Filling system for filling containers with fluid

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling system (10) for filling containers (28) with fluid, the system having an isolator (12), in particular an aseptic isolator, with a first filling group (30) comprising: - a plurality of filling needles, which each can be connected, or are connected, to a first filling hose, - wherein the first filling hoses each have a first end having a first connecting portion, and with a second filling group (32) comprising: - a plurality of second filling hoses, which each can be supplied, or are supplied, with fluid independently of one another and which each have a second end having a second connecting portion, and - a fluid-supply holder for holding the second connecting portions, wherein the first connecting portions and the second connecting portions can be or are releasably connected to one another.

Description

[0001] Title: Filling system for fluid filling of

[0002] containers

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to a filling system for filling containers with fluid, with an isolator, in particular an aseptic isolator, with a first filling group, which comprises:

[0005] - a plurality of filling needles, each of which is connectable or connected to a first filling hose,

[0006] - wherein the first filling hoses each have a first end with a first connecting portion.

[0007] WO 2021 / 040983 A1 discloses a filling system for filling containers with fluid. This filling system comprises filling needles that can be arranged in an insulator and are connected to filling hoses that are supplied with fluid outside the insulator, so that containers arranged in the insulator can be filled with fluid.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a filling system which is adaptable for different filling tasks and which is also suitable for larger fluid quantities if required.

[0009] This task is solved in a filling system of the type mentioned above in that the filling system has a second filling group which comprises:

[0010] - a plurality of second filling hoses, each of which can be supplied or is supplied with fluid independently of one another and each of which has a second end with a second connecting section, and

[0011] - a fluid supply holder for holding the second connecting sections, wherein the first connecting sections and the second connecting sections are detachably connectable or connected to one another.

[0012] The filling system according to the invention has a second filling group, the components of which enable the components of the first filling group to be supplied with fluid. The first filling hoses of the first filling group are therefore not directly connected to a fluid supply; rather, second filling hoses are provided with second connecting sections which are connectable or connected to the first connecting sections of the first hoses. Furthermore, the second connecting sections are held on a fluid supply holder, which simplifies the handling of the second filling hoses and also simplifies the connection of the first connecting sections to the second connecting sections.

[0013] The filling system according to the invention is intended in particular for fluids in the form of medications.

[0014] Each of the filling groups comprises at least two, preferably at least four, in particular at least eight filling hoses, so that when a first filling hose and a second filling hose are connected, at least two, preferably at least four, in particular at least eight fluid paths can be provided, each of which opens into a filling needle.

[0015] It is possible for at least some of the first connecting sections to be formed by hose ends and for the second connecting sections to be formed by hose nozzles, with each hose end being detachably attachable to a respective hose nozzle. A reverse arrangement is also conceivable; in this case, at least some of the first connecting sections are formed by hose nozzles and for the second connecting sections to be formed by hose ends. This enables a simple and detachable connection of a first and a second connecting section.

[0016] It is particularly preferred that at least partial quantities of the first connecting sections are formed by first coupling pieces and of the second connecting sections by second coupling pieces, wherein in each case a first coupling piece can be detachably connected to a second coupling piece.

[0017] Couplings of this type are also called "connectors".

[0018] The filling needles and / or the filling hoses and / or the connecting sections can be components which are only used once ("single use") or which are suitable for multiple use.

[0019] For particularly simple handling of the second connecting sections, it is preferred that the fluid supply holder has a holding plate or is formed by a holding plate, preferably wherein the holding plate is annular or circular. Such a holding plate enables a particularly regular distribution of a plurality of second connecting sections, wherein each of the second connecting sections occupies a predetermined, i.e. defined, position on the holding plate, wherein the second connecting sections are spaced apart relative to one another, so that each of the second connecting sections can be handled jointly by means of the holding plate, but is individually accessible for connection to a respective first connecting section.

[0020] Accordingly, it is preferred if the first filling group has a fluid receiving holder for holding the first connecting sections, preferably wherein the fluid receiving holder has a holding plate or is formed by a holding plate, in particular wherein the holding plate is annular or circular. This results in the advantages mentioned above with reference to the fluid supply holder in an analogous manner.

[0021] In particular, the arrangement and distribution of the first connecting sections on or at the fluid receiving holder are identical to the arrangement and distribution of the second connecting sections on or at the fluid supply holder. This makes it possible to join a plurality of first connecting sections to a plurality of second connecting sections simultaneously. For such a joining process, it is preferred if one of the holders, in particular the fluid supply holder, can be arranged or is arranged in a stationary manner, and if the other holder, in particular the fluid receiving holder, is handled together with the first connecting sections and the first filling hoses connected thereto.

[0022] It is further particularly preferred if the first filling group comprises a first beta assembly that can be arranged in the vicinity of the insulator and is connectable or connected to a first alpha port of the insulator. This enables a modular and aseptic provision of the components of the first filling group and their transfer into the interior of the insulator.

[0023] In particular, it is preferred that the first beta assembly comprises a first beta container, in the container interior of which a carrier for arranging the filling needles, the first filling hoses and the first connecting sections is arranged, preferably wherein the carrier is mounted on a bearing device connected to the first beta container, by means of which the carrier can be moved out of the container interior and through an opening in the first beta container. Such an assembly makes it possible to expand the interior of the insulator by the volume of the container interior of the beta container. In an initial state, the beta container is still closed, and the carrier with the components of the first filling group is arranged inside the beta container. The beta container has a closure that can be coupled to a door of the alpha port of the insulator.After coupling this closure to the alpha port door, the door can be opened, allowing the alpha port door to be opened together with the beta container closure, allowing the contents of the beta container to be transferred through the beta container opening and through the newly created alpha port opening into the interior of the insulator. A particularly simple transfer of the components of the first filling group into the interior of the insulator is achieved by storing the carrier on a storage device, which is designed, in particular, as a push-out device.

[0024] The carrier can be a basket or a so-called "rack," which allows for a particularly orderly provision of the components of the first filling group. It is possible for a filling needle with a first filling hose and a first connecting section to be held as an assembly on the carrier, and for this assembly, in particular its first connecting section, to be individually handled.

[0025] When using a

[0026] Fluid receiving holder, this fluid receiving holder can be handled together with a plurality of first connecting sections.

[0027] A further simplification of the arrangement of the components of the first filling group on or at the carrier can result from the filling needles being held on at least one filling needle holder.

[0028] It is preferred that the second filling group comprises a plurality of fluid pumps, each of which is fluidly connected to a second filling hose. This enables particularly precise dosing of fluid along different fluid paths.

[0029] It is particularly preferred if the second filling group comprises a second beta assembly that can be arranged in the vicinity of the insulator and is connectable or connected to a second alpha port of the insulator. This has the advantage that a fluid supply can be provided independently of a first alpha port of the insulator, with a first alpha port being available for the first filling group, thereby reducing setup times.

[0030] In particular, it is preferred that, in the connected state of the second beta assembly and the second alpha port, the second connecting sections held on the fluid supply holder point toward the interior of the insulator. The fluid supply holder can, for example, be arranged in the container interior of the container of the second beta assembly or offset further toward the interior of the insulator, for example, at the level of the second alpha port.Overall, it is preferred if the insulator has a plurality of alpha ports, wherein the filling needles, the first filling hoses and the first connecting sections of the first filling group can be or are introduced from an area surrounding the insulator into the interior of the insulator through or through a first alpha port, and wherein fluid can be or is introduced from an area surrounding the insulator into the interior of the insulator through or through a second alpha port. This enables a modular provision of a plurality of fluid paths along which fluid is transported, wherein in each case a partial section of a fluid path is provided by components of the first filling group and in each case a further partial section is provided by components of the second filling group. Along such a fluid path, a fluid first flows through components of the second fluid group and then through components of the first fluid group.

[0031] It is further preferred if the filling system comprises an actuator, in particular a robotic one, by means of which the first connecting sections can be gripped - individually or in groups - in the interior of the insulator and can be joined - individually or in groups - to the second connecting sections. For example, first connecting sections can each be handled individually and connected to one of the second connecting sections which are held on the fluid supply holder. It is also conceivable for the actuator to simultaneously grip a plurality of first connecting sections and to connect these simultaneously to a plurality of second connecting sections. Such a multiple connection is particularly suitable if the first connecting sections are held on a fluid receiving holder.

[0032] It is further preferred if the filling system comprises a plurality of first filling groups and / or a plurality of second filling groups. This enables a particularly flexible and simple provision of different numbers of fluid paths, whereby an isolator can be converted for a wide variety of filling tasks in a very short time.

[0033] The invention further relates to a method for producing a filling system as described above, wherein the filling needles, the first filling hoses and the first connecting sections of the first filling group are introduced from an area surrounding the insulator into the interior of the insulator by means of a first alpha port of the insulator, wherein the first connecting sections of the first filling group are then gripped - individually or in groups - and joined - individually or in groups - to the second connecting sections of the second filling group.

[0034] Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of preferred embodiments.

[0035] The drawing shows

[0036] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a filling system; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first filling group of the filling system according to Fig. 1;

[0037] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second filling group of the filling system according to Fig. 1;

[0038] Fig. 4 is a vertical section along a section plane designated IV - IV in Fig. 1;

[0039] Fig. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a filling system; and

[0040] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a first filling group.

[0041] An embodiment of a filling system is designated overall by reference numeral 10 in the drawing. The filling system 10 comprises an aseptic isolator 12 with an isolator boundary 14, which encloses an aseptic interior space 16.

[0042] For access from an environment 18 to the interior 16, the isolator 12 has a first alpha port 20 with a first door 22 and a second alpha port 24 with a second door 26.

[0043] Containers 28, which are to be filled with a fluid, are arranged in the interior 16 of the isolator 12. Containers 28 are, for example, vials, syringes, or ampoules. The filling system 10 comprises two separately provided filling groups, namely a first filling group 30 and a second filling group 32. The filling groups 30 and 32 are described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0044] The first filling group 30, see Fig. 2, comprises a first beta assembly 34 with a first beta container 36, which defines a container interior 38. When the first beta assembly 34 is closed, the container interior 38 is also defined by a first lid 40, which is connected to the first beta container 36 when the first beta assembly 34 is closed.

[0045] In the state in which the first beta assembly 34 is connected to the first alpha port 20 of the insulator 12, the lid 40 is coupled to the door 22 of the alpha port 20, see Figure 2. In this way, the container interior 38 is connected to the interior 16 of the insulator 12. This makes it possible to move components of the first filling group, described below, from the container interior 38 through an opening 42 of the first beta container 36 into the interior 16 of the insulator 12. For this purpose, the first beta container 36 has a storage device 44 in the form of an extension, by means of which a particularly basket-shaped carrier 46 is movable along an extension axis 48, so that the carrier 46 is either received in the container interior 38 or can be arranged at least in sections, preferably completely, in the interior 16 of the insulator 12.

[0046] The carrier 46 serves to arrange at least one

[0047] Filling needle holder 50, 52. The at least one filling needle holder 50, 52 is, for example, block-shaped and, for example, an integral component of the carrier 46 and is fixedly or detachably connected to the carrier 46.

[0048] Each filling needle holder 50, 52 has, for example, bowl-shaped receptacles (without reference numerals) that serve to accommodate a respective filling needle. For example, a first filling needle holder 50 serves to accommodate a first row of filling needles 54 and 56. For example, a second filling needle holder 50 following along the extension axis 48 serves to accommodate a second row of filling needles 58 and 60. Thus, preferably, at least four filling needles 54, 56, 58, and 60 are arranged within the carrier 46 in two rows offset from one another along the extension axis 48.

[0049] The filling needles 54 to 60 are each connected to first filling hoses 62, 64, 66 and 68, respectively, which are provided at their ends facing away from the filling needles 54 to 60 with a first connecting section 70, 72, 74 and 76, respectively, in the form of a first coupling piece.

[0050] The two first connecting sections 70, 72, which are each connected to one of the first hoses 62, 64, are concealed in Figure 2 by a wall section of the carrier 46 and are therefore only indicated by dashed lines. The two first connecting sections 74, 76, which are each connected via the first hoses 66 and 68, are visible in Figure 2. All first connecting sections 70, 72, 74 and 76 are held on a fluid receiving holder 78, which is designed as a circular holding plate in particular and is also provided in the carrier 46. For fixing the first connecting sections to the fluid receiving holder 78, holding clamps 79, for example, can be provided (see also Figure 4).

[0051] The fluid receiving holder 78 makes it possible to handle the majority of the first connecting sections 70, 72, 74, 76 together, in particular by means of a robotic actuator 80 arranged in the interior 16 of the insulator 12 (see Figure 1). The actuator 80 has a manipulator or gripper 82, by means of which the fluid receiving holder 78 can be gripped and transported.

[0052] The second filling group 32, see Figure 3, comprises a second beta assembly 84 with a second beta container 86 and a lid 88, which closes a container interior of the second beta container 86 in an initial state. When the second beta assembly 84 is connected to the second alpha port 24 of the insulator 12, the lid 88 is connected to the door 26 of the second alpha port 24, so that a container interior 90 of the second beta container 86 is connected to the interior 16 of the insulator 12.

[0053] A fluid supply holder 92, which is preferably designed as a circular holding plate, is arranged in the container interior 90 of the second beta container 86. This holding plate is fixed to the second beta container 86.

[0054] The fluid supply holder 92 serves to arrange a plurality of second connecting sections 94, 96, 98, 100 in the form of a second coupling piece. The arrangement and distribution of the second connecting sections 94 to 100 corresponds to the arrangement and distribution of the first

[0055] Connecting portions 70 to 76 on the fluid receiving holder 78.

[0056] The second connecting sections 94 to 100 are each connected to second filling hoses 102, 104, 106, 108. The second filling hoses 102 to 108 can be multi-part, for example, using connectors (in Figure 3, a connector is designated by reference numeral 110, for example).

[0057] The second filling hoses 102 to 108 are each individually connected to fluid pumps 112, 114, 116, 118, which are each individually connected to a fluid reservoir 128 via connecting hoses 120, 122, 124, 126. Optionally, the fluid reservoir 128 is supplied with fluid from a central fluid source 130.

[0058] Starting from the state of the filling system 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3, the actuator 80 with the manipulator 82 grips the fluid receiving holder 78 and guides it in the direction of the fluid supply holder 92. To simplify positioning of the fluid receiving holder 78 relative to the fluid supply holder 92, it is preferred if the fluid receiving holder 78 has at least one first guide section 132 which interacts in a form-fitting manner with at least one second guide section 134 of the fluid supply holder 92. For example, the first guide section 132 is designed as a bolt which is firmly connected to the fluid receiving holder 78. The second guide section 134 can, for example, be designed as a bolt receptacle which is provided in the holding plate of the fluid supply holder 92.During the handling of the fluid receiving holder 78 and the positioning of the fluid receiving holder 78 relative to the fluid supply holder 92, the first connecting sections 70 to 76 are each joined to the second connecting sections 94 to 100, preferably with all joining processes being carried out simultaneously.

[0059] When the first connecting sections 70 to 76 are joined to the respective second connecting sections 94 to 100 (see Fig. 4), each of the filling needles 54 to 60 can be individually supplied with fluid from the fluid reservoir 128 by means of the fluid pumps 112 to 118. In total, independent fluid paths corresponding to the number of filling needles 54 to 60 are provided, wherein the fluid, starting from the fluid reservoir 128, first flows through the second filling hoses 102 to 108 of the second filling group 32, then through the second connecting sections 94 to 100, then again through the first connecting sections 70 to 76 and finally through the first filling hoses 62 to 68 and reaches the respective filling needles 54 to 60. In Figure 4, two fluid paths are designated by way of example with the reference numerals 136 and 138.

[0060] By means of the filling needles 54 to 60, for example, four containers 28 can be filled with fluid one after the other or simultaneously. In order to fill the containers 28, it is possible for the manipulator 82 to grip each of the filling needles 54 to 60 individually and feed it to each container 28 individually. It is also conceivable for the manipulator to be a multiple gripping tool that grips a plurality of filling needles simultaneously, for example two filling needles 54, 56 and / or 58, 60 or all filling needles 54 to 60 simultaneously. It is also conceivable that the manipulator 82 grips the filling needle holder 50 and / or 52 and in this way feeds the filling needles 54, 56 and / or 58, 60 held on the filling needle holder 50 and / or 52 to the containers 28.

[0061] In an embodiment of a filling system 10 shown in Figure 5, in contrast to the embodiment of a filling system 10 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4, no fluid receiving holder 78 is provided. In an initial state, the first connecting sections 70 to 76 are provided individually and positioned on the carrier 46. The manipulator 82 grips the first connecting sections 70 to 76 individually and feeds them individually to individual second connecting sections 94 to 100 of the second filling group 32, see Figure 3 and the above description. Otherwise, with regard to the filling system 10 according to Figure 5, reference is made to the above description.

