EP2842541A1 - Device for filling and closing capsules - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for filling and closing capsules (30) composed of a capsule upper part and a capsule lower part, comprising a plurality of process stations arranged along a preferably circular conveying path (20), and a plurality of capsule conveying devices each having a plurality of capsule receptacles (24) for receiving each having a capsule, wherein the capsule conveyors supported capsules (30) along the conveyor track (20) through the process stations, along the conveyor track (20) at least two successively arranged track sections are formed, along a first track section arranged a first station group of successively Process stations is provided, and wherein along at least one further track section at least one further station group is provided by successively arranged process stations, wherein the station groups each have at least one feed station for feeding of capsules (30) to be filled in the capsule receptacles (24) of the capsule conveying devices, in each case at least one opening station for opening the capsules (30) to be filled by separating the capsule tops from the capsule bases, at least one dosing station for filling the capsule bottoms with the material to be filled , At least one closing station for closing the filled capsules (30) by placing the capsule tops on the filled capsule bottoms, and at least one ejection station for ejecting the filled capsules (30).

Description

The invention relates to a device for filling and closing capsules composed of a capsule upper part and a capsule lower part, comprising a plurality of process stations arranged along a preferably circular conveyor path, and a plurality of capsule conveying devices each having a plurality of capsule receptacles for accommodating a respective capsule, wherein the capsule conveyors convey captured capsules along the conveyor path through the process stations.

Such devices are also referred to as rotary encapsulation machines. They have along the conveyor line various stations, in particular a feed station for feeding the prefilled capsules to be filled, an opening station in which the capsule halves are separated, one or more dosing stations in which the material to be filled is filled into the capsule sub-parts, a closing station, in which the capsule halves are closed and an ejection station in which the capsules produced are ejected. In addition, often several empty stations are provided, which can be used differently depending on the application.

Conventional devices of this type are usually designed to use at the same time up to five (different or the same) dosing. In such devices, up to twelve process stations are distributed over the conveyor track. Such a device is known, for example DE 10 2004 048 007 A1 ,

In the devices in question, the process stations are approached by corresponding capsule conveyors in particular cyclically. The capsule delivery devices receive a predetermined number of capsules. The number of capsules to be recorded determines the number of cycles with the Device maximum achievable output. Devices with a medium output have between eight and twelve capsule receptacles per capsule delivery device, the capsules being arranged along a row. Machines with a higher output take up twice as many capsules per capsule conveyor device by forming two rows of capsule holders. This is associated with a corresponding doubling of the output of the device.

Basically, there is a need to maximize the delivery of the devices to manufactured capsules. For this purpose, on the one hand, the number of cycles can be increased. However, the currently prevailing maximum cycle rate of about 150 cycles per minute is in the vicinity of the physically possible, since the process stations for supplying, for dosing and, above all, for closing the capsules require a time that can not be reduced in practice. For example, when closing the capsules, this is due to the air displacement during the closing process.

Another way to increase the output is to further increase the capsule receptacles per capsule conveyor. This approach was followed by the provision of a second series of capsule receptacles. However, this possibility also reaches physical limits. The more capsules per capsule delivery device are provided, the more capsules must be filled simultaneously in the metering stations. The common dosing stations are either stuffing stations or riser stations. In such dosing stations stuffing or pressing forces must be absorbed, which increase with the number of capsule receptacles. Even with a particularly adapted construction of the device, in particular a specially adapted statics, the increase in the total compressive force on the moving mass of the dosage affects. This may cause more though Pressing force can be absorbed, but the number of cycles must be reduced again due to inertia. So here is a conflict of goals.

Based on the explained prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a device of the type mentioned, with the least possible space installation of the device over the prior art can be increased.

