EP2528821B1 - Machine for filling a plurality of containers, system including such a machine, and related manufacture method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine (1) for filling a plurality of containers (2) that are arranged in a display (3), said machine (1) including a rotatable dispensing member (4) that is designed for transferring a filling substance into the containers (2). Said machine is also characterized in that it includes a means (10) for rotating a display (3) so that the combination of the rotational movements of the dispensing member (4) and the display (3) makes it possible to correlate the dispensing member (4) with each container (2), with a view to filling the latter. The invention also relates to filling machines.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the general technical field of automatic filling of small containers, like syringes, to obtain batches of pre-filled containers, such as pre-filled syringes ready for injection.

The present invention more particularly relates to a machine for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a display rack, said machine comprising a rotary dispensing member adapted to transfer a filling substance into the containers.

• une machine pour remplir une pluralité de récipients disposés dans un présentoir, ladite machine comprenant un organe de distribution rotatif conçu pour transférer une substance de remplissage dans les récipients,
• un présentoir de type « nest »,
• et une pluralité de récipients, du genre seringues, disposées par rangées dans ledit présentoir.

The present invention also relates to a system comprising:

• a machine for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a display, said machine comprising a rotational dispensing member adapted to transfer a filling substance into the containers,
• a "nest " type display ,
• and a plurality of containers, like syringes, arranged in rows in said display.

The present invention finally relates to a method of manufacturing a first container containing a filling substance, said method comprising a step of filling said first container, which is part of a plurality of containers arranged in a display, said filling step comprising a transfer of the filling substance into the first container by means of a dispensing member.

PRIOR ART

It is well known to package syringes, intended to be subsequently filled with a pharmaceutical product, in displays to accommodate a plurality of syringes distributed in a two-dimensional Cartesian arrangement.

Such displays are generally in the form of a tray, commonly called "nest ", provided on its surface with tubes arranged in a two-dimensional Cartesian arrangement. In each tube is intended to be threaded a syringe. The syringes thus threaded into the tubes of the tray are held in predetermined positions, parallel to each other. The display further comprises a tray, commonly called " tub ", provided to its upper free edge of an inner rim on which the "nest" is intended to rest. The syringes accommodated in the display stand are thus arranged in one of the parallel rows forming a two-dimensional Cartesian arrangement, with their filling orifice (opposite to the injection orifice) facing upwards.

New and empty syringes, especially when made of glass, are usually delivered pre-packaged in a nest / tub unit for subsequent filling with a pharmaceutical and then capped.

The filling of syringes contained in a "nest" can be done manually, using more or less sophisticated pipettes that are handled directly by an operator. Such manual filling is, however, reserved for very punctual filling operations and is not suitable for large quantities of syringes to be filled. In addition, such manual filling involves a human presence near and above the syringes to be filled, which introduces an additional risk of contamination, unless taking heavy and complex preventive measures. Finally, the filling orifice of the syringes may in certain cases have an extremely small section. It may therefore be difficult for the operator to quickly and accurately introduce the stylet of his pipette into the filling port of the syringe to fill it. There is therefore a risk that the user will miss the orifice of the syringe and / or transfer part of the contents of its contents. Fill pipette outside the syringe to fill, with all the disadvantages that could result.

In order to meet these drawbacks, it is known to use an automatic semi-dash filling made using a robot.

For example, it is known to use a six-axis universal robot that carries a filling stylet connected to a reservoir containing the drug to be transferred into the syringes. The six-axis robot in question is installed near a reception area designed to accommodate a "nest" containing syringes. The robot then successively positions the filling stylus in correspondence with the filling orifice of each syringe and releases a predetermined dose of drug substance which is transferred into the corresponding syringe. Such a universal robot is however expensive, which reserves its use to important productions that allow to amortize the investment. Such a robot is also a heavy equipment, bulky and irremovable because of its weight. Such a robot is also difficult to integrate in a contamination prevention device such as an isolator or a RABS (acronym for "Restricted Access Barrier System"). In particular, the size of such a six-axis robot is likely to hinder the removal operations and rests "nest". In addition, the implementation of such a six-axis robot for filling syringes contained in a "nest" generates the presence of moving parts (belonging to the robot) above the syringes which increases the risk of contamination.

Also known are three-axis or four-axis robots, SCARA type (acronym for " Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm "). Such robots are used in applications (semiconductor industry) that have nothing to do with the medical-pharmaceutical sector. Thus, there is no SCARA-type robot offer specifically dedicated to the medical-pharmaceutical sector and taking into account the particular constraints of this field. This implies in particular that there is no offer, in terms of SCARA-type robots, at satisfactory economic conditions, especially for small productions adapted to costly and / or toxic products requiring confinement as an insulator or RABS ( clinical lots). In addition, the cleaning of SCARA-type robots generally relatively complicated, which is of great disadvantage in the context of a pharmaceutical application. The weight of this robot is also relatively important.

