Roller device for metering purposes
The roller device achieves precise metering by individually actuating metering bodies through a controllable drive unit, addressing the issue of inconsistent dosing in existing devices, with enhanced precision and flexibility in adjusting intake volumes.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BAUSCH STROEBEL MASCHINENFABRIK ILSHOFEN GMBH CO KG
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing roller devices for metering pharmaceutical products, particularly powders, lack precision in dosing due to simultaneous actuation of all metering pistons, leading to inconsistent product intake volumes.
The roller device incorporates an adjusting device with individual actuation of metering bodies via a controllable drive unit, allowing selective adjustment of specific metering elements independently of others, enabling precise control of intake volumes.
This design allows for improved dosing precision by enabling individual adjustment of metering elements, facilitating continuous or quasi-continuous variation of intake volumes, and accommodating dual adjustment of metering bodies at multiple axial positions.
Smart Images
Figure EP2026050661_23072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Roller device for dosing purposes
[0002] The present invention relates to a roller device for metering purposes in a metering arrangement for metering a pharmaceutical product, in particular a powdered product, wherein the roller device comprises a metering roller, a drive device for rotating the metering roller about a rotary axis and an adjustment device, wherein the metering roller comprises the following:
[0003] a shell in which, at least at a first axial position, inlet openings for the product are arranged in the circumferential direction of the axis of rotation;
[0004] Dosing chambers for receiving the product, each dosing chamber having an inlet opening for feeding the product; and
[0005] Dosing elements in the dosing chambers, wherein a receiving volume of the respective dosing chamber depends on a position of the respective dosing element in the dosing chamber, wherein the position of the dosing elements in the dosing chamber can be changed by means of the adjusting device.
[0006] A dosing arrangement with a roller device is used, for example, in a system for processing pharmaceutical containers. These containers are, for example, vials, which are filled with a product, particularly a powder, at the dosing arrangement. It is known to feed the powdered product from a feed container to the roller device. The product passes through the inlet openings in the casing into the dosing chambers. After the roller device rotates so that the dosing chambers are positioned above the openings of the containers, the product can be ejected from the dosing chambers, for example, by means of compressed air, and enters the containers. The containers are moved past the dosing arrangement, for example, by means of a transport device. The transport of the containers and the rotation of the dosing roller are usually timed.
[0007] It goes without saying that the product, for example in powder form, can not only enter the dosing chambers through the inlet openings, but can also be conveyed out of the dosing chambers through the same inlet openings. The inlet openings are therefore also outlet openings.
[0008] Roller devices of this type are known in which the respective adjusting device acts on the metering pistons in the metering chambers. By actuating the adjusting device, the positions of all metering pistons at the first axial position in the metering chambers are changed, so that the respective intake volume can be varied and thus the quantity of product taken up in the metering chambers can be adjusted.
[0009] DE 201 18997 U1 describes a device for dosing and dispensing powdered filling material into containers, comprising a filling wheel that rotates intermittently around a horizontal axis.
[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a roller device of the type mentioned above which offers the possibility of improved dosing of the product.
[0011] This problem is solved in a generic roller device according to the invention by the fact that the adjusting device comprises adjusting elements arranged on the metering roller, wherein at least a part of the metering bodies, and preferably all metering bodies, are assigned an adjusting element at the first axial position which couples with the metering body, and a controllable drive unit, via which selectively only a specific adjusting element can be actuated to change the position of the metering body at the first axial position, whereas the other adjusting elements are not actuated by the drive unit.
[0012] In the roller device according to the invention, the adjusting device comprises adjusting elements. The adjusting elements couple to the metering bodies, which are located at the first axial position in the metering chambers. Each of the metering bodies is assigned an adjusting element, preferably with one adjusting element assigned to each metering body. The adjusting elements can be actuated via the drive unit of the adjusting device. According to the present invention, it is provided that only a specific adjusting element is actuated by the drive unit in order to move the metering body assigned to this adjusting element to change the receiving volume of the metering chamber. In contrast, the remaining adjusting elements are not actuated by the drive unit, so that the metering bodies coupled to these adjusting elements are not moved by means of the drive unit.This allows each metering element to be moved individually and independently of the other metering elements at the first axial position. This makes it possible to vary the intake volume of the respective metering chamber, thus enabling improved, more precise metering. The drive unit is controlled, for example, by a control unit of the roller assembly, and preferably also by the drive unit for the rotary roller.
[0013] Advantageously, the system allows for adjustment of the specific adjusting element during the filling process of the dosing unit. For this purpose, the filling process can, for example, be temporarily interrupted to change the intake volume of a particular dosing chamber by moving the corresponding dosing element.
[0014] The drive unit preferably comprises a drive body that can be selectively engaged with the specific adjusting element. When the drive body engages with the adjusting element, the latter can be actuated to move the associated metering element. The other adjusting elements, however, remain unactuated. This design allows for a structurally simple configuration of the adjusting device.
[0015] It is advantageous if the change in position of the metering element via the specific adjusting element is independent of the drive device for the metering roller.
[0016] In particular, it is provided that the drive device for adjusting the metering body is not required and is preferably deactivated, with the adjustment being carried out solely by means of the drive unit of the adjusting device via the application of pressure to the specific adjusting element.
[0017] Advantageously, the drive body is designed so that, depending on the rotational position of the metering roller around its axis of rotation, it can be brought into engagement with a specific adjusting element. For example, the drive unit allows the rotary roller to be rotated into the desired position so that a specific adjusting element, positioned in the target position, can be brought into engagement with the drive body – for example, as in the movement of the drive body described below.
[0018] Depending on the rotational position of the metering roller, a different adjusting element can be actuated. In this case, the drive unit is deactivated, and the metering element is adjusted by means of the drive unit and the engagement of the drive unit with the specific adjusting element.
[0019] For reliable operation, it is advantageous if the drive body and the specific adjusting element can be engaged by positive locking and / or frictional engagement. For example, the drive body and the adjusting element can engage by means of a toothed connection. In this case, for instance, the drive body may comprise or form a rack and the adjusting element a gear, so that a linear movement of the rack can trigger a rotation of the adjusting element. Alternatively, the drive body may also comprise or form a gear. A purely frictional power transmission is achieved, for example, by a friction drive between the drive body and the adjusting element. In this case, a friction roller drive may be used, for instance.
[0020] Preferably, the drive body can be moved from a rest position, in which it is positioned at a distance from the specific adjusting element, to an engagement position, in which it engages with the specific adjusting element, and vice versa. This allows for advantageous, demand-based actuation of the specific adjusting element to move the associated metering element. For example, the metering roller is rotated into a desired position so that the specific adjusting element is in its target position. The drive unit is preferably deactivated. After the target position has been reached, the drive body can be moved from the rest position to the engagement position to actuate the specific adjusting element. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the movement of the drive body towards the engagement position occurs before the metering roller reaches its target position.
[0021] For example, the drive unit is designed to include a sliding drive and / or a swivel drive for sliding and / or swiveling the drive body relative to the adjusting element. It is preferably provided that, when the adjusting element reaches its target position, the drive body engages with it by swiveling. Subsequently, for example, a displacement of the drive body causes the adjusting element to rotate. For this purpose, a toothed connection between the drive body and the adjusting element is preferably provided, as previously explained.
[0022] Advantageously, the drive unit's displacement movement originates from a substructure of the container processing system, which includes the metering arrangement with the roller device. For example, the displacement drive and the swivel drive are arranged below a separating element, such as a tabletop, of the system, with the metering arrangement positioned on the separating element. In a structurally simple and reliably functioning implementation of the roller device in practice, it can be advantageous if the respective adjustment element includes or forms a shaft that is rotatably mounted on the metering roller about an adjustment axis that preferably runs parallel to the axis of rotation.The multiple adjustment elements and the axes of rotation defined by them are preferably arranged equidistantly in the radial direction to the axis of rotation and evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the axis of rotation, with adjacent adjustment elements having identical angular distances from each other. The axes of rotation preferably run parallel to each other and parallel to the axis of rotation.
[0023] It can be advantageous if the metering roller includes or forms a roller housing and if the respective adjusting element is operatively connected to the drive unit, in particular the drive body, outside the roller housing, wherein the adjusting element, especially the shaft, is preferably rotatably mounted on an end wall of the roller housing and on a bearing body arranged in the roller housing. This enables a compact design of the roller device while maintaining reliable operation. The roller housing can, for example, comprise a shell and have an end wall at each opposite end. The adjusting elements can, for example, extend through the end wall into an interior space of the roller housing and are rotatably mounted on the end wall and in the bearing body.For example, the drive unit is located outside the roller housing, so that the specific adjusting element can be acted upon from outside the roller housing.
[0024] A bearing element, in particular a rolling and / or sliding bearing, may be provided for the rotatable mounting of the adjusting elements on the end wall and on the bearing body.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the respective adjusting element and the respective metering body are engaged with each other by positive locking and / or frictional locking, or can be brought into engagement with each other. When the adjusting element is moved, and in particular rotated, the associated metering body is moved. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement can be achieved by means of a toothed connection between the adjusting element and the metering body. For example, the adjusting element comprises or forms a gear, and the metering body comprises or forms a rack that couples with the gear. Alternatively, gears can be provided on both the adjusting element and the metering body. In another embodiment, for example, a friction drive is formed between the adjusting element and the metering body.
[0026] It is advantageous if the dosing element coupled to it can be adjusted continuously or at least quasi-continuously via the specific adjustment element. This allows for particularly precise changes to the intake volume. For example, a motor is used as the drive unit, enabling continuous or quasi-continuous rotation of the adjustment element. Quasi-continuous can be understood, for instance, to mean that the change in the intake volume is very small relative to the total intake volume due to the motor's design.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the metering roller may include a receiving body that forms the metering chambers, wherein the respective metering body is displaceable within the respective metering chamber, and a wall of the metering chamber includes an opening through which the metering body engages with the respective adjusting element. This proves advantageous for reliable adjustment of the metering body. At the same time, the requirements for sealing the receiving volume, for example with a powdered product, can be met. For instance, it is provided that the engagement between the metering body and the adjusting element is radially inward with respect to an end face of the metering body, which radially inwardly limits the receiving volume.
[0028] For a structurally simple implementation of the metering roller, particularly the embodiment described above, it is provided, for example, that the receiving body has a star-like shape in axial plan view and comprises spoke sections, each of which encloses or forms a metering chamber, and a central section to which the spoke sections are connected and from which the spoke sections extend radially. The spoke sections project, for example, from the central section to an inner surface of a shell body that forms the shell of the metering roller. Spaces are provided between the spoke sections on the receiving body, in which, for example, the adjustment elements are arranged. The star-like design allows for minimal material usage, resulting in low mass and low torque during rotation of the metering roller.
