EP2490649B1 - Machine and method for filling and closing capsules, in particular capsules made of hard gelatin - Google Patents

Machine and method for filling and closing capsules, in particular capsules made of hard gelatin Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2490649B1
EP2490649B1 EP10759882.3A EP10759882A EP2490649B1 EP 2490649 B1 EP2490649 B1 EP 2490649B1 EP 10759882 A EP10759882 A EP 10759882A EP 2490649 B1 EP2490649 B1 EP 2490649B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
capsules
capsule
conveying wheel
conveying
filling
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EP10759882.3A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2490649A1 (en
Inventor
Werner Runft
Ralf Schmied
Timm Sattler
Martin Vogt
Martin Wunderlich
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J3/00—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms
    • A61J3/07—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use
    • A61J3/071—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use into the form of telescopically engaged two-piece capsules
    • A61J3/074—Filling capsules; Related operations

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a machine and to a method for filling and closing capsules, in particular consisting of hard gelatin, according to the preambles of the independent claims.
  • Such a machine is from the DE 10 2004 048 007 A1 known.
  • processing stations are arranged on the circulation path of a cyclically rotating in one direction conveyor wheel at uniform angular intervals, which are approached by the respective one particular angle step exporting conveyor wheel gradually.
  • a device is required within the processing station in order to carry out a specific processing step.
  • the conveying wheel moves only in one direction, it is necessary to arrange the processing stations according to the timing of filling and closing the capsules.
  • a disadvantage is that these processing stations have a certain space requirement, so that at successive processing stations, each with relatively high space requirement, the conveyor wheel as a whole builds relatively large or a complex design or lower performance at the processing stations must be taken into account (if the latter is smaller have to be canceled).
  • the machine concept with a cyclically rotating in one direction conveyor wheel in terms of its functionality or flexibility in terms of changes to the processing stations relative inflexible. This is particularly disadvantageous in research, where the performance of the machine plays a minor role.
  • a similar device is also from the DE 10 2006 035 280 A1 known.
  • the present invention seeks to further develop a machine and a method for filling and closing capsules, in particular made of hard gelatin such that an almost arbitrary arrangement of processing stations on the circulation path of the feed wheel can be made possible.
  • This object is achieved in a machine for filling and closing of existing in particular of hard gelatin capsules having the features of claim 1.
  • the invention is based on the idea, by a drive in which the conveying path or the angular step (at a cyclic operation) and the direction of rotation of the feed wheel is variably adjustable to allow the individual processing stations by the variable drive ultimately independent of their Arrangement can be approached on the feed wheel. This allows, for example, a space-optimized arrangement of processing stations or a high degree of flexibility with regard to the individual processing or process steps. Also, thus continuous movements of the feed wheel can be achieved.
  • the drive of the feed wheel additionally takes place continuously and that at least one station is arranged on the circulation path of the feed wheel, which requires a continuous movement of the receiving segment.
  • the capsules must be guided past a line scan camera or the like, wherein, for example, the state of the capsules with respect to damage or the like is detected when passing the capsules on the line scan camera. This is relatively easy with a variably designed drive, while otherwise, for example, consuming designed testing equipment would be required.
  • At least one processing station a plurality of similar processing devices or processing devices are arranged with the same type of process steps, which are all controlled by a capsule. So it is conceivable, for example, that capsules from a receiving segment gradually get into the area of individual stuffing dies in a processing station, without requiring a change of the processing station is required. Thereby, e.g. the costs for the drives are reduced at the processing station, since otherwise several processing stations, each with separate drives would be required.
  • the receiving segments for the capsules are arranged exchangeably on the delivery wheel.
  • the receiving segments for the capsules are arranged exchangeably on the delivery wheel.
  • a variety of recording segments for a variety of capsules with possibly a different number of receiving holes can be used, as is usually required in the processing of different capsules, for example in research.
  • the machine according to the invention can thus be flexibly adapted to a wide variety of machining processes and capsule formats in a simple manner.
  • the invention also includes a calibration method for a testing device operating in particular with X-ray radiation, which is arranged on the circulation path of the machine.
  • a testing device operating in particular with X-ray radiation
  • various stations and the testing device bypassing other stations, specifically approached, so that only the necessary for calibration conveyor cycles are realized.
  • a machine 100 for filling and capping capsules c especially made of hard gelatin, is shown.
  • the capsules c can also be made of another suitable material.
  • the capsules c each have a capsule lower part a and a cap b.
  • the far known capsules c are filled by means of the machine 100 in particular by means of a pharmaceutical which, for example, in the form of powder, pellets, a liquid, tablets or the like. is present.
  • the machine has a feed wheel 20, on whose outer circumference at regular angular intervals, for example, twelve receiving segments 21 are arranged interchangeably. Each of the receiving segments 21 has a certain number of in the exemplary embodiment five juxtaposed receiving bores 22 for each capsule c.
  • the feed wheel 20 is rotatably mounted in a vertically arranged axis of rotation 24 and, for this purpose, according to the invention has a drive designed as a servomotor 25, which can be actuated by a control device 26 of the machine 100.
  • the feed wheel 20 can be moved in arbitrarily small angular steps corresponding to the double arrow 27 both clockwise and counterclockwise, wherein both cyclic movements, as well as continuous movements by means of the servo motor 25 can be realized.
  • twelve stations 1 to 12 are arranged by way of example, on which processing devices can be provided, wherein, depending on the application, not all stations 1 to 12 must be provided with a processing device.
  • the in the Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment of the invention is provided for example at the station 1 to supply the capsules c, to orient and separate.
  • the station 2 recording segments (not shown), which alone carry the caps b, of the in the FIG. 1 shown recording segments 21 separately.
  • the receiving segments 21 are checked for the presence of capsule subparts a or caps b on the receiving segments 21 (or on the receiving segments (not shown) for the caps b).
  • the contents can be dispensed in the form of pellets or tablets at the station 3 in the capsule parts a.
  • no processing facilities are provided at the stations 4 and 6 .
  • 5 powders or pellets and at the station 7 pellets and tablets are each discharged into the capsule parts a at the station.
  • a capsule ejection device is provided, which ejects incorrectly filled capsules c by means of compressed air from the machine 100.
  • it is provided to bring the receiving segments 21 for the capsule lower parts a and the receiving segments (not shown) for the caps b into coincidence again in order to close the capsules c in the region of the subsequent station 10.
  • the station 11 it is optionally provided to provide an additional testing device having an additional ejection station for defective capsules c.
  • the station 12 is provided as a cleaning station for cleaning the receiving segments 21.
  • the servo motor 25 By means of the servo motor 25 is now a variable operation of the machine 100 possible, which is based on the Fig. 2 to 4 is explained in more detail. Here, the simplicity and the sake of clarity due to various stations or components of the machine 100 are no longer shown. Furthermore, in contrast to the receiving segments 21, the receiving segments 31 are provided with only two receiving bores 32, 33.
  • a station which has two processing devices 35 and 36.
  • the processing devices 35 and 36 are in particular similar processing devices, for example to dosing devices.
  • a first process step Y is carried out by the first processing device 35
  • a second process step X is carried out by the second processing device 36.
  • the Fig. 2 recognizes, in a first step, the two receiving holes 32 and 33 aligned with the corresponding processing means 35 and 36, so that the capsule c located in the receiving bore 32 is subjected to a process step Y, while the capsule located in the receiving bore 33 c through the second Processing device 36 passes through a process step X.
  • the feed wheel 20 is rotated counterclockwise by the distance between the two receiving bores 32 and 33 so that now the capsule c located in the receiving bore 33 is subjected to a process step Y by means of the first processing device 35, while the capsule c located in the receiving bore 32 does not process it experiences.
  • the conveyor wheel 20 is further rotated counterclockwise so far that the receiving bore 32 with the capsule c in registration with the second processing device 36 is located. In this processing step, the capsule c located in the receiving bore 32 is now subjected to a process step X.
  • a modified machine 100a is shown.
  • the machine 100a has twelve processing stations 1 to 12, of which, however, for the sake of clarity, only a few processing stations 1 to 12 shown in detail and are explained in more detail below.
  • a weighing device 40 is arranged in the area next to the processing station 3, which serves to separate the caps b from the capsule bases a. By means of the weighing device 40, in particular random samples, individual capsules c can be removed from the receiving bores 22 of the receiving segments 21 and weighed.
  • a filling device 41 is arranged by way of example, by means of which a certain amount of filling material is metered into the capsule parts a. Furthermore, an error capsule station 42 is arranged at the processing station 8, by means of which capsules c previously identified as defective or incorrectly filled are eliminated.
  • a testing device 45 is arranged at the processing station 11 .
  • the test device 45 operates in the illustrated embodiment with an X-ray source 46 and serves in particular, but not restrictively, to check the filling weight of filled capsules c.
  • an X-ray source 46 As an alternative to an X-ray source 46, however, another radiation source can also be provided. With regard to the exact training or characteristics of such a test device 45 is on the DE 10 2009 045 809 A1 the applicant, to which reference is made.
  • the machine is 100a suitable by their trained as a servomotor 25 drive in a special way.
  • calibrating the testing device 45 an empty capsule c is first inserted at the processing station 1 into a receiving bore 22 of a receiving segment 21.
  • the servomotor 25 controls the processing station 3 with the capsule c. This is done by a rotation of the feed wheel 20 in a clockwise direction.
  • the empty capsule c is removed from the receiving bore 22 of its receiving segment 21 and weighed by means of the weighing device 40.
  • a net weight of the capsule c is determined, which is supplied to the control device 26 as an input variable.
  • the empty capsule c is again inserted into the receiving bore 22 and fed by means of the feed wheel 20, in turn clockwise, the filling device 41. There, the empty capsule c is filled with a desired filling. Subsequently, the filled capsule c is fed back into the region of the processing station 3 in the counterclockwise direction, taken there and fed to the additional weighing device 40. This determines a gross weight of the filled capsule c, and passes the corresponding signal to the controller 26 as an input. The control device 26 can thus determine the filling quantity from the two weight weights by subtracting from the gross weight the net weight of the capsule c.
  • the capsule c brought back into its receiving bore 22 is again transported by means of the conveying wheel 20 in the counterclockwise direction, bypassing the error capsule station 42, directly into the area of the testing device 45. There, the filling weight of the capsule c is determined by means of the test device 45.
  • Such a calibration process can, as described, take place either by means of a single capsule c. However, it can also be provided that in each case several capsules c are weighed and tested accordingly. It is essential to the invention that the machine 100a for the calibration of the test device 45 conveys capsules c in the clockwise direction and counterclockwise, whereby only the processing stations 1 to 12 which are required for the calibration are approached. Thus, both different directions of movement, as well as different lengths of conveyor lines for approaching temporally successive processing stations 1 to 12 are realized.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Analysing Materials By The Use Of Radiation (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine (100) for filling and closing capsules (c), in particular capsules made of hard gelatin, comprising a conveyor wheel (20), which is rotatably mounted in a vertical axis (24) and is moved at least in cycles, receiving segments (21; 31) arranged on the outer circumference of the conveyor wheel (20), each being provided for a certain number of capsules (c), and processing stations (1 to 12) arranged on the circumferential path of the conveyor wheel (20) for the capsules (c). According to the invention, the conveyor wheel (20) has a drive (25), by means of which at least the conveying path and the conveying direction of the conveyor wheel (20) can be variably adjusted in a conveying cycle.

Description

Stand der TechnikState of the art

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Maschine und ein Verfahren zum Füllen und Verschließen von insbesondere aus Hartgelatine bestehenden Kapseln nach den Oberbegriffen der unabhängigen Ansprüche.The invention relates to a machine and to a method for filling and closing capsules, in particular consisting of hard gelatin, according to the preambles of the independent claims.