Finally, we also know Cartesian robots three axes which are much more economical than six-axis robots and SCARA.

These Cartesian robots, however, prove extremely poorly adapted to pharmaceutical conditions, insofar as they implement moving parts near and above the syringes to be filled, that is to say in a highly sensitive area which must meet draconian cleanliness requirements. In addition, Cartesian robots three axes have a large footprint, especially when they are in their configuration allowing the removal / rests " nest ".

The documents US 2894542 , DE-1673152 , CH-286 706 and US 2493382 describe filling machines.

So far, there are no fully satisfactory technical solutions to deal in particular with small productions adapted to costly and / or toxic products requiring confinement as an isolator or RABS, such as clinical batches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object assigned to the invention is therefore to remedy the disadvantages listed above and to propose a new machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a display rack Cartesian arrangement, the kind " nest ", which are inexpensive , reliable, easily integrated in an insulator or RABS, lightweight, removable, meeting high regulatory standards in terms of cleanliness and allowing easy removal / installation of displays.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a display that allow extremely accurate and reliable filling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a display which are particularly simple and space-saving design.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a display unit which, while being extremely simple in construction, very significantly limit the risk of contamination or pollution of the containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a display which are based on an extremely simple, compact and robust construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a display unit which use a minimum of moving parts and different types of movements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a display that allow automatic closure of containers particularly simple, effective and clean.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new machine and system for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a display rack which are particularly adapted to cooperate with conventional type of display.

A complementary object of the invention is to provide a novel method of manufacturing a container containing a filler, which is cheap, accurate, reliable, and particularly safe.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a machine for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a display rack, said machine comprising a rotary distribution member according to a first axis of rotation designed to transfer a filling substance in the containers, said dispensing member comprising a filling stylet, said machine comprising a means for driving the display rack in rotation along a second axis of rotation so that the combination of the rotational movements of the dispenser member and the display unit allows the matching the dispensing member with each of the containers to fill them, said machine being characterized in that the trajectory the filling stylus imparted by the rotation of the dispensing member substantially crosses said second axis of rotation.

• une machine pour remplir une pluralité de récipients disposés dans un présentoir, ladite machine comprenant un organe de distribution rotatif selon un premier axe de rotation conçu pour transférer une substance de remplissage dans les récipients, ledit organe de distribution comprenant un stylet de remplissage, ladite machine comprenant un moyen d'entraînement du présentoir en rotation selon un deuxième axe de rotation pour que la combinaison des mouvements de rotation de l'organe de distribution et du présentoir permette la mise en correspondance de l'organe de distribution avec chacun des récipients en vue du remplissage de ces derniers, ladite machine étant caractérisée en ce que la trajectoire du stylet de remplissage impartie par la rotation de l'organe de distribution croise sensiblement ledit deuxième axe de rotation,
• un présentoir de type « nest »,
• une pluralité de récipients, du genre seringue, disposés par rangées dans ledit présentoir.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a system comprising:

• a machine for filling a plurality of containers arranged in a display rack, said machine comprising a rotational dispensing member according to a first axis of rotation adapted to transfer a filling substance into the containers, said dispensing member comprising a filling stylet, said machine comprising means for driving the display rack in rotation along a second axis of rotation so that the combination of the rotational movements of the dispensing member and the display unit enables the dispenser member to be brought into correspondence with each of the containers in order to filling the latter, said machine being characterized in that the trajectory of the filling stylet imparted by the rotation of the dispensing member substantially crosses said second axis of rotation,
• a " nest " type display,
• a plurality of containers, like syringe, arranged in rows in said display.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a method of manufacturing a first container containing a filling substance, said method comprising a step of filling said first container, which is part of a plurality of containers arranged in a display, said filling step comprising a transfer of the filling substance into the first container by means of a dispensing member comprising a filling stylet, the filling step including, prior to said transfer of the filling substance in the first container, a matching of the dispensing member and the first container by rotating the dispensing member and the display unit respectively according to a first and a second axis of rotation, said method being characterized in that the trajectory of the filling stylus imparted by the rotation of the dispensing member crosses sensi said second axis of rotation.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• La figure 1 représente une vue d'ensemble schématique en perspective d'une première variante de machine conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 2 illustre, selon une vue schématique de dessus, le principe cinématique sur lequel repose l'invention.
• La figure 3 illustre, selon une vue schématique en perspective, une deuxième variante de réalisation d'une machine conforme à l'invention.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear better on reading the following description, as well as with the aid of the accompanying drawings, given purely by way of illustration and without limitation, among which:

• The figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first variant of the machine according to the invention.
• The figure 2 illustrates, in a schematic view from above, the kinematic principle on which the invention is based.
• The figure 3 illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, a second alternative embodiment of a machine according to the invention.

BEST MODE OF REALIZING THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a machine 1 for filling a plurality of containers 2 arranged in a display rack 3. In other words, the machine 1 constitutes a filling machine for containers 2 packaged per group in a display unit 3. Preferably, the machine 1 according to the invention is designed to fill a plurality of containers 2 arranged in rows in a display unit 3 of the "nest" type, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 1 to 3 . Type displays "Nest" are well known as such in the medical and pharmaceutical sector.

The display 3 thus advantageously comprises a plate of substantially rectangular or square shape through which are perforations regularly distributed over substantially the entire surface of the tray. Each perforation is extended by a holding tube for receiving a container, preferably tubular. Thus, the machine 1 is specifically designed to fill tubular containers 2, preferably formed by syringe bodies. A syringe body is conventionally in the form of a tube provided at one of its ends with an injection orifice, of reduced section, to which a needle is intended to abut, and at the opposite end a filling port, in which is intended to be threaded the plunger of the syringe. The syringe body is further provided with a collar located at the filling orifice. The type displays " Nest ", such as the display 3 illustrated in the figures, thus accommodate a plurality of syringe bodies arranged vertically parallel to each other, so that their filling port is turned upwards. The collar which is provided with each syringe body is intended to abut against the corresponding holding tube of the " nest ", which makes it possible to position all the filling orifices of the syringe bodies accommodated by the "nest" to a single and same altitude. The syringe bodies are thus advantageously arranged in the rack 3 in rows, preferably parallel, so that their filling orifices are substantially all set in the same horizontal plane.

The invention is of course not limited to a machine for filling syringe bodies. It is for example quite possible that the containers 2 consist not of syringe bodies, as in the preferred embodiment, but by any other container of small capacity (at most a few tens of milliliters for example), such as test tubes used for diagnostic purposes in biomedical analysis laboratories, or in the pharmaceutical or biotechnological industry.

The machine 1 according to the invention also comprises a rotary dispensing member 4 designed to transfer a filling substance in the containers 2 while the latter are arranged in the display 3, as previously described and as illustrated in FIGS.

The filling substance advantageously has a fluid character with an ability to flow. Preferably, the filling substance is liquid, it being understood that it is quite possible alternatively that it has a pulverulent or pasty character, without departing from the scope of the invention. The filling substance is advantageously constituted by a medicament intended to be injected into the body of a patient. The invention is however not limited to this specific application, and it is for example quite possible that the filling substance is constituted for example of an analyte, to ingest, to coat or to mix. As explained above, the dispensing member 4 is designed to be pivotable and is in this respect preferably rotatably mounted along a first axis of rotation X-X '. Preferably, the machine 1 comprises and a frame 5 on which is mounted the dispensing member 4 with at least one degree of freedom in rotation.

Advantageously, the dispensing member 4 comprises a filling stylet 6, connected, for example by a flexible hose 60, to a source of the filling substance. The filling stylet 6 is preferably designed to fill one container 2 at a time. In other words, in this preferred embodiment, the filling stylet 6 is in the form of a cylindrical duct, constituted for example by a needle, whose section is less than or equal to, and preferably less than, at the section of the filling orifice of each container 2, so as to allow the stylet 6 to enter the container 2 through the filling opening of the latter and thus ensure optimal filling, without risk of inadvertent loss of substance filling. It is however quite conceivable that the dispensing member 4 comprises not a single filling stylet 6 designed to fill a container 2 at a time, but a group of filling stylets for filling simultaneously a plurality of containers 2. Preferably, the machine 1 according to the invention is based on the implementation of a sequential filling of the containers 2, that is to say that the dispensing member 4 is anyway not designed to fill all the containers 2 arranged in the rack 3 simultaneously, but is designed to ensure a sequential filling of the containers 2 in question. Such sequential filling can be ensured by filling one by one, one after another, the containers 2. As an alternative, it is conceivable that the dispensing member 4 successively fill groups of containers 2, the number of containers 2 in each group representing a fraction of the total number of containers 2 arranged in the display rack 3.

• rotation de l'organe de distribution 4 autour de l'axe X-X' pour positionner le stylet de remplissage 6 en regard (c'est-à-dire au droit) et au dessus d'un récipient 2 ;
• translation verticale descendante, selon l'axe X-X' de l'organe de remplissage 4 (ou tout simplement du stylet de remplissage 6) pour faire pénétrer le stylet de remplissage 6 dans le récipient 2 par l'orifice de remplissage de ce dernier ;
• transfert d'une quantité prédéterminée de la substance de remplissage dans le récipient 2 par l'intermédiaire du tuyau 60 et du stylet de remplissage 6 ; de préférence, le stylet de remplissage 6 est conçu pour descendre sensiblement jusqu'au fond du récipient 2 pour remonter ensuite progressivement pendant que la substance de remplissage est transféré dans le récipient 2, au fur et à mesure que le niveau monte dans le récipient 2.
• translation verticale ascendante de l'organe de distribution 4 (ou seulement du stylet de remplissage 6) pour extraire complètement le stylet de remplissage 6 du récipient 2.

Advantageously, the dispensing member 4 comprises a filling arm 7 which extends between a first end 7A to which, and preferably at which, the filling arm 7 is pivotally mounted on the frame 5, and a second end 7B towards which, and preferably at which level, the filling stylet 6 is mounted on the filling arm 7. Preferably, the filling arm 7 is adapted to pivot in a plane substantially parallel to the plane in which the filling orifices of the receptacles 2 are inscribed when they are arranged in the display stand 3, said plane preferably being parallel to the horizontal plane. In this preferential embodiment, the first axis of rotation XX 'is therefore substantially vertical. Thus, at least a portion of the filling arm 7 overhangs the containers 2 arranged in the rack 3, the latter occupying a predetermined position in the machine 1. Advantageously, the rotary dispensing member 4 is also designed to be able to move in translation. , so as to be closer to and away from each container 2 with which it is matched to ensure the filling. Advantageously, the dispensing member 4 is designed to move in translation along the first axis of rotation X-X '. In this way, the dispensing member 4 can provide the following functional sequence:

• rotating the dispensing member 4 around the axis XX 'to position the filling stylus 6 facing (that is to say right) and above a container 2;
• downward vertical translation, along the axis XX 'of the filling member 4 (or simply the filling pen 6) to make penetrate the filling pen 6 in the container 2 by the filling opening of the latter;
• transferring a predetermined quantity of the filling substance into the container 2 via the hose 60 and the filling stylet 6; preferably, the filling stylet 6 is adapted to descend substantially to the bottom of the container 2 to then gradually rise while the filling substance is transferred into the container 2, as the level rises in the container 2 .
• upward vertical translation of the dispensing member 4 (or only of the filling stylus 6) to completely extract the filling stylus 6 from the container 2.

Advantageously, the frame 5 comprises a first column 8 on which the filling arm 7 is mounted by means of a sliding pivot connection of axis X-X '.

Preferably, the first column 8 rises on the frame 5 coaxially with the first axis of rotation X-X ', and even more preferably said first column 8 extends along the first axis of rotation X-X'. Thus, as illustrated in the figures, the first column 8 preferably extends predominantly vertically while the filling arm 7 extends predominantly substantially horizontally from the free end of the first column 8. The sliding pivot connection between the filling arm 7 and the first column 8 is for example made using a first sleeve 9 which is attached to the first end 7A of the arm filling 7 and which covers the first column 8 while having with respect to the latter a dual translational faculty along the first axis XX 'and rotation along the same first axis X-X'. The rotational and translational movements of the filling arm 7 along the first axis XX 'are advantageously controlled by appropriate actuators of electrical or hydraulic type, for example.

The filling machine 1 according to the invention further comprises a drive means 10 of the display 3 rotating so that the combination of the rotational movements of the dispensing member 4 and the display 3 allows the matching of the distribution member 4 with each of the containers 2 for the purpose of filling the latter.

Thus, the invention is based in particular on the idea of performing a sequential filling containers 2 arranged in a display 3 by combining only a rotational movement of the display 3 and the dispensing member 4 to put the filling pen 6 successively facing each of the containers 2 arranged in the display 3.

As illustrated in the figures, the drive means 10 of the display unit 3 is designed to drive the display unit 3 in rotation along a second axis of rotation YY ', said first axis XX' and second axis YY 'of rotation being substantially collinear, or in other words parallel as illustrated in the figures.

The invention thus makes it possible, by combining only rotational movements (respectively of the dispensing member 4 and the display 3) to successively fill all the containers 2 arranged in the display stand 3.

In particular, the idea of rotating the display 3 relative to the frame 5 significantly simplifies and simplifies the dispensing member 4 which only requires a degree of freedom in rotation to ensure a sequential filling of all containers 2, insofar as the rotational movement of the dispenser member 4 is combined with a rotational movement of the display unit 3.

With this general concept, the invention avoids the presence of parts in relative movement overhanging the filling ports 2A of the containers 2. On the contrary, the invention makes it possible to implement a first axis of rotation XX 'which is offset relative to in the display 3, which is overhung by the filling arm 7 which advantageously has an invariable length and is not provided with any articulation, unlike the arm of the robots used in the prior art. The invention thus makes it possible, by acting directly on the display 3, to obtain an extremely simple and clean kinematic system, which is therefore particularly suitable for use in constraining environments (for example in a RABS or in an insulator).

