EP0987055A1 - Mixer - Google Patents

Abstract

The drive shaft unit of a mixing apparatus has an outer shaft (28) and a moving inner shaft (30). One shaft is locked (54) with the mixing tool (16), in a force fit, relative to the direction of mixing tool (16) rotation. The other shaft is connected to the mixing tool shaft so that a relative rotation between the inner (30) and outer (28) shafts gives an axial lock for the mixing tool (16) at the drive shaft unit (18) through the mixing tool drive shaft.

Description

The present invention relates to a mixing device for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and similar products according to Preamble of claim 1.

Such a device is from the prior art commonly used and known, for example from DE 42 16 252 C2.

This known device comprises an i.w. cylindrical Plastic housing, which one end of a unscrewable Lid can be closed with a central Breakthrough at the same time as a guide for the drive shaft a mixing tool reaching into the container serves. At the other end, the housing is used by one Bottom closed, which, during a later, possible Dosing operation with this device, by manual pushing allows the dosed removal of the mix. However, such a known device is in particular only partially with regard to fully automatic filling suitable and also has only a limited Ease of use on: This is how it is with this known device necessary after completion of the mixing process remove the screw cap from the remaining container, to remove the mixing tool from the container. This is then, with a suitable one, by a user provided, if necessary, opening closure, again locked. Such handling is not only awkward, moreover, the automation of this Operations difficult.

Also leads the necessary according to this state of the art Open the container by removing the screw cap after the mixing process has ended, another disadvantage, which is particularly useful when used on pharmaceutical Area affects: In addition to possible contamination due to foreign substances, the removal of the Cover that a comparatively large surface of the mix is exposed to the air, with the associated possible adverse consequences regarding Oxidation and quality of the mixed product.

Particularly advantageous for use in the intended Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to use a so-called disposable mixing tool, namely a mixing element, which after mixing the im Mixture taken in container remains inside the container, and just a drive shaft for the mixing tool through a (correspondingly smaller) opening in the container lid or bottom is removed.

This approach is in general form, for example, from DE-OS 37 23 309 A1 known. There is one for driving disposable mixing disc provided for use with a rotary shaft described in a cartridge with a cylindrical interior, the inventor here the process of Verbzw. Uncouple between shaft and mixing disc by means of has loosened a screw thread and a holding member in the form has provided a stuck cam in the container to for the purpose of removing (i.e. unscrewing) the shaft from fix it to the disposable mixing disc so that it cannot rotate can.

In addition to the necessary, not inconsiderable constructive effort of the coupling partners involved proves such a device, in particular with regard the necessary for unscrewing the drive shafts Holding cam, in use with pharmaceutical or cosmetic mixed products as not unproblematic: This is the case with these products in particular necessary for a proper mixing or stirring process, over a longer, up to several minutes long Period the mixing tool continuously in the axial direction to move the drive shaft or the container body, while the mixing tool at the shaft end rotates by one homogenous, good mixing of the sensitive materials to reach. It is inevitable that that Mixing tool also contacted the respective container ends; a holding or fixing projection for the mixing disc would therefore most likely be from the rotating Mixing disc scraped or rendered ineffective so that thereby not only loosening the mixing tool from the drive shaft after the mixing process is difficult until is impossible, but also scraped plastic particles contaminate the mix.

The object of the present invention is therefore a generic Mixing device for pharmaceutical, cosmetic or the like. To further develop products in such a way that a Operation with a single-use mixing element, such as a single-use mixing disc is possible and in particular solving this Mixing element from the drive shaft unit after completion the mixing process more reliable and simplified can be.

The task is achieved by the mixing device with the features of claim 1 solved.

The drive shaft unit is advantageous as a multi-part Realized with outer shaft and inner shaft, in mixed operation, preferably both shafts synchronously with each other run and the one of the waves to drive the Mixing element with a suitable, externally provided drive unit connected is. According to the other provides of the shafts by one caused by the relative rotation Locking the mixing element relative to the drive shaft unit in the axial direction for that on the one hand additional, axial guidance during mixed operation the mixing element (hereinafter also referred to as the mixing tool) is possible, for example by means of the described Aufund Movement for mixing pharmaceutical products. In addition, it enables the relative rotation according to the invention between outer shaft and inner shaft, which is further preferred outside of the container body is caused to coupling or uncoupling solely by this relative rotation of the mixing element to or from the drive shaft unit can be done. In other words, after the end Mixing takes place a new relative rotation between Outer shaft and inner shaft, making the axial fixing the mixing element is released, and now the unit in be withdrawn in the axial direction from the mixing element can.

The result will be more reliable and reliable Way coupling and decoupling between the drive shaft unit and mixing element reached, at which the mixing element always within the - except for one Breakthrough for the drive shaft unit - closed Container body can remain and so in particular the generic state of the art with the complete Disadvantages associated with opening the body are eliminated. At the same time, the danger is avoided in particular that an intensive mixed operation decoupling after that Completion difficult.

Although the present invention may relate to the drive shaft unit - through training with inner and outer shaft - an apparent additional mechanical effort underlie; given the fact that by successively mixing a variety of containers with only one inside the disposable mixing element per mixing station such drive shaft unit is necessary, relativized this apparent disadvantage in view of the achievable operational advantages, in particular the ease of use and Reliability, considerable.

Advantageous developments of the invention are in the subclaims described.

So it is particularly preferred to use the relative rotation between the shafts for setting the mixing element in the direction of Provide drive direction of rotation of the drive shaft unit. This leads to the fact that, in particular, the sometimes high drive or starting torque the connection between the drive shaft unit and the mixing element further stabilized and not loosened.

It is also particularly preferred for the mixing element to be disk-shaped train and the coupling of inner shaft and External shaft by means of a projection or recess realized driver clutch on the one hand and by means of an undercut providing axial fixation on the other hand. Such a mechanical training can be used in particular as a plastic injection molded part Low cost mass production.

In this regard, it has also proven particularly useful with the outer shaft, the rotary drive of the mixing element preferably by one or a plurality of driver projections on the face of the outer shaft, to realize while the inner shaft is then preferred by means of a web-shaped locking element running transversely to the axial direction can fix the mixing element in the axial direction.

It is also more preferred to use the inner shaft and outer shaft at least in the operating position fixing the mixing element latching relative to each other in their rotational position fix, with a container external to the External shaft acting locking device has proven particularly useful. This ensures that in mixed operation Turn the inner and outer shaft synchronously and not Inertial effects or the like the locking position of the Influence the mixing disc.

Other features of the container body, particularly regarding one for insertion into the interior of the container body trained, sealed and movably guided piston unit, which are also provided with a metering device Drive device movable after completion of the mixed operation are derived from the German utility model 297 21 534 of the applicant and are intended in particular with regard to the constructive design of the container body, the Drive device and the associated elements and units, including actuator, lead screw etc., be included in the present invention and as disclosed within the scope of the present disclosure apply so far are part of the present invention according to preferred further training.

Fig. 1:

eine seitliche Schnittansicht durch die erfindungsgemäße Mischvorrichtung gemäß einer ersten, bevorzugten Ausführungsform mit eingesetzter Mischscheibe (als Mischelement bzw. -werkzeug) und an dieser angekoppelten Antriebswelleneinheit, bereit für einen Mischbetrieb;

Fig. 2:

eine Detailansicht im Längsschnitt durch Innenwelle und Außenwelle mit diese verbindender, von außen betätigbarer Rasteinheit;

Fig. 3:

eine Draufsicht auf die Mischscheibe der Fig. 1 von der der Antriebswelleneinheit entgegengesetzten Seite, d.h. aus der Richtung des Gefäßbodens der Fig. 1;

Fig. 4:

eine Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie IV-IV in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5:

eine Detailansicht auf den zentralen Eingriffsbereich in der Mitte des Mischelements zur Einkupplung der Antriebswelleneinheit der Fig. 2;

Fig. 6, 7:

einen Längsschnitt bzw. eine Stirnansicht auf die Außenwelle gemäß Fig. 2;

Fig. 8, 9:

eine Seitenansicht bzw. eine Stirnansicht der Innenwelle gemäß Fig. 2 und

Fig. 10:

eine Ansicht analog Fig. 3 einer alternativen Ausführungsform der Mischscheibe mit im Eingriffsbereich vorgesehenen Rastnocken.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings; these show in

Fig. 1:

a sectional side view through the mixing device according to the invention according to a first preferred embodiment with inserted mixing disc (as a mixing element or tool) and coupled to this drive shaft unit, ready for a mixed operation;

Fig. 2:

a detailed view in longitudinal section through the inner shaft and outer shaft with this connecting, externally operable locking unit;

Fig. 3:

a plan view of the mixing disc of Figure 1 from the opposite side of the drive shaft unit, ie from the direction of the vessel bottom of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4:

a sectional view taken along section line IV-IV in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5:

a detailed view of the central engagement area in the middle of the mixing element for coupling the drive shaft unit of FIG. 2;

6, 7:

a longitudinal section or an end view of the outer shaft of FIG. 2;

8, 9:

a side view and an end view of the inner shaft of FIG. 2 and

Fig. 10:

a view analogous to FIG. 3 of an alternative embodiment of the mixing disk with locking cams provided in the engagement area.

Fig. 1. illustrates in the side sectional view how various functional components of the mixing device according to a first, preferred embodiment in the assembled Interact with each other. One with one one-piece molded cover 12 hollow cylindrical vessel part 10 from an injectable Plastic material is on the cover 12 opposite, open end with an internal annular groove 14 provided, in which, after the mixing process and from an internal disposable mixing disk 16 released Stir shaft unit 18 a manual drive unit for dosing movement of a piston 20 (corresponding approximately to the in Fig. 2 of the German utility model 297 21 534 unit shown) can be used. A Removal opening 22 in the lid portion 12 of the cylindrical Vessel part 10 is in the manner shown with a Vessel part 10 overlapping cover 24, of which a central projection 26 for engaging in the removal opening 22 is formed, closable.

Further structural designs, in particular of the vessel part or the dosing downstream of a mixing process and removal of the mix, including those mentioned, manually operable drive unit for the sealing dosing piston 20, result from the German utility model 297 21 534 U1 and are said to be regarding their constructive design or their contributions to the present Solution ideas than in the present application apply included.

1 for connecting on the drive side to a suitably designed drive unit, not shown connectable, multi-part agitator shaft unit 18 is mounted shown in the sectional view of Fig. 2; the outer shaft 2 shows FIGS. 6 and 7 and the views of FIG 8 and 9 illustrate the coaxially in the outer shaft 28 guided inner shaft 30.

More specifically, in the unit shown in Fig. 2 Outer shaft 28 via a driving piece 32 attached to it connected to the external drive unit; Twists 34 in the driving piece 32 are used for coupling to this drive unit.

Via a latching unit 36, consisting of an outer jacket the outer shaft 28 surrounded ring 38, one in the ring 38 spring-loaded locking element 40 and a ring 38 via an opening formed on the end of the inner shaft 30 42 guided connecting bolts 44, are outer shaft 28 and inner shaft 30 in a predetermined relative rotational position can be snapped together, in this position the Locking element 40 in a correspondingly in the jacket of the outer shaft 28 formed recess engages. One in FIG. 6 shown, transverse slot 46 delimited above also the maximum rotational stroke of a rotary movement between the two shafts 26, 28.

By turning these shafts realistically to each other coupling the agitator shaft unit 18 according to FIG. 2 with in FIGS. 3 to 5 in different views and Details shown mixing disc. So two attack each other opposite, on the engagement-side end of the outer shaft 28 projections formed in the form of driving lugs 48 in suitably shaped end areas of a central opening 50 in the hub section 52 of the mixing disk 16. More precisely said take-away approaches take effect when in use 48 in elongated formations 54 of the otherwise circular Breakthrough 50.

The mixing disk 16 has, as in the bottom view of FIG. 3, a central hub portion 52 formed by a ring portion 56 held on the hub portion 52 four radial and right-angled webs, concentric is surrounded.

As in particular in the detailed view of FIG. 5, the represents central hub section 52 in enlarged form, is recognizable, points next to which is indicated by the height of the Disk 16 extending aperture 50 of the hub portion additionally a pair of undercuts 60, which in the bottom view of Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 as paragraphs in Plastic material of the mixing disc 16 can be seen. These undercuts 60 are for cooperation with one provided on the engagement-side end of the inner shaft 30 Locking web 62 formed, in such a way that in a locked state, they are external End sections of the locking web under an undercut 60 grab and so the mixing disc 16 opposite fix the agitator shaft unit 18.

It is in preparation for insertion into the hub section 52 of the mixing disc, the inner shaft 30 with the Locking web 62, which rests rigidly thereon, thus opposite the take-along approaches 48 aligned that these along a common escape line and thus the Arrangement with its engagement-side end in the opening 50 with its formations 54 can be used. Then done by rotating the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft (by pressing the firmly connected to the inner shaft Ring 38) a relative rotation between the shafts 28, 30, in the illustrated embodiment by about 30 °, so that the locking web 62 under the undercuts 60 in Hub portion 52 engages and thus detachment of the mixing disk 16 prevented by the agitator shaft unit 18 while the driving lugs 48 of the outer shaft 28 still in non-positive engagement with the formations 54 of the Breakthrough 50 stand and so on the outer shaft 28 transmitting drive torque directly to the mixing disc 16 can pass on. In the illustrated embodiment the inner shaft is also rotated relative to the outer shaft in the direction of rotation of the entire agitator shaft unit. In the twisted state so described the locking unit 36 then snaps between the shafts, such as mentioned above, a.

This is then the mixing disc (which is advantageous already in the closed vessel) to the Stirrer shaft unit 18 coupled, the mixing of the Mixing material provided in the vessel take place, both by rapid rotary movements of the agitator shaft unit around the common axis, as well as through continuous opening and closing Movements (i.e. movements along the axial direction) the mixing disc in the housing, so that a homogeneous and complete mixing of the mix, also via a longer mixing period.

After the mixing process is completed by relative Twisting the outer shaft and the inner shaft back into the Insertion position (and out of the locked position) again loosening from the mixing disc instead unaffected by the mixing process on simple and reproducible, mechanically reliable way.

The agitator shaft unit with the attached drive unit is then ready to mix a next housing / disposable mixing disc combination to make, whereby particularly preferred neither for insertion and connection the stirring shaft unit, still for decoupling and Taking out the same the vessel must be opened. This makes them especially in the pharmaceutical sector necessary requirements for hygiene and freedom from Contamination guaranteed.

An alternative embodiment is discussed below described with the mixing disc of FIG. 10. Here is a locking of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft in the locking disc does not define the mixing disc by a separate, as in Fig. 2 on the outer jacket of External shaft seated locking unit reached, but by Protrusions or cams 64 that are shown in FIG Way, the elongated formations 54 of the central opening 50 adjacent, on the hub portion 52 of the otherwise as arranged in Fig. 3 mixing disc are. More specifically, when it is inserted thereon Way as in the above-described embodiment (Inner shaft and outer shaft are relative to each other so that take-along approaches 48 and the connecting web 62 along a line) then with the arrangement of the Locking bar by rotating the inner shaft relative to Outer shaft pushed over the cam 64 so that the locking web 62 behind them in a 90 ° undercut position engages. This - constructive regarding the required plastic injection mold for the mixing disc somewhat more complex - embodiment therefore makes the above described in an advantageous manner Locking unit 36 superfluous and ensures a locking Fixing the relative rotation of both shafts to each other.

Claims (10)

Mixing device for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and the like products, with a mixing element (16) which is designed to be drivable in a container body (10) forming an interior cylindrical space by means of a drive shaft unit (18),
characterized in that the drive shaft unit has an outer shaft (28) and an inner shaft (30) movably guided therein, one of the shafts on an engagement section (54) is designed to be non-positively connectable with respect to a rotational movement of the mixing element (16) and the other of the shaft is designed so that it can be connected to the mixing element (16) in such a way that the other of the shafts fixes the mixing element (16) on the drive shaft unit (18) in relation to an axial direction thereof by means of a relative rotation between the inner shaft (30) and the outer shaft (28). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the other of the shafts as well as the mixing element (16) are designed so that the relative rotation to Set in the drive direction of the drive shaft unit for the mixing element (16). Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the mixing element is disc-shaped is one at its center (52) for cooperation with the one projection formed or a recess (54) and one for cooperation undercut formed with the other of the shafts (60). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized characterized in that the outer shaft (28) at the end has at least one driver section (48), the one for engaging in one formed in the mixing element (16) Recess (54) and for transferring a Torque is formed on the mixing element. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized characterized in that the inner shaft (30) at the end a preferably web-shaped locking section (52) which is for insertion into one for one Non-positive connection with the outer shaft (28) formed recess (54) in the mixing element (16) and for interaction with one in the mixing element opposite the Recess (54) formed offset in the direction of rotation Undercut (60) is formed. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized characterized that the relative rotation to one Angle <180 °, preferably <90 °, is limited, whereby the inner shaft (30) and the outer shaft (28) one Have latching unit (36; 64) which are designed in this way is that the waves in the mixing element at the Drive shaft unit (18) defining state against each other latch. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that provided outside the container body (10) Locking unit (36) by means of a resilient locking element (40) acts on the outer shaft (28). Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the latching unit is provided on the mixing element (16) and in the form of one on the other of the waves acting locking section, in particular locking cam (64) is formed. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized characterized that the container body for insertion one guided and sealed in the interior Piston unit is formed by means of a the container body after removing the drive shaft unit connectable drive device connectable is that for dosing movement of the piston unit trained by manual operation is. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized characterized in that the container body one in Has diameter tapered outlet (22) by means of a seated, destructible or reclosable Sealing closure (24) at least during a mixed operation is lockable.

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