The invention achieves the object by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

For a device of the type mentioned, the invention achieves the object in that at least two successively arranged track sections are formed along the conveyor track, wherein along a first track section, a first station group is provided by sequentially arranged process stations, and at least one further track section along at least one further station group is provided by successively arranged process stations, wherein the station groups each have at least one feed station for feeding capsules to be filled into the capsule receptacles of the capsule delivery devices, respectively at least one opening station for opening the capsules to be filled by separating the capsule tops from the capsule bases, at least one dosing station for filling the capsule bottoms with the material to be filled, in each case at least one closing station for closing the filled capsules by placing the capsule top on the filled capsule bottoms, and include at least one ejection station for ejecting the filled capsules.

As is well known, the capsules are pre-capped and empty to the device. They are opened in the device, filled and then locked. The capsule tops and capsule bottoms may each have a latch or the like to be releasably connected to each other and sealed therewith. In the pre-closed state supplied to the device, the latching usually has not yet taken place, so that a simple opening of the capsules in the device is possible. After filling and closing the capsules, in particular by locking the capsule tops and bottoms, the filled capsules are ejected. The function of the individual process stations per se can basically be carried out as known from the prior art. For example, the opening stations can separate the capsule tops and capsule bottoms from each other by a vacuum device. The capsule conveying devices can have an upper part and a lower part, in each of which capsule receptacles for the upper capsule parts or the lower capsule parts are provided. The dosing stations may, for example, comprise so-called stuffing stamp stations or so-called riser stations. In stuffing stamp stations, for example, a compact having a predetermined dimensional stability is produced by usually successive pressing of a powder to be filled by means of stuffing punches, which is then transferred to the capsule parts in a transfer area. In particular, pellets can be filled in the dosing stations without stuffing dies or the like in the capsule parts. The closing stations can lock the capsule halves together in a manner known per se. The ejection stations may, for example, comprise per se known mechanical ejectors.

In contrast to the prior art, according to the invention at least two successively arranged track sections are formed along the conveyor track. A first track section is formed by a first station group of process stations arranged one behind the other and at least one further track section is formed by at least one further station group of process stations arranged one behind the other. The station groups each include the Process stations required to pick up, open, fill, close and eject the capsules. According to the invention, at least two complete production paths are thus formed along the conveyor track. Thus, in the device according to the invention, one can speak of a "multiple rotary capsule machine", in particular a "double rotary capsule machine". The capsule-conveying devices can convey the capsules picked up by them in particular cyclically along the conveyor track through the process stations. In principle, however, continuous support is also conceivable. The capsule conveying devices can be arranged, for example, on a conveying wheel, which in particular rotates cyclically, so that the capsule conveying devices successively pass through the process stations along the conveying path one after the other. In particular, exactly as many capsule delivery devices can be provided as there are process stations provided along the conveyor path as a whole. In this case, a plurality of batches, in particular two batches, are filled and ejected from the capsule conveying devices on the basis of the multiplication according to the invention, in particular doubling, of the normal production process with a full circumference along the conveying path.

The invention is based on the finding that the arrangement of at least two complete production paths along the conveyor track and a multiplication of the output of the device relative to conventional devices is possible by suitable reduction of the total number of process stations, without the installation space of the device being undesirably increased , By reducing the number of process stations to what is usually required, less space is required along the conveyor track. This gained space is used for the multiplication of the production paths according to the invention.

Thus, according to the invention, a considerable increase in output is achieved without the number of cycles per unit of time or the number of capsule receptacles of the capsule delivery devices having to be increased. By a suitable selection and, if appropriate, pooling of the actually required process stations, it can be ensured that, despite a multiplication of the production processes along the conveyor track, the total number of process stations does not multiply in the same way. For example, only one feed station can be provided per station group. In basically conventional manner, only one opening station and one closing station can be provided per station group.

Even compared to a simple duplication of the entire device, the invention offers considerable advantages. Thus, for example, the cleaning time is also a considerably larger compared to known devices machine still significantly less than the cleaning time of several separate devices, since in particular the surface to be cleaned is not multiplied. The same applies to the manufacturing costs, which also do not multiply, since many components with the multiplication of the production process need not be multiplied, for example, the fairing, the machine frame, gears and drives, etc. The same applies to any peripheral devices, despite a multiplication of the production process only must be provided once. Further advantages are the reduction of the required production rooms and the required operating personnel compared to a production with several separate devices.

In particular, exactly two track sections can be provided, each with exactly one station group. The web sections can then cover in a circular conveyor track in each case substantially 180 ° of the conveyor track. Such a symmetrical design of the web sections, optionally with identical configuration and arrangement of the process stations simplifies the processes in the device according to the invention. But there are others too Embodiments are possible in which the track sections are of different sizes, in particular if the station groups have a different number of process stations and / or differently arranged and designed process stations.

In principle, more than two track sections may be formed along the conveyor track, which then each comprise the above-mentioned process stations. In addition to a first and second station group, a third station group, a fourth station group, etc., which may be arranged along a third track section, a fourth track section, etc., may also exist. This is especially true in cases where a larger space is available.

In this way, not only a doubling but a tripling, quadrupling, etc. of the conventional production process and, correspondingly, a tripling or quadrupling, etc. of the output can be achieved.

According to an embodiment for minimizing the required number of stations, it can be provided that the feed station and the opening station of the first station group is integrated into a common feed and opening station of the first station group and / or that the feed station and the opening station of the at least one further station group into a common Feeding and opening station of at least one further station group is integrated.

According to a further embodiment and also in the sense of reducing the installation space with maximum application, it can be provided that the first station group does not comprise more than two metering stations and / or that the at least one further station group does not comprise more than two metering stations. In the metering stations of the station groups, for example, different, usually powdered or in a conventional manner pellet-shaped material filled in the capsule parts. It may be, for example, a pharmaceutical material or another material. In devices of the prior art, space is often provided for up to five different dosing stations. In fact, the vast majority of common capsules contain no more than two different ingredients. Against this background, the limitation associated with this embodiment is acceptable in terms of a reduction in space.

The capsule conveyance means may each comprise a first and a second series of capsule receptacles, in order to maximize in this way the application of the device. If the capsule conveying devices each have an upper part and a lower part, both upper part and lower part respectively have two rows of capsule receptacles. It is then further possible that the station groups each comprise a first and a second feed station, wherein the first feed station is adapted to each of the one capsule receptacles of a capsule delivery device to supply capsules, and wherein the second feed station is adapted to each of the other row supplied by capsule receptacles of the capsule delivery device capsules. According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that the station groups each comprise only one feed station, the feed stations being designed to supply capsules to both capsules of a capsule delivery device. This makes it possible to further reduce the number of stations per station group.

According to a further embodiment, in each case at least one process station of the station groups can be designed as metering and ejection station, wherein in the metering and ejection station unopened capsules are ejected by the at least one opening station. In this case, the dosing station is thus an ejection station arranged, for example, parallel to the dosing station assigned, so that a metering and ejection station is realized. This integration makes it possible to further reduce the required installation space. The ejection can be done for example by suitable ejector. Unopened capsules may then be fed to a bad capsule catcher.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a collecting device which is common to all station groups and which is arranged in such a way that it is supplied with the capsules ejected in the ejection stations of all station groups. It is also possible to provide a common test device for all station groups for testing the capsules filled in the process stations of all station groups. The common testing device can be arranged such that the capsules ejected in the ejection stations of all station groups are supplied to it for testing. By this use of trained usually as an external device test station for several station groups further simplification of the production process in a small space is possible. In particular, validation or testing of a batch of capsules for proper manufacture is then required only in a common testing facility.

According to a further embodiment it can be provided that the station groups each comprise two ejection stations, wherein in each case one of the ejection stations is adapted to supply Gutkapseln a first catcher, and wherein the other of the ejection stations is adapted to feed Badkapseln a second catcher, and wherein the station groups each comprise a testing device upstream of the ejection stations in the conveying direction of the capsules along the conveyor track for checking the capsules and for assigning them to one of the two ejection stations. The test of the capsules takes place before the ejection of the capsules. This can be advantageous since the capsules then still have a firmly defined position in the capsule receptacles. In a test and sorting after ejection, the capsules may need to be separated again, which creates additional expense.

