EP3085353B1 - Capsule filling machine - Google Patents

Capsule filling machine Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3085353B1
EP3085353B1 EP16166437.0A EP16166437A EP3085353B1 EP 3085353 B1 EP3085353 B1 EP 3085353B1 EP 16166437 A EP16166437 A EP 16166437A EP 3085353 B1 EP3085353 B1 EP 3085353B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
capsule
machine
filling
drives
machine housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP16166437.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3085353A1 (en
Inventor
Jan Fabian Scheffler
Daniel Malick
Jan-Eric Kruse
Thomas Heinrich
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fette Engineering GmbH
Original Assignee
Fette Engineering GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fette Engineering GmbH filed Critical Fette Engineering GmbH
Publication of EP3085353A1 publication Critical patent/EP3085353A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3085353B1 publication Critical patent/EP3085353B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
    • B65B43/52—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation using roller-ways or endless conveyors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/40—Removing separate lids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B65/00—Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
    • B65B65/02—Driving gear
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a capsule filling machine for filling capsules composed of a capsule upper part and a capsule base, comprising a machine housing, in which a machine table is arranged and a delivery wheel, on whose circumference a plurality of capsule holders is provided, each having a plurality of capsule receptacles for each one Have capsule, further comprising a likewise arranged in the machine housing prinradantrieb, with the conveyor wheel can be cyclically rotated so that move the capsule holder cyclically along a conveyor track, and comprising a plurality of arranged along the conveyor track on or on the machine table and also in The process stations arranged at least one feed station for supplying to be filled capsules in the capsule receptacles, at least one opening station for opening the capsules to be filled by separating the Kapselobert at least one filling station for filling the capsule bottoms with material to be filled, at least one closing station for closing the filled capsules by connecting the capsule tops to the capsule bottoms, and at least one ejection
  • control cabinets which receive the machine computer for controlling the capsule filling machine.
  • the cabinet is either permanently attached to the machine housing, for example flanged, in known capsule filling machines, or is installed as an external control cabinet separately from the machine housing, either in the same space as the capsule filling machine or in a separate technical room.
  • an external control cabinet When used an external control cabinet, the necessary connection lines for the control of the capsule filling machine from the cabinet via the bottom, channels or other protected or unprotected cable routes are guided to the capsule filling machine and connected to the corresponding components of the capsule filling machine.
  • control cabinet If, however, the control cabinet is located in an external technical room, maintenance is difficult. From a critical length of the guided from the cabinet to the capsule filling lines leads to transmission problems or costly signal converter must be used. For connection, large interfaces or connector panels are required. A retrofitting of modules is difficult.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a capsule filling machine of the type mentioned, in which the cabinet can be arranged while avoiding the disadvantages mentioned above.
  • lines routed through the production room should be avoided as much as possible.
  • the accessibility to the capsule filling machine should not be affected.
  • Such clocked capsule filling machines have an example designed as a turntable conveyor wheel, on the periphery of a plurality of capsule holders is provided for receiving the capsules to be filled.
  • the feed wheel is cyclically moved along a plurality of arranged along the circumference of the feed wheel process stations, the capsule holder cyclically through the process station.
  • Such capsule filling machines form so-called rotary machines.
  • the conveyor wheel passes through downtimes and movement times.
  • the switching time defines the time in which the capsule holders are moved from one process station to the next process station. This is determined by the movement time of the feed wheel.
  • the rest time defines the time in which the capsule holders each remain at the process stations for carrying out the respective process. This is determined by the downtime of the feed wheel.
  • the clocked movement of the capsule holder is realized in the prior art usually by a stepping gear, which is driven by the conveyor wheel drive.
  • the step-by-step gearbox converts a constant speed of the conveyor wheel drive into step movements and thus into switching and rest periods.
  • the respective required drive of the process stations is realized by the conveyor wheel drive via mechanical cam disks.
  • the process stations have process drives which can be controlled separately from the conveyor wheel drive. There are thus no mechanical stepper or mechanical cams required. This makes it possible to decouple the rest time from the switching time, which brings advantages in terms of flexibility of the process flow with it.
  • Another advantageous effect of the process drives to be controlled separately is that space is created in the machine housing by dispensing with the stepping gear or the mechanical cams, which allows the arrangement of the control cabinet according to the invention in the machine housing.
