the operation of pressing unit 40 are performed automatically. Here, filling device 1 has supply unit 2, recovery unit 3, carry-in unit 4, and carry-out unit 5 described above, and is configured such that a cylinder (not shown) is provided as movement mechanism 44 for pressing unit 40.

[0037] First, a preparation / supply step PA1 is performed. Specifically, a plurality of empty syringes 100 are prepared and stored in the supply unit 2, and the syringes 100 are supplied (transported).

[0038] After the preparation and supply step PA1, the carry-in step PA2 is performed. Specifically, the syringe 100 supplied from the supply unit 2 is held by the carry-in head of the carry-in unit 4. Next, the carry-in head is moved to the syringe holding unit 20, and the syringe 100 is fitted into the fitting unit 22. Next, the cylinder of the pressing unit 40 is operated, and the abutting unit 42 is brought into contact with the second end 118 of the syringe 100 fitted into the fitting unit 22 to clamp the syringe 100, and the first opening 112 of the syringe 100 is pressed against the supply port 26 of the holder 24. Next, the carry-in head releases the hold of the syringe 100, and the carry-in head is moved out of the syringe holding unit 20. In the carry-in step PA2, the positioning of the syringe 100 is performed by the cylinder, so that the positioning member 50 can be omitted.

[0039] After the loading step PA2, a filling step PA3 is performed. Specifically, the moving mechanism 72 is operated to raise the pressing plate 74, and the material in the storage part 62 is pressed to fill the syringe 100 with the material through the piping part 64.

[0040] After the filling step PA3, the carrying-out / recovery step PA4 is carried out. Specifically, the carrying-out head of the carrying-out unit 5 is moved to the syringe holding unit 20, and the syringe 100 filled with the material is held. Next, the cylinder of the pressing unit 40 is actuated to move the contact unit 42 away from the syringe 100, thereby releasing the clamping of the syringe 100. Next, the carrying-out head is moved to the recovery unit 3, and the syringe 100 is recovered (stored) in the recovery unit 3.

[0041] In conjunction with the unloading / recovering step PA4, the loading step PA2 is performed on another syringe 100 supplied from the supply unit 2. Thereafter, by repeating the above steps, the syringe 100 can be filled with the material by a continuous process.

[0042] Second Embodiment Next, a filling device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The filling device 1 according to this embodiment has a basic configuration similar to that of the first embodiment described above, but has a difference in the syringe holding section 20. This embodiment will be described below, focusing on the difference. Here, FIG. 11 is a perspective view (schematic diagram) showing an example of the configuration of the filling device 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view (schematic diagram) taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of part XIII in FIG. 12.

[0043] In this embodiment, a case will be illustrated in which a syringe 100 having a shape shown in FIG. 5B is filled with a material using the filling device 1.

[0044] In the filling device 1 according to this embodiment, the syringe holding part 20 has a fitting part 82 into which the first end 116 on the first opening 112 side of the syringe 100 is fitted. Note that although the syringe holding part 20 also has the pressing part 40 in the first embodiment, it is not used to hold the syringe 100, and the contact part 42 is held in a state separated from the second end 118.

[0045] The fitting portion 82 includes a holder 84 having a supply port 86, an adapter 88 having a cylindrical shape with a flange portion 90 (for example, two pieces arranged to form an angle of 180°) on the outer periphery and connected to the holder 84, and a joint 94 having a flow port 96 at the center communicating with the supply port 86 and the first opening 112 of the syringe 100, one end of which is screwed into the holder 84 and the other end of which has a locking portion 98 and into which the screw portion 102a of the syringe 100 is screwed (see FIGS. 13 to 15). In this embodiment, the screw portion 102a of the syringe 100 is screwed and supported by the joint 94. The adapter 88 has a function of preventing material leaking from a gap between the first opening 112 and the supply port 26 from scattering onto the stage 12. The fitting portion 82 is detachably mounted at a predetermined position on the stage 12 by a receiving base 34 for fixing a flange portion 90 of an adapter 88 and a fixing member 36 (a bolt, for example).

[0046] That is, the filling device 1 in this embodiment is a filling device 1 that fills a paste-like material into a syringe 100 through a first opening 112 provided in the syringe 100, and is equipped with a stage 12, a syringe holding portion 20 that removably holds the syringe 100 on the stage 12, and a material supply portion 60 that supplies the material, the stage 12 has a through hole 14 that connects the first opening 112 to the material supply portion 60, the syringe holding portion 20 has a supply port 86 that connects to the material supply portion 60 and has a fitting portion 82 into which the first end 116 of the syringe 100 on the first opening 112 side is fitted, and the fitting portion 82 is configured to be removably attached to a predetermined position of the stage 12.

[0047] In addition, the fitting portion 82 has a joint 94 that is connected to the syringe 100 by screwing into a screw portion 102a provided on a first end 116 on the first opening 112 side of the syringe 100, and an adapter 88 that attaches the joint 94 to the stage 12, and the joint 94 is configured to have a flow port 96 that communicates between the first opening 112 of the syringe 100 in the connected state and the supply port 86.

[0048] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a filling device with a simplified configuration on the stage.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Filling device 2 Supply section 3. Collection Section 4. Loading section 5. Unloading section 12 Stages 20 Syringe holder 22 Fitting part 40 Pressing part 60 Material supply section 100 Syringes

Claims

1. A filling device that fills a syringe with a paste-like material from a first opening provided in the syringe, a stage; a syringe holder that detachably holds the syringe on the stage; and a material supplying unit that supplies the material; the stage has a through hole that communicates the first opening and the material supply unit, The syringe holding portion includes: a fitting portion having a supply port communicating with the material supply portion and into which an end portion of the syringe on the side of the first opening is fitted, and a pressing portion capable of coming into contact with and being separated from an end portion of the syringe on the side of the second opening, The syringe is configured to be held by being sandwiched between the fitting portion and the pressing portion in the axial direction. A filling device comprising:

2. The syringe further includes a supply unit that sequentially supplies the syringes before the material is filled, a recovery unit that sequentially recovers the syringes after the material is filled, a carry-in unit that carries the syringes from the supply unit to the syringe holding unit, and a carry-out unit that carries the syringes from the syringe holding unit to the recovery unit, The syringe holding portion is configured to be capable of holding the syringe by pressing the first opening against a periphery of the supply port by pushing the syringe in an axial direction.

2. The filling device according to claim 1,

3. The pressing portion has a through hole through which a laser beam of a position sensor that measures the position of the upper surface of the material filled in the syringe passes.

3. The filling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

4. The syringe holding portion has a positioning member disposed below the pressing portion and supporting a vicinity of an end portion on the second opening side to position the syringe.

4. The filling device according to claim 3,

5. A filling device that fills a syringe with a paste-like material from a first opening provided in the syringe, a stage; a syringe holder that detachably holds the syringe on the stage; and a material supplying unit that supplies the material; the stage has a through hole that communicates the first opening and the material supply unit, the syringe holder has a supply port communicating with the material supply unit and a fitting portion into which an end of the syringe on the first opening side is fitted, The fitting portion is configured to be detachable from a predetermined position of the stage. A filling device comprising:

6. the fitting portion includes a joint that is connected to the syringe by being screwed into a threaded portion provided at an end portion of the syringe on the first opening side, and an adapter that attaches the joint to the stage, The joint has a flow port that communicates between the first opening of the syringe and the supply port in a connected state.

6. The filling device according to claim 5,

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