According to a further embodiment of this, provision can be made for the good capsules ejected in the first ejection stations of the station groups to be supplied to a first collecting device common to all station groups, and for the bad capsules ejected into the second ejecting stations of the station groups to be fed to a second collecting device common to all the station groups. By this embodiment, a simplification of the structure is achieved when providing a plurality of test facilities for the station groups.

According to a further embodiment it can be provided that the station groups each comprise only one ejection station, wherein the ejection stations each comprise a device for distinguishing between capsules and bad capsules. It must then be provided, for example, two station groups only two ejection stations. The good capsules or bad capsules recognized in the ejection stations of the station groups can then be supplied to a collecting device for good capsules or a collecting device for bad capsules. It can be assigned for all station groups each have a common catcher for Gutkapseln and a common catcher for bad capsules. But it is also possible that the station groups are each assigned a collecting device for Gutkapseln and each a catcher for bad capsules.

According to another embodiment, at least one of the ejection stations may comprise a cleaning device which is designed to clean the capsule receptacles of the capsule-conveying devices. Such cleaning devices, for example, may possibly have suction devices in the range of Capsule intake accumulating material from the dosing include. By integrating the cleaning function into the ejection station, a further reduction of the number of stations is achieved. For example, in the case of two ejection stations provided per station group, in particular the last of the ejection stations can be equipped with the cleaning device.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung in einer schematischen Draufsicht nach einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel, und

Fig. 2

eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung in einer schematischen Draufsicht nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to figures. They show schematically:

Fig. 1

a device according to the invention in a schematic plan view of a first embodiment, and

Fig. 2

a device according to the invention in a schematic plan view of a second embodiment.

Unless otherwise indicated, like reference characters designate like items throughout the figures. In the Fig. 1 A device according to the invention for filling and closing capsules composed of a capsule upper part and a capsule lower part has a plurality of process stations arranged along a circular conveying path 20 in the example shown. In the example shown, the device has a total of 14 process stations, which in Fig. 1 numbered for illustration are circled. In the in Fig. 1 In the example shown, two successively arranged track sections are formed along the conveyor track 20, each covering 180 ° of the conveyor track 20. Along a first section of the track are the in Fig. 1 arranged with the numbers 01 to 07 designated process stations. Along the second track section are in Fig. 1 arranged the designated with the numbers 08 to 14 process stations.

• 01- 08, 02 - 09,03 - 10,04 - 11,05 - 12,06 - 13,07 - 14.

In reference numerals 22, 26 are in Fig. 1 Known upper and lower parts of a total of fourteen capsule conveyors shown. The upper and lower parts 22, 26 each have two rows of capsule receptacles 24, 28. At the process stations with the numbers 03, 04 and 10, 11 in Fig. 1 For example, the tops 22 of the capsule conveyors are shown separated from the bottoms 26. In the present case, each of the rows has ten capsule receptacles 24, 28, so that each of the capsule delivery devices can accommodate a total of twenty capsules. In the present example, the capsule conveying devices are arranged on a conveying wheel which, in the example illustrated, feeds the capsule conveying devices in cycles to the process stations shown at numbers 01 to 14, as in FIG Fig. 1 illustrated by the arrow 21. In the Fig. 1 Process stations shown at numbers 01 to 07 form a first station group of the device and the process stations shown at numbers 08 to 14 form a second station group of the device. The respective following pairs of process stations are identically formed:

• 01- 08, 02 - 09.03 - 10.04 - 11.05 - 12.06 - 13.07 - 14.

The process stations shown at numbers 01 and 08 are each feeding stations in which capsules 30 are supplied to the capsule conveying devices in the unfilled and pre-closed state and inserted into the capsule receptacles 24, 28 of the tops 22 and bottoms 26 of the capsule conveying device. The feed stations shown at numbers 01 and 08 hereby populate a first of the two rows of capsule receptacles 24, 28. The process stations shown at numbers 02 and 09 are also feed stations in which capsules 30 again in the pre-closed and unfilled state of the other row of Capsule receptacles 24, 28 of the capsule conveyors are supplied. The process stations shown at numbers 03 and 10 are each a placeholder for any additional process stations to be provided, for example dosing stations. For example, integrated into the feed stations 02 and 09 Opening stations, the capsules 30 held in the capsule receptacles 24, 28 are separated into capsule tops and capsule bottoms. This can be done for example by applying a suitable negative pressure. The tops 22 of the capsule conveying devices shown in the stations 04 and 11 hold the capsule tops and further convey them, while the bottoms 26 of the capsule conveying devices hold and further convey the capsule bottoms.

For the numbers 04 and 11 in Fig. 1 Dosing stations are shown in which the capsule bottoms, for example, a powdered or pellet-shaped material is supplied. At reference numeral 32 in FIG Fig. 1 corresponding filling devices are illustrated. For example, in a manner known per se, they may comprise a plurality of stuffing punches arranged along a circular path. If the stations at numbers 03 and 10 in Fig. 1 Dosing include, so for example, two different materials can be filled in the capsule parts. As can be seen from the process stations shown at numbers 03 and 04 or 10 and 11, in these stations the respective radially inner upper parts 22 of the capsule conveying devices and the radially outer lower parts 26 of the capsule conveying devices move together along the conveying path 20. For example, the process stations 04 and 11 of the device Fig. 1 be designed to eject the unopened by the opening station capsules 30.

For numbers 05 and 12 in Fig. 1 In each case, a closing station is shown in which the filled capsules 30 are closed by placing the previously dissolved capsule tops back onto the capsule bottoms. The capsule shells can lock, for example, on the capsule bases. For the closing function, the upper parts 22 of the capsule conveying devices and the lower parts 26 of the capsule conveying devices can be moved relative to each other.

The process stations subsequently approached by the capsule-conveying devices at the numbers 06 and 13 in FIG Fig. 1 are each ejection stations in which such capsules 30 are ejected that do not meet certain quality criteria ("bad capsules"). For this purpose, suitable testing devices may be provided. The bad capsules can be fed to a collection container, not shown, for reject capsules. The process stations, which are then started up by the capsule conveyors at the numbers 07 and 14 in Fig. 1 are also ejection stations, in this case for Gutkapseln, so capsules that meet the specified quality criteria. The Gutkapseln can be supplied according to a collecting device for Gutkapseln. Of course, the ejection of the bad and Gutkapseln could be reversed, so first the Gutkapseln and then the bad capsules. In addition, the process stations shown at numbers 07 and 14 may be associated with a cleaning device in which the capsule conveyors are cleaned of any impurities, such as powdery or pellet-shaped material present.

It can be seen that the in Fig. 1 shown inventive device with a total of only fourteen process stations two complete production channels for the filling of capsules 30 realized. Via process stations 07 and 14 in Fig. 1 Accordingly, twice as many capsules 30 are applied as in a conventional device of this type. By reducing the number of dosing stations to what is actually necessary in most cases and suitably combining process stations, this doubling of output is possible without increasing the number of process stations doubled and the space is thus undesirably increased.

In the Fig. 2 shown inventive device largely corresponds to the device Fig. 1 , Unlike the device Fig. 1 is that coming Device off Fig. 2 with a total of only ten process stations. Again, in the example shown, circular conveyor track 20 is subdivided into two track sections, with the process stations shown at numbers 01 to 05 in FIG Fig. 2 form a first station group along the first track section and those at numbers 06 to 10 in Fig. 2 shown process stations form a second station group along the second track section.