[0029] The central section is, for example, sleeve-shaped. The roller device can include a support structure with, for example, a roller- or tube-shaped support element that extends through the central section and on which the receiving body is rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation.
[0030] The supporting element may preferably include channels through which the metering chambers can advantageously be selectively pressurized with negative and positive pressure. An example of such an embodiment is described in the unpublished patent application DE 102025101 277.6 dated January 15, 2025, of the same applicant. The content of this patent application is fully incorporated into the present disclosure.
[0031] Advantageously, the metering roller comprises at least one outer shell, which forms the outer shell and preferably at least one end wall of the metering roller, and at least one receiving body surrounded by the outer shell, in which the metering chambers are formed. These components of the metering roller have already been discussed. For example, two outer shells are provided, joined together with axial end edges, each outer shell comprising or forming one of two end walls on opposite sides of the metering roller. At least one receiving body can be arranged inside the metering roller. Two or more receiving bodies positioned axially side by side are conceivable, depending on the number of positions of the metering roller in the axial direction.
[0032] Furthermore, it may be provided that at least one bearing body for a rotatable bearing of adjusting elements is arranged in the interior, as mentioned above.
[0033] It is understood that the respective inlet openings, the metering chambers with the metering elements and the adjusting elements can have identical angular distances from each other in the circumferential direction of the axis of rotation, with reference to the axis of rotation.
[0034] In the roller device according to the invention, each adjusting element can be individually actuated. It can also be advantageous if several adjusting elements can be actuated.
[0035] For example, it can be advantageous if the adjusting device comprises a drive body and an adjusting unit with which the drive body can be selectively moved from a distance position to a contact position and vice versa, wherein the drive body is disengaged from the adjusting elements in the distance position and engaged with all of the adjusting elements in the contact position, wherein the drive body can further be moved in the contact position by means of a drive unit to actuate all adjusting elements, with regard to acting upon all metering bodies that are coupled to an adjusting element. When the drive body assumes the contact position and is driven by the drive unit, all adjusting elements can be actuated in this way, so that the receiving volumes of all metering chambers can be changed simultaneously at the first axial position.This gives the roller device a versatile design, because it is possible to selectively apply pressure to a specific adjusting element or to apply pressure to all adjusting elements.
[0036] To move the drive body from the distance position to the contact position and vice versa, it can be pivoted and / or moved using the adjustment unit, for example, and thereby brought into or out of engagement with the adjustment elements.
[0037] For example, the drive body is located outside the roller housing and can couple adjacent to an end face with the adjusting elements that protrude outwards through the end wall of the roller housing.
[0038] The drive body can engage with the adjusting elements in the contact position, for example, by positive locking and / or frictional locking. A gear connection is particularly conceivable here, where the drive body is a central gear or ring gear rotatable about the axis of rotation, and the adjusting elements each comprise or form a gear. Alternatively, a friction drive is also conceivable.
[0039] It was mentioned at the outset that inlet openings, metering chambers, and metering elements are located at a first axial position. The metering roller can be designed with multiple positions, with a plurality of inlet openings, metering chambers, and metering elements arranged axially relative to the axis of rotation. The metering roller can, for example, have two, three, four, or even more positions. Depending on the number of positions, a corresponding number of containers can be filled with the product in one cycle of the roller mechanism.
[0040] First, the design of the metering roller with at least two digits will be discussed.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that at a second axial position, which is axially spaced from the first axial position, further inlet openings for the product are formed in the casing, distributed circumferentially around the axis of rotation, and that the metering roller encompasses further metering chambers and further metering elements within the metering chambers, wherein, circumferentially around the axis of rotation, the respective inlet openings, metering chambers, and metering elements are arranged at the same location at both the first and second axial positions. The second axial position, which is not limiting to the invention in this case, is, for example, spaced further from an end wall of a roller housing than the first axial position.
[0042] Advantageously, the adjusting elements extend axially beyond the first axial position to the second axial position and couple to a metering body at both the first and second axial positions. When a specific adjusting element is selectively actuated, the metering bodies at both the first and second axial positions are adjustable. In this embodiment, when a specific adjusting element is individually actuated, two metering bodies are moved to change the receiving volume in the metering chambers where the metering bodies are located. This can be described, for example, as "dual adjustment" for the metering bodies, since moving one adjusting element moves both metering bodies coupled to it.
[0043] For a multi-position metering roller configuration, it can be advantageous if adjustment elements project into the roller housing from different sides, allowing the metering elements to be adjusted from opposite sides of the roller. In the aforementioned two-position configuration, the metering elements can be actuated from only one side of the roller. In a higher-position configuration (for example, a four-position configuration), adjustment is provided from two sides of the roller.
[0044] For example, it is provided that the metering roller, with respect to a central transverse plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation, comprises a mirror-symmetrical design with respect to the inlet openings, metering chambers and metering elements at the first axial position, with inlet openings, metering chambers and metering elements at a third axial position, wherein furthermore an adjustment device with further adjustment elements is provided, which are assigned to a part and preferably all metering elements at the third axial position, as well as a further drive unit assigned to these, via which selectively only a certain further adjustment element can be actuated to change the position of the metering element at the third axial position, whereas the remaining further adjustment elements are not actuated by the further drive unit.In such an embodiment, the metering elements are actuated at the third axial position, which is arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner to the first axial position with respect to the central transverse plane, via the further adjustment device.
[0045] It is understood that the further adjustment mechanism, including its additional adjustment elements, can be designed identically to the previously described adjustment mechanism in order to achieve a structurally simple design. Reference is made to the preceding explanations.
[0046] It may be provided that the metering roller, with respect to the inlet openings, metering chambers, and metering elements at the second axial position, comprises a mirror-symmetrical design with respect to the central transverse plane, with inlet openings, metering chambers, and metering elements at a fourth axial position, and that the further adjusting elements extend axially beyond the third axial position to the fourth axial position and couple to a metering element at both the third and fourth axial positions, wherein, upon selective actuation of a further specific adjusting element, the metering elements at the third and fourth axial positions are adjustable. This enables dual adjustment of the metering elements at the third and fourth axial positions, corresponding to the dual adjustment of the metering elements at the first and second axial positions.
[0047] The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, in conjunction with the drawing, serves to explain the invention in more detail. The drawing shows:
[0048] Figure 1: a schematic perspective view of the roller device according to the invention in a preferred embodiment;
[0049] Figure 2: a partial representation of the roller device from Figure 1, showing a cut-open metering roller with adjusting elements of an adjusting device and a drive body of the adjusting device in a rest position;
[0050] Figure 3: a representation similar to Figure 2, wherein the drive body assumes an engagement position and is in engagement with the adjusting element;
[0051] Figure 4: a representation corresponding to Figure 3 after the drive body has been moved, still in an engagement position; Figure 5: a perspective partial view of the roller device from Figure 1 from a side opposite to Figure 1;
[0052] Figure 6: a schematic partial representation of a preferred embodiment of the roller device according to the invention with a drive body that assumes a spaced position; and
[0053] Figure 7: a representation corresponding to Figure 6, wherein the drive body assumes a contact position.
[0054] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a roller device according to the invention, designated by reference numeral 100, in a preferred embodiment. The roller device 100 is used, for example, in a dosing arrangement of a system for processing pharmaceutical containers 102. Vials 104 are shown as examples of the containers 102.
[0055] In the system, containers 102 are filled with a pharmaceutical product, which may be in powder form. The product is stored in a container arrangement, which is not shown in the drawing itself. An exemplary and preferred embodiment of the container arrangement is described in the unpublished patent application DE 102025101 253.9 dated January 15, 2025, of the same applicant. The content of this patent application is fully incorporated into the present disclosure.
[0056] Starting from the container, the product enters a metering roller 106 of the roller assembly 100, as described below. The metering roller 106 rotates intermittently around a rotary axis 108. From the metering roller 106, the product enters the vials 104 located below. The vials 104 are moved intermittently by means of a transport device 110 in a transport direction 112 and temporarily assume a filling position below the metering roller 106.
[0057] As an alternative to a timed movement of the metering roller 106 and the transport device 110, a continuous movement is also conceivable.
[0058] In the present example, four vials 104 are filled simultaneously because the metering roller 106 has four positions. However, this embodiment is only exemplary. The metering roller 106 could have a larger or smaller number of positions and accordingly fill a larger or smaller number of containers 102 simultaneously (down to a single-position configuration).
[0059] In this example, the roller device 100 is arranged on a mounting surface 114 of a frame 116 of the system for processing the containers 102. The frame 116 includes a separating element 118, for example, a tabletop, which separates a first zone 120 above the separating element 118 from a second zone 122 below the separating element 118. The roller device 100 is largely located in the first zone 120. However, some components are also located in the second zone 122. The separating element 118 is covered, for example, by a machine guard or an isolator, so that, advantageously, cleanroom conditions are present in the first zone 120.
[0060] To stand on the frame 116, the roller device 100 comprises a support structure 124, which in this example includes two support elements 126 arranged at a distance from each other. The support structure 124 further comprises a support element 128 extending between the support elements 126, which in this example is designed as a tube with a plurality of channels 130 formed therein. The support element 128 defines the axis of rotation 108.
[0061] The roller device 100 further comprises a drive unit 132, which, via a gear unit 134, drives a rotating body (not shown in the drawing). The gear unit 134 includes a drive belt 136 for driving the rotating body. The rotating body is non-rotatably connected to the metering roller 106, being fixed to a roller housing 138 of the metering roller 106.
[0062] The drive unit 132 can be controlled by a control unit 140 of the roller assembly 100. Depending on the control setting of the drive unit 132, the metering roller 106 rotates in the desired direction and at the desired rate. As mentioned above, a clocked rotation is used in particular.
[0063] The roller housing 138 comprises at least one shell body 142, in this case two shell bodies 142. The shell bodies 142 are positioned axially (with respect to the axis of rotation 108) next to each other and joined together via opposing end edges 144. The shell bodies 142 form a shell 146. Each shell body 142 further comprises an end wall 148 of the roller housing 138, the end walls 148 being arranged on opposite sides of the roller housing 138. A through-opening 150 is provided in each end wall 148. The support element 128 extends between the support elements 126 and through the through-openings 150. Preferably, the metering roller 106 is rotatably mounted on the support element 128. A bearing element (for example, a rolling bearing or a sliding bearing element) may be provided.
[0064] Overall, the roller housing 138 is cylindrically designed, in particular in the form of a vertical circular cylinder.
[0065] The outer shell bodies 142 enclose an interior space 152. At least one receiving body 154 is arranged in the interior space. In this case, there are two receiving bodies 154, which are positioned axially next to each other. The design is identical, so only one receiving body 154 will be discussed below.
[0066] As can be seen, for example, in Figures 2 to 4, the receiving body 154, viewed axially from above, is essentially star-shaped in the present example. The receiving body 154 comprises a central section 156 and spoke sections 158. The central section 156 is designed in a sleeve-like shape, with the support element 128 extending through the central section 156. Advantageously, the receiving body 154 is rotatably mounted on the support element 128 via the central section 156.
[0067] The spoke sections 158 are connected to the central section 156 and extend radially outwards from it. Their ends facing away from the central section 156 are rotationally fixed to the outer bodies 142. When the metering roller 106 is driven by the drive unit 132, the outer bodies 142 rotate together with the inner receiving bodies 154.
[0068] In the casing 146, inlet openings 160 are formed. In this case, inlet openings 160 are arranged at least at a first axial position 162. Further inlet openings 160 are also arranged at a second axial position 164, a third axial position 166, and a fourth axial position 168. This results in the multi-digit and, in particular, four-digit configuration of the metering roller 106.
[0069] The receiving body 154 comprises the spoke sections 158 at the first and second axial positions 162, 164, and similarly the second receiving body 154 comprises spoke sections 158 at the third and fourth axial positions 166, 168. The design is identical in each case, so that first the first axial position 162 will be discussed.
[0070] Each spoke section 158 forms a metering chamber 170, which is enclosed by a wall 172. A metering element 174 is movably arranged in the respective metering chamber 170. In this case, the metering element is designed as a piston 176, which can be displaced radially within the metering chamber 170.
[0071] The dosing chambers 170 were aligned with the entry openings 160.
[0072] During the filling process, the product to be filled is first received in the container assembly. From there, the product passes through the inlet openings 160 into the metering chambers 170, whereby, depending on the rotational position of the metering roller 106, one of the inlet openings 160 aligns with the container assembly at one of positions 162 to 168. After the subsequent rotation of the metering roller 106, the product passes from the metering chambers 170 through the inlet openings 160 into the vials 104. For this reason, the inlet openings 160 also serve as outlet openings.
[0073] Radially outside the metering body 174, a free receiving volume 176 is formed in the metering chamber 170, the size of which depends on the position of the metering body 174 in the metering chamber 170. The receiving volume 178 is smaller the further the metering body 174 is from the central section 156, as can be seen, for example, in Figures 3 (maximum distance) and 4 (minimum distance or zero distance).
[0074] Metering chambers 170 and metering bodies 174 are also arranged at the respective first, second, third, or fourth axial positions 162, 164, 166, and 168, respectively. Their number corresponds to the number of inlet openings 160. The respective components 160, 170, and 174 are uniformly spaced from one another in the circumferential direction of the axis of rotation 108, i.e., adjacent components have identical angular distances. In this case, there are eight components in each position, so that the respective angular distance is 45° (Figures 2 to 4).
[0075] The position of the metering elements 174 in the metering chambers 170 can be varied to decrease or increase the intake volume 178. In the roller device 100 according to the invention, it is particularly possible to move the metering elements 174 individually at each axial position 162 to 168 (individual adjustment). Furthermore, one metering element 174 at each of the first and second axial positions 162, 164 can be adjusted simultaneously (dual adjustment). The same applies to the third and fourth axial positions 166, 168, where dual adjustment is also possible.
[0076] First, the first and second axial positions 162, 164 will be discussed.
[0077] The roller device 100 comprises a (first) adjusting device 180. The adjusting device 180 comprises a drive unit 182 (Figure 5). The drive unit 182 is arranged in the second zone 122. The drive unit 182 is electrically connected to the control unit 140 and can be controlled by it in a suitable manner.
[0078] In this example, the drive unit 182 comprises a sliding drive and a rotary drive. Both drives act on a drive body 184. The drive body 184 is arranged in the first zone 120, in this example laterally next to the end wall 148.
[0079] The drive body 184 is connected to the drives of the drive unit 182 by a rod-shaped support element 186, as in the present example. The support element 186 extends from a housing 188 of the drive unit 182 in the second zone 122 and through the separating element 118 into the first zone 120 (Figure 1).
[0080] The drive unit 184 can be linearly displaced in the direction of extension of the support element 186 via the displacement drive. The drive unit 184 can be pivoted about a pivot axis 190 defined by the support element 186 via the swivel drive.
[0081] The drive body 184 is or comprises in the present case a rack 192.
[0082] Furthermore, the adjusting device comprises 180 adjusting elements 194. In the present example, each metering body 174 is assigned an adjusting element 194 at the first axial position 162.
[0083] The respective adjusting element 194 is designed as a shaft 196, which is rotatable about an adjusting axis 198 parallel to the axis of rotation 108. The shaft 196 is rotatably mounted on the end wall 148 and on a bearing body 200 arranged in the interior 152. The bearing body 200 is, for example, a component of the receiving body 154, or it can be designed separately from the receiving body 154.
[0084] The wave 196 runs through a gap formed between adjacent spoke sections 158. The wave 196 runs adjacent to the respective wall 172 of the nearest spoke section 158.
[0085] Outside the roller housing 138, the adjusting element 194 in this example comprises a gear 204 designed to engage with the rack 192. The gear 204 is arranged laterally next to the end wall 148.
[0086] The adjusting element 194 is further configured to couple with the metering body 174. In the present example, the coupling is achieved via a toothed connection between the adjusting element 194 and the metering body 174. For this purpose, the piston 176 forms a rack 206. The rack 206 is arranged on the side of the piston 176 facing the shaft 196.
[0087] The adjusting element 194 includes a gear 208 for coupling with the rack 206. The gear 208 passes through an opening in the wall 172 and is thus in engagement with the rack 206.
[0088] In the present example, the adjusting element 194 is dimensioned such that it extends beyond the first axial position 162 into the interior 152, up to the second axial position 164 and, for example, beyond this to the bearing body 200.
[0089] The adjusting element 194 also couples to the metering body 174 at the second axial position 164, whereby in this case a toothed connection with a gear 208 and a rack 206 is also provided (Figures 2 to 4).
[0090] The adjustment device 180 made it possible to adjust metering bodies 174 individually at each axial position 162, 164 and, furthermore, to adjust two metering bodies 174 via both axial positions 162, 164 by means of a dual adjustment, in order to adapt the respective intake volumes 178. This provides the possibility of influencing the metering of the roller device 100 more precisely than is possible in the prior art.
[0091] The operation of the roller device 100 can be carried out as follows, for example, again first referring to the axial positions 162, 164. First, the metering roller 106 is rotated into the desired rotational position until the specific adjusting element 194, which is actuated by the drive unit 182, assumes a correct target position. The target position is characterized in particular by the fact that the specific adjusting element 194 is in such a position that it can be brought into engagement with the drive body 184 as intended.
[0092] Once the metering roller 106 has reached its target position, the drive unit 132 is preferably deactivated. The adjustment of the metering element 174 can then be carried out independently of the drive unit 132 for the metering roller 106.
[0093] If the adjusting device 180 is not used, the drive body 184 initially assumes a rest position (Figures 1 and 2). In the rest position, the drive body 184 is spaced away from the specific adjusting element 194 even when the latter assumes the target position required for adjustment.
[0094] The drive body 184 can then be pivoted about the pivot axis 190 by means of the pivot drive, so that the rack 192 assumes an engaged position. In the engaged position, the drive body 184 is engaged with the gear 204. By activating the sliding drive, it is now possible to rotate the specific adjusting element 194 about the adjusting axis 198.
[0095] Alternatively, it is conceivable that the drive body 184 is pivoted from the rest position towards the engagement position as long as the metering roller 106 has not yet reached the target position.
[0096] Depending on whether the rack 192 is raised or lowered, the adjusting element 194 is rotated counterclockwise or clockwise.
[0097] As a result, the metering body 174 is moved in the metering chamber 170 due to the existing toothing between the gear 208 and the rack 206 in order to increase or decrease the intake volume 178.
[0098] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate this by way of example, in the case where the initially minimal intake volume 178 is increased to a maximum intake volume 178 by raising the drive body 184. It is understood that the process could also proceed in reverse, namely, that the intake volume 178 could be reduced. Furthermore, it is understood that the variation in the intake volume 178 depends on the displacement of the drive body 184.
[0099] The change in the intake volume 178 via the adjustment of the metering body 174 is preferably possible continuously or quasi-continuously, due to the design of the drive unit 182, which as a displacement drive includes, for example, an electric stepper motor with a very small step size or a servo motor.
[0100] After the desired adjustment, the drive unit 184 can be returned to its rest position using the rotary drive. If necessary, the drive unit 184 can be lowered or raised using the sliding drive.
[0101] At each axial position 162, 164, only one of the adjusting elements 194 is actuated, while the other adjusting elements 194 remain unactuated. This allows for individual adjustment at each axial position 162, 164.
[0102] Since an adjusting element 194 couples with a metering body 174 at both axial positions 162, 164, in the present embodiment it is possible to achieve dual adjustment of two metering bodies 174 via only one adjusting element 194, namely one metering body 174 at each axial position 162, 164.
[0103] It can be provided that the adjustment of a respective dosing element 174 is dependent on a signal from a sensor device 212. For example, a sensor device 212 is part of the roller device 100 to determine the respective fill level of the product in the vials 104. If, for example, it is detected that a vial 104 is overfilled or underfilled, the filling process can be temporarily interrupted. The dosing roller can be rotated into a rotary position so that a specific adjusting element 194 assumes the target position in order to adjust the respective dosing elements 174. The corresponding adjustment process can be controlled by the control unit 140 depending on the signal from the sensor device 212.
[0104] The third and fourth axial positions 166, 168 have already been discussed.
[0105] In the present embodiment, inlet openings 160, metering chambers 170 and metering bodies 174 are also arranged at the third axial position 166, which are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a central transverse plane 214 of the metering roller 106 to the inlet openings 160, the metering chambers 170 and the metering bodies 174 at the first axial position 162.
[0106] The central transverse plane 214 is aligned perpendicular to the axis of rotation 108.
[0107] In a corresponding manner, inlet openings 160, metering chambers 170 and metering bodies 174 are also arranged at the fourth axial position 168, which are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the central transverse plane 214 to the inlet openings 160, metering chambers 170 and metering bodies 174 at the second axial position 164.
[0108] The roller assembly 100 comprises a second, and therefore further, adjustment device 216 with additional adjustment elements 218. The adjustment devices 180 and 216 are functionally identical. Referring to the above statements, it can therefore be concluded that the metering bodies 174 can also be adjusted at the third and fourth axial positions 166, 168 via the adjustment device 216 as already described. Individual adjustment of a metering body 174 is possible at each axial position 166, 168. Furthermore, dual adjustment of metering bodies 174 at both axial positions 166, 168 can be achieved via a single adjustment element 218.
[0109] It can be provided that the adjustment of the metering elements 174 is synchronized via both adjustment devices 180, 216. The corresponding control can be carried out by the control unit 140.
[0110] A preferred further adjustment option for metering element 174 is shown schematically in Figures 6 and 7 and is explained below. A portion of the metering roller 106 is shown, with gears 204 of the adjustment elements 194 located laterally next to the end wall 148. It is understood that an adjustment mechanism as described below can also be provided on the opposite side of the metering roller 106.
[0111] The roller device 100 can comprise a further drive body 220, as well as an adjustment unit 222 and a drive unit 224. The adjustment unit 222 and the drive unit 224 can be integrated as a single unit. The units 222 and 224 are preferably electrically connected to the control device 140 and can be controlled by it. In the present example, the drive body 220 is a central gear 226 designed as a gear, which can engage with all the adjustment elements 194 on the respective gears 204.
[0112] In normal operation of the roller device 100, the central gear 226 assumes a position separated from the gears 204 (Figure 6) and is not engaged with them. The central gear 226 can be moved into a contact position via the adjusting unit 222, in which the central gear 226 is engaged with all gears 204 (Figure 7). For example, the central gear 226 is moved or pivoted by means of the adjusting unit 222 to move it from the separated position to the contact position and vice versa.
[0113] The central wheel 226 can be rotated about the axis of rotation 108 via the drive unit 224. In doing so, all adjusting elements 194 are rotated about their respective adjustment axes 198, allowing all metering bodies 174 to be adjusted at the first and second axial positions 162, 164.
[0114] It has already been mentioned that the support element 128 has channels 130. These serve to selectively apply negative pressure to the metering chambers 170 for product intake and positive pressure for product discharge. For this purpose, the roller assembly 100 includes a pressure unit 228, which can be controlled by the control device 140. The pressure unit 228 is in flow communication with the channels 130 via pressure lines 230, of which only the pressure lines 230 connected to the metering roller 106 on one side are shown in Figure 1.
[0115] The channels 130 are in flow communication with the metering chambers 170 to provide a negative or positive pressure. For this purpose, it proves advantageous if the pistons 176 are at least partially air-permeable.
[0116] With regard to the channels 130 and their flow connection with the metering chambers 170, reference is made to the details in patent application DE 102025101 277.6 dated January 15, 2025. (List of references)
[0117] Roller device
[0118] container
[0119] Vial
[0120] Metering roller
[0121] axis of rotation
[0122] Transport equipment, direction of transport
[0123] Installation area
[0124] frame
[0125] Separating element
[0126] first zone
[0127] second zone
[0128] Support device
[0129] Support element
[0130] Support part
[0131] channel
[0132] Drive unit Gear unit
[0133] drive belt
[0134] Roller housing
[0135] Control unit
[0136] mantle body
[0137] Front edge
[0138] Coat
[0139] Front wall
[0140] Passage opening
[0141] interior
[0142] Recording body
[0143] Central section
[0144] spoke section
[0145] Entrance opening
[0146] first axial position
[0147] second axial position
[0148] third axial position
[0149] fourth axial position dosing chamber wall dosing body piston intake volume adjustment device drive unit drive body support element housing swivel axis rack adjustment element shaft adjustment axis bearing body gear rack gear sensor device central transverse plane adjustment device adjustment element drive body adjustment unit drive unit central gear pressure unit pressure line
Claims
1. PATENT CLAIM 1. Roller device (100) for dosing purposes in a dosing arrangement for dosing a pharmaceutical product, in particular a powdered product, wherein the roller device (100) comprises a dosing roller (106), a drive device (132) for rotating the dosing roller (106) about a rotary axis (108) and an adjustment device (180), wherein the metering roller (106) comprises the following: a jacket (146) in which, at least at a first axial position (162), inlet openings (160) for the product are arranged in the circumferential direction of the axis of rotation (108); Metering chambers (170) for receiving the product, each metering chamber (170) having an inlet opening (160) for feeding the product; and metering elements (174) in the metering chambers (170), the receiving volume (178) of each metering chamber (170) depending on the position of the respective metering element (174) in the metering chamber (170), wherein the position of the metering elements (174) in the metering chamber (170) can be changed by means of the adjusting device (180), characterized in that The adjusting device (180) on the metering roller (106) comprises adjusting elements (194), wherein at least a part of the metering bodies (174), and preferably all metering bodies (174), are assigned an adjusting element (194) at the first axial position (162), which couples to the metering body (174), and a controllable drive unit (182), via which selectively only a specific adjusting element (194) can be actuated to change the position of the metering body (174) at the first axial position, whereas the remaining adjusting elements (194) are not actuated by the drive unit (182).
2. Roller device (100) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the drive unit (182) comprises a drive body (184) which can be selectively engaged with the specified adjusting element (194).
3. Roller device (100) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that The drive body (184) can be brought into engagement with a respective specific adjusting element (194) depending on a rotational position of the metering roller (106) about the axis of rotation (108).
4. Roller device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by the fact that the drive body (184) and the specific adjusting element (194) can be brought into engagement with each other by positive locking and / or force locking, in particular by means of a toothing of the drive body (184) with the adjusting element (194).
5. Roller device (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by the fact that the drive body (184) can be moved from a rest position, in which the drive body (184) is arranged at a distance from the specific adjusting element (194), into an engagement position, in which the drive body (184) is in engagement with the specific adjusting element (194), and vice versa.
6. Roller device (100) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by the fact that the drive unit (182) comprises or forms a displacement drive and / or a swivel drive for displacing and / or swiveling the drive body (184) relative to the adjusting element (194).
7. Roller device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the respective adjusting element (194) comprises or forms a shaft (196) which is rotatably mounted on the metering roller (106) about an adjusting axis (198) which preferably runs parallel to the axis of rotation (108).
8. Roller device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The metering roller (106) comprises or forms a roller housing (138), and the respective adjusting element (194) is operatively connected to the drive unit (182), in particular the drive body (184), outside the roller housing (138), wherein the adjusting element (194), in particular the shaft (196), is advantageously rotatably mounted on an end wall (148) of the roller housing (138) and on a bearing body arranged in the roller housing (138).
9. Roller device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective adjusting element (194) and the respective metering body (174) engage with each other by means of positive locking and / or force locking or can be brought into engagement with each other, in particular by means of a toothing of the adjusting element (194) with the metering body (174).
10. Roller device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that via the specific adjusting element (194) the metering body (174) coupled to it is continuously adjustable.
11. Roller device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the metering roller (106) comprises a receiving body (154) which forms the metering chambers (170), wherein the respective metering body (174) is displaceable in the respective metering chamber (170) and a wall (172) of the metering chamber (170) comprises an opening through which the metering body (174) engages with the respective adjusting element (194).
12. Roller device (100) according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that The receiving body (154) has a star-like shape in axial plan view and comprises spoke sections (158), each of which includes or forms a metering chamber (170), and a central section (156) to which the spoke sections (158) are connected and from which the spoke sections (158) extend radially.
13. Roller device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the metering roller (106) comprises at least one jacket body (142) which includes or forms the jacket (146) and preferably at least one end wall (148) of the metering roller (106), and at least one receiving body (154) surrounded by the jacket body (142) in which the metering chambers (170) are formed.
14. Roller device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet openings (160), the metering chambers (170) with the metering bodies (174) and the adjusting elements (194) have identical angular distances from each other in the circumferential direction of the axis of rotation (108).
15. Roller device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The adjusting device (180) comprises a drive body (220) and an adjusting unit (222) with which the drive body (220) can be selectively moved from a distance position to a contact position and vice versa, wherein the drive body (220) is out of engagement with the adjusting elements (194) in the distance position and is engaged with all adjusting elements (194) in the contact position, wherein the drive body (220) is furthermore movable in the contact position by means of a drive unit (224) for actuating all adjusting elements (194), with regard to actuating all metering bodies (174) that are coupled to an adjusting element (194).
16. Roller device (100) according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that the drive body (184) engages with the adjusting elements (194) in the contact position by positive locking and / or force locking and / or that the drive body (184) is a central gear (226) or ring gear rotatable about the axis of rotation (108).
17. Roller device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that at a second axial position (164), which is axially spaced from the first axial position (162), further inlet openings (160) for the product are formed in the shell (146) distributed in the circumferential direction of the axis of rotation (108), and that the metering roller (106) comprises further metering chambers (170) and further metering elements (174) in the metering chambers (170), wherein in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation (108) at the first axial position (162) and the second axial position (164) respective inlet openings (160), metering chambers (170) and metering elements (174) are arranged at the same location.
18. Roller device (100) according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that The adjusting elements (194) extend axially beyond the first axial position (162) to the second axial position (164) and couple with both a metering body (174) at the first axial position (162) and with a metering body (174) at the second axial position (164), wherein, when the specific adjusting element (194) is selectively actuated, the metering bodies (174) at the first axial position (162) and at the second axial position (164) are adjustable.
19. Roller device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The metering roller (106) with respect to a central transverse plane (214) oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation (108), in relation to the inlet openings (160), the metering chambers (170) and the metering elements (174) at the first axial position (162), comprises a mirror-symmetrical design with inlet openings (160), metering chambers (170) and metering elements (174) at a third axial position (166), wherein further an adjustment device (216) with further adjustment elements (218) is provided, which are assigned to some and preferably all metering elements (174) at the third axial position (166), as well as a further drive unit (182) assigned to these, via which only a specific further adjustment element (218) can be actuated to change the position of the metering element (174) at the third axial position (166). is, whereas the other adjustment elements (218) are unaffected by the further drive unit (182).
20. Roller device (100) according to claim 19 in conjunction with claim 18, characterized in that The metering roller (106) has a mirror-symmetrical configuration with respect to the central transverse plane (214) with respect to the inlet openings (160), the metering chambers (170) and the metering elements (174) at the second axial position (164), comprising inlet openings (160), metering chambers (170) and metering elements (174) at a fourth axial position (168), and the further adjusting elements (218) extend axially beyond the third axial position (166) to the fourth axial position (168) and couple to both a metering element (174) at the third axial position (166) and a metering element (174) at the fourth axial position (168), wherein, upon selective actuation of a further specific adjusting element (218), the metering elements (174) at the third axial position (166) and are adjustable at the fourth axial position (168).