  • the control cabinet On account of the integration of the control cabinet into the machine housing according to the invention, it is possible on the one hand to dispense with disruptive lines in the production space receiving the capsule filling machine. At the same time, the accessibility to the capsule filling machine is not hindered.
  • the cabinet is adapted in a suitable manner to the space in the machine housing. In particular, this relates to the appropriate selection of the components of the cabinet and the spatial arrangement of the same (drives, computers, terminals, etc.).
  • an important advantage of the invention lies in a machine housing, which is easily accessible from all sides, and thus process space of the capsule filling machine. This facilitates cleaning, shortens the cleaning time and improves the quality of cleaning. This leads to a cost saving.
  • the configuration is simplified, the on-site installation is faster and safer, as no energy and / or control cables need to be laid on site.
  • the capsule filling machine can be set up faster, more reliably and more cheaply in another location.
  • the footprint of the capsule filling machine is reduced in size compared to both conventional control cabinet variants. Elaborate plug connections and connection fields outside the machine housing can be omitted. The signal quality is improved.
  • the assembly is simplified by pre-assembled cable lengths and thus more cost-effective, since the required cable lengths can be standardized within the machine housing. Overall, the manufacturing costs are reduced because external fasteners are eliminated and the existing machine housing shared with the control cabinet can be. For machine maintenance, further advantages result from better accessibility compared to the prior art. As mentioned, a plurality of lines no longer has to be guided through the production space accommodating the capsule filling machine. On the contrary, a connection to communication between an external operating unit and the control cabinet arranged in the machine housing and an electrical power supply suffice.
  • the conveyor wheel drive may be an electric servo drive, comprising a servomotor driving the conveyor wheel in rotation via a transmission, or the conveyor wheel drive may be a direct drive, in particular a torque drive.
  • the process drives can be drives from the group of electric servo drives, direct drives, in particular torque drives, and linear drives.
  • the said drives, in particular electric servo drives, are characterized by a small footprint and thus facilitate the inventive arrangement of the cabinet in the machine housing on.
  • the cabinet may be arranged according to a further embodiment in a free space below the machine table on a bottom plate of the machine housing.
  • This space is particularly suitable for the control cabinet, since this is then indeed arranged in the machine housing, but spatially separated from the operating components of the capsule filling machine, in particular the feed wheel and the process stations, receiving process space below the machine table.
  • the machine table is arranged on a support plate, below which there is the space receiving the control cabinet.
  • the support plate on the one hand provides the required stability for receiving the operating components of the capsule filling machine.
  • a separation can be realized by the support plate Be sure that meets the possibly high purity requirements in the area of the operating components of the capsule filling machine receiving process space safely without the cabinet receiving space must meet the same purity requirements.
  • the support plate thus separates the process space from the free space accommodating the control cabinet.
  • the function of the support plate can alternatively be met by the machine table itself. In principle, of course, other placement locations of the cabinet in the machine housing are conceivable.
  • a removal device with which the cabinet is removed from the machine housing.
  • the removal device may comprise rails arranged on a base plate of the machine housing, on which the control cabinet is arranged.
  • the rails can be telescopic rails, so that the control cabinet can be moved out of the machine housing by extending the telescopic rails.
  • the aforementioned embodiments allow easy removal of the cabinet for maintenance or repair or the like from the machine housing.
  • the control cabinet can stand up directly on the rails, for example via rollers or sliding elements or fixedly arranged on the rails. But it can also be arranged indirectly on the rails, for example on a rail arranged on the support plate or the like. Due to the design as telescopic rails, these and thus the control cabinet can be moved out of the machine housing in a particularly simple manner.
  • an operating unit for operating the machine computer can be provided by an operator outside of the machine housing.
  • the operating unit may comprise an operating display, for example a touch display or the like.
  • the operating unit can be arranged next to and separate from the machine housing and communicate with the machine computer wirelessly or via a wired connection.
  • the operating unit can be arranged as a pure operating terminal next to the capsule filling machine, for example on a suitable stand or the like.
  • the operating unit is arranged on a holder fixed to the machine housing and communicates wirelessly above a guided by or on the holder wired connection with the machine computer.
  • the operating unit may be arranged on a gallows or the like fastened to the machine housing.
  • the capsule filling machine shown in the figures for filling capsules composed of a capsule upper part and a capsule lower part, for example hard gelatine capsules comprises a machine housing 10.
  • the machine housing 10 is subdivided by a support plate 12 into an upper and a lower part.
