Apparatus for dispensing contents

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing a predefinable quantity of contents (10) in the form of a fluid medium into at least one container (12), at least consisting of a dispensing container (14), which holds the contents (10), and of a fluid guide (16) between the dispensing container (14) and the respective container (12), a distributing device (18) being connected into the fluid guide, for the purpose of dispensing a proportional quantity of contents to the respective container (12) via at least one filling tube (20), characterized in that a transfer device (22) is connected into the fluid guide (16) and, when activated, makes it possible for at least one further fluid to be transferred into parts (24) of the fluid guide (16).

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR FILLING A FILLING COMPLETION

[0002] The invention relates to a device for filling a predetermined quantity of a product in the form of a fluid medium into at least one container, comprising at least a dispensing container with the product and a fluid guide between the dispensing container and the respective container, into which a distribution device is connected, for the purpose of dispensing a proportionate quantity of the product to the respective container via at least one filling pipe.

[0003] DE 199 51 555 A1 discloses a filling device for the metered filling of a liquid into containers, comprising a pressure measuring device for the liquid to be filled and a metering control device for controlling the filling of the containers. This metering control device is designed to release a liquid flow into a container for a duration dependent on the measured liquid pressure in a time-pressure metering mode. Furthermore, a weighing device is provided to measure the weight of a container during filling, making it possible to operate the filling process either according to the time-pressure metering principle or according to the weighing-metering principle. This allows the more advantageous metering principle to be used in each individual case.DE 101 52 234 A1 discloses a device for metering a liquid into containers, with a distributor element storing the liquid, from which filling lines branch off to the containers to be filled, wherein each container is assigned at least two filling pipes that simultaneously meter the liquid into the respective container, resulting in a high filling capacity.

[0004] DE 10 2014 202 123 A1 discloses a filling device for filling a defined quantity of a product into a container, comprising a feed container which has a first connection for supplying the product, a second connection for supplying a pressure medium, in particular in the form of a gas, and at least one discharge connection for dispensing the product, a hose,

[0005] - a filling needle, wherein the filling needle is connected to the dispensing port via the hose, and a pressurizing device, which is connected to the second port,

[0006] - wherein the feed container, the hose and the filling needle form a disposable assembly, which is designed as a disposable product, wherein the feed container, the first connection and the second connection are provided as a single-piece component, and

[0007] - wherein the feed container and the connections are made of a plastic material.

[0008] Accordingly, the main components of the filling device are designed as disposable items, so that they can be easily disposed of after a successful filling process, thus eliminating the need for complex cleaning procedures. A comparable filling device is also shown in EP 2 279 121 B1. Based on this prior art, the invention aims to further improve the known solutions while retaining their advantages. A device with the features of claim 1 in its entirety achieves this objective.