[0062] In the exemplary embodiment of a first filling group 30 shown in Figure 6, a filling needle holder 50 is provided, which serves to simultaneously support four filling needles 54 to 60, wherein the filling needle holder 50 extends along an axis which runs parallel to the extension axis 48 of the carrier 46. Furthermore, with regard to the first filling group 30 according to Figure 6, reference is made to the above description.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Filling system (10) for filling containers (28) with fluid, with an isolator (12), in particular an aseptic isolator (12), with a first filling group (30) which comprises: - a plurality of filling needles (54, 56, 58, 60), each of which is connectable or connected to a first filling hose (62, 64, 66, 68), - wherein the first filling hoses (62, 64, 66, 68) each have a first end with a first connecting section (70, 72, 74, 76), characterized by a second filling group (32) which comprises: - a plurality of second filling hoses (102, 104, 106, 108), each of which can be supplied or is supplied with fluid independently of one another and each of which has a second end with a second connecting section (94, 96, 98, 100), and - a fluid supply holder (92) for holding the second connecting sections (94, 96, 98, 100), wherein the first connecting sections (70, 72, 74, 76) and the second connecting sections (94, 96, 98, 100) are detachably connectable or connected to one another.

2. Filling system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least partial quantities of the first connecting sections (70, 72, 74, 76) are formed by hose ends and the second connecting sections (94, 96, 98, 100) are formed by hose nozzles, wherein Each hose end can be removably attached to a hose nozzle.

3. Filling system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least partial quantities of the first connecting sections (70, 72, 74, 76) are formed by first coupling pieces and of the second connecting sections (94, 96, 98, 100) are formed by second coupling pieces, wherein in each case a first coupling piece is detachably connectable to a second coupling piece.

4. Filling system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid supply holder (92) has a holding plate or is formed by a holding plate, preferably wherein the holding plate is annular or circular.

5. Filling system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first filling group (30) has a fluid receiving holder (78) for holding the first connecting sections (70, 72, 74, 76), preferably wherein the fluid receiving holder (78) has a holding plate or is formed by a holding plate, in particular wherein the holding plate is annular or circular.

6. Filling system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first filling group (30) comprises a first beta assembly (34) which can be arranged in the environment (18) of the isolator and which can be or is connected to a first alpha port (20) of the isolator (12).

7. Filling system (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first beta assembly (34) has a first beta container (36), in the container interior (38) of which a carrier (46) for arranging the filling needles (54, 56, 58, 60), the first filling hoses (62, 64, 66, 68) and the first connecting sections (70, 72, 74, 76) is arranged, preferably wherein the carrier (46) is mounted on a bearing device (44) connected to the first beta container (36), by means of which the carrier (46) can be displaced out of the container interior (38) and through an opening (42) of the first beta container (36).

8. Filling system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling needles (54, 56, 58, 60) are held on at least one filling needle holder (50, 52).

9. Filling system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second filling group (32) has a plurality of fluid pumps (112, 114, 116, 118), which are each fluidly connected to a second filling hose (102, 104, 106, 108).

10. Filling system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second filling group (32) comprises a second beta assembly (84) which can be arranged in the environment (18) of the insulator (12) and which can be or is connected to a second alpha port (24) of the insulator (12).

11. Filling system (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that in the connected state of the second beta assembly (84) and the second alpha port (24), the second connecting sections (94, 96, 98, 100) held on the fluid supply holder (92) point in the direction of the interior (16) of the insulator (12).

12. Filling system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulator (12) has a plurality of alpha ports (20, 24), wherein the filling needles (54, 56, 58, 60), the first filling hoses (62, 64, 66, 68) and the first connecting sections (70, 72, 74, 76) of the first filling group (30) can be or are introduced from an environment (18) of the insulator (12) into the interior (16) of the insulator (12) through or through a first alpha port (20), and wherein fluid can be or is introduced from an environment of the insulator (18) into the interior (16) of the insulator (12) through or through a second alpha port (24).

13. Filling system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling system (10) comprises a particularly robotic actuator (80), by means of which in the interior (16) of the insulator (12), the first connecting sections (70, 72, 74, 76) are graspable - individually or in groups - and can be joined - individually or in groups - to the second connecting sections (94, 96, 98, 100).

14. Filling system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of first filling groups (30) and / or by a plurality of second filling groups (32).

15. A method for producing a filling system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein by means of a first alpha port (20) of the insulator (12) the filling needles (54, 56, 58, 60), the first filling hoses (62, 64, 66, 68) and the first connecting sections (70, 72, 74, 76) of the first filling group (30) from a surroundings (18) of the insulator (12) into the interior space (16) of the insulator (12), wherein the first connecting sections (70, 72, 74, 76) of the first filling group (30) are then gripped - individually or in groups - and joined - individually or in groups - to the second connecting sections (94, 96, 98, 100) of the second filling group (32).

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