Eine derartige Maschine ist aus der DE 10 2004 048 007 A1 bekannt. Bei der bekannten Maschine sind am Umlaufweg eines taktweise in einer Richtung sich drehenden Förderrades in gleichmäßigen Winkelabständen Bearbeitungsstationen angeordnet, die von dem jeweils einen bestimmten Winkelschritt ausführenden Förderrad nach und nach angefahren werden. Hierbei ist für jede Kapsel, welche sich in einer Bohrung eines am Förderrad befestigten Aufnahmesegmentes befindet, innerhalb der Bearbeitungsstation eine Einrichtung erforderlich, um einen bestimmten Bearbeitungsschritt auszuführen. Da das Förderrad ferner sich nur in einer Richtung bewegt, ist es erforderlich, die Bearbeitungsstationen entsprechend der zeitlichen Abfolge beim Füllen und Verschließen der Kapseln anzuordnen.Such a machine is from the DE 10 2004 048 007 A1 known. In the known machine processing stations are arranged on the circulation path of a cyclically rotating in one direction conveyor wheel at uniform angular intervals, which are approached by the respective one particular angle step exporting conveyor wheel gradually. In this case, for each capsule, which is located in a bore of a pick-up wheel attached to the receiving wheel, a device is required within the processing station in order to carry out a specific processing step. Further, since the conveying wheel moves only in one direction, it is necessary to arrange the processing stations according to the timing of filling and closing the capsules.

Nachteilig dabei ist, dass diese Bearbeitungsstationen einen bestimmten Raumbedarf haben, so dass bei aufeinanderfolgenden Bearbeitungsstationen mit jeweils relativ hohem Raumbedarf das Förderrad insgesamt gesehen relativ groß baut bzw. eine aufwändige Gestaltung oder eine geringere Leistung an den Bearbeitungsstationen in Kauf genommen werden muss (falls letztere kleiner ausfallen müssen). Insgesamt gesehen ist das Maschinenkonzept mit einem taktweise in einer Richtung umlaufenden Förderrad hinsichtlich seiner Funktionalität bzw. Flexibilität hinsichtlich von Änderungen an den Bearbeitungsstationen relativ unflexibel. Dies ist insbesondere in der Forschung nachteilig, wo die Leistung der Maschine eine untergeordnete Rolle spielt.A disadvantage is that these processing stations have a certain space requirement, so that at successive processing stations, each with relatively high space requirement, the conveyor wheel as a whole builds relatively large or a complex design or lower performance at the processing stations must be taken into account (if the latter is smaller have to be canceled). Overall, the machine concept with a cyclically rotating in one direction conveyor wheel in terms of its functionality or flexibility in terms of changes to the processing stations relative inflexible. This is particularly disadvantageous in research, where the performance of the machine plays a minor role.

Eine ähnliche Vorrichtung ist auch aus der DE 10 2006 035 280 A1 bekannt.A similar device is also from the DE 10 2006 035 280 A1 known.

Offenbarung der ErfindungDisclosure of the invention

Ausgehend von dem dargestellten Stand der Technik liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Maschine und ein Verfahren zum Füllen und Verschließen von insbesondere aus Hartgelatine bestehenden Kapseln derart weiterzubilden, dass eine nahezu beliebige Anordnung von Bearbeitungsstationen am Umlaufweg des Förderrades ermöglicht werden kann. Diese Aufgabe wird bei einer Maschine zum Füllen und Verschließen von insbesondere aus Hartgelatine bestehenden Kapseln mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 gelöst. Der Erfindung liegt dabei die Idee zugrunde, durch einen Antrieb, bei dem der Förderweg bzw. der Winkelschritt (bei einem taktweisen Betrieb) und die Drehrichtung des Förderrades variabel einstellbar ist es zu ermöglichen, dass die einzelnen Bearbeitungsstationen durch den variablen Antrieb letztendlich unabhängig von deren Anordnung am Förderrad angefahren werden können. Dadurch lässt sich zum Beispiel eine raumoptimierte Anordnung von Bearbeitungsstationen bzw. eine hohe Flexibilität hinsichtlich der einzelnen Bearbeitungs- bzw. Prozessschritte ermöglichen. Auch sind damit kontinuierliche Bewegungen des Förderrades erzielbar.Based on the illustrated prior art, the present invention seeks to further develop a machine and a method for filling and closing capsules, in particular made of hard gelatin such that an almost arbitrary arrangement of processing stations on the circulation path of the feed wheel can be made possible. This object is achieved in a machine for filling and closing of existing in particular of hard gelatin capsules having the features of claim 1. The invention is based on the idea, by a drive in which the conveying path or the angular step (at a cyclic operation) and the direction of rotation of the feed wheel is variably adjustable to allow the individual processing stations by the variable drive ultimately independent of their Arrangement can be approached on the feed wheel. This allows, for example, a space-optimized arrangement of processing stations or a high degree of flexibility with regard to the individual processing or process steps. Also, thus continuous movements of the feed wheel can be achieved.

Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der erfindungsgemäßen Maschine zum Füllen und Verschließen von insbesondere aus Hartgelatine bestehenden Kapseln sind in den Unteransprüchen angegeben. In den Rahmen der Erfindung fallen sämtliche Kombinationen aus zumindest zwei von in den Ansprüchen, der Beschreibung und/oder den Figuren offenbarten Merkmalen.Advantageous developments of the machine according to the invention for filling and closing of existing in particular of hard gelatin capsules are given in the dependent claims. All combinations of at least two of the features disclosed in the claims, the description and / or the figures fall within the scope of the invention.

In einer Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist es vorgesehen, dass der Antrieb des Förderrades zusätzlich kontinuierlich erfolgt und, dass am Umlaufweg des Förderrades zumindest eine Station angeordnet ist, welche ein kontinuierliches Bewegen des Aufnahmesegmentes erfordert. Hier sind beispielsweise Anwendungen denkbar, bei denen die Kapseln an einer Zeilenkamera oder Ähnlichem vorbeigeführt werden müssen, wobei beim Vorbeiführen der Kapseln an der Zeilenkamera z.B. der Zustand der Kapseln bzgl. Beschädigungen oder Ähnlichem erfasst wird. Dies ist mit einem variabel gestalteten Antrieb relativ einfach möglich, während ansonsten beispielsweise aufwändig gestaltete Prüfeinrichtungen erforderlich wären.In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the drive of the feed wheel additionally takes place continuously and that at least one station is arranged on the circulation path of the feed wheel, which requires a continuous movement of the receiving segment. Here, for example, applications are conceivable in which the capsules must be guided past a line scan camera or the like, wherein, for example, the state of the capsules with respect to damage or the like is detected when passing the capsules on the line scan camera. This is relatively easy with a variably designed drive, while otherwise, for example, consuming designed testing equipment would be required.

In einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist es vorgesehen, dass an zumindest einer Bearbeitungsstation mehrere gleichartige Bearbeitungseinrichtungen bzw. Bearbeitungseinrichtungen mit derselben Art von Prozessschritten angeordnet sind, die alle von einer Kapsel angesteuert werden. So ist es beispielsweise denkbar, dass Kapseln aus einem Aufnahmesegment nach und nach in den Bereich einzelner Stopfstempel in einer Bearbeitungsstation geraten, ohne dass hierzu ein Wechsel der Bearbeitungsstation erforderlich ist. Dadurch können z.B. die Kosten für die Antriebe an der Bearbeitungsstation reduziert werden, da ansonsten mehrere Bearbeitungsstationen mit jeweils separaten Antrieben erforderlich wären.In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one processing station a plurality of similar processing devices or processing devices are arranged with the same type of process steps, which are all controlled by a capsule. So it is conceivable, for example, that capsules from a receiving segment gradually get into the area of individual stuffing dies in a processing station, without requiring a change of the processing station is required. Thereby, e.g. the costs for the drives are reduced at the processing station, since otherwise several processing stations, each with separate drives would be required.

Besonders bevorzugt ist darüber hinaus, wenn die Aufnahmesegmente für die Kapseln austauschbar am Förderrad angeordnet sind. Dadurch können verschiedenste Aufnahmesegmente für verschiedenste Kapseln mit ggf. einer unterschiedlichen Anzahl von Aufnahmebohrungen verwendet werden, wie dies üblicherweise bei der Verarbeitung unterschiedlicher Kapseln, zum Beispiel in der Forschung, erforderlich ist. Die erfindungsgemäße Maschine ist somit flexibel an unterschiedlichste Bearbeitungsprozesse und Kapselformate auf einfache Art und Weise anpassbar.Moreover, it is particularly preferred if the receiving segments for the capsules are arranged exchangeably on the delivery wheel. As a result, a variety of recording segments for a variety of capsules with possibly a different number of receiving holes can be used, as is usually required in the processing of different capsules, for example in research. The machine according to the invention can thus be flexibly adapted to a wide variety of machining processes and capsule formats in a simple manner.

Die Erfindung umfasst auch ein Kalibrierverfahren für eine insbesondere mit Röntgenstrahlung arbeitende Prüfeinrichtung, die am Umlaufweg der Maschine angeordnet ist. Hierbei werden verschiedene Stationen sowie die Prüfeinrichtung, unter Umgehung anderer Stationen, gezielt angefahren, so dass nur die zur Kalibrierung erforderlichen Fördertakte realisiert werden.The invention also includes a calibration method for a testing device operating in particular with X-ray radiation, which is arranged on the circulation path of the machine. In this case, various stations and the testing device, bypassing other stations, specifically approached, so that only the necessary for calibration conveyor cycles are realized.

Weitere Vorteile der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung bevorzugter Ausführungsbeispiele sowie anhand der Zeichnungen. Diese zeigen in:

Fig. 1
eine vereinfachte Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Maschine zum Füllen und Verschließen von insbesondere aus Hartgelatine bestehenden Kapseln in Draufsicht
Fig. 2 bis Fig. 4
die Maschine gemäß Fig. 1 während verschiedener Bearbeitungsschritte ebenfalls in stark vereinfachten Draufsichten und
Fig.5
eine modifizierte Maschine mit einer mit Röntgenstrahlung arbeitenden Prüfeinrichtung.
Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. These show in:
Fig. 1
a simplified representation of a machine according to the invention for filling and closing of particular existing hard gelatin capsules in plan view
Fig. 2 to Fig. 4
the machine according to Fig. 1 during various processing steps also in highly simplified plan views and
Figure 5
a modified machine with an X-ray tester.

Gleiche Bauteile oder Elemente sind in den Figuren mit denselben Bezugsziffern gekennzeichnet.Identical components or elements are identified in the figures with the same reference numerals.

In der Fig. 1 ist eine Maschine 100 zum Füllen und Verschließen von insbesondere aus Hartgelatine bestehenden Kapseln c dargestellt. Anstelle aus Hartgelatine können die Kapseln c selbstverständlich auch aus einem anderen geeigneten Material bestehen. Hierbei weisen die Kapseln c jeweils ein Kapselunterteil a und eine Kappe b auf. Die soweit bekannten Kapseln c werden mittels der Maschine 100 insbesondere mittels einem Pharmazeutika befüllt, welches beispielsweise in Form von Pulver, Pellets, einer Flüssigkeit, Tabletten od.dgl. vorliegt.In the Fig. 1 For example, a machine 100 for filling and capping capsules c, especially made of hard gelatin, is shown. Of course, instead of hard gelatin, the capsules c can also be made of another suitable material. In this case, the capsules c each have a capsule lower part a and a cap b. The far known capsules c are filled by means of the machine 100 in particular by means of a pharmaceutical which, for example, in the form of powder, pellets, a liquid, tablets or the like. is present.

Die Maschine weist ein Förderrad 20 auf, an dessen Außenumfang in gleichmäßigen Winkelabständen beispielhaft zwölf Aufnahmesegmente 21 austauschbar angeordnet sind. Jedes der Aufnahmesegmente 21 weist eine bestimmte Anzahl von im Ausführungsbeispiel fünf nebeneinander angeordneten Aufnahmebohrungen 22 für jeweils eine Kapsel c auf. Das Förderrad 20 ist in einer vertikal angeordneten Drehachse 24 drehbar gelagert und weist hierzu erfindungsgemäß einen als Servomotor 25 ausgebildeten Antrieb auf, der von einer Steuereinrichtung 26 der Maschine 100 ansteuerbar ist.The machine has a feed wheel 20, on whose outer circumference at regular angular intervals, for example, twelve receiving segments 21 are arranged interchangeably. Each of the receiving segments 21 has a certain number of in the exemplary embodiment five juxtaposed receiving bores 22 for each capsule c. The feed wheel 20 is rotatably mounted in a vertically arranged axis of rotation 24 and, for this purpose, according to the invention has a drive designed as a servomotor 25, which can be actuated by a control device 26 of the machine 100.

Mittels des Servomotors 25 lässt sich das Förderrad 20 in beliebig kleinen Winkelschritten entsprechend des Doppelpfeils 27 sowohl im Uhrzeigersinn als auch im Gegenuhrzeigersinn bewegen, wobei sowohl taktweise Bewegungen, als auch kontinuierliche Bewegungen mittels des Servomotors 25 realisiert werden können.By means of the servo motor 25, the feed wheel 20 can be moved in arbitrarily small angular steps corresponding to the double arrow 27 both clockwise and counterclockwise, wherein both cyclic movements, as well as continuous movements by means of the servo motor 25 can be realized.

Am Umlaufweg des Förderrades 20 sind beispielhaft zwölf Stationen 1 bis 12 angeordnet, an denen Bearbeitungseinrichtungen vorgesehen sein können, wobei je nach Anwendungsfall nicht alle Stationen 1 bis 12 mit einer Bearbeitungseinrichtung versehen sein müssen. Bei dem in der Fig. 1 dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ist beispielsweise an der Station 1 vorgesehen, die Kapseln c zuzuführen, zu orientieren und zu trennen. An der Station 2 werden (nicht dargestellte) Aufnahmesegmente, welche alleine die Kappen b tragen, von den in der Figur 1 dargestellten Aufnahmesegmenten 21 getrennt. In der Station 3 ist beispielhaft vorgesehen, dass an den Aufnahmesegmenten 21 (bzw. an den nicht dargestellten Aufnahmesegmenten für die Kappen b) die Aufnahmesegmente 21 auf Anwesenheit von Kapselunterteilen a bzw. Kappen b überprüft werden. Gleichzeitig kann das Füllgut in Form von Pellets oder Tabletten an der Station 3 in die Kapselunterteile a abgegeben werden. An den Stationen 4 und 6 sind keine Bearbeitungseinrichtungen vorgesehen. Demgegenüber kann an der Station 5 Pulver oder Pellets und an der Station 7 Pellets und Tabletten jeweils in die Kapselunterteile a abgegeben werden. An der Station 8 ist eine Kapselauswurfeinrichtung vorgesehen, die fehlerhaft befüllte Kapseln c mittels Druckluft aus der Maschine 100 ausschleust. An der Station 9 ist es vorgesehen, die Aufnahmesegmente 21 für die Kapselunterteile a sowie die (nicht dargestellten) Aufnahmesegmente für die Kappen b wieder in Deckung zu bringen, um die Kapseln c im Bereich der nachfolgenden Station 10 zu verschließen. An der Station 11 ist es optional vorgesehen, eine zusätzliche Prüfeinrichtung vorzusehen, die eine zusätzliche Auswurfstation für fehlerhafte Kapseln c aufweist. Zuletzt ist die Station 12 als Reinigungsstation für die Reinigung der Aufnahmesegmente 21 vorgesehen.On the circulation path of the feed wheel 20, twelve stations 1 to 12 are arranged by way of example, on which processing devices can be provided, wherein, depending on the application, not all stations 1 to 12 must be provided with a processing device. In the in the Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment of the invention is provided for example at the station 1 to supply the capsules c, to orient and separate. At the station 2 recording segments (not shown), which alone carry the caps b, of the in the FIG. 1 shown recording segments 21 separately. In the station 3, it is provided by way of example that the receiving segments 21 are checked for the presence of capsule subparts a or caps b on the receiving segments 21 (or on the receiving segments (not shown) for the caps b). At the same time, the contents can be dispensed in the form of pellets or tablets at the station 3 in the capsule parts a. At the stations 4 and 6 no processing facilities are provided. In contrast, 5 powders or pellets and at the station 7 pellets and tablets are each discharged into the capsule parts a at the station. At the station 8 a capsule ejection device is provided, which ejects incorrectly filled capsules c by means of compressed air from the machine 100. At the station 9, it is provided to bring the receiving segments 21 for the capsule lower parts a and the receiving segments (not shown) for the caps b into coincidence again in order to close the capsules c in the region of the subsequent station 10. At the station 11 it is optionally provided to provide an additional testing device having an additional ejection station for defective capsules c. Finally, the station 12 is provided as a cleaning station for cleaning the receiving segments 21.

Mittels des Servomotors 25 ist nunmehr ein variabler Betrieb der Maschine 100 möglich, was anhand der Fig. 2 bis 4 näher erläutert wird. Hierbei sind der Einfachheit und der besseren Übersichtlichkeit wegen verschiedene Stationen oder Bauteile der Maschine 100 nicht mehr dargestellt. Ferner sind die Aufnahmesegmente 31 im Gegensatz zu den Aufnahmesegmenten 21 lediglich mit zwei Aufnahmebohrungen 32, 33 vorgesehen.By means of the servo motor 25 is now a variable operation of the machine 100 possible, which is based on the Fig. 2 to 4 is explained in more detail. Here, the simplicity and the sake of clarity due to various stations or components of the machine 100 are no longer shown. Furthermore, in contrast to the receiving segments 21, the receiving segments 31 are provided with only two receiving bores 32, 33.

An der Station 3 ist eine Station dargestellt, welche zwei Bearbeitungseinrichtungen 35 und 36 aufweist. Bei den Bearbeitungseinrichtungen 35 und 36 handelt es sich insbesondere um gleichartige Bearbeitungseinrichtungen, beispielsweise um Dosiereinrichtungen. Hierbei wird durch die erste Bearbeitungseinrichtung 35 ein erster Prozessschritt Y ausgeführt wird, während durch die zweite Bearbeitungseinrichtung 36 ein zweiter Prozessschritt X ausgeführt wird.At the station 3, a station is shown, which has two processing devices 35 and 36. The processing devices 35 and 36 are in particular similar processing devices, for example to dosing devices. In this case, a first process step Y is carried out by the first processing device 35, while a second process step X is carried out by the second processing device 36.

Wie man anhand der Fig. 2 erkennt, sind in einem ersten Schritt die beiden Aufnahmebohrungen 32 und 33 mit den entsprechenden Bearbeitungseinrichtungen 35 und 36 ausgerichtet, so dass die in der Aufnahmebohrung 32 befindliche Kapsel c einem Prozessschritt Y unterworfen wird, während die in der Aufnahmebohrung 33 befindliche Kapsel c durch die zweite Bearbeitungseinrichtung 36 einen Prozessschritt X durchläuft. Anschließend wird entsprechend der Fig. 3 das Förderrad 20 um den Abstand zwischen den beiden Aufnahmebohrungen 32 und 33 im Gegenuhrzeigersinn zurückgedreht, so dass nunmehr die in der Aufnahmebohrung 33 befindliche Kapsel c mittels der ersten Bearbeitungseinrichtung 35 einem Prozessschritt Y unterworfen wird, während die in der Aufnahmebohrung 32 befindliche Kapsel c keine Bearbeitung erfährt. Zuletzt wird entsprechend der Fig. 4 das Förderrad 20 im Gegenuhrzeigersinn so weit weitergedreht, dass sich die Aufnahmebohrung 32 mit der Kapsel c in Deckung mit der zweiten Bearbeitungseinrichtung 36 befindet. In diesem Bearbeitungsschritt wird nunmehr die in der Aufnahmebohrung 32 befindliche Kapsel c einem Prozessschritt X unterworfen.How to use the Fig. 2 recognizes, in a first step, the two receiving holes 32 and 33 aligned with the corresponding processing means 35 and 36, so that the capsule c located in the receiving bore 32 is subjected to a process step Y, while the capsule located in the receiving bore 33 c through the second Processing device 36 passes through a process step X. Subsequently, according to the Fig. 3 the feed wheel 20 is rotated counterclockwise by the distance between the two receiving bores 32 and 33 so that now the capsule c located in the receiving bore 33 is subjected to a process step Y by means of the first processing device 35, while the capsule c located in the receiving bore 32 does not process it experiences. Last will be according to the Fig. 4 the conveyor wheel 20 is further rotated counterclockwise so far that the receiving bore 32 with the capsule c in registration with the second processing device 36 is located. In this processing step, the capsule c located in the receiving bore 32 is now subjected to a process step X.

In der Fig. 5 ist eine modifizierte bzw. abgewandelte Maschine 100a dargestellt. Auch die Maschine 100a weist zwölf Bearbeitungsstationen 1 bis 12 auf, von denen jedoch aus Gründen der besseren Übersichtlichkeit halber lediglich einige Bearbeitungsstationen 1 bis 12 im Detail dargestellt und nachfolgend näher erläutert sind. Im Bereich neben der Bearbeitungsstation 3, die zum Trennen der Kappen b von den Kapselunterteilen a dient, ist eine Wiegeeinrichtung 40 angeordnet. Mittels der Wiegeeinrichtung 40 können, insbesondere stichprobenartig, einzelne Kapseln c aus den Aufnahmebohrungen 22 der Aufnahmesegmente 21 entnommen und gewogen werden.In the Fig. 5 a modified machine 100a is shown. The machine 100a has twelve processing stations 1 to 12, of which, however, for the sake of clarity, only a few processing stations 1 to 12 shown in detail and are explained in more detail below. In the area next to the processing station 3, which serves to separate the caps b from the capsule bases a, a weighing device 40 is arranged. By means of the weighing device 40, in particular random samples, individual capsules c can be removed from the receiving bores 22 of the receiving segments 21 and weighed.

An der Bearbeitungsstation 5 ist beispielhaft eine Fülleinrichtung 41 angeordnet, mittels der eine bestimmte Menge von Füllgut in die Kapselunterteile a eindosiert wird. Weiterhin ist an der Bearbeitungsstation 8 eine Fehlerkapselstation 42 angeordnet, mittels der zuvor als fehlerhaft erkannte oder falsch befüllte Kapseln c ausgeschieden werden. An der Bearbeitungsstation 11 ist weiterhin eine Prüfeinrichtung 45 angeordnet. Die Prüfeinrichtung 45 arbeitet dabei in dem dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel mit einer Röntgenstrahlquelle 46 und dient dazu insbesondere, jedoch nicht einschränkend, das Füllgewicht von befüllten Kapseln c zu überprüfen. Alternativ zu einer Röntgenstrahlquelle 46 kann jedoch auch eine andere Strahlungsquelle vorgesehen sein. Bezüglich der genauen Ausbildung bzw. Merkmale einer derartigen Prüfeinrichtung 45 wird auf die DE 10 2009 045 809 A1 der Anmelderin verwiesen, auf die insofern Bezug genommen wird.At the processing station 5, a filling device 41 is arranged by way of example, by means of which a certain amount of filling material is metered into the capsule parts a. Furthermore, an error capsule station 42 is arranged at the processing station 8, by means of which capsules c previously identified as defective or incorrectly filled are eliminated. At the processing station 11 is still a testing device 45 arranged. The test device 45 operates in the illustrated embodiment with an X-ray source 46 and serves in particular, but not restrictively, to check the filling weight of filled capsules c. As an alternative to an X-ray source 46, however, another radiation source can also be provided. With regard to the exact training or characteristics of such a test device 45 is on the DE 10 2009 045 809 A1 the applicant, to which reference is made.

Insbesondere vor der Inbetriebnahme, oder aber nach längeren Betriebspausen ist es erforderlich, die Prüfeinrichtung 45 zu kalibrieren. Hierzu ist die Maschine 100a durch ihren als Servomotor 25 ausgebildeten Antrieb in besonderer Art und Weise geeignet. Zum Kalibrieren der Prüfeinrichtung 45 wird zunächst eine leere Kapsel c an der Bearbeitungsstation 1 in eine Aufnahmebohrung 22 eines Aufnahmesegments 21 eingesetzt. Der Servomotor 25 steuert anschließend mit der Kapsel c die Bearbeitungsstation 3 an. Dies erfolgt durch eine Drehung des Förderrades 20 im Uhrzeigersinn. Im Bereich der Bearbeitungsstation 3 wird die leere Kapsel c aus der Aufnahmebohrung 22 ihres Aufnahmesegmentes 21 entnommen und mittels der Wiegeeinrichtung 40 gewogen. Es wird somit ein Netto-Gewicht der Kapsel c ermittelt, das der Steuereinrichtung 26 als Eingangsgröße zugeführt wird. Anschließend wird die leere Kapsel c wieder in die Aufnahmebohrung 22 eingesetzt und mittels des Förderrads 20, wiederum im Uhrzeigersinn, der Fülleinrichtung 41 zugeführt. Dort wird die leere Kapsel c mit einer Sollfüllmenge befüllt. Anschließend wird die befüllte Kapsel c im Gegenuhrzeigersinn wieder in den Bereich der Bearbeitungsstation 3 zurückgefördert, dort entnommen und der zusätzlichen Wiegeeinrichtung 40 zugeführt. Diese ermittelt ein Brutto-Gewicht der befüllten Kapsel c, und leitet das entsprechende Signal der Steuereinrichtung 26 als Eingangsgröße zu. Die Steuereinrichtung 26 kann somit aus den beiden Gewichtswiegungen die Füllmenge bestimmen, indem von dem Brutto-Gewicht das Netto-Gewicht der Kapsel c abgezogen wird. Anschließend wird die in ihre Aufnahmebohrung 22 zurückgebrachte Kapsel c mittels des Förderrades 20 wiederum im Gegenuhrzeigersinn unter Umgehung der Fehlerkapselstation 42 unmittelbar in den Bereich der Prüfeinrichtung 45 transportiert. Dort wird mittels der Prüfeinrichtung 45 das Füllgewicht der Kapsel c bestimmt.In particular, before commissioning, or after prolonged periods of operation, it is necessary to calibrate the test device 45. For this purpose, the machine is 100a suitable by their trained as a servomotor 25 drive in a special way. For calibrating the testing device 45, an empty capsule c is first inserted at the processing station 1 into a receiving bore 22 of a receiving segment 21. The servomotor 25 then controls the processing station 3 with the capsule c. This is done by a rotation of the feed wheel 20 in a clockwise direction. In the area of the processing station 3, the empty capsule c is removed from the receiving bore 22 of its receiving segment 21 and weighed by means of the weighing device 40. Thus, a net weight of the capsule c is determined, which is supplied to the control device 26 as an input variable. Subsequently, the empty capsule c is again inserted into the receiving bore 22 and fed by means of the feed wheel 20, in turn clockwise, the filling device 41. There, the empty capsule c is filled with a desired filling. Subsequently, the filled capsule c is fed back into the region of the processing station 3 in the counterclockwise direction, taken there and fed to the additional weighing device 40. This determines a gross weight of the filled capsule c, and passes the corresponding signal to the controller 26 as an input. The control device 26 can thus determine the filling quantity from the two weight weights by subtracting from the gross weight the net weight of the capsule c. Subsequently, the capsule c brought back into its receiving bore 22 is again transported by means of the conveying wheel 20 in the counterclockwise direction, bypassing the error capsule station 42, directly into the area of the testing device 45. There, the filling weight of the capsule c is determined by means of the test device 45.

Aufgrund des von der zusätzlichen Wiegeeinrichtung 40 zuvor ermittelten Füllgewichts der Kapsel c kann das von der Prüfeinrichtung 45 ermittelte, und der Steuereinrichtung 26 als Eingangssignal zugeführte Füllgewicht dann ggf. entsprechend angepasst bzw. kalibriert werden.Due to the previously determined by the additional weighing device 40 filling weight of the capsule c can be determined by the tester 45, and the Control device 26 as an input signal supplied filling weight then possibly adjusted or calibrated accordingly.

Ein derartiger Kalibriervorgang kann, wie beschrieben, entweder mittels einer einzigen Kapsel c erfolgen. Es kann jedoch auch vorgesehen sein, dass jeweils mehrere Kapseln c entsprechend gewogen und geprüft werden. Erfindungswesentlich ist lediglich, dass die Maschine 100a zur Kalibrierung der Prüfeinrichtung 45 Kapseln c im und entgegen dem Uhrzeigersinn fördert, wobei lediglich die Bearbeitungsstationen 1 bis 12 angefahren werden, die für die Kalibrierung erforderlich sind. Es werden somit sowohl unterschiedliche Bewegungsrichtungen, als auch unterschiedlich lange Förderstrecken zum Anfahren von zeitlich aufeinanderfolgenden Bearbeitungsstationen 1 bis 12 realisiert.Such a calibration process can, as described, take place either by means of a single capsule c. However, it can also be provided that in each case several capsules c are weighed and tested accordingly. It is essential to the invention that the machine 100a for the calibration of the test device 45 conveys capsules c in the clockwise direction and counterclockwise, whereby only the processing stations 1 to 12 which are required for the calibration are approached. Thus, both different directions of movement, as well as different lengths of conveyor lines for approaching temporally successive processing stations 1 to 12 are realized.