The drive means 10 of the display 3 advantageously comprises a first turntable 11 on which the display 3 is intended to rest. The first turntable 11 thus comprises a substantially planar receiving surface 11 A of the display unit 3 on which the latter is intended to rest stably, as illustrated in the figures. The receiving surface 11A of the display unit 3 advantageously extends substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation Y-Y ', which is advantageously parallel to the first axis of rotation X-X' as mentioned previously.

Advantageously, the filling arm 7 is of invariable length. In order to allow the filling of all the containers 2 arranged in the display 3 (including when the latter is a "nest" type display in which case the containers 2 are uniformly distributed in rows, preferably parallel to each other, on a rectangular surface or square), the trajectory of the filling stylet 6 imparted by the rotation of the dispensing member 4 substantially intersects said second axis of rotation Y-Y ', that is to say, in the variant illustrated in the figures, that the trajectory of the filling stylet 6 imparted by the rotation of the filling arm 7 crosses the second axis of rotation YY '.

With this feature, according to which the filling stylus 6 moves in a circular path which passes to the right of the center of rotation of the driving means 10, the combination of the rotational movements of said drive means 10 and the arm of drive 7 allows the stylus 6 to reach one after the other each of the containers 2 arranged in the tray 3 of type " nest ".

In order to ensure a precise and rapid sequential filling, the movements of the dispenser member 4 and the drive means 10 of the rotating display stand 3 are controlled in a coordinated manner by means of a control means, preferably digital, well known as such and therefore does not need to be further described here.

Advantageously, the machine 1 according to the invention further comprises a closure device 12 of the containers 2, once the latter filled, using a plurality of plugs 13 disposed on a plate 14. Preferably, the plugs 13 are arranged in a matrix manner on the plate 14, in the same way that the containers 2 are placed on the display 3. The plate 14 is thus advantageously provided with orifices intended to receive within them the plugs 13, said orifices having a slightly smaller than the nominal diameter of the plugs 13 so as to maintain the latter in a state of radial compression when they are accommodated in the corresponding orifice of the plate 14. In particular, when the display 3 is a "nest" type display allowing a two-dimensional Cartesian arrangement of the containers 2, the plate 14 is also of "nest" type and allows a Cartesian distribution bi-dimensi Onnel of the plugs 13, the plate 14 and its plugs 13 forming from this point of view a "mirror" assembly of the plate 3 with its receptacles 2, each plug 13 corresponding to a receptacle 2.

• d'une part que la combinaison des mouvements de rotation de l'organe de manipulation 15 et du plateau 14 permette la mise en correspondance de l'organe de manipulation 15 avec chacun des bouchons 13 en vue de leur saisie par l'organe de manipulation 15
• et d'autre part que la combinaison des mouvements de rotation de l'organe de manipulation 15 et du présentoir 3 permette la mise en correspondance de l'organe de manipulation 15 avec chacun des récipients 2 en vue de leur bouchage.

Advantageously, the closure device 12 comprises a rotatable member 15 for handling the plugs 13 and a drive means 16 for the plate 14 in rotation for:

• on the one hand that the combination of the rotational movements of the handling member 15 and the plate 14 allows the matching of the manipulation member 15 with each of the plugs 13 for their input by the manipulator 15
• and secondly that the combination of the rotational movements of the manipulator 15 and the display 3 allows the matching of the manipulation member 15 with each of the containers 2 for their closure.

In other words, the manipulation member 15 is advantageously designed for one side to cooperate with the drive means 16 of the plate 14 in rotation to successively grasp the plugs 13 one after the other and another side to cooperate with the drive means 10 of the display 3 in rotation to successively close each container 2 with the plugs 13 recovered one by one on the plate 14 by the manipulation member 15.

Preferably, the manipulation member 15 comprises an arm 17 for transferring plugs 13 rotatably mounted along a third axis of rotation ZZ 'which is preferably distinct from and parallel to the first and second axes X-X', YY '. last. The plug transfer arm 17 extends between a first end towards which it is pivotally mounted on the frame 5 and a second end to which it is provided with means 18 for transferring plugs 13. Advantageously, the device capping 12 comprises a second column 19 on which is mounted the transfer arm 17 of the plugs 13 via a sliding pivot connection whose axis corresponds to the third axis Z-Z '.

The matching of the transfer means 18 with a specific plug 13 is performed by combining the rotational movement of the plate 14 and the rotational movement of the transfer arm 17, in the same way as the matching of the organ 4 with a specific container 2 is made by combining the rotational movements of the dispensing member 4 and the rotational movement of the display 3.

Preferably, the plug transfer arm 17 is, on the one hand, of invariable length and, on the other hand, designed so that the trajectory of the transfer means 18 imparted by the rotation of the plug transfer arm 13 crosses at once. the second axis of rotation YY 'and a fourth axis of rotation WW' in which the plate 14 is rotated by the drive means 16. This allows the filling arms 7 and each of the containers 2 and the plugs 13 to reach respectively. For this purpose, the drive means 10 of the display 3 rotating is preferably designed to accommodate centrally on the second axis YY 'the display 3, such that said second axis YY 'passes through the center of the display 3. Similarly, the driving means 16 of the rotating plate 14 is preferably designed to receive centrally on the fourth axis WW' the plate 14, of such so that said fourth axis WW 'passes through the center of the plate 14.

The first, second, third and fourth axes X-X ', Y-Y', Z-Z 'and W-W' are advantageously all parallel to one another and parallel to the vertical direction.

Advantageously, the transfer means 18 comprises a tube 18A whose diameter is slightly smaller than that of the upper opening 2A of the containers 2. The internal diameter of the tube 18A forming the transfer means 18 is slightly lower than that of the plugs 13, which are preferably made of a flexible material, of the elastomer or rubber type, capable of being compressed radially.

Advantageously, the closure device 12 also comprises a thrust arm 21 preferably mounted to rotate on the frame 5 along a fifth axis V-V '. In the embodiment of the figure 1 , the fifth axis VV 'coincides with the third axis Z-Z', while in the embodiment corresponding to the figure 3 , the fifth axis VV 'is distinct from the first, second, third and fourth axis X-X', Y-Y ', Z-Z', WW 'but is parallel thereto.

The thrust arm 21 is also advantageously mounted in translation relative to the frame 5, preferably along the axis V-V '. In the embodiment of the figure 1 , the thrust arm 21 is thus mounted on the second column 19 via a pivot-sliding connection whose axis corresponds to the third axis Z-Z '.

More specifically, the closure device 12 comprises in this case a second sleeve 17A from which the transfer arm 17 extends. Said transfer arm 17 is thus fixed to the second sleeve 17A, which cap the second column 19 while being able to slide and rotate along the third axis Z-Z '.

The closure device 12 also comprises a third sleeve 21 A which covers the second sleeve 17A and from which extends the thrust arm 21, the latter being fixed to the third sleeve 21 A. The third sleeve 21 A is also capable of slide and rotate along the third axis Z-Z '.

Advantageously, the thrust arm 21 is provided towards its free end with a sinking-plug rod 22 whose diameter is smaller than that of the inside diameter of the tube 18A forming the transfer means 18.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, at the figure 3 the thrust arm 21 is not slidably and rotationally mounted on the second column 19, but on a third column 23 which is distinct from the second column 19 while being substantially parallel and disposed in the immediate vicinity of the latter; as shown in the figure 3 . In this case, the third column 23 extends along the fifth axis VV 'which is distinct and extends parallel to the third axis Z-Z'. In this embodiment illustrated in figure 3 , the closure device 12 advantageously comprises a third sleeve 21 B which is attached to the thrust arm 21. This third sleeve 21 B caps the third column 23 and is pivotally mounted sliding on the latter along the fifth axis V-V '. The main advantage of using transfer arms 17 and thrust 21 rotatably mounted about respective axes of rotation Z-Z ', VV' is to limit the vertical size of the machine 1. In fact, in the case of the variant of the figure 1 the travel in vertical translation of the transfer arm 17 and the thrust arm 21 add up, which requires with the means conventionally used (endless screw for example) to provide a large vertical clearance space under the second column 19.

This implies that the machine 1 itself has a high height, which is generally not compatible with its installation on a table or on another machine. In this embodiment, the machine 1 must therefore have a structure that stands by itself, with a self-supporting frame 5.

On the contrary, in the embodiment of the figure 3 the vertical strokes of the transfer arms 17 and thrust 21 do not add up since these arms 17, 21 move vertically one parallel to the other. As a result, vertical clutter of the machine 1 is less which allows the latter to be more easily placed on a table or to be installed on another machine for example.

Machine 1 of the figure 3 is therefore much easier to integrate in a constraining environment (with the presence of an insulator or a RABS for example), and does not require that its frame 5 is self-supporting.

As illustrated in the figures, the thrust arm 21 is advantageously permanently arranged above the transfer arm 17, so that the plug-in rod 22 can be threaded into the tube 18A forming a transfer means 18 and be extracted out of this last by vertical sliding along the axis VV 'of the thrust arm 21.