[0009] By incorporating an injector device into the fluid guide, as described in the characterizing part of claim 1, which, when activated, enables the injection of at least one further fluid into parts of the fluid guide, it is possible to implement a filling and dosing system in which parts are disposable and therefore cost-effective, while other, more valuable components, such as fluid pumps and filling tubes, as well as optionally dosing and / or distribution devices, undergo cleaning and / or sterilization as part of normal operation before and / or after the production of filled containers. This ensures their long-term use or decontaminates them before disposal, thus saving costs in both cases. In particular, components of the device, such as bags, sterile connectors, and tubing, can be designed as disposable materials.Furthermore, the device according to the invention is installed as a whole in a forming, filling, and closing device as part of an associated BFS machine for the production of formed, filled, and closed containers, including pressure gradient-formed ampoules and bias-formed bottles. Such BFS machines are known, for example, from DE 10 2020 004 564 A1, DE 10 2020 002 077 A1, WO 2009 / 152979 A1, and EP 2 909 000 B1, so they will not be discussed in further detail here.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the inlet device comprises a multi-way valve, in particular in the form of a 3-way valve, which in one switching position opens the fluid flow between the dispensing container and the distribution device, and in another switching position closes this fluid flow and opens a further fluid flow between a dispensing device for the respective additional fluid and the filling pipes. Depending on the design of the multi-way valve, it can be switchable only once or preferably multiple times in order to connect a filling device with the filling pipes for the individual containers to a central supply device for cleaning and / or sterile fluid in a separable manner.In this way, on-site cleaning is possible, which is also known in technical terms as Cleaning in Place (CIP) and by definition makes it possible to clean or sterilize a fluid-carrying system on its product-contacting surfaces without significant disassembly.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, on-site sterilization is also available, technically referred to as Sterilization in Place (SIP). This method involves sterilizing all product-contacting surfaces of the system without significant disassembly. Hot steam at temperatures of 120 to 135°C or sterilization using special chemicals is typically employed. Specifically, before filling with the product from the dispensing container, a portion of the filling lines and pipes can be sterilized with steam in one valve position. After switching the multi-way valve to a different position, filling can then begin immediately.After product filling is complete, the multi-way valve can be switched back to its first position, allowing the filling lines and tubes to be sterilized again through microbiological inactivation. In any case, the filling lines can then be disposed of safely and cost-effectively, while the relatively expensive metal filling tubes, which may ideally have a cooling jacket for heat-sensitive products, can be safely reused even after being removed from the BFS machine. Instead of the CI P / S IP fluids, other auxiliary fluids and / or other products can also be added.

[0012] If the requirement for sterilization and / or cleaning as described above is eliminated, a simplified 3-way valve can also be used as a multi-way valve, which connects either a supply line for cleaning agents of the supply unit or the filling and product lines with the filling pipes.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least one fluid pumping unit is integrated into the fluid guide, preferably in the form of a hose or peristaltic pump. Such fluid pumps have the advantage that they are essentially positive displacement pumps in which the medium to be pumped is forced through the pump body by external mechanical deformation of a flexible hose. This allows the hose, which is also designed as a disposable component, to be removed from the fluid pump while retaining the mechanical components of the hose pump. These components then become functional again by reinserting a hose carrying the fluid into the pump body.

[0014] Instead of the peristaltic pump shown, a diaphragm pump or rotary lobe pump can also be used.

[0015] Preferably, the fluid delivery unit, in particular in the form of a peristaltic pump, is installed in the inlet between the delivery container and the inlet device and / or between the distribution device and the respective container to be filled. It is further preferred that at least one filling pipe is used to fill the respective container, which, viewed in the direction of fluid delivery, is arranged on the upstream side at the end of the fluid guide in the direction of the container to be filled.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, a sampling container, preferably in the form of a bag, can be connected to the dispensing container in the secondary branch. In this way, a fluid sample can be taken from the outflow side of the respective dispensing container even during active filling operation in order to monitor the process, in particular to determine whether the product quality of the dispensed fluid in the form of the filling material is ensured.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the dispensing container is formed from a foil bag, which can preferably be refilled via a further branch. In this way, a single dispensing container can be continuously refilled as product is dispensed, so that a longer filling process for the respective container can take place with only one dispensing container, particularly if the refilling container is volumetrically much larger than the dispensing container. It is also possible to supply another fluid product to the respective contents of the dispensing container via the branch if required, so that a mixture of different fluids or media is created on the dispensing side.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, a ventilation device is integrated into the fluid supply containing the fluid medium, preferably in the form of a bag which is connected to a product reservoir of the distribution device for ventilation purposes. This allows the system to be hermetically vented, which increases process reliability and helps prevent the unwanted introduction of particulate contamination, including germs. In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least one sensor unit, preferably in the form of a pressure sensor, monitors the fluid flow and is preferably connected to the product reservoir of the distribution device.Thanks to the respective sensor, especially in the form of a pressure gauge, the dispensing of the product into the respective container can be specifically monitored and controlled, so that when a container is full, further product dispensing, for example using the distribution and / or dosing device, is interrupted until a new filling process takes place.

[0019] Preferably, at least one sterile filter is integrated into the fluid flow, which reliably removes any contaminants from the fluid.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, a collection container can be attached to the outlet of the respective filling tube, in particular for receiving additional fluid introduced via the inlet device, and the collection container has an outlet for this additional fluid. In this way, the cleaning and / or sterilizing media can be collected centrally via the collection container for further treatment or disposal.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least the dispensing container and parts of the fluid guide, as well as the inlet device, are designed as single-use products, while the filling tubes are designed for multiple uses. Accordingly, the excessive and costly use of single-use materials is avoided. With infectious substances, such as vaccines, or toxic substances, the aforementioned single-use components become critically contaminated after use, necessitating disposal as hazardous waste.

[0022] By employing a filling and dosing system according to the invention that uses at least some disposable components, but provides for cleaning and / or steam sterilization in the installed state for at least some of the filling lines and BFS filling tubes, safe sterilization of the filling lines and tubes is ensured both before the actual product filling process and after the product filling process is completed. This results in significantly less contaminated disposable waste, and the expensive filling tubes, which are preferably made of steel and typically have lengths between 20 and 120 cm, can be readily reused.

[0023] The device according to the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. The drawings are presented in a general, not to-scale, symbolic representation.

[0024] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Filling equipment;

[0026] Figure 2 shows a symbolic representation corresponding to Figure 1, showing the individual components of the device, containers to be filled using filling mandrels, or a collection container placed on the filling mandrels; and

[0027] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a series of filling tubes, with the filling tube shown in the foreground partially shown in longitudinal section.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a device for filling a predetermined quantity of a fluid medium 10 into at least one container 12, the solution according to Figure 1 being an example of filling two containers 12. It is understood that a larger number of containers 12 can also be provided for this purpose. For the dispensing or filling process, a dispensing container 14 containing the fluid medium 10 is provided, and a distribution device 18 is connected in a fluid guide, designated as a whole by 16, between the dispensing container 14 and the respective container 12 for the purpose of dispensing a proportionate quantity of the fluid medium to the respective container 12 via at least one associated filling pipe 20.

[0029] Figure 3 shows, firstly, an optional cooling jacket 21 for the respective filling tube 20, through which a cooling fluid flows. The cooling jacket 21 concentrically comprises a centrally arranged, fluid-carrying, hollow cylindrical filling needle 23, the cooling jacket 21 with its channel-like coolant passage being tightly enclosed on the outside by a housing jacket 25. A screw-on part 29, which can be screwed onto a free threaded end piece 31 of the filling tube 20, has a so-called quad ring 33 on its bottom side as a sealing element. Furthermore, the screw-on part 29 is surrounded on its outer circumference by another sealing element, in particular in the form of an elastomeric sealing ring 35, which is preferably arranged at an outwardly leading interface between the screw-on part 29 and the threaded end piece 31.By screwing the screw-on part 29 onto the threaded end piece 31, the quad ring 33 is compressed, which seals both flatly and radially, thus allowing separation from the non-sterile "capillary area" of the filling needle 23. Furthermore, the filling needle 23 comprises, in a concentric arrangement, a tubular inlay 37, which is preferably designed as a thin-walled tube and is preferably intended for single use. The thin-walled inlay tube 37 is made of plastic material, in particular PTFE or COC / COP, and can be removed by pulling it out of the filling needle 23 and subsequently disposed of after replacement. The dispensing container 14 shown is also referred to in technical terms as a so-called feed container containing the fill material 10.

[0030] An inlet device 22 is integrated into the fluid guide 16, which, when actuated accordingly, enables the inlet of at least one further fluid into parts 24 of the fluid guide 16.

[0031] The inlet device 22 has a multi-way valve in the form of a 3-way valve 26, which is represented by its standard hydraulic circuit diagram symbol in Figure 1. In one switching position, the 3-way valve 26 opens the fluid path 16 between the dispensing reservoir 14 and the distribution device 18. In another switching position, this fluid path is closed, and a further fluid path 27 between a dispensing device (not shown) for the respective additional fluid and the filling pipes 20 is opened. For this purpose, the 3-way valve 26 is connected via a fluid line 28 and a standard sterile connector 30 to the connection of the dispensing device (not shown), which, for example, serves to dispense so-called CIP and / or SIP media in fluid form, i.e., which can be either liquid or gaseous. Such dispensing devices for CIP / SIP media are common, so they will not be discussed further here.The dispensing device mentioned above can also introduce any type of auxiliary fluid into the fluid channel 16 as needed, provided the directional control valve 26 is appropriately switched. Instead of a 3-way valve 26, another multi-way valve can also be used, for example, a 4-way valve (not shown), with two additional connection options for supplying suitable media, so that, for example, one connection serves to supply a CIP medium and the other connection to supply a SIP medium. In this respect, the switchable inlet device 22 then allows for the selective, separate supply of various media to the actual fluid channel 16 between the dispensing reservoir 14 and the respective container 12.

[0032] As can be seen from Figure 1, a fluid pumping unit 32, preferably in the form of a standard hose or peristaltic pump, is connected in the fluid guide 16 upstream of the inlet device 22 in the downstream direction. For the sake of simplicity, neither the flexible hose section passing through the pump housing nor the displacement bodies of the fluid pump or fluid pumping unit 32 are shown. The fluid pumping unit 32 uses the displacement principle to move fluid within the flexible pump hose section from an inlet 34 of the pump 32 to its outlet 36. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the fluid pumping unit 32 is connected in the fluid guide 16 with its individual pipe and hose sections in the inlet between the discharge container 14 and the inlet device 22.

[0033] Furthermore, an optional sterile filter 38 is connected to the outlet 36 of the fluid conveying unit 32. On its outlet side, the filter is connected via an inlet line 40 to the fluid supply of the inlet device 22, which carries the material 10 from the dispensing container 14. The dispensing container 14, in turn, is connected via its bottom-side dispensing line 42 in a gravity-assisted dispensing line, via a further sterile connector 44, to a flexible fluid line 45 of a predeterminable length, which leads to the inlet 34 of the fluid conveying unit 32.

[0034] The parts 24 of the fluid guide 16 are fluid-conductingly connected to one another via a separable coupling point 46 such that the distribution device 18 is connected to a connection point of the 3-way valve 26. The distribution device 18 has a product reservoir 48 for the fill material 10, to which, viewed in the direction of fluid flow, a metering unit 50 is connected for the metered dispensing of fill material 10 to the individual containers 12 via the two filling pipes 20, which open at one free end towards the metering unit 50 and at the other end partially immerse themselves in the container openings 52 of the containers 12. Such a metering unit 50 within the implementation of a distribution device 18 is shown by way of example in EP 2 285 728 B1.In this respect, a throttling point is located between each metering valve (not shown) of the metering unit 50 and the connected filling tube 20, narrowing the flow path during metering processes. Within this throttling point, a movable control element is present, the width of which is defined depending on its position. When the suction-generating device is activated, this control element can be moved to a position that widens the flow path at the throttling point by forming a bypass. The corresponding components (not shown), as detailed in EP 2 285 728 B1, can be controlled by a pressure sensor 54 on the top of the product reservoir 48 to precisely dispense a predetermined quantity of product 10, thus ensuring an exact quantity of product 10 is dispensed into the respective container 12.It is understood that for each container 12, preferably one such metering valve and filling tube 20 is provided.

[0035] As can be further seen from Figure 1, a ventilation device 56 is connected to the fluid supply on the top of the product storage unit 48, carrying the fluid medium in the form of the product 10 towards the respective container 12. The ventilation device 56 preferably has the form of a replaceable bag 58, which is permanently connected to the product storage unit 48 of the distribution device 18 via a fluid-carrying connection for ventilation purposes. To replace the respective bag 58, it is again connected to the top of the product storage unit 48 via a further sterile connector 60 and associated pipe sections 62, allowing for fluid flow and removal.Furthermore, the dispensing or storage container 14 can be connected at its outlet side, via a further, preferably separable, fluid connection 64, to a bag-like sampling container 66, which allows for the sampling of material 10 from the dispensing container 14 in order to carry out more detailed checks, for example, to monitor the product quality of the material 10. Additionally, for sterile handling, the respective filling tube 20 is housed in a frame-like machine part 68, which can be part of a so-called forming, filling, and closing device of an associated BFS machine.

[0036] The device according to Figure 1 allows a cleaning and / or sterilization process to be carried out before and / or after the respective container 12 is filled with the product 10 from the dispensing container 14. In this process, the associated dispensing unit for CIP / SIP media introduces these media into the overall system via the actuation of the valve-like inlet device 22. Furthermore, it is provided that all components of the dispensing or filling device that come into contact with the product and are located downstream of the inlet device 22, with the exception of the mechanical pump components of the fluid conveying unit 32, are to be disposed of as disposable components, in particular in the form of the two bags 14 and 66 shown, as well as all fluid-carrying lines, including the sterile connector 44 and the sterile filter 38.If necessary, the inlet device 22, designed as a single-use component, can also be disposed of together with the other components of the entire fluid flow system 16, up to the sterile connector 30 and the coupling point 46. However, the components of the device located downstream of the coupling point 46, such as the dosing unit 50 with the product reservoir 48, as well as the machine parts 68 including the two filling tubes 20 and the pressure sensor 54, should in any case be retained for further use, as these are correspondingly expensive to purchase. In any case, the bag-shaped venting device 56, along with the single pipe section 62 up to the sterile connector 60, including the connector itself, can also be disposed of directly as single-use components.

[0037] The following embodiment according to Figure 2 will only be explained insofar as it differs significantly from the preceding embodiment according to Figure 1. The same parts and components are designated with the same reference numerals as used for Figure 1, and the explanations given here also apply accordingly to the embodiment according to Figure 2.

[0038] In the embodiment according to Figure 2, the dispensing container 14 can be connected on the right side, viewed in the direction of view, via an additional sterile connector 70 in the secondary branch 72 to a storage container (not shown), which, if necessary, can transfer fluid filling material 10 into the dispensing container 14, which thus forms a buffer when the storage container (not shown) is to be exchanged for a filled new container in the empty state, whereby the storage container can have a significantly larger volume for receiving filling material than the dispensing container 14.

[0039] Furthermore, the distribution device 18 according to Figure 2 is designed in a simplified form and can be formed from a type of distribution rail, as exemplified in DE 101 52 234 A1. In this respect, the distribution device 18 is preferably designed as a disposable distribution block and can be disposed of together with the other disposable components.

[0040] A further difference is that each filling tube 20 is assigned its own fluid delivery unit 32 or pump, which is arranged between the outlet side of the distribution device 18 and the inlet side of the filling tubes 20. For clarity, the possible fluid flow directions are indicated by arrows in Figure 2. As can also be seen in Figure 2, after removing the filled containers 12 and closing them at the top, a collection container 74 can be automatically pushed or placed onto the free ends of the filling tubes 20. This allows the associated CIP / SIP fluid to be collected in the collection container 74 during a cleaning and / or sterilization process for later use or disposal. The collection container 74 can have a central drain point 76 on its underside for controlled drainage of the CIP / SIP media.Otherwise, the solution according to Figure 2 is comparable to the submitted solution according to Figure 1.

[0041] Overall, the filling or dispensing devices shown in Figures 1 to 3 represent a sensible compromise between the use of cost-effective disposable components that are easy to dispose of and expensive multi-use components, such as the stainless steel filling tubes.

[0042] In a further embodiment of the invention, particularly for materials that are incompatible with the metallic inner surfaces of the filling tubes, it is also possible to provide the individual filling tubes 20 with so-called fluid-permeable inlays 37 in the form of plastic tubes, for example made of PTFE, silicone, or COC / COP, which follow the inner contour of the associated filling tube 20 and are likewise designed as disposable components. Their sealing to the filling tube 20 is preferably achieved via screw connections and elastomeric sealing rings, for example, cord rings with different cross-sections such as O-rings, X-rings, or quad rings 33.

[0043] The length of the filling tubes 20, particularly for the BFS process, is between 20 cm and 120 cm, preferably between 25 cm and 100 cm, wherein, according to the invention, the filling needle 23 with the inlay 37 is preferably slightly longer than one of the filling tubes 20, so that it projects beyond the filling tubes 20 on the downstream side, as shown in Figure 3.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for filling a predetermined quantity of a filling material (10) in the form of a fluid medium into at least one container (12), comprising at least a dispensing container (14) with the filling material (10) and a fluid guide (16) between the dispensing container (14) and the respective container (12), into which a distribution device (18) is connected, for the purpose of dispensing a proportionate quantity of filling material to the respective container (12) via at least one filling pipe (20), characterized in that an inlet device (22) is connected in the fluid guide (16), which, when actuated, enables the inlet of at least one further fluid into parts (24) of the fluid guide (16).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlet device (22) has a multi-way valve, in particular in the form of a 3-way valve (26), which in one switching position releases the fluid guide (16) between the dispensing container (14) and the distribution device (18) and in another switching position blocks this fluid guide (16) and releases a further fluid guide (16) between a dispensing device for the respective further fluid and the filling pipes (20).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one fluid conveying unit (32) is connected in the fluid guide (16), preferably in the form of a hose or peristaltic pump.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one fluid conveying unit (32) is in the The inlet is connected between the delivery container (14) and the inlet device (22) or between the distribution device (18) and the respective container (12) to be filled.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one filling tube (20) serves to fill the respective container (12), which is arranged on the upstream side at the end of the fluid guide (16) when viewed in the direction of fluid delivery.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sampling container (66), preferably in the form of a bag, can be connected to the dispensing container (14) in the secondary branch (64).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing container (14) is formed from a foil bag which is preferably refillable via a further branch (72).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a ventilation device (56) is connected in the fluid supply with the fluid medium, preferably in the form of a bag (58) which is connected to a product storage container (48) of the distribution device (18) in a fluid-carrying manner for ventilation.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sensor unit, preferably in the form of a pressure sensor (54), monitors the fluid flow (16) and is preferably connected to the product storage (48) of the distribution device (18).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sterile filter (38) is connected in the fluid guide (16). 1 1. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a collection container (74) can be attached to the outlet (36) of the respective filling tube (20), in particular for receiving further fluid introduced via the inlet device (22), and that the collection container has an outlet (76) for the respective further fluid.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the dispensing container (14) and parts of the fluid guide (16) as well as the inlet device (22) are designed as a single-use product and at least the filling tubes (20) are provided for multiple use.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it forms part of a BFS machine for the production of filled and sealed containers (12) made of plastic.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inlay (37) in the form of a plastic tube is located in the filling tube (20), which is preferably designed as a single-use product.

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlay (37) protrudes in the filling tube (20) beyond the downstream end of the filling tube (20).

16. Method for filling a predetermined quantity of the product (10) in the form of a fluid medium into at least one container (12), preferably with a device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before the start and / or after the completion of the filling of the product (10), at least a part of the fluid guide (16), the distribution device (18), and the filling tubes (20), designed for multiple use, or their inlays (37), designed for single use, is cleaned and / or sterilized by means of at least one fluid medium entering via the inlet device (22).

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