Zusammenfassend ist es somit mit der erfindungsgemäßen Maschine 100, 100a möglich, durch den Servomotor 25 ein hinsichtlich Drehrichtung, Förderschritt und Förderbewegung (kontinuierlich oder getaktet) beliebig drehbares Förderrad 20 auszubilden, um damit Stationen 1 bis 12 am Umlaufweg des Förderrades 20 in beliebiger Reihenfolge anzusteuern, wobei zusätzlich in den Aufnahmesegmenten 21, 31 befindliche Kapseln c individuell durch einzelne Stationen 1 bis 12 behandelt bzw. Prozessschritten unterzogen werden können. Hierbei kann es zum Beispiel auch vorgesehen sein, dass an einer der Stationen 1 bis 12 eine Bearbeitungseinrichtung oder sonstige Prüfeinrichtung vorgesehen ist, die eine kontinuierliche Vorbeibewegung an der betreffenden Station 1 bis 12 erfordert.In summary, it is thus possible with the machine 100, 100a according to the invention, by the servo motor 25 with respect to a rotational direction, conveying step and conveying movement (continuously or clocked) arbitrarily rotatable conveying wheel 20 to drive stations 1 to 12 on the circulation path of the feed wheel 20 in any order , wherein additionally in the receiving segments 21, 31 located capsules c individually treated by individual stations 1 to 12 or process steps can be subjected. In this case, it may also be provided, for example, that a processing device or other testing device is provided at one of the stations 1 to 12, which requires a continuous pass-by movement at the relevant station 1 to 12.

Claims (10)

  1. Machine (100; 100a) for filling and closing capsules (c) made, in particular, of hard gelatin, with a conveying wheel (20) which is mounted rotatably on a vertical axis (24) and is moved at least cyclically, with receiving segments (21; 31) which are arranged on the outer circumference of the conveying wheel (20) for in each case a certain number of capsules (c), and with processing stations (1 to 12) which are arranged on the revolving path of the conveying wheel (20) and are intended for the capsules (c), characterized in that the conveying wheel (20) has a drive (25) which is preferably in the form of a servomotor (25) and by means of which at least the conveying distance and the conveying direction of the conveying wheel (20) can be adjusted variably during a conveying cycle.
  2. Machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the conveying wheel (20) can additionally be driven continuously and in that at least one station requiring a continuous movement of the receiving segment (21; 31) is arranged on the revolving path of the conveying wheel (20).
  3. Machine according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of processing devices (35, 36) which are all activated by a capsule (c) are arranged at at least one processing station (3).
  4. Machine according to Claim 3, characterized in that the processing devices (35, 36) concern a processing process of the same type.
  5. Machine according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the receiving segments (21; 31) for the capsules (c) are arranged interchangeably on the conveying wheel (20).
  6. Machine according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the receiving segments (21; 31) are arranged at uniform angular spacings on the conveying wheel (20).
  7. Machine according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that one of the processing stations is in the form of a test device (45) which operates with radiation, in particular with X-ray radiation, and serves at least for detecting the filling weight of the capsules (c).
  8. Machine according to Claim 7, characterized in that a weighing device (40) is arranged in the region of one of the processing stations (1 to 12).
  9. Method for operating a machine (100; 100a) for filling and closing capsules (c) made, in particular, of hard gelatin, in which a conveying wheel (20) which is mounted rotatably on a vertical axis (24) is moved by means of a drive (25) and, in the process, is supplied by receiving segments (21; 31), which are arranged on the outer circumference of the conveying wheel (20) and are intended for in each case a certain number of capsules (c), to processing stations (1 to 12) which are arranged on the revolving path of the conveying wheel (20) and are intended for the capsules (c),
    characterized in that the drive (25) of the conveying wheel (20) moves the conveying wheel (20) in such a manner that at least the conveying distance or the conveying direction of the conveying wheel (20) is changed during a conveying cycle upon arrival at temporally successive processing stations (1 to 12).
  10. Method according to Claim 9, characterized in that, in order to calibrate a test device (45) which operates with radiation, in particular with X-ray radiation, at least one empty capsule (c) is supplied, in a first step, to a weighing device (40) for determining a net weight of the capsule (c), in that, subsequently, in a second step, the at least one empty capsule (c) is supplied to at least one filling device (41), in that then, in a third step, the filled capsule (c) is supplied again to the weighing device (40) for determining a gross weight of the capsule (c), after which the control device (26) of the machine (100a) determines the filling weight of the capsule (c), and in that, subsequently, in a fourth step, the filled capsule (c) is supplied to the test device (45) which operates with radiation, in particular with X-ray radiation, and in which the filling weight of the capsule (c) is determined, wherein the test device (45) is calibrated from the difference of the filling weight detected by the weighing device (40) and the test device (45).
EP10759882.3A 2009-10-22 2010-09-28 Machine and method for filling and closing capsules, in particular capsules made of hard gelatin Active EP2490649B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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DE102009045917 2009-10-22
DE102010040505A DE102010040505A1 (en) 2009-10-22 2010-09-09 Machine and method for filling and closing capsules, in particular consisting of hard gelatine
PCT/EP2010/064292 WO2011047935A1 (en) 2009-10-22 2010-09-28 Machine and method for filling and closing capsules, in particular capsules made of hard gelatin

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DE102013113446B4 (en) 2013-12-04 2017-04-13 Fette Engineering GmbH Apparatus and method for filling capsules
DE102013114693A1 (en) 2013-12-20 2015-06-25 Fette Engineering GmbH Stuffing stamp station and method of filling capsules in a stuffing stamp station
DE102015103245B3 (en) 2015-03-05 2016-06-02 Fette Engineering GmbH Method for operating a capsule filling machine
DE102015106369B4 (en) * 2015-04-24 2020-02-13 Fette Engineering GmbH capsule
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CN112190480A (en) * 2020-10-23 2021-01-08 星德科包装技术(杭州)有限公司 Capsule filling machine

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CN102573757A (en) 2012-07-11
CN102573757B (en) 2014-10-29
EP2490649A1 (en) 2012-08-29
DE102010040505A1 (en) 2011-04-28
WO2011047935A1 (en) 2011-04-28

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