Device for metering pourable or compressed products

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for a monitored metering of a pourable or compressed product (2) into a container (3), having a metering device (4), by means of which a defined quantity of the product (2) can be provided, and comprising a measuring channel sleeve (5) with an inner surface (6) made of a non-electrically conductive material, said measuring channel sleeve enclosing a conveyor path (7) for conveying the defined quantity of the product (2) from the metering device (4) into the container (3) such that the product (2) enters the inner volume (9) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) through an inlet region (8) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) on the path from the metering device (4) into the container (3) and is subsequently guided into the container (3) at an outlet region (10) of the measuring channel sleeve (5). The measuring channel sleeve (5) is arranged within an electric measuring device (11), and the electric measuring device (11) is designed to detect electric properties of the pourable or compressed product (2) during the movement thereof along the conveyor path (7), wherein the measuring channel sleeve (5) has a constriction (12) in the inlet region (8), said constriction being tapered in comparison to the inner volume (9) and producing a centering effect for the product (2) in the cylindrical inner volume (9) such that a contact of the product (2) against the inner surface (6) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) is reduced on the conveyor path (7).

Description

[0001] Device for dosing free-flowing or compressed products

[0002] The described device and method relate to monitoring the dosing of free-flowing or compressed products – particularly products consisting of pellets. Particularly noteworthy here are, for example, pharmaceutical pellets or dietary supplements presented as pellets, which can be dosed using the described device. Such pellets are administered in capsules into which the pellets must be dosed. Dosing accuracy is particularly important for pharmaceutical pellets, so continuous monitoring of each individual dosing process into a capsule or other container is desired. This is the prerequisite for immediately detecting incorrect dosing and immediately sorting out incorrectly filled capsules / containers.

[0003] The dosage of drug pellets into capsules is preferably carried out by feeding a defined amount of the drug pellets into a capsule through a measuring channel sleeve made of electrically non-conductive material, in particular plastic. Preferably, the defined amount or a specific portion falls through a measuring channel sleeve made of electrically non-conductive material, in particular plastic, into the capsule under the influence of gravity.

[0004] The portion can be monitored, for example, by moving the portion through a capacitor during or before dosing. Specifically, the pellets fall through the sleeve or through the capacitor surrounding the sleeve under the influence of gravity. The pellets have dielectric properties, so the pellets cause a change in the electrical properties of the capacitor (in particular, a change in the capacitor's capacitance). This change in the electrical properties of the capacitor can be evaluated to determine the portion or quantity of pellets.

[0005] The capacitor for monitoring the portioning preferably surrounds the measuring channel sleeve made of electrically non-conductive material, particularly plastic. When the portion of pellets is moved or falls through the measuring channel sleeve, the capacitance of the capacitor changes temporarily. A measuring voltage is preferably applied to the capacitor. The change in capacitance results in electrical currents that can be measured as an electrical signal. Suitably configured electronics can use these signals (possibly taking into account other parameters such as time, humidity, electrical properties of the pellets, etc.) to determine the quantity or mass of pellets that have been moved through the capacitor.

[0006] It has been found that friction between the pellets and the plastic measuring channel sleeve creates electrical effects that influence the analysis used to determine the portion or quantity. These effects occur in particular because the measuring channel sleeve is not electrically conductive and is made of plastic, which means it has an electrically insulating effect. A portion of pellets comprises a large number of pellets which together have a very large surface area. Friction between these pellets and the measuring channel sleeve creates static electricity (triboelectric effect), which distorts the signals used to determine the quantity or mass of pellets. In addition, deposits of pellets can form on the measuring channel sleeve. The formation of static electricity promotes the adhesion of pellets to the measuring channel sleeve.As a result, undose pellets remain in the sleeve, which have an effect on the electrical properties of the capacitor and which further distort the signals used to determine the quantity or mass of pellets.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. It proposes measures that reduce the influence of deposits and static electricity and thus increase the accuracy of the determination of dosed pellets, especially pharmaceutical pellets.

[0008] This object is achieved by the invention according to the features of the independent patent 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 the person skilled in the art can combine the individual features in a technologically expedient manner and thus arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

[0009] What is to be described here is a device for the monitored dosing of a free-flowing or compressed product into a container, comprising a dosing device with which a defined amount of the product can be provided, and a measuring channel sleeve with an inner surface made of non-electrically conductive material, which encloses a conveying path of the defined amount of the product from the dosing device into the container, so that the product, on its way from the dosing device into the container, enters an inner volume of the measuring channel sleeve through an inlet region of the measuring channel sleeve and is then guided into the container at an outlet region of the measuring channel sleeve, wherein the measuring channel sleeve is arranged within an electrical measuring device and the electrical measuring device is designed to record electrical properties of the free-flowing product as it moves along the conveying path,

[0010] - wherein the measuring channel sleeve has a constriction in the inlet region which is tapered relative to the inner volume and which causes the product to be centered in the cylindrical inner volume, so that contact of the product with the inner surface of the measuring channel sleeve on the conveying path is reduced; and wherein the electrical measuring device is connected to an evaluation circuit, wherein the evaluation circuit is configured to evaluate an electrical signal which arises during the movement of the product along the conveying path in such a way that a quantity of the dosed product can be determined from this electrical signal.

[0011] The device is preferably part of a system with which the free-flowing product can be filled into containers or, in particular, into capsules. Such a system can also be referred to as a capsule filling system. The dosing device is the part of this device or system with which the quantity of product to be filled into a single container or capsule is provided. The dosing device is preferably configured to precisely withdraw the quantity from a reservoir and make it available for dosing.

[0012] The measuring channel sleeve is a common component in such systems, which guides the product from the dosing device to the capsule.

[0013] The product is particularly free-flowing or compressed. The term "free-flowing" refers to the ability of bulk materials to flow vertically under defined conditions. The flowability of a bulk material is determined by its composition and the nature of its particles. In this context, the term "compressed" means that the product consists of particles that have been compressed, for example, by pressure to form an agglomerate. However, the agglomerate bond is usually not absolutely solid; particles can detach.

[0014] A key feature of the device described here is that the measuring channel sleeve has a narrowed or tapered inlet area for the product. The narrowed or tapered inlet area concentrates drug pellets along an axis of the measuring channel sleeve. In the direction of movement of the pellets through the measuring channel sleeve, a section of the measuring channel sleeve is widened behind the narrowed or tapered inlet area. The narrowed or tapered inlet area concentrates the product centrally in the measuring channel sleeve so that the product or its particles are at a distance from the surface of the measuring channel sleeve as they move through the section of the measuring channel sleeve behind it. The described effects of the creation of electrical effects (static electricity / triboelectric effect) and the formation of deposits are thus avoided or at least greatly reduced.A consistently wider diameter would result in a deterioration of the measurement signal, and the product would be less guided. The measuring channel sleeve separates the externally arranged measuring device from the pellet-shaped product, thus forming an indirect measuring system. Such measuring channel sleeves also ensure a defined guidance of the product or pellets through the measuring device, in particular, guidance along a defined path.

[0015] In principle, both capacitive and inductive methods can be used with the measuring device to acquire an electrical signal that allows conclusions to be drawn about the amount of pellets.

[0016] Measuring channel sleeves are also used, in particular, to mask a container into which the product is to be transported (for example, a capsule into which pellets are to be filled as a product). The term "masking" here refers to the fact that such sleeves form a channel through which the product or pellets are fed into the container or capsule, and which is adapted to the format of the container or capsule.

[0017] The measuring channel sleeve, and in particular the inner surface of the measuring channel sleeve, is preferably made of a non-electrically conductive material, in particular plastic. Preferably, the entire measuring channel sleeve is made of a non-electrically conductive material.

[0018] The inner surface of the measuring channel sleeve preferably has surface properties that cause low mechanical friction between the product and the inner surface. However, because the material is not electrically conductive or, in particular, even insulating, triboelectric effects or electrostatic charging can occur. The described extension after the inlet area reduces or even prevents this.

[0019] The use of non-electrically conductive material for the measuring channel sleeve is particularly advantageous for monitoring dosing with the help of the electrical measuring device. A measuring channel sleeve made of electrically conductive material would act like a Faraday cage around the product. This would complicate monitoring dosing with the measuring channel sleeve. Preferably, no electrically conductive, and in particular no metallic, material is located within the measuring chamber of the measuring device (in which the measuring channel sleeve is located).

[0020] Surprisingly, it has been found that a collar or a narrowing / tapering at the top or inlet of the measuring channel sleeve can achieve sufficient guidance or masking. Expanding the measuring channel sleeve behind the beginning is unproblematic. Nevertheless, the product is guided sufficiently into the container.