• translation verticale descendante du bras de transfert 17 de façon à amener ce dernier à une altitude inférieure à celle des bouchons 13 contenue dans le plateau 14 ;
• rotation du bras de transfert 17 autour du troisième axe Z-Z' pour positionner le tube 18A formant moyen de transfert 18 sous un bouchon 13 donné, au droit de ce dernier ;
• translation verticale ascendante du bras de transfert 17 de manière à ce que le tube 18A vienne affleurer le bouchon 13 ;
• rotation du bras de poussée 21 autour du cinquième axe V-V' de façon à positionner la tige enfonce-bouchon 22 au dessus et au droit du bouchon 13 en question, ce dernier étant ainsi interposé entre la tige enfonce-bouchon 22 au-dessus et le tube 18A au-dessous et étant aligné avec ces derniers ;
• translation verticale descendante du bras de poussée 21 selon le cinquième axe V-V' de manière à repousser, à l'aide de la tige enfonce-bouchon 22, le bouchon 13 dans le tube 18A, le bouchon 13 restant coincé dans le tube 18A par expansion radiale (retour élastique radial centrifuge) ;
• positionnement du bras de transfert 17, par translation et rotation de ce dernier selon le troisième axe Z-Z', en regard et au dessus d'un récipient 2 à boucher ;
• translation verticale descendante du bras de transfert 17 de manière à faire pénétrer très légèrement l'extrémité inférieure du tube 18A contenant le bouchon 13 dans l'ouverture 2A du récipient 2 à boucher ;
• positionnement de la tige enfonce-bouchon 22 sur et contre le bouchon 13 contenu dans le tube 18A ;
• translation verticale ascendante du bras de transfert 17, ce qui entraîne la mise en butée du bouchon 13 contre la tige enfonce-bouchon 22, laquelle reste stationnaire ce qui permet le bouchage du récipient 2 concerné ;

The displacement of the transfer and thrust arms 21 is advantageously controlled by a control system, preferably digital, designed to operate at least the following operations:

• descending vertical translation of the transfer arm 17 so as to bring the latter to an altitude lower than that of the plugs 13 contained in the plate 14;
• rotation of the transfer arm 17 about the third axis ZZ 'to position the tube 18A forming a transfer means 18 under a cap 13 given to the right of the latter;
• upward vertical translation of the transfer arm 17 so that the tube 18A comes flush with the plug 13;
• rotation of the thrust arm 21 around the fifth axis VV 'so as to position the cap-push rod 22 above and to the right of the cap 13 in question, the latter being thus interposed between the sinking-cap rod 22 above and the tube 18A below and aligned with them;
• descending vertical translation of the thrust arm 21 along the fifth axis VV 'so as to push, with the aid of the push-in rod 22, the plug 13 into the tube 18A, the plug 13 remaining wedged in the tube 18A by expansion radial (centrifugal radial spring return);
• positioning of the transfer arm 17, by translation and rotation of the latter along the third axis Z-Z ', opposite and above a container 2 to be closed;
• vertical downward translation of the transfer arm 17 so as to penetrate very slightly the lower end of the tube 18A containing the plug 13 in the opening 2A of the container 2 to be plugged;
• positioning of the sinking-cap rod 22 on and against the plug 13 contained in the tube 18A;
• upward vertical translation of the transfer arm 17, which causes the abutment of the stopper 13 against the push rod-plug 22, which remains stationary which allows the closure of the container 2 concerned;

The thrust arm 21 is advantageously designed in a manner similar to the transfer arm 17, that is to say that it is advantageously on the one hand of invariable length, and on the other hand designed so that the trajectory of the needle-plug 22 imparted by the rotation of the thrust arm 21 crosses both the second axis of rotation YY 'and the fourth axis of rotation WW' according to which the plate 14 is rotated by the drive means 16, to allow vertical alignment of the plug-in rod 22, the tube 18A forming a transfer means 18, each of the plugs 13 on board 14 and each of the receptacles 2 on the display stand 3.

• une machine 1 conforme à l'invention et de préférence conforme à la description qui précède,
• un présentoir 3 de type « nest »,
• une pluralité de récipients 2, du genre corps de seringues, disposées par rangées dans ledit présentoir 3, selon une répartition cartésienne régulière bi-dimensionnelle.

The invention furthermore relates as such to a system comprising:

• a machine 1 according to the invention and preferably as described above,
• a display unit 3 of " nest " type,
• a plurality of containers 2, of the syringe body type, arranged in rows in said display unit 3, in a regular two-dimensional Cartesian distribution.

The invention also relates as such to a method of manufacturing a first container 2 containing a filling substance.

In other words, the manufacturing method aims at obtaining a first container 2 pre-filled with a predetermined dose of filling substance.

The process according to the invention is advantageously carried out using the machine 1 according to the invention, and preferably according to the preceding description.

Advantageously, the first container 2 in question is a syringe body intended to be filled with a pharmaceutical liquid in order to obtain a pre-filled syringe.

The method according to the invention comprises a step of filling the first container 20, which is part of a plurality of containers 2, preferably all identical, arranged in a display 3 according to the above description. The display unit 3 is advantageously a "nest" type display unit which allows a two-dimensional Cartesian distribution of the containers 2 to which the first container 20 belongs, as explained above.

The filling step comprises a transfer of the filling substance into the first container 20 by means of a dispensing member 4, preferably in accordance with the foregoing description. The filling step includes, prior to the transfer of the filling substance into the first container 20, a matching of the dispenser member 4 and the display unit 3.

In other words, and as previously described in relation to the filling machine 1 according to the invention, the combined rotational movements of the dispenser member 4 and the display stand 3 allow the dispensing member 4 to be matched with a predetermined container 2, in this case the first container 20.

Once this mapping is done, the actual filling of the first container 20 is performed, for example in the manner previously described with the aid of a filling stylus 6.

In order to allow the filling of all the containers 2 arranged in the display 3 (including when the latter is a "nest" type display in which case the containers 2 are uniformly distributed in rows, preferably parallel to one another, on a rectangular or square surface), the trajectory of the filling stylet 6 imparted by the rotation of the dispensing member 4 substantially intersects said second axis of rotation Y-Y ', which allows the stylus 6 to be matched with all the containers 2 of the display 3, one after the other, only through a combination of rotational movements (the display 3 and the stylus 6).

The first container 20 thus filled can then be plugged as described in detail in the foregoing.

POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The invention finds its industrial application in the design, manufacture and use of machines for filling containers.

Claims (15)

1. A machine (1) for filling a plurality of containers (2) arranged in a rack (3), said machine (1) comprising a dispensing unit (4) rotatable about a first axis of rotation (X-X'), designed for transferring a filling substance into the containers (2), said dispensing unit (4) comprising a filling stylet (6), said machine (1) comprising a means (10) for driving the rack (3) in rotation about a second axis of rotation (Y-Y') so that the combination of the rotational movements of the dispensing unit (4) and the rack (3) makes possible the placement of the dispensing unit (4) in correspondence with each of the containers (2) in order to fill these latter, said machine being characterized in that the trajectory of the filling stylet (6) imparted by the rotation of the dispensing unit (4) substantially crosses said second axis of rotation (Y-Y').
2. A machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotatable dispensing unit (4) is also designed so as to be movable in translation, in order to be able to move closer to or away from each container (2) with which it is placed in correspondence.
3. A machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filling stylet (6) is designed for filling one container (2) at a time.
4. A machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a frame (5) on which said dispensing unit (4) and a means for driving the rack are mounted, the dispensing unit (4) comprising a filling arm (7) that extends between a first end (7A) toward which said filling arm (7) is pivotably mounted on the frame (5) and a second end (7B) toward which the filling stylet (6) is mounted on the filling arm (7).
5. A machine (1) according to claims 2 and 4, characterized in that said frame comprises a first column (8) on which said filling arm (7) is mounted through a sliding pivot connection.
6. A machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first column (8) extends predominantly vertically whereas the filling arm (7) extends predominantly horizontally.
7. A machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the driving means (10) of the rack (3) comprises a first rotatable table (11), on which the rack (3) is intended to rest.
8. A machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said first and second axes of rotation (X-X', Y-Y') are substantially collinear to each other.
9. A machine (1) according to claims 5, 7 and 8, characterized in that said first column (8) extends substantially about the first axis of rotation (X-X'), whereas the first table (11) comprises a substantially planar surface (11A) for receiving the rack (3), which extends substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation (Y-Y').
10. A machine (1) according to claims 4 and 8, characterized in that the filling arm (7) is of invariable length.
11. A machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a device (12) for plugging the containers (2), once these latter have been filled, by means of a plurality of plugs (13) arranged on a tray (14), said plugging device (12) comprising a rotatable unit (15) for handling the plugs (13) and a means (16) for rotational driving of the tray (14), so that, on the one hand, the combination of the rotational movements of the handling unit (15) and the tray (14) allows the placement of the handling unit (15) in correspondence with each of the plugs (13) in order for them to be gripped by the handling unit (15), and on the other hand, the combination of the rotational movements of the handling unit (15) and the rack (3) allows the placement of the handling unit (15) in correspondence with each of the containers (2) in order for them to be plugged.
12. A machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it is designed for filling a plurality of containers (2) arranged into rows in a rack (3) of the nest type.
13. A machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said containers (2) are tubular containers (2), formed preferably by syringe bodies.
14. A system comprising:

    - a machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13,

    - a rack (3) of the nest type,

    - a plurality of containers (2), such as syringe bodies, arranged into rows in said rack (3).
15. A method of manufacturing a first container (20) containing a filling substance, said method comprising a step of filling said first container (20), which belongs to a plurality of containers (2) arranged in a rack (3), said filling step comprising a transfer of the filling substance into the first container (20) by means of a dispensing unit (4) comprising a filling stylet (6), the filling step including, before said transfer of the filling substance into the first container, a placement of the dispensing unit (4) and the first container (20) in correspondence with each other by rotating the dispensing unit (4) and the rack (3) about a first and a second axis of rotation (X-X', Y-Y'), respectively, said method being characterized in that the trajectory of the filling stylet (6) imparted by the rotation of the dispensing unit (4) substantially crosses said second axis of rotation (Y-Y').

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