  • the operating components of the capsule filling machine as in Fig. 2 schematically shown at reference numeral 14.
  • These operating components include a machine table and a conveyor wheel, on the periphery of a plurality is provided by capsule holders, each having a plurality of capsule receptacles for each capsule.
  • these operating components include a conveyor wheel drive, with which the feed wheel can be cyclically rotated, so that the capsule holder move in cycles along a conveyor track.
  • the operating components comprise a plurality of process stations arranged along or at the machine table along the conveyor track, specifically at least one feed station for feeding capsules to be filled into the capsule receptacles, at least one opening station for opening the capsules to be filled by separating the capsule tops from the capsule bottoms at least one filling station for filling the capsule bottoms with material to be filled, at least one closing station for closing the filled capsules by connecting the capsule tops to the capsule bottoms, and at least one ejection station for ejecting the filled capsules.
  • the basic structure of a capsule filling machine is known per se.
  • the process stations of the capsule filling machine according to the invention thereby have process drives for their operation, which in the present case are controllable independently of the conveyor wheel drive and are also part of the operating components.
  • a switchgear cabinet 16 which contains inter alia a machine computer for the operation of the capsule filling machine, in particular the control of the conveyor wheel drive and the process drives.
  • a machine computer for the operation of the capsule filling machine, in particular the control of the conveyor wheel drive and the process drives.
  • the support plate 12 forms a tight separation between the process chamber of the capsule filling machine forming upper part of the machine housing 10 and the free space for the cabinet 16 forming the lower part of the machine housing 10th
  • the control cabinet 16 is arranged on telescopic rails 18, which in turn are arranged on the bottom plate of the machine housing 10. By removing the telescopic rails 18, the cabinet 16 can be removed from the machine housing 10 for service or repair.
  • an operating unit 20 with an operating display 22 for operating the machine computer by an operator.
  • the operating unit 20 is supported by a stand 24 with a foot 26 on the floor of the production room and communicates in the example shown via a wireless connection 28 with the machine computer of the cabinet.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Kapselfüllmaschine zum Befüllen von aus einem Kapseloberteil und einem Kapselunterteil zusammengesetzten Kapseln, umfassend ein Maschinengehäuse, in dem ein Maschinentisch angeordnet ist und ein Förderrad, an dessen Umfang eine Mehrzahl von Kapselhaltern vorgesehen ist, die jeweils eine Mehrzahl von Kapselaufnahmen für jeweils eine Kapsel aufweisen, weiter umfassend einen ebenfalls in dem Maschinengehäuse angeordneten Förderradantrieb, mit dem das Förderrad taktweise gedreht werden kann, so dass sich die Kapselhalter taktweise entlang einer Förderbahn bewegen, und umfassend eine Mehrzahl von entlang der Förderbahn an oder auf dem Maschinentisch angeordneten und ebenfalls in dem Maschinengehäuse angeordneten Prozessstationen, wobei die Prozessstationen mindestens eine Zuführstation zum Zuführen von zu befüllenden Kapseln in die Kapselaufnahmen, mindestens eine Öffnungsstation zum Öffnen der zu befüllenden Kapseln durch Trennen der Kapseloberteile von den Kapselunterteilen, mindestens eine Füllstation zum Befüllen der Kapselunterteile mit zu befüllendem Material, mindestens eine Schließstation zum Schließen der befüllten Kapseln durch Verbinden der Kapseloberteile mit den Kapselunterteilen, und mindestens eine Auswurfstation zum Auswerfen der befüllten Kapseln umfassen. Eine Kapselfüllmaschine mit derartigen Prozessstationen ist beispielsweise aus DE 10 2010 040 505 A1 bekannt.The invention relates to a capsule filling machine for filling capsules composed of a capsule upper part and a capsule base, comprising a machine housing, in which a machine table is arranged and a delivery wheel, on whose circumference a plurality of capsule holders is provided, each having a plurality of capsule receptacles for each one Have capsule, further comprising a likewise arranged in the machine housing Förderradantrieb, with the conveyor wheel can be cyclically rotated so that move the capsule holder cyclically along a conveyor track, and comprising a plurality of arranged along the conveyor track on or on the machine table and also in The process stations arranged at least one feed station for supplying to be filled capsules in the capsule receptacles, at least one opening station for opening the capsules to be filled by separating the Kapselobert at least one filling station for filling the capsule bottoms with material to be filled, at least one closing station for closing the filled capsules by connecting the capsule tops to the capsule bottoms, and at least one ejection station for ejecting the filled capsules. A capsule filling machine with such process stations is for example off DE 10 2010 040 505 A1 known.