[0021] The extension can be either stepped or conical. In a stepped extension, the taper is preferably designed in the form of an inward-facing collar.

[0022] The extension prevents or reduces contact between the product or pellets and the surface of the measuring channel sleeve. If contact is not avoided or only partially avoided and reduced, at least a reduction in the forces acting upon contact between the product or pellets and the surface of the measuring channel sleeve occurs. This alone reduces frictional forces and reduces or minimizes the generation of static electricity (electrostatic charging / triboelectric effect).

[0023] It is particularly advantageous if the electrical measuring device has at least one electrical component which defines a measuring space, wherein the measuring channel sleeve is arranged within the measuring space in such a way that the conveying path runs through the measuring space.

[0024] The electrical measuring device is, in particular, a capacitor, and the measuring chamber is, in particular, a capacitor volume. Electrical properties of the product that cause a change in the electrical properties in the measuring chamber can be monitored with the electrical measuring device. In various designs, the constriction at the inlet area of ​​the measuring channel sleeve is located at least partially outside the measuring chamber.

[0025] The effect of the constriction at the inlet of the measuring channel sleeve may cause product deposits to form. By locating the inlet outside the measuring chamber, the electrical effects of such deposits on the measurement can be reduced or even eliminated.

[0026] If necessary, the measuring channel sleeve can also have an inlet slope in the inlet area upstream of the constriction. An inlet slope can be designed as a type of chamfer. In the area of ​​the inlet slope, the measuring channel sleeve preferably tapers from the top to the taper.

[0027] In particular, such a taper on the inlet side of the measuring channel sleeve results in an alignment of the product particles so that the product particles do not scatter strongly in the measuring channel sleeve.

[0028] It has been found that the constriction has a particularly positive effect on the accuracy of the measurement with the measuring device because the constriction achieves a concentration or centering of the product within the measuring channel sleeve, which reduces contact of the product or the particles of the product with the inner surface of the measuring channel sleeve.

[0029] An inlet slope helps concentrate or center the product. As the product moves downward through the inlet slope, the inlet slope guides the product toward the central area.

[0030] It is particularly advantageous if there is a step-like transition between the constriction at the inlet area and the cylindrical inner volume.

[0031] A stepped transition causes the inner surface to expand suddenly or immediately, starting from the entry area as the product passes through the measuring channel sleeve. A stepped transition reduces contact between the product and the inner surface immediately after the entry area.

[0032] It is also advantageous if there is a widening transition between the constriction at the inlet area and a cylindrical inner volume.

[0033] In certain design variants, this transition can expand continuously from the diameter of the constriction to the diameter of the cylindrical inner volume. The transition preferably extends over a certain portion of the length of the measuring channel sleeve.

[0034] If necessary, the entire internal volume does not have to be cylindrical. If necessary, an internal volume that opens / expands conically towards the bottom can also be realized. If necessary, the conical expansion can extend over (almost, or at least 80 percent) the length of the measuring channel sleeve. As already explained, the constriction at the inlet area achieves a concentration or centering of the product within the measuring channel sleeve. This concentration or centering of the product decreases as the product travels from the inlet area to the outlet area of ​​the measuring channel sleeve. Preferably, the measuring channel sleeve widens over its length from the inlet area to the outlet area in such a way that as the concentration or centering of the product decreases along this length, the inner surface recedes further.

[0035] It is particularly preferred if a first cross-sectional area of ​​the constriction is between 70 percent and 95 percent of a second cross-sectional area of ​​the cylindrical internal volume.

[0036] For an internal volume that widens conically from the inlet area to the outlet area, similar values ​​preferably apply. A first cross-sectional area at the inlet area is preferably between 70 and 95 percent of a second cross-sectional area at the outlet area.

[0037] In the case of round or circular cross-sectional areas, this corresponds to a difference in the diameter of the cross-sectional areas of 5% to 15%. For example, a measuring channel sleeve can have a diameter of approximately 5 mm [millimeters] in the constriction area and a cross-sectional area of ​​approximately 5.6 mm in the area of ​​the cylindrical inner volume or the outlet area.

[0038] The narrowing at the inlet area, or the widening occurring behind the narrowing at the inlet area, reduces, in particular, compressive forces acting on the product or lateral forces from the inner surface acting on the product during transport through the measuring channel sleeve. It has been shown that this can be achieved even with relatively small narrowing at the inlet area.

[0039] It is particularly advantageous if the dosing device has at least one dosing roller with at least one dosing chamber, wherein a quantity of the product to be dosed can be provided in each of the at least one dosing chamber.

[0040] A dosing roller is a cylindrical body with an outer roller surface and a roller axis. During the dosing process, the dosing roller rotates around its axis in one direction. Dosing chambers are evenly distributed in circumferential annular areas. The dosing roller, with the dosing chambers, conveys defined portions of the product from a product supply into a target container. A pick-up position and a discharge position denote locations relative to the dosing roller. Preferably, the product is conveyed into the dosing chambers of the dosing roller at the pick-up position with a negative pressure, and at the discharge position with an overpressure, from the dosing chambers into the measuring channel sleeve.

[0041] The size or volume of the dosing chambers in the dosing roller defines the amount of product to be dosed. With a dosing roller in the dosing device, the dosed amounts can be precisely adjusted. For this reason, it is particularly advantageous to use the device described here (which allows precise monitoring of the quantities) with a dosing roller in the dosing device.

[0042] In embodiments, the dosing device can be designed with at least one dosing slide with at least one movable dosing chamber, wherein a quantity of the product to be dosed can be provided by moving the dosing slide.

[0043] It is also advantageous if the product is provided in a reservoir and, in a first position of the at least one dosing slide, a first passage from the reservoir into the at least one dosing chamber is opened, and the dosing chamber is filled with product from the reservoir and, in a second position of the at least one dosing slide, a second passage from the dosing chamber into the inlet region of the measuring channel sleeve is opened and the product contained in the dosing chamber can pass into the measuring channel sleeve.

[0044] In this design variant, the size or volume of the dosing chambers in the dosing slide also defines the amount of product to be dosed.

[0045] It is particularly preferred if the product is a medicinal product.

[0046] The device is particularly preferably part of a capsule filling machine for filling pharmaceutical capsules with a free-flowing and / or compacted pharmaceutical product. Expensive pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical products where dosage is particularly critical are often provided in capsules. The device described here is particularly suitable in connection with such pharmaceutical products, because monitoring the dosed quantities is particularly critical when dosing such pharmaceutical products.

[0047] It is also advantageous if the product comprises granulate particles and / or pellets. Granulate particles and / or pellets can, in particular, be pressed from a powdered starting product. When dosing granulate particles and / or pellets, it is preferable to dose a large number of individual particles, each of which has an average diameter in the micrometer range (e.g., between 50 pm and 500 pm).

[0048] The size distribution of such granulate particles and / or pellets around a mean diameter is preferably narrow. Particularly preferably, the size and, in particular, the shape of the granulate particles and / or pellets are uniform. This enables high dosing accuracy.

[0049] The friction of such granulate particles and / or pellets on the inner surface of the measuring channel sleeve can lead to the described electrical effects. By concentrating the granulate particles and / or pellets in the central area of ​​the measuring channel sleeve, friction on the inner surface can be reduced.

[0050] Pellets and / or granulate particles that are dosed with the device described here can also be wetted with talc or magnesium stearate, for example.

[0051] It is further preferred if the product comprises a powder.

[0052] A powder, in particular, consists of finer particles than granules or pellets. Furthermore, the particle size distribution is preferably broader. In particular, a powder also contains very fine (possibly dust-like) particles.

[0053] With powdered products, there is an increased risk that finer powder particles in particular will stick to the inner surface of the measuring channel sleeve.

[0054] If necessary, the constriction at the inlet side can also cause so-called "free" product to deposit at the top of the measuring channel sleeve, rather than in the wider area below within the measuring channel sleeve. The term "free product" particularly describes finer product particles that occur with powdered products and that may surround a large portion of the product like a mist. Such "free product" can be deposited at the top of the measuring channel sleeve by the constriction, preventing any influence on the measurement with the measuring device regarding the product moving through the measuring channel sleeve.

[0055] Products or pellets whose dosing would have been difficult or even impossible to dose or measure without the measuring channel sleeve described here due to electrostatic charging / deposition of the product in the measuring channel sleeve can be dosed much more easily using the method and device described here. In particular, the measurability of the dosed quantities / portions is significantly improved.

[0056] The device is particularly preferred if the electrical measuring device comprises a capacitor with two electrodes, wherein the measuring channel sleeve is arranged within a capacitor volume between the two electrodes and wherein dielectric properties of the product cause a measurable change in the capacitance of the capacitor.

