EP2480322A1

EP2480322A1 - Programmable mixer and method for the operation thereof

Info

Publication number: EP2480322A1
Application number: EP10760288A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Matthias Konietzko; Albrecht Konietzko
Original assignee: Gako Konietzko GmbH
Current assignee: Gako Konietzko GmbH
Priority date: 2009-09-23
Filing date: 2010-09-17
Publication date: 2012-08-01
Also published as: JP2013505126A; DE102009044077A1; US20120269029A1; BR112012006580A2; WO2011036098A1; JP5536217B2; RU2012115916A; RU2570452C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a programmable mixer for producing pharmaceutical or cosmetic recipes and a method for controlling the same. The mixer comprises a controller, a motor-driven mixing unit having a mixing tool engaging in a mixing vessel, and a lift unit. The lift unit induces an axial relative motion between the mixing tool and the mixing vessel, in order to displace the mixing tool in the mixing vessel between an upper and a lower end position, at a constant lift speed. The control method thereby also comprises counting the lift strokes performed by the lift unit during an initial mixing process for each mixing period, and using at least the identifying data determined in the initial mixing process during a repeated mixing process, wherein the identification data matching the recipe are read in, and the number of lift strokes per mixing period determined in the initial stirring process is used as identical or scaled for implementing the corresponding mixing period of the repeated mixing process.

Description

PROGRAM CONTROLLED RUHRGERAT AND METHOD OF OPERATING THEREOF

The invention relates to a method for controlling a program-controlled stirring device for the production of pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulations. Furthermore, the invention relates to a stirring device for carrying out such a method. Generic agitators include a control unit, a motor-driven stirring unit with a stirrer ^¬ tool, which engages in a mixing vessel, and a Hubein ^{¬ unit} . The lifting unit causes an axial relative movement between the stirring tool and the mixing vessel in order to displace the stirring tool in the mixing vessel between an upper and a lower end position at a constant lifting speed.

For example, on medical prescription pharmaceutical and cosmetic individual formulations of ointments, powder mixtures, gels and the like are produced. In the individual preparation of such formulations, which is usually done in pharmacies, the ingredients of the recipe are manually mixed together by conventional methods. In addition to the risk of contamination of the substances to be produced by the manual procedure, there is also the problem that the conditions under which the mixing of the individual substances takes place, are not reproducible and undocumented. In the case of multiple preparations of similar formulations, this can result in considerable differences in quality which, not least, can have an effect on the effectiveness of the formulation.

More recently, the use of

program-controlled agitators also enforced in pharmacies, because they make it possible to deliver recipes with consistent top quality, even with repeated production.

From DE 196 41 972 Cl is a stirring device for stirring,

Mixing, crushing o. known, which has a stirring unit and a lifting unit to semi-automatically mix with a stirring tool in a mixing container certain substances, so that in the result the desired recipe

is present. With this device, it is possible to manually vary the stirring speed, the stirring time, the stroke rate and the lifting speed within certain limits in order to optimally adapt them to special types of recipes. The disadvantage of this known device is that the optima ^¬ len parameters of different mixing processes can be stored not in order are not available over a longer period and therefore must be re-entered each time making the recipe.

From DE 31 26 552 Al a method for controlling stirring processes is known. It is based on the viscosity of a

Substance the optimal power consumption of the stirrer gere ^¬ gelt. In addition, the viscosity during the stirring process can be determined continuously. From EP 1 324 820 Bl a method for using a program-controlled agitator is known in which initially variable and constant data are read. The variable data defines the category of the recipe to be prepared as well as the size of the mixing vessel or the amount of the recipe. The constant data are specified in a data store and contain basic values for the stirring time and the Rührge ^¬ speed for different categories of recipes and sizes of mixing vessels. From the read data will be Stirring time and stirring speed for producing the gewünsch ^¬ th amount of the recipe determined by linking the variable and constant data. With the determined data, the stirring unit is controlled accordingly and the recipe Herge ^¬ provides. After completion of the recipe production, the control parameters used are stored in a data memory for a later re-production of the same recipe in the same amount, together with identification data of the recipe produced. In addition, the applied control parameters and / or identification data are output in electronic and / or printed form via data output means. For individual recipes, for which no basic values in

Data storage are stored or they should not be adopted unchanged, the operator must individually program the stirring time and speed of the mixing tool. If at a later time a modified amount of such an individual formulation is needed, the operator must find new values, at least for the stirring time. The quality of Herge ^¬ presented formulation can vary depending on the amount produced by what is not desired.

The object of the invention is to make individual formulations once prepared or standardized formulations reproducible in consistent quality, regardless of the quantity of formulation to be prepared or the size of the mixing vessel used.

The object is achieved by a method for controlling a program-controlled stirring device having the features of patent claim 1 or by a program-controlled stirring device having the features of claim 8. A program-controlled mixer, with which the fiction, modern ^¬ method is useful, includes initially in a known manner a control unit, a motor-driven Rührein ^¬ integrated with a stirring tool, which in a mixing vessel

engages and a lifting unit. The lifting unit causes an axial relative movement between the stirring tool and the mixing vessel in order to displace the stirring tool in the mixing vessel between an upper and a lower end position with a preferably constant lifting speed.

According to the method according to the invention, the steps described below are carried out:

First, a Erstrührprozess for Erstrezeptur is ^¬ leads, said input values or default values that are used for the stirring time and the rotational speed of the stirring each stirring period. In this case, preferably up to six consecutive stirring periods can be used.

During this Erührührprozesses performed by the moving at a preferably constant speed lifting unit strokes per stirring period are counted. Depending on the definition, a stroke is to be understood as meaning the complete passage of an axial displacement of the stirring tool between the upper and lower end positions in the mixing vessel or between two identical end positions. The number of strokes is determined by a suitable counter. By counting the strokes carried out during the first stirring process, a particularly simple and effective Wiederholrührprozess also for

different amounts and Rührgefäßgrößen possible by the number of strokes is repeated at the corresponding ^¬ speeds in the Wiederholrührprozess without having to convert to a different amount or size of the mixing vessel must. No scaling or conversion is necessary to achieve an optimal mixing result even if the quantity is changed

achieve. Subsequently, a storage of identification ^¬ data for the prepared first formulation. This identifica ^¬ approximate data include at least the predetermined number of strokes per period of stirring and the speeds used per stirring period. It is not necessary for this, for example, that the number of strokes is included as unchanged numerical value in the identification data. For example, the specific number of strokes can be encrypted in a code or added converted and then the iden ^¬ approximate data using certain factors in a time value. In addition, the size of the mixing vessel can be stored to the identification data.

But this is not mandatory.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, input values for the entire stirring process are entered for the preparation of the initial formulation, wherein already during the input

Presets are selected. Here, the input is preferably carried out as follows: input of the mixing vessel size (or the quantity of the recipe to be prepared) and then the input of stirring speed (eg by specifying the speed to be applied) and stirring time per stirring period. The input can also be made via an internal memory location or a so-called identification number, in which these input values are stored in encrypted form. If this Erstrezeptur now be prepared again in a different discharge amount, a Wiederholrührprozess is performed, according to the invention determined in Erstrührprozess stroke rate per stirring period regardless of the size of the Mixing vessel and the amount of the recipe is used. For this purpose, the previously stored identification data are used. The identification data are read in either from the internal memory or by entering an ident number.

It has surprisingly been found that the reproduction of a recipe with the number of strokes per stirring period determined in the first stirring process leads to a very good mixing result, irrespective of the size of the mixing vessel used and the amount of repeat formulation. There are no or very simple scaling calculations required for the repeated production of the recipe in a modified amount.

The advantages of the invention are to be seen in particular in the fact that, with different sizes of the mixing vessels or amounts of the formulations to be produced, no scaling over the time of the individual stirring periods is required. The quality of the formula prepared is determined by the invention

Dispensing with a manual scaling of the stirring time and instead the control of the stirring time on the number of strokes detected during the first ^¬ recipe irrespective of the amount produced. Consistent results are achieved even if, in Wiederholrührprozessen the mixing vessel is more or less filled with substances.

Due to the different rotational speeds at the edge of the mixing tool at different sizes of mixing vessels scaling for different mixing vessels ^¬ completely eliminated for the same number of strokes. By using larger mixing tools you need for a consistently good result, for example, for a recipe with 300 ml less stirring time than for a recipe with 50 ml. Due to the fact that larger mixing vessels a higher Angular velocity of the tips (outer ends) of the mixing tools (preferably paddle) is achieved at the same speed of the stirrer, the energy input per gram of a recipe in a larger mixing vessel with the same number of strokes is at least the same, if not higher. in the

The result is the quality at least as good, if not better than a smaller mixing vessel.

Since the stroke length is longer with larger mixing vessels, the stirring time is scaled up almost automatically. This is particularly advantageous when using mixing vessels with a movable floor. There must be no determination of the actual amount of the recipe and conversion to the

required stirring time, since the lifting unit automatically detects upper and lower end position (or this is set manually) and the shortening of the stroke with adjusted floor, the stirring time is automatically adjusted by counting the executed strokes to the effectively used mixing vessel size. For the first time ever, a consistently high quality is ensured, even if larger mixing vessels are not completely filled and an adjustment of the stirring time determined by the operator is dispensed with.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the identification data are output after the first running process.

This can be done on a monitor or on a

Printer done. The output can be carried out as an encrypted number / letter combination or, for example, as a barcode or square Aztec code, which are printed on a label or output to a monitor and optionally additionally stored in a memory. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an output of modified identification data takes place. These can, for example, be printed out (numeric / letter combination, barcode, Aztec code) or otherwise output (USB, memory card ...). Such modified identification data are output as a so-called identification number, for example with the following information:

The size of the mixing vessel in a decimal number from 1 to 9 (1: 15 ml, 2: 20 ml, 3: 30 ml, 4: 50 ml, 5: 100 ml, 6: 200 ml, 7: 300 ml, 8: 500 ml, 9: 0 to 500 ml).

The next statement includes the speed and dazugehö ^¬ engined time for a period of stirring. The rotational speed can thereby be output preferably stepwise 0-2400 Flip Cellphone relationships ^¬ / min in 10 stages.

Overall, for example, six stirring periods can be detected. The duration of the individual stirring periods is intended for orientation of the user of the mixer and is not relevant to the reproduction of the recipe. However, the user is habitually oriented to stirring times, so that they are easier to understand for him than information on the number of strokes. For the purpose of outputting the modified identification data, the duration of the stirring periods is determined from the stored number of strokes at a known lifting speed. The measurement of the stirring time during the execution of the stirring process can thus be dispensed with. The time values output to the user are calculated by the device from the specific number of strokes and stored as identification data.

Another component of the Ident number is the

Total number of strokes performed. For each identification number, the device preferably additionally stores the actual number of processed strokes per stirring period. Also a separate output can be made. In carrying out the Wiederholrezeptur is now the

Stirring device or the Rühreinheit with the predetermined by the Identifizie ^¬ tion data speeds per stirring period driven, wherein in each stirring period, the strokes of the lifting unit are counted and on reaching the number of strokes of Erstrührprozesses the next stirring period is initiated.

The input of the identification data (Ident number) in the production of a repeating recipe can be via a

Keyboard, or other input media (scanner, memory card o. The like.) Made

A scaling function is only required if certain speeds are not available due to the size of the mixing vessel. For large agitators very high speeds can not be used if unwanted forces should be avoided due to imbalances. For this reason, it is advantageous if at the beginning of a Wiederholrührprozes ^¬ ses the mixing vessel size actually used determined (eg on the stroke length) or is entered (eg on the amount of the recipe) to the large stirring vessels required in large mixing vessels not with unacceptably high speeds to operate. It should be remembered at this point that the stirring tools of such devices are adapted to the diameter of the mixing vessels to allow rubbing operations on the wall and to achieve a complete, uniform mixing of the mix. Preferably a Safe ^¬ integral function ensures the agitator that an operation is ruled out with excessive speeds. So if the maximum speed stage is set for a particular mixing ^¬ vessel size, a correction factor must increase the number of strokes accordingly if the process against the Erstrühr- a reduced speed must be used.

Programs that z. B. for 50 ml at a speed of 8 or 9 provide a number of strokes of 10, would then for 300 or 500 ml (at this size, the speed level 8 or 9 verbo ^¬ th) at a speed level 7, a stroke rate of 12 or 14th run through. Scaling can be done by a mathematical

Context be described and executed by the microprocessor of the mixer. It is also possible to store a value table, which is used for scaling.

In order to output a modified ID number matching a specific mixing vessel, the user can be asked for the size of the mixing vessel used after completion of the stirring process or the size is determined by suitable sensors. But it is not zwin ^¬ quietly required for further reproduction, another ID number with others

Store mixing vessel size, as long as the data of the Errühr- process are known.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be checked at the end of the repeat stirring process whether at least the total stroke number of the first stirring process or the specific stroke rates per stirring period have been reached. at

If the required number of strokes is not reached, a warning signal can be output to alert the operator to the quality of the recipe.

Claims

Method for controlling a program-controlled stirring device for the repeated production of pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulations; wherein the stirring device comprises:

a control unit;

- A motor-driven stirring unit with a stirring ^¬ tool, which is trapped in a mixing vessel;

- A lifting unit, which an axial relative movement

between stirring and mixing vessel causes to move the stirring tool in the mixing vessel between an upper and a lower end position with a preferably constant lifting speed;

the method comprising the steps of:

- Performing a Erstrührprozesses for a Erstrezeptur, using input values and / or default values at least for the stirring time and the speed of the stirring ^¬ tool per stirring period;

- Counting during the Erührührprozesses of the

Lifting unit executed strokes per stirring period;

- storing identification data containing at least the counted number of strokes per stirring period and the number of revolutions per stirring period;

- Perform a Wiederholrührprozesses for a Wieder ^¬ holrezeptur using at least the im

Erstrührprozess certain identification data, with the recipe matching identification data are read and the strokes counted in the Erührührprozess each stirring period are used identically or scaled to perform the corresponding stirring period of the Wiederholrührprozesses.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification data are output after the Erührührprozess.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that an output of modified identification data is carried out, which include the speed and stirring duration per stirring period, wherein the stirring time from the determined number of strokes per stirring period and the predetermined lifting speed is determined.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the modified identification data further comprise the size of the mixing vessel and the total stroke number

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upper and lower end position of the stirring ^¬ tool is determined from the size of the mixing vessel.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the upper and lower end position of the stirring tool is determined in mixing ^¬ vessels with a sliding bottom from the position of the soil.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a scaling function is used to adjust the number of strokes when certain speeds are prohibited for certain mixing vessel sizes.

8. A program-controlled stirring device with a control unit, a motor-driven stirring unit with a stirring tool, which engages in a mixing vessel, and a lifting unit, which causes an axial relative movement between the mixing tool and mixing vessel to the stirring tool in the mixing vessel between an upper and a lower end position with a to shift constant lifting speed, characterized in that it is configured for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Stirrer according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises means for determining the traversed during individual periods of stirring strokes of the lifting unit and means for storing and outputting these specific Hubanzahlen together with applied speeds.

10. Stirrer according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises means for scaling a number of strokes, which cause an increase in the predetermined number of strokes by a scaling factor, when the predetermined number of strokes associated speed of the stirring tool is not possible.