Die Elektrik und Elektronik von derartigen Kapselfüllmaschinen nimmt zunehmend Platz ein. Seit Einführung von durch einen Maschinenrechner gesteuerten Kapselfüllmaschinen sind Schaltschränke vorgesehen, die den Maschinenrechner zum Steuern der Kapselfüllmaschine aufnehmen. Der Schaltschrank ist bei bekannten Kapselfüllmaschinen entweder seitlich außen an dem Maschinengehäuse fest angebaut, beispielsweise angeflanscht, oder ist als externer Schaltschrank separat von dem Maschinengehäuse entweder im gleichen Raum wie die Kapselfüllmaschine oder in einem separaten Technikraum aufgestellt. Bei Einsatz eines externen Schaltschranks werden die erforderlichen Verbindungsleitungen für die Steuerung der Kapselfüllmaschine von dem Schaltschrank über den Boden, Kanäle oder sonstige geschützte oder ungeschützte Leitungswege zu der Kapselfüllmaschine geführt und mit den entsprechenden Komponenten der Kapselfüllmaschine verbunden.The electrics and electronics of such capsule filling machines are increasingly taking up space. Since the introduction of capsule filling machines controlled by a machine computer, control cabinets are provided which receive the machine computer for controlling the capsule filling machine. The cabinet is either permanently attached to the machine housing, for example flanged, in known capsule filling machines, or is installed as an external control cabinet separately from the machine housing, either in the same space as the capsule filling machine or in a separate technical room. When used an external control cabinet, the necessary connection lines for the control of the capsule filling machine from the cabinet via the bottom, channels or other protected or unprotected cable routes are guided to the capsule filling machine and connected to the corresponding components of the capsule filling machine.

Beide vorbekannten Anordnungen von Schaltschränken sind mit Nachteilen behaftet. Bei an der Außenseite des Maschinengehäuses befestigten Schaltschränken ist abhängig von der Größe des Schaltschranks eine Seite der Kapselfüllmaschine nicht mehr bzw. nur noch eingeschränkt zugänglich. Dadurch werden Reinigungs- und Montagearbeiten von dieser Seite erschwert bzw. unmöglich. In der Konsequenz wird die zur Verrichtung dieser Tätigkeiten erforderliche Zeit erhöht und die Ergonomie der Kapselfüllmaschine verschlechtert. Ferner ist die Aufstellfläche der Kapselfüllmaschine größer als notwendig.Both prior art arrangements of cabinets are subject to disadvantages. When mounted on the outside of the machine housing cabinets depending on the size of the cabinet one side of the capsule filling machine is no longer or only partially accessible. This makes cleaning and assembly work from this side difficult or impossible. As a consequence, the time required to perform these activities is increased and the ergonomics of the capsule filling machine are worsened. Furthermore, the footprint of the capsule filling machine is greater than necessary.

Bei externen Schaltschränken kann zwar die Zugänglichkeit zur Kapselfüllmaschine verbessert werden. Allerdings muss bereits während der Projektierung auf die richtige Kabellänge der von dem Schaltschrank zu der Kapselfüllmaschine zu führenden Leitungen geachtet werden und diese muss sowohl im Maschinenbau des Lieferanten berücksichtigt werden als auch bei einem eventuellen Umzug bzw. Verlagerung der Maschinen in einen anderen Füllraum oder einen anderen Standort der Kapselfüllmaschine neu erstellt bzw. angepasst werden. Ferner ist bei der Leitungsführung darauf zu achten, dass die Kabel bzw. Kabelbäume so verlegt werden, dass eine Verschmutzung vermieden wird bzw. sie auch von staubigen Produkten gereinigt werden können. Durch den die Kapselfüllmaschine aufnehmenden Raum geführte Leitungen stören die in dem Raum befindlichen Bedienpersonen, erschweren die Reinigung und nehmen unerwünscht Platz in Anspruch. Sofern der externe Schaltschrank in dem die Kapselfüllmaschine aufnehmenden Produktionsraum angeordnet ist, entsteht ein zusätzlicher Flächenbedarf. Ist der Schaltschrank dagegen in einem externen Technikraum angeordnet, ist die Wartung erschwert. Ab einