EP1600206A2 - Apparatus for producing formulations - Google Patents

Abstract

Mixer has a mixing unit with a rotary speed control through a central opening in the lid of a closed mixing vessel. The mixing tool is rotated by a drive shaft, and its ends rub against the vessel wall to draw in the material for mixing. During mixing, the vessel and the mixer are rotated around the axis. The vessel has an inner base, with an adjustable height setting. The mixer, for blending the ingredients of a formula, has a mixing unit with a rotary speed control through a central opening (11) in the lid (9) of a closed mixing vessel (1), of the required dimensions for the batch being mixed. The mixing tool (2) is rotated by a drive shaft (15), and its ends rub against the vessel wall to draw in the material for mixing. During mixing, the vessel and the mixer are rotated around the axis in relation to each other. The vessel has an inner base (5), with an adjustable height setting.

Description

The present invention relates to an arrangement for Preparation of recipe mixtures containing a stirrer Mixing vessel and a mixer driven by the agitator includes.

From EP 0 920 907 B1 is a cylindrical mixing and Dosing containers for pharmaceutical, cosmetic or Comparable products known, the bottom one has closable outlet. The opposite of the ground open end is for receiving one in the container body movably arranged piston designed. The piston serves both as a guide for the drive shaft of the mixing tool as well as by means of a metering device movable Metering. After completion of the mixing process, the stirring shaft separated from the mixing tool and through the piston guide out of the vessel. For removal of the mix the dosing unit is placed on the container, wherein a threaded spindle of the dosing unit connected to the piston becomes. By turning operation of this threaded spindle is the Pistons moved towards the outlet and thus a Dosage possible. The removal principle described is consuming and also does not allow for simplification, since in each Case for taking the finished recipe mixture a separate dosing unit is required.

A container for storage of pasty or fluid Masses can be taken from EP 1 038 796 A2. Of the described container body has a movable in this arranged on the piston, the container body in a Compressed air section and one of this airtight severed Distribution section divides. To remove compressed air in introduced the compressed air section, thereby shifting causes the piston in the storage section, thereby occurs the mass from a discharge opening. The described Removal principle is again relatively expensive. For removal There must always be a supply element that the required compressed air provides.

DE 197 35 539 A1 includes a stirring device in which the remaining in the mixing vessel stirring again at any time can be used. These are the dimensions of the mixing vessel, the stirring tool and the drive end of the Stirring bar matched so that the stirring tool during insertion of the stirring rod in the mixing vessel from his Rest position releasable and when removing it again in his Rest position is fixable. To sufficiently good mixing results To achieve this is a relative in this stirring device long operating time required.

An arrangement with a stirrer for mixing pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic ointments, pastes, creams, gels or emulsions can be taken from DE 42 16 252 C2. Although this prior art arrangement can be relatively achieve good mixing results. The mixing process itself is but time consuming.

The object of the present invention is therefore to an arrangement for the preparation of recipe mixtures for To provide, despite reducing the operating times to a significant improvement in the quality of the produced Recipe mixtures leads. The removal of the final product should be possible in a simple way.

This object is achieved by the arrangement specified in claim 1 solved.

The advantage of the arrangement according to the invention is above all in that mixing vessel and mixing tool are so coordinated are that one for high quality manufacturing the recipe required frictional contact between mixing vessel and Blending tool exists as well as an effective material feeder between mixing vessel and mixing tool is guaranteed to in a short time an optimal mixing of different Reach recipe ingredients. In comparison with the Previously known solutions can with the inventive arrangement a better quality mixing result can be achieved, while shortening the production time.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the mixing tool equipped with two impellers, which are in the axial direction the drive shaft are connected overlapping. The stirring blades are here as flat, towards the leading frontal end tapered and substantially oval in plane of rotation Surfaces executed. Each impeller has one hole-shaped, the Rührflüge erupting recess or Opening introduced. The lid or bottom of the mixing vessel facing, outer impeller surfaces are in Direction of rotation located front outer area inclined so that the material thickness towards the edge of the mixing tool decreases. Each of these surfaces subsequent stirring pad surfaces are in the backward direction of rotation Area of the hole-shaped recess are inclined so that the Material thickness decreases towards the recess.

This design of the mixing tool becomes a special good mixing of the ingredients of the recipe mixture allows. The to the cover or bottom of the mixing vessel turned, Outer paddle surfaces have the function of Material intake between mixing tool and the during the Mischvorganges close lying mixing vessel part, ie soil or Cover. The respective subsequent Rührflügelflächen effect with the verticals from the main wing extension plane out bent areas, at the opposite respectively Inner surfaces of the mixing vessel the desired material feed. During the mixing process, these create slanted Surface areas of the impeller flow conditions, the too lead a strong turbulence of the mix.

The broadened drive shaft near surfaces of the mixing tool ensure that the mix is in the center of the Mixing tool is sucked while a boost in Axial direction of the drive shaft experiences. The way to the center Targeting concentration of shear force acting on the mix optimizes the material intake of the mixing tool the opposite mixing vessel inner wall area. At the same time, these widened areas reduce the unwanted Incorporation of air bubbles in the mix.

The hole-shaped recess of the impeller allows one hand the end areas of the stirring blades also in terms of production technology conditional manufacturing tolerances of the mixing vessel by elastic yielding and retreat, a tight To maintain contact with the mixing vessel inner wall. on the other hand is guaranteed so that the spreading function on the retracted Mixture is consistently effective. By the elastic Concerning the inner surface of the mixing vessel is continue a smooth running of the mixing tool in the mixing vessel reached. While the arcuate end portions at rest rest elastically on the inner wall of the mixing vessel, These differ by the pressure of the drawn material elastic back.

The taper of the mixing tool leads to its edge to a significant reduction in the agitator drive needed energy. Due to the almost symmetrical design of the mixing tool can do that in unsymmetrical Mixing tools occurring noisy slings a high-speed agitator can be avoided. It comes to a significant reduction in the working noise level during recipe making, which is for example in Pharmacies is very beneficial as the customer calls should not be disturbed as possible.

According to an advantageous embodiment, those are the lid or to the bottom of the mixing vessel facing Rührflügelflächen to the shape of the inner surfaces of the lid or the inner wall adapted to the soil. This design makes a more uniform Material feed between the end of the mixing tool and reaches the wall of the mixing room.

According to an expedient embodiment, the mixing vessel has a displaceable in the mixing vessel soil. Of the sliding floor serves to remove the mix. One multiple opening of the lid for removal and one with it Connected subsequent contamination of the mix can be effectively avoided in this way. With the sliding Soil can balance the volume before mixing be prepared when the amount of mix is less than the volume of the mixing vessel. At the same time will be on this Way the air from the mixing vessel largely displaced.

Preferably, as a mixing vessel a Schraubkruke with a cylindrical jar body used, which has an external thread has, on which a lid can be screwed. The Schraubkruke also has a sliding floor, whose outer edge merges into a sliding ring. The screwcock furthermore has a bottom opening with an inner ring, the as a stop edge for the sliding floor serves. The screw jar also serves as a dispensing container, whereby the transfer of the prepared mixture avoided can be.

Kruke has been the common name in pharmacies since time immemorial for ointment or ointment dispensing vessels, preferably in the field of recipe mixtures. Today the Jars are made of plastic and are made with content from 10, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 500 or 1000 ml in trade. For hygiene reasons, jugs may only be used once issued as a drug package and not withdrawn and refilled. They are thus disposable vessels, their simultaneous use as a preparation vessel itself special offers.

The mixing of the recipe ingredients in the closed System takes place under extensive exclusion of air. A decanting the finished recipe from a large mixing vessel in small dispensers deleted because the mixing vessel at the same time is used as a dispensing vessel.

There are two preferred embodiments for the mixing vessel. In a first advantageous embodiment, the lid of the Mixing vessel with the central opening for receiving the Drive shaft provided. In this case, the central opening serves at the same time as a removal opening. A second advantageous embodiment, the central opening provides for recording the drive shaft in the sliding floor before. At this Execution becomes an additional, closable removal opening needed in the lid. In further developed embodiments At the discharge opening, different applicators can be used be attached. This allows the mix to be dosed well, be introduced precisely or in body openings.

Fig. 1

eine vereinfachte Längsschnittansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform eines Mischgefäßes mit Mischwerkzeug;

Fig. 2

eine vereinfachte Längsschnittansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform des Mischgefäßes mit Mischwerkzeug;

Fig. 3

eine Querschnittansicht mit einer Ansicht von oben auf das Mischwerkzeug;

Fig. 4

eine Querschnittansicht mit einer Ansicht von unten auf das Mischwerkzeug;

Fig. 5

eine Querschnittansicht des Mischgefäßinnenraums während des Mischvorganges;

Fig. 6

eine Längsschnittansicht des Mischgefäßinnenraums während des Mischvorganges;

Fig. 7

eine Detaildarstellung der Endbereiche der Führflügel während ihres Anliegens an der zweiten Innenfläche der Begrenzungen des Mischgefäßes;

Fig. 8

eine Detaildarstellung der Endbereiche der Rührflügel während ihres Anliegens an Innenwandbereichen des Mischgefäßes.

Further advantages, details and developments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a simplified longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a mixing vessel with mixing tool;

Fig. 2

a simplified longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the mixing vessel with mixing tool;

Fig. 3

a cross-sectional view with a view from above of the mixing tool;

Fig. 4

a cross-sectional view with a view from below of the mixing tool;

Fig. 5

a cross-sectional view of the mixing vessel interior during the mixing process;

Fig. 6

a longitudinal sectional view of the mixing vessel interior during the mixing process;

Fig. 7

a detailed view of the end portions of the guide vanes during their concern on the second inner surface of the boundaries of the mixing vessel;

Fig. 8

a detailed representation of the end portions of the stirring blades during their concern to inner wall portions of the mixing vessel.

Fig. 1 shows a simplified longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a mixing vessel 1 with a mixing tool 2. The mixing vessel 1 is a cylindrically shaped Screw container. In the bottom of the Schraubkruke is a bottom opening 3, in which a stop, for example is enclosed in the form of an inner ring 4. Within the Schraubkruke can slide a sliding floor 5. Of the sliding floor 5 is slightly curved and has at his Outer edge of acting as a seal seal on (not ) Shown. The bottom 5 can be easily through the Bottom opening 3 are pushed upwards. Its outer edge seals against the inner wall 7 of Schraubkruke.

The upper portion of Schraubkruke 1 is with an external thread Mistake. On this external thread is a cover. 9 screwed, whose edge has an internal thread. in the Cover 9 is a central opening 11 through a closure plug 13 can be closed when the Stirring tool 2 was removed. The central opening 11 serves at the same time as a removal opening for the finished mix. The cylindrical available for mixing Mixing space extends between a lower inner surface. 6 and an upper inner surface 8.

The mixing tool 2 is secured against rotation at the end of a drive shaft 15 attached. The drive shaft 15 is for stirring introduced through the central opening 11 into the mixing vessel 1. The drive shaft 15 is at the other end with a variable speed Electric motor (not shown) connected, the provides the drive for the overall arrangement. In itself known manner be appropriate gear and coupling elements interposed.

It should be noted that drive shaft and mixing tool permanently or detachably connected to each other. In certain embodiments, the mixing tool may be referred to as Lost item to be designed and after the completion of the Stirring remain in the mixing vessel. In this case The Schraubkruke must not be opened, because only the drive shaft removed from the central opening must become.

Fig. 2 shows a simplified longitudinal sectional view of a Second embodiment of the mixing vessel 1 with the mixing tool 2. The mixing vessel 1 is in turn as a circular cylinder with executed a displaceable bottom 5. The movable one Soil 5 can be used to fill in the recipe ingredients be removed from the mixing vessel 1. The central opening 11 is in this embodiment in the displaceable Floor 5. Through the central opening 11, the drive shaft 15th guided, at the end of the mixing tool 2 is attached. On the mixing vessel side opposite the displaceable bottom 5 is a closable by means of sealing plug 13 Removal opening 19 arranged.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view with a view of on top of the mixing tool.

Fig. 4 shows the same mixing tool in a view of below. The mixing tool is in the illustrated embodiment a paddle stirrer 2 with two mutually in the axial direction the drive shaft offset stirrers mounted 21, 23, the overlapping connected in the drive shaft near area are. The impellers 21, 23 are as flat, in the plane of rotation essentially designed oval discs, which are Rejuvenate to the outer edge. In both stirring blades 21, 23 is in each case a passage opening or hole-shaped recess 25 introduced. The lid or bottom of the mixing vessel facing, outer Rührflügelflächen of the two Agitator 21, 23 are in their direction of rotation front area 27 inclined so that the material thickness for outer edge decreases. The on the opposite Sides of the impellers 21, 23 arranged Rührflügelflächen are in the rearward area in the direction of rotation 29 of the hole-shaped recess 25 inclined so that the material thickness decreases towards the recess 25. The arcuate End portions 31 of the stirring vanes 21, 23 are located on the inner wall 7 of the mixing vessel 1 elastic.

The turned to the lid or to the bottom of the mixing vessel Impeller surfaces are preferred to the shape of the inner surfaces 6, 8 of the lid or the floor adjusted. This can be a intensive material intake between these inner surfaces and the mixing tool 2 can be achieved.

Both impellers 21,23 are equipped with the areas 27, 29. The areas 27 promote the material feeder between the mixing tool 2 and during the mixing process in Axial direction of the drive shaft adjacent mixing vessel part.

Depending on the embodiment of the mixing vessel - so depending of whether the drive shaft through the ground or the Cover is inserted into the mixing vessel - this can be the Bottom 5 or the lid 9 be. The areas 29 effect the respective opposite inner surface of the mixing vessel the material feeder.

Before the actual mixing process is first through Moving the bottom 5 (see sliding arrows in Figs. 1 and 2) displaces as much air from the mixing vessel 1. By this measure, airborne germs as well as unwanted Air pockets and air oxidation largely excluded become. The mixing process is done with small numbers of revolutions started, mainly with ointments with solid ingredients gradually to one of the size of the mixing vessel. 1 dependent optimum number of revolutions is increased. The meaningful The number of revolutions is generally between 500 and 1200 revolutions per minute for the starting phase and up to 3000 Revolutions per minute to complete. The direction of rotation is preferably in accordance with that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 Round arrow provided.

An inexpensive and simple embodiment of the agitator sees the oscillating guidance of the mixing vessel by hand in front. In improved agitators, the mixing vessel of a lifting device automatically in an adjustable if necessary Rhythm up and down. Equivalent is it, the mixing tool at the determined mixing vessel up and remove.

After completion of the mixing process, the drive shaft 15 if necessary including mixing tool 2 removed and before the next Mixing process by means of hot water jet or by simple Wipe cleaned with pulp. To the cleaning effort However, there is also the possibility of reducing this Separate mixing tool 2 from the drive shaft 15 and only to clean this while the relatively inexpensive mixing tool 2 either remains in the mixing vessel 1 or removed and is discarded. The central opening 11 is closed, preferably by a mounted on the mixing vessel Closure plug 13.

For removal of the mix of the closure plug 13 of the central or removal opening removed. Preferably the removal of the mix by simply moving the Bottom well done with finger pressure. Collection devices, to use the primarily in quite liquid mix facilitate the dosage. For precise application on or in small or large body openings can be appropriate Applicators are used. These applicators regulate the discharge rate and thus allow a thrifty and safe dosage.

Preferably in mixing vessels having a large diameter have and are so long in height that the movable one Ground no longer through the user's thumb can be achieved, as a sliding and removal aid Pumping or rotating mechanism can be used. These helps also facilitate the refilling of stock prepared Mixed good in small dispensing vessels of the type described above Mixing vessel types. If previously the bottom of the to be filled Delivery container has been pushed close to the lid and with an adapter both discharge ports coupled together can be, the closed manufacturing system without maintain product-damaging air contact to the patient stay. The patient removes the mix, for example an ointment, hygienic, as from a tube, in relation to the multiple hygienic removal as reference packaging for Ointments is considered. Finally, these delivery vessels also in the large-scale ointment production by means of adapter connected and filled free of air.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the mixing vessel interior during the mixing process. The mixing tool 2 is two shown at different times, in about 90 ° staggered angular position. On the inner wall 7 of the mixing vessel 1 are the material intake areas 33. In this located between mixing tool 2 and inner wall 7 Areas is rotated by the mixing process Mixing tool 2 material retracted.

A longitudinal sectional view of the mixing vessel interior during of the mixing process, Fig. 6 can be seen. shown Three positions of the mixing tool are different from each other Time points, where in the upper and lower position Blending tool 2 at the top and bottom inner or Boundary surface 6, 8 of the mixing vessel is applied. During the Mixing occurs between these upper and lower boundary surfaces 6, 8 of the mixing vessel and the mixing tool 2 for material intake. By doing that to the boundary surfaces 6, 8 facing impeller surfaces preferably to the mold These boundary surfaces are adjusted, a more uniform Material feeder reached.

Furthermore, in Fig. 6 is still a time of mixing with in the middle of the mixing vessel 1 befindlichem mixing tool shown. As has already been explained with reference to FIG. 5, enters into between the mixing tool 2 and the main extension plane of the mixing tool vertically Interior wall 7 located areas throughout the mixing process Material feeder on.

Fig. 7 shows a detailed view of the end portions 31 of Agitator wing while in contact with the upper inner surface 8. As mentioned above finds between mixing tool 2 and upper inner surface 8 of the mixing vessel material intake instead, when the mixing tool is spent in the uppermost position. Fig. 7 also shows the effect of this material feed on the dispersion of the retracted, agglomerated material 35 are removed.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the end portion 31 of FIG Impeller during the concern on the inner wall portions. 7 of the mixing vessel 1. It is evident that at rest elastically on the inner wall 7 of the mixing vessel 1 fitting arcuate end portion 31 by the pressure of the retracted Material 35 elastically recedes and thus the indentation of outboard material allows.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 -

mixing vessel

2 -

mixing tool

3 -

bottom opening

4 -

inner ring

5 -

sliding floor

6 -

lower inner surface

7 -

inner wall

8th -

upper inner surface

9 -

cover

11 -

central opening

13 -

closing plug

15 -

drive shaft

19 -

removal opening

21 -

impellers

23 -

impellers

25 -

hole-shaped recess

27 -

in the direction of rotation located outside Range of agitator blades

29 -

in the direction of rotation located rearward Area of the hole-shaped recess

31 -

arcuate end portion of the impeller

33 -

Material catchment areas

35 -

retracted material

Claims (8)

Arrangement for the preparation of recipe mixtures with a variable speed agitator by a lid (9) closed mixing vessel (1) whose size to the desired amount of the recipe mixture is adjusted, and with a mixing tool (2), which via a through a Lockable central opening (11) of the mixing vessel can be driven through drive shaft (15) is driven and Spreading areas with material feed between the end areas and the opposite inner surfaces of the mixing vessel has, wherein the mixing vessel (1) and the mixing tool (2) during the preparation of the recipe mixture relative to each other in the axial direction of the drive shaft are movable. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing tool is a vane agitator (2) with two impellers (21, 23), which are offset in the axial direction of the drive shaft to each other and overlap in the drive shaft near area; that the stirring vanes (21, 23) each have flat and substantially oval disks in the plane of rotation, in each of which a recess (25) which passes through the stirring blade is formed; the stirring vanes have a material thickness decreasing towards the outer edge in the region (27) lying in the direction of rotation so that the sides of the stirring vanes facing away from this region (27) are inclined; and that the impellers are inclined in the rearward direction (29); and that the arcuate end regions (31) of the stirring vanes (21, 23) are elastically in contact or can be applied to the inner wall of the mixing vessel (1). Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mixing vessel (1) has a displaceable bottom (5). Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mixing vessel (1) is a Schraubkruke, with a cylindrical jar body, a lid screwed thereon (9) and a displaceable in the jar body bottom (5), at its outer edge a Has sliding ring and finds its stop on an inner ring of the bottom opening (3) of the jaw body, wherein the Schraubkruke is also usable as a dispensing vessel. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the lid (9) with the central opening (11) is provided, which also serves as a removal opening. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the displaceable bottom (5) with the central opening (11) is provided, and that the displaceable bottom (5) opposite mixing vessel side acts as an integral lid with the body of the jar and a closable removal opening (19) , Arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the removal opening (11, 19) is designed for fastening different applicators. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the mixing tool (2) is releasably secured to the drive shaft (15).

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