The reduction of process stations compared Fig. 1 is achieved, on the one hand, by the fact that the numbers 01 and 06 in Fig. 2 Feed stations shown are adapted to supply capsules 30 two rows of capsule receptacles 24 of the lower parts 26 of the capsule delivery devices. In the Fig. 2 The process stations shown at numbers 02 and 03 or 07 and 08 correspond to those at numbers 03 and 04 or 10 and 11 in Fig. 1 shown process stations. In the Fig. 2 Closing stations shown at numbers 04 and 09 correspond in turn to the in Fig. 1 Closing stations shown at numbers 05 and 12. Another saving of process stations over the embodiment of Fig. 1 is in the embodiment of the Fig. 2 achieved in that only one ejection station per station group is provided, namely the ejection stations shown at numbers 05 and 10. In the embodiment of the Fig. 2 the classification of the capsules 30 produced in Gutkapseln and Schleckkapseln the ejection stations 05 and 10 downstream or upstream, for example, already in the range of dosing or closing stations. For this purpose, a suitable test device is provided, which checks the ejected from the ejection stations 05 and 10 capsules 30 for proper production. Depending on the capsules 30 can be sorted by well-known sorting in Gutkapseln and bad capsules and supplied to corresponding collecting devices.

Claims (13)

Device for filling and closing capsules (30) composed of a capsule upper part and a capsule lower part, comprising a plurality of process stations arranged along a preferably circular conveying path (20), and a plurality of capsule conveying devices each having a plurality of capsule receptacles (24) for receiving each having a capsule, wherein the capsule conveying devices convey recorded capsules (30) along the conveyor track (20) through the process stations,
characterized in that along the conveyor track (20) at least two successively arranged track sections are formed, along a first track section, a first station group is provided by successively arranged process stations, and along at least one further track section at least one further station group is provided by sequentially arranged process stations in each case at least one feed station for feeding capsules (30) to be filled into the capsule receptacles (24) of the capsule conveying devices, in each case at least one opening station for opening the capsules (30) to be filled by separating the capsule tops from the capsule bottoms, in each case at least one Dosing for filling the capsule bases with the material to be filled, in each case at least one closing station for closing the filled capsules (30) by placing the capsule tops on the filled capsule base e, and at least one ejection station for ejecting the filled capsules (30). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed station and the opening station of the first station group in a common feed and Opening station of the first station group is integrated and / or that the feed station and the opening station of the at least one further station group is integrated in a common feeding and opening station of the at least one further station group. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first station group does not comprise more than two metering stations and / or that the at least one further station group does not comprise more than two metering stations. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capsule delivery devices of the station groups each have a first and a second row of capsule receptacles (24). Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the station groups each comprise a first and a second feed station, wherein the first feed station is adapted to each capsule (30) supply to a number of capsule receptacles (24) of a capsule delivery device, and wherein the second feed station is adapted to each of the other row of capsule receptacles (24) of the capsule delivery device capsules (30) supply. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the station groups each comprise only one feed station, wherein the feed stations are adapted to supply in each case two rows of capsule receptacles (24) of a capsule delivery device capsules (30). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case at least one process station of the station groups is designed as metering and ejection station, wherein in the metering and ejection station not opened by the at least one opening station capsules (30) are ejected. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is further provided a collecting means common to all the groups of stations, which is arranged such that it is supplied with the capsules (30) ejected in the ejection stations of all the groups of stations. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is further provided a test device common to all station groups for testing the capsules (30) filled in the process stations of all station groups. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the station groups each comprise two ejection stations, wherein each one of the ejection stations is adapted to supply Gutkapseln a first catcher, and wherein the respective other of the ejection stations is adapted to Schleckkapseln a second catcher and that the station groups each comprise a testing device upstream of the ejection stations in the conveying direction of the capsules (30) along the conveyor track (20) for checking the capsules (30) and for assigning them to one of the two ejection stations. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the ejected in the first ejection stations of the station groups Gutkapseln a for all station groups common first collecting device are supplied, and that ejected in the second ejection stations of the station groups Badkapseln a common for all station groups second collecting device are supplied. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the station groups each comprise only one ejection station, wherein the ejection stations each comprise a device for distinguishing between Gutkapseln and Schleckkapseln. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the ejection stations further comprises a cleaning device which is adapted to clean the capsule receptacles (24) of the capsule conveying devices.

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