[0057] The capacitor or the two electrodes form electrical components of the electrical measuring device.

[0058] It is also advantageous if the evaluation circuit is designed to record a time integral and / or maximum value and / or difference start / end of the capacity of the electrical measuring device as an electrical signal and to evaluate it for determining the quantity of the dosed product.

[0059] As the product moves through the measuring channel sleeve, the capacitance of the capacitor-type measuring device increases due to the product's dielectric properties. This increase in capacitance can be measured using a suitable evaluation circuit. Alternatively or in addition to capacitive effects, which can be detected with a capacitor-type measuring device, the measuring device can also measure other effects, such as inductive effects caused by the product's permeability. In this context, the electrical measuring device can be designed as a coil surrounding the measuring channel sleeve. The inductance of this coil can be temporarily influenced by the product's movement through the measuring channel sleeve.

[0060] The invention and the technical context of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show preferred embodiments to which the invention is not limited. It should be noted in particular that the figures, and in particular the proportions depicted in the figures, are only schematic. They show:

[0061] Fig. 1 : a described system for filling a free-flowing and / or compacted product into capsules;

[0062] Fig. 2: a device according to the prior art with a dosing device with a dosing roller;

[0063] Fig. 3: a device according to the prior art with a dosing device with a dosing slide;

[0064] Fig. 4 shows a device described here with a dosing device with a dosing roller;

[0065] Fig. 5 shows a device described here with a dosing device with a dosing slide;

[0066] Fig. 6 shows a first embodiment of a measuring channel sleeve for a described device; Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of a measuring channel sleeve for a described device;

[0067] Fig. 8 shows a third embodiment of a measuring channel sleeve for a device described; and

[0068] Fig. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of a measuring channel sleeve for a described device.

[0069] Fig. 1 shows a system 28 for filling a free-flowing, powdery and / or compacted product, which is designed here by way of example with a dosing roller 20 as the dosing device 4. The structure of the system 28 is only an example here to clarify the context. The system 28 has a carousel 31, which is rotated in a direction of rotation 34 and in this way travels to various stations 32, at each of which processing steps for containers 3 (in particular capsules that are to be filled) take place. Shown here by way of example are a filling station 29, at which the device 1 described here is realized, a capsule loading station 30 and a capsule removal station 33. The filling station 29 or the device 1 is shown here by way of example with a dosing roller 20, which fills the product 2 into the containers 3. The filling station 29 orHowever, the device 1 can also be designed in any other way, for example with the dosing slide 22 described below.

[0070] Fig. 2 shows one device 1 of the prior art with a dosing roller 20 as dosing device 4. The dosing roller 20 has dosing chambers 21, which are filled with products 2 from a reservoir 23 at the top and transferred to the measuring channel sleeve 5 at the bottom for dosing into the container 3. The dosing roller 20 rotates during dosing in a direction of rotation 34 in order to dose one amount of product after the other. At the top position, the product 2 is sucked into the dosing chamber 21 using negative pressure from a compressed air system 35. The size of the dosing chamber 21 defines the amount of product 2. At the bottom position, the product 2 is transferred into the measuring channel sleeve 5 using positive pressure from a compressed air system 35.

[0071] The measuring channel sleeve 5 is surrounded by an electrical measuring device 11, shown schematically here, which is connected to an evaluation circuit 13 and can be monitored and evaluated with the electrical properties of the product 2 as it moves through the measuring channel sleeve 5 in order to determine the quantity of the product 2 moved through the measuring channel sleeve 5.

[0072] Fig. 3 shows a device 1 of the prior art with a dosing device 4 designed as a dosing slide 22. In a first position 24, a first passage 25 for product 2 from a reservoir 23 into a dosing chamber 21 in the dosing slide 22 is open, so that product 2 passes from the reservoir 23 into the dosing chamber 21. By moving the dosing slide 22, the passage 25 is closed and a defined amount of product 2, which is defined by the size of the dosing chamber 21, is separated from the reservoir 23. In a second position 26, a second passage 27 from the dosing chamber 21 to the measuring channel sleeve 5 is open, so that the defined amount of product 2 passes through the measuring channel sleeve 5 into the container 3.

[0073] Also shown here are the electrical measuring device 11 and the evaluation circuit 13, which are designed according to the illustration in Fig. 2.

[0074] Figs. 4 and 5 each show the embodiments of the device 1 described here with a modified measuring channel sleeve 5, which has an inlet area 8 for the product 2 to be dosed and an outlet area 10 for transferring the product 2 to be dosed into a container 3, as well as an internal volume 9 arranged therebetween, through which the product 2 or the defined amount of the product 2 is moved during dosing along a conveying path 7. Regarding the details of the dosing device 4, reference is made to Fig. 2 with regard to Fig. 4 and to Fig. 3 and the corresponding explanations with regard to Fig. 5.

[0075] The measuring channel sleeve 5 has been supplemented by a constriction 12 directed towards the inlet area 8. This constriction 12 reduces contact between the product 2 and the inner surface 6 of the measuring channel sleeve 5, or rather, reduces the pressure between the inner surface 6 and the product 2 as the product 2 moves through the measuring channel sleeve 5. This improves the ability to measure the product quantity using the electrical measuring device 11 and the evaluation circuit 13. The electrical measuring device 11 defines a measuring chamber 15 in which the measuring channel sleeve 5 and the inner volume 9 are located in whole or in part. The constriction 12 reduces the occurrence of disruptive effects of the product 2 within this measuring chamber 15, which could distort the measurement.

[0076] Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 each show various measuring channel sleeves 5 that can be used for the described device 1. Also shown schematically in each case is the electrical measuring device 11, which here in particular has an electrical component 14, which for example comprises a capacitor that spans a measuring chamber 15, within which the measuring channel sleeve 5 and in particular the internal volume 9 of the measuring channel sleeve 5 is located. The spatial arrangement of the electrical measuring device 11 and the measuring channel sleeve 5 relative to one another is shown in each case as such a spatial arrangement exists when the measuring channel sleeve 5 is arranged in its intended position within a described device 1.

[0077] As already described above in connection with Figs. 5 and 6, the measuring channel sleeve 5 has an inlet region 8 and an outlet region 10 as well as an internal volume 9 arranged therebetween, through which the product is conveyed on the way from the inlet region 8 to the outlet region 10 along the conveying path 7. The measuring channel sleeve 5 also has an internal surface 6. The interaction of the product 2 with this internal surface 6 is reduced by the design of the measuring channel sleeve 5 with a constriction 12 directed towards the inlet region 8 or with a constriction 12 arranged at the inlet region 8.

[0078] In Fig. 6, a constriction 12 is shown, designed as a shoulder with a step-like transition 16 towards the inner volume 9, with which the product 2 can be compacted in order to reduce contact of the product 2 with the inner surface 6.

[0079] Fig. 7 shows a constriction 12 with a widening transition 17, which extends over an extension length 39. The extension length 39 is short in this case compared to the total length 40 of the measuring channel sleeve 5. It amounts, for example, to less than 10 percent of the total length 40.

[0080] Figs. 6 and 7 each show that the measuring channel sleeve 5 extends beyond the measuring chamber 15 and, in particular, that a distance 36 exists between the constriction 12 and the measuring chamber 15. This ensures that deposits in the region of the constriction 12 remain outside the measuring chamber 15, and the measurement with the electrical measuring device 11 is thus not impaired by deposits located there.

[0081] Fig. 8 shows a variant of the constriction, as shown in Fig. 6, wherein this constriction 12 additionally has an inlet slope 38, with which the constriction 12 tapers from the inlet side 8. The inlet slope 38 preferably concentrates or centers product 2 in the constriction 12, which enters the measuring channel sleeve 5 from above. Furthermore, the compaction of the product 2 is supported by the constriction 12.

[0082] Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment in which the inner volume 9 widens conically and forms a conically expanding inner volume 37. Starting from the constriction 12 on the inlet side, an extension length 39 preferably extends over a large proportion of the total length 40 of the measuring channel sleeve 5, for example over more than 80 percent. With such an embodiment, the measuring channel sleeve 5 can be made to widen further and further towards the bottom - in particular to the extent that is coordinated with the reduction in the compaction or centering of the product 2 achieved by the constriction 12. The compaction or centering of the product 2 normally decreases along the conveying path 7. The conically expanding inner volume 37 preferably increases in its cross-sectional area (or in the case of a circular interior, in its diameter) along the conveying path 7 in such a way that contact ora pressure between the product 2 and the inner surface 6 is uniform along the entire conveying path 7 and does not increase due to a decrease in the compaction or centering of the product 2 in the lower region of the measuring channel sleeve 5 (near the outlet region 10).

[0083] All Figs. 6 to 9 show the first cross-sectional area 18 of the constriction 12 and the second cross-sectional area 19 to which the internal volume 6 of the measuring channel sleeve 5 expands. In the preferred embodiments, the measuring channel sleeve 5 is rotationally symmetrical, and the cross-sectional areas 18, 19 are circular.

[0084] List of reference symbols

[0085] Device Product Container Dosing device Measuring channel sleeve Inner surface Conveyor path Inlet area Internal volume Outlet area Electrical measuring device Constriction Evaluation circuit Electrical component Measuring chamber Step-shaped transition Widening transition First cross-sectional area Second cross-sectional area Dosing roller Dosing chamber Dosing slide Storage first position First passage Second position Second passage System Filling station Capsule loading Carousel Station Capsule removal Direction of rotation Compressed air system Distance Conically widening internal volume Inlet slope Extension length Total length

Claims

Claims 1. Device (1) for the monitored dosing of a free-flowing or compressed product (2) into a container (3), comprising a dosing device (4) with which a defined amount of the product (2) can be provided, and a measuring channel sleeve (5) with an inner surface (6) made of non-electrically conductive material, which encloses a conveying path (7) of the defined amount of the product (2) from the dosing device (4) into the container (3), so that the product (2) on the way from the dosing device (4) into the container (3) enters through an inlet region (8) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) into an inner volume (9) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) and is then guided into the container (3) at an outlet region (10) of the measuring channel sleeve (5), wherein the measuring channel sleeve (5) is arranged within an electrical measuring device (11), and the electrical measuring device (11) is designed toto record electrical properties of the free-flowing or compressed product (2) as it moves along the conveying path (7), - wherein the measuring channel sleeve (5) has a constriction (12) in the inlet region (8), which is tapered compared to the inner volume (9) and which causes the product (2) to be centered in the cylindrical inner volume (9), so that contact of the product (2) with the inner surface (6) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) on the conveying path (7) is reduced; and wherein the electrical measuring device (11) is connected to an evaluation circuit (13), wherein the evaluation circuit (13) is designed to evaluate an electrical signal which arises during the movement of the product (2) along the conveying path (7) in such a way that a quantity of the dosed product (2) can be determined from this electrical signal.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical measuring device (11) has at least one electrical component (14) which defines a measuring space (15), wherein the measuring channel sleeve (5) is arranged within of the measuring chamber (15) is arranged such that the conveying path (7) runs through the measuring chamber (15).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the constriction (12) at the inlet region of the measuring channel sleeve (5) is arranged at least partially outside the measuring space (15).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a step-shaped transition (16) exists between the constriction (12) at the inlet region (8) and the cylindrical inner volume (9).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a widening transition (17) exists between the constriction (12) at the inlet region (8) and a cylindrical inner volume (9).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first cross-sectional area (18) of the constriction is between 70 percent and 95 percent of a second cross-sectional area (19) of the cylindrical internal volume (9).

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the dosing device (4) has at least one dosing roller (20) with at least one dosing chamber (21), wherein in each of the at least one dosing chamber (21) a quantity of the product (2) to be dosed can be provided.

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the dosing device (4) has at least one dosing slide (22) with at least one displaceable dosing chamber (21), wherein a quantity of the product (2) to be dosed can be provided by a displacement of the dosing slide (22).

9. Device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the product (2) is provided in a storage (23) and in a first position (24) of the at least a dosing slide (22) a first passage (25) from the reservoir (23) into the at least one dosing chamber (21) is opened, and the dosing chamber (21) is filled with product (2) from the reservoir (23) and in a second position (26) of the at least one dosing slide (22) a second passage (27) from the dosing chamber (21) into the inlet region (8) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) is opened and the product (2) contained in the dosing chamber (21) can pass into the measuring channel sleeve (5).

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the product (2) is a pharmaceutical product.

11. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the product (2) comprises granulate particles and / or pellets.

12. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the product (2) comprises a powder.

13. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical measuring device (11) comprises a capacitor with two electrodes (14), wherein the measuring channel sleeve (5) is arranged within a measuring space (15) which forms a capacitor volume (15) between the two electrodes (14) and wherein dielectric properties of the product (2) cause a measurable change in the capacitance of the capacitor.

14. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation circuit (13) is designed to detect a time integral of the capacitance of the electrical measuring device (11) as an electrical signal and to evaluate it for determining the amount of the dosed product (2).

Images