EP2310118B1 - Dosing system and method for the dosing of a medium - Google Patents

Abstract

A dosing system and a method for dosing a medium, having a dosing control unit (4), at least one exchangeable container (2) containing a medium to be dosed, and a dosing valve (3, 3′) that can be connected to the container (2), wherein at least one part of the dosing valve (3, 3′) that comes into contact with the medium is designed as an exchangeable system component (7, 10) and has a machine-readable code for identification purposes, wherein at least one container (2), as an exchangeable system component (2), has a machine-readable code for identification purposes, wherein the exchangeable parts (2, 7, 10, 19) that come into contact with the medium are designed as disposable parts, and wherein the dosing control unit (4) is connected with a communication unit (5) to read the codes, and wherein the communication unit (5) has a unique read connection (22) to each exchangeable system component (2, 7, 10, 19) or its code.

Description

The invention relates to a metering system with a metering control, at least one replaceable container containing a medium to be metered and a metering valve connectable to the container, at least one part of the metering valve coming into contact with the medium being designed as an exchangeable system component and a machine-readable coding for identification wherein the at least one container has as a replaceable system component a machine-readable coding for identification, and wherein the dosing control is connected to a communication unit for reading the codings.

The invention further relates to a method for dosing a medium arranged in an exchangeable container of a dosing system, which is supplied to a dosing container controlled by a dosing control via a dosing valve connected to the container.

Dosing systems can have exchangeable system components, such as containers (eg bags) with a medium to be metered and valves to be connected to the containers.

Such dosing systems are used for mixing paints, fragrances, foods, pharmaceutical and biotechnological products.

From the US 2008/0173668 A1 a metering system with a control and regulating unit or dosing control and a method is known which comprises at least one replaceable container containing a medium to be metered and a metering valve which can be connected to the container. Both the container and the metering valve have a readable by a communication unit coding for identification. In this case, at least one feature feature or state feature in the control unit or in a separate arithmetic unit with at least one threshold and possibly the dosing be interrupted.

The disadvantage here is that in the known system, the metering amount and time or the volume to be metered is determined and controlled relatively complex about to be determined flow parameters. Another disadvantage is that in a plurality of interchangeable system components whose codes are read out via a common read connection to the communication unit, which can lead to errors.

From the US Pat. No. 7,052,603 B2 a metering system is known in which a plurality of containers containing a medium to be metered, which are designed as replaceable disposable bags, interconnected via a hose system and connected by a pump with a target container. Each of the disposable bags is followed by its own metering valve. The Dosing valves and the pump are controlled by a dosing control.

The disadvantage here is that it can not be ensured that when replacing a disposable bag each of the correct and intended container is connected.

Also from the DE 602 17 201 D2 a metering system with a metering control is known, wherein a plurality of replaceable containers or disposable bags via a hose system with a target container, such as a syringe, which simultaneously forms a controllable pump to connect. As valves while hose or clamping valves are used, which are controlled by a dosing.

This metering system also has the disadvantages described above.

From the EP 1 950 538 A2 is a dosing system for dosing of color components known. The individual color components are each fed from a storage container to a permanently installed and connected to a balance (intermediate) container. With the aid of compressed air, the color components are supplied from their containers via an output line and a metering valve connected to the output line to a common target container whose weight can also be controlled by a balance.

The disadvantage here is that when replacing the reservoir a confusion can not be excluded.

Another disadvantage is that additional permanently installed (intermediate) container are necessary, which are connected as a weighing container each with a balance.

Furthermore, from the WO 00/42969 A1 a device and a method for monitoring the quality and for the identification of in a container, preferably a plastic bag, stored liquid medium known. A bag-shaped container for storing blood, blood plasma, injection solutions or the like has a pocket in contact with the container interior, in which sensors for temperature measurements are arranged. In this bag, an integrated circuit is also provided, on which a processor unit is arranged, which is connected to the sensors. A connection to a computer is provided via a communication interface.

The disadvantage here is that although the correct storage of the medium in the container can be controlled, but not the further use of the container within a metering system.

From the US Pat. No. 7,259,675 B2 also published as US 2005/0205658 a process device monitoring system is known in which individual process devices or system components, for example a pump, which is connected via a line to a container, and a valve, which is also connected via a second line to the container, each a transponder or . Have an RFID tag with a readable encoding. The codings can be read out with a separate, manually operated reader and save it in a database.

The disadvantage here is that although it is possible to check whether the permissible and intended system components are present, it is not possible to check whether they are arranged at the intended location, since the reader must be brought to the transponder by hand. In particular, the correct assignment can no longer be determined with the known device in the case of more than two system components with transponders, and manual operator errors can not be ruled out.

From the WO 2005/107933 A1 is a metering system with a metering control and a plurality of annularly arranged containers with media to be metered, each having a metering valve at its outlet opening known. The individual containers can be filled in a filling position via an attachable refill container. The refill container may have a machine-readable encoding, the content of the dosing control can be supplied. The disadvantage here is that for safe operation, the containers and their metering valves can not be replaced. Thus, the containers are not suitable for use as a disposable container.

From the JP 2003 165117 A a dosing system for filling powdery media from a plurality of containers is known, in which the containers each have a fixed to a chain punch card, which is readable via a punch card reader.

The object of the present invention is to improve the known metering systems and methods for metering in such a way that it is ensured that only permissible system components provided for the metering process are connected to one another. In particular, the security of the communication with the system components should be increased and the safety against the environment.

The object concerning the dosing system is achieved in conjunction with the features of the preamble of claim 1 in that the exchangeable parts coming into contact with the medium are designed as disposable parts, and that the communication unit has a separate read connection to each replaceable system component or its coding.

Characterized in that the coming into contact with the medium part of the metering valve is designed as a replaceable system component and has a machine-readable coding for identification, the container as a further replaceable system component, which also has a machine-readable coding for identification of the dosing with the help of a communication unit and the permissibility of the used replaceable system components are checked.

This can reliably prevent unsuitable unintended system components from being used. Thus, for example, it can also be ensured that metering valves are always used to maintain the type purity only for one type of liquid or one medium.

The communication connection's own read connection to each interchangeable system component or its coding increases the security of the communication. The reading connection can be produced in particular by an adjacent reading device or antenna assigned to the coding or system component. As a result, especially with more than two replaceable system components with codings, a reliable allocation of the system components and their codings by the communication unit is achieved.

The design of the replaceable parts as disposable parts, it is possible to sterilize them and deliver them in sterile packaging. In addition, a cleaning of the disposable parts is unnecessary and also a contamination of the environment with the medium can be better avoided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of containers are provided as interchangeable system components, which are fixedly connected to their associated with the medium coming into contact part of the metering valve, wherein the container with the fixed part of the metering valve with them only one machine-readable Have coding for identification.

If the parts in contact with the medium are firmly connected to their containers, one coding suffices for identifying the container and the valve.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a pump is provided in which at least the part coming into contact with the medium to be delivered is designed as an exchangeable system component and has a machine-readable coding.

In this way, a pump or the part coming into contact with the medium to be delivered can be integrated into the dosing system as a further exchangeable system component and likewise checked by the dosing control for the admissibility of its use.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the metering control is connected to a system component memory in which at least the codings of the exchangeable system components can be stored. By depositing the codes in a system component memory allocated, for example, to the dosing control, the codes or identification data are still available for documentation purposes even after the replacement of system components.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, dosing information can also be stored in the system component memory which can serve for controlling the dosing process of the dosing control.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the coding is formed as a bar code of a label. However, the coding can also be stored as an identification code stored in an identification memory be educated. The use of an identification memory has the advantage that the identification memory having the coding via the communication unit is not only readable but also writable. As a result, blocking information can also be written into the identification memory, which can prevent repeated inadmissible use.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the identification memory is designed as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a transponder or an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the metering valve consists of a separate valve part which can be integrated into a hose system for single use and of a reusable actuator which can be controlled by the metering control. The metering valve can be designed as a pinch valve, flap valve, slide valve or a diaphragm valve.

However, the metering valve can also be designed as a solenoid valve, which is connected, for example, contactlessly via a magnetic coil enclosing the solenoid valve. In this case, the magnetic coil can be used simultaneously as an antenna of a transponder reader.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pump also consists of a separate pump part for single use which can be integrated into a tube system and a reusable drive which can be controlled by the dosing control.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pump has a replaceable hose of a hose pump or a replaceable pump head of a rotary or pressure piston pump or a diaphragm pump as a separate pump part.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a weighing the weight of the container is provided as a metering sensor. However, it is also possible in addition or instead to arrange a target container receiving the medium to be metered on or on a balance which forms a metering sensor.

This has the advantage that residual quantities in a supply line or hose system arranged downstream of the container can not falsify the measurement result.

The task with respect to the method is achieved by a method for dosing a arranged in a replaceable container of a dosing medium, which is controlled by a dosing connected via a metering valve connected to the container to a target container, wherein prior to the beginning of the dosing machine-readable codes, the interchangeable with the medium coming into contact and trained as disposable parts

System components are arranged, read by a communication unit via their own read connections and the admissibility of the use of the codings having system components is checked by the communicating unit in communication with the dosing.

This can reliably prevent unsuitable unintended system components from being used. Thus, e.g. It must also be ensured that metering valves are always used to maintain the purity of the variety only for one fluid type or one medium. If incorrect or impermissible system components are used, the dosing process can be aborted or blocked and the event saved.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, to check the permissibility of the use of system components (for example, single use, correct allocation of metering valve and components, correct component), their coding from the metering with in a system component memory and / or an identification memory of the system components and / or compared with data stored in a database.

In the case of impermissible system components, the dosing process is aborted or blocked. In this case, at least in the memory allocated to the impermissible system components, a blocking note can be written. The lockout ensures that the invalid system components are not reused.

The identification data of the container can be stored in the system component memory and / or identification memory of the dosing valve connected to the container and / or in a database

Dosing information about the dosing process can be stored in particular for documentation in the system component memory and / or identification memory and / or a database. This allows traceability of the dosing process to the manufacturer.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example.

Figur 1:

eine schematische Darstellung eines Dosiersystems,

Figur 2:

eine schematische Darstellung eines weiteren Dosiersystems,

Figur 3:

eine schematische Darstellung eines Dosiersystems mit mehreren Behältern und

Figur 4:

eine schematische Darstellung eines Dosiersystems mit mehreren Behältern, die an einem Lastarm einer gemeinsamen Waage angeordnet sind,

Figur 5:

eine schematische Darstellung eines Verfahrensablaufes vor Beginn des Dosiervorganges.

Figur 6:

eine schematische Darstellung eines alternativen Verfahrensablaufes vor Beginn des Dosiervorganges und

Figur 7:

eine schematische Darstellung eines weiteren alternativen Verfahrensablaufes vor Beginn des Dosiervorganges.

In the drawings show:

FIG. 1:

a schematic representation of a dosing system,

FIG. 2:

a schematic representation of another dosing system,

FIG. 3:

a schematic representation of a metering system with multiple containers and

FIG. 4:

a schematic representation of a metering system with a plurality of containers, which are arranged on a load arm of a common scale,

FIG. 5:

a schematic representation of a process flow before the start of dosing.

FIG. 6:

a schematic representation of an alternative process flow before the start of dosing and

FIG. 7:

a schematic representation of another alternative process flow before the start of dosing.

A dosing system 1 essentially consists of a container 2, a dosing valve 3, a dosing control 4 and a communication unit 5.

According to the embodiment of the FIG. 1 the container 2 and the metering valve 3 each have an identification memory 6 with an individual machine-readable coding for identification. The identification memory 6 is preferably part of a transponder which can be read out by the communication unit 5 and is also writable.

The container 2 is formed in the embodiments as a flexible disposable bag containing the medium to be dispensed and forms a replaceable system component.

The metering valve 3 consists of a coming into contact with the medium separate valve member 7, which is designed for single use and forms a replaceable system component, and from a reusable controllable by the metering control 4 actuator. 8

The container 2 can be connected to a balance 9, which determines its weight and works as a dosing sensor, which forwards its determined values to the dosing control 4.

The metering valve 3 'of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is formed as a solenoid valve 10 which carries the identification memory 6 and forms the exchangeable system component which comes into contact with the medium. The solenoid valve 10 is enclosed by a magnetic coil 11 which switches the magnetic valve 10 without contact and is in communication with the metering control 4.

According to the embodiments of the Figures 2 . 3 and 4 the communication unit 5 has the identification memories 6 upstream antennas 12, which are connected via lines 13 in each case with the communication unit 5.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 shows a dosing system 1 "with a plurality (for example three) of containers 2, for example three containers 2, which are connected via a hose system 14 to a target container 15. The containers 2 can each be connected to a balance associated with the dosing control 4 9. Additionally or alternatively, the target container 15 is on a weighing pan 16 a balance 17 is arranged, which is also designed as a dosing and is in communication with the dosing control 4. The target container 15 is preceded by a pump 18, which has a separate pump part 19 for single use and as a replaceable system component also has an identification memory 6, and from a reusable, controllable by the dosing control 4 drive 20th

The embodiment of FIG. 4 shows a metering system 1 "'with a plurality (for example, three) of containers 2, which are arranged on a common load receiver of the balance 9'. A metering must be carried out sequentially in time.

Before the start of the dosing process according to the Figures 5 . 6 and 7 the codes of the system components 2, 7, 10, 19 and the corresponding data are read from a system component memory 21 connected to the dosing control 4.

By comparing the data read out, an allowable use check, i. if the data agree, if the use is permitted, if the data does not match, the use is inadmissible.

In the case of improper use of system components 2, 7, 10, 19, the metering process is blocked or terminated. Furthermore, a blocking of the impermissible system components as well as a writing of a blocking notation into the respective identification memory 6 can take place. In addition, a blocking note can be made in the system component memory 21.

With permissible use of the system components 2, 7, 10, 19, a readout of further information of the system components 2, 7, 10, 19 associated memory, ie in particular the identification memory 6. This takes place a check for any blocking or usage notes. As far as blocking or use notes are present, there is a blockage of the dosing and a writing other blocking notes. If no blocking or use note is available, the start of the actual dosing process is released.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1 ", 1" '

dosing

2

container

3, 3 '

metering valve

4

Dosing Control

5

communication unit

6

identification memory

7

separate valve part from 3

8th

Actuator of 3

9, 9 '

Libra

10

Solenoid valve of 3 '

11

Magnetic coil of 3 '

12

Antenna of 5

13

management

14

hose system

15

target containers

16

pan

17

Libra

18

pump

19

Pump part of 18

20

Drive of 18

21

System Components Memory

22

read connection

Claims (21)

1. A dosing system having a dosing control unit (4), at least one exchangeable container (2) containing a medium to be dosed, and a dosing valve (3, 3') that can be connected to the container (2),
   wherein at least one part of the dosing valve (3, 3') that comes into contact with the medium is designed as an exchangeable system component (7, 10) and has a machine-readable code for identification purposes,
   wherein the at least one container (2), as an exchangeable system component (2), has a machine-readable code for identification purposes, and
   wherein the dosing control unit (4) is connected with a communication unit (5) to read the codes,
   characterized in that
   the exchangeable parts (2, 7, 10, 19) that come into contact with the medium are designed as disposable parts, and
   that the communication unit (5) has a dedicated read connection (22) to each exchangeable system component (2, 7, 10, 19) or its code.
2. A dosing system according to Claim 1
   characterized in that
   a plurality of containers (2) are provided as exchangeable system components (2) that are fixedly connected with the part of the dosing valve (3, 3') that is assigned to them and that comes into contact with the medium,
   wherein each of the containers (2) with the part of the dosing valve (3, 3') fixedly connected to them has only one machine-readable code for identification purposes.
3. A dosing system according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   a pump (18) is provided in which at least the part that comes into contact with the medium to be transported is designed as an exchangeable system component (19) and has a machine-readable code.
4. A dosing system according to any of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   the dosing control unit (4) is connected to a system component memory (21) in which at least the codes of the exchangeable system components (2, 7, 10, 19) can be stored.
5. A dosing system according to Claim 4,
   characterized in that
   dosing information can be stored in the system component memory (21).
6. A dosing system according to any of Claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that
   the coding takes the form of a bar code on a label.
7. A dosing system according to any of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that
   the coding takes the form of an identification code stored in an identification memory (6).
8. A dosing system according to Claim 7,
   characterized in that
   the identification memory (6) having the code is writable via the communication unit (5).
9. A dosing system according to Claim 7 or 8,
   characterized in that
   the identification memory (6) is an EEPROM or a transponder.
10. A dosing system according to any of Claims 1 to 9,
    characterized in that
    the parts that come into contact with the medium are sterilizable.
11. A dosing system according to any of Claims 1 to 10,
    characterized in that
    the dosing valve (3, 3') consists of a separate, disposable valve part (7) that can be integrated into a tubing system, and of a reusable actuator (8) that can be controlled by the dosing control unit (4).
12. A dosing system according to any of Claims 1 to 11,
    characterized in that
    the dosing valve (3) is designed as a pinch valve, flap valve, slide valve or diaphragm valve.
13. A dosing system according to any of Claims 3 to 12,
    characterized in that
    the pump (18) consists of a separate, disposable pump part (19) that can be integrated into a tubing system (14), and a reusable drive (20) that can be controlled by the dosing control unit (4).
14. A dosing system according to Claim 13.
    characterized in that
    the pump (18) has a separate pump part (19) consisting of an exchangeable tube of a peristaltic pump, or an exchangeable pump head of a centrifugal or piston pump or of a diaphragm pump.
15. A dosing system according to any of Claims 1 to 14,
    characterized in that
    there are provided, as dosing sensors, a scale (9, 9') monitoring the weight of the container (2), and/or a scale (17) monitoring the weight of a target container (15) that receives the medium to be dosed.
16. A method for dosing a medium arranged in an exchangeable container (2) of a dosing system (1, 1', 1", 1"'), said medium being supplied to a target container (15) via a dosing valve (3, 3') connected to the container (2), under the control of a dosing control unit (4), wherein prior to the start of the dosing process machine-readable codes arranged on exchangeable system components (2, 7, 10, 19) that come into contact with the medium and that are designed as disposable parts, are read by a communication unit (5) via in each case dedicated read connections (22), and the permissibility of using the system components (2, 7, 10, 19) having the codes is verified by the dosing control unit (4) connected to the communication unit (5).
17. A method according to Claim 16
    characterized in that
    in order to verify the permissibility of using system components (2, 7, 10, 19), their codes are compared by the dosing control unit (4) with data stored in a system component memory (21) and/or in an identification memory (6) of the system components (2, 7, 10, 19) and/or in a database.
18. A method according to Claim 17,
    characterized in that
    in the case of non-permitted system components (2, 7, 10, 19) the dosing process is discontinued.
19. A method according to Claim 18,
    characterized in that
    in the case of non-permitted system components (2, 7, 10, 19) a blocking notice is written at least in the memory assigned to the non-permitted system components.
20. A method according to any of Claims 17 to 19,
    characterized in that
    the identification data of the container (2) are stored in the system component memory (21) and/or the identification memory (6) of the dosing valve (3, 3') connected with the container.
21. A method according to any of Claims 17 to 20,
    characterized in that
    dosing information regarding the dosing process is stored in the system component memory (21) and/or the identification memory (6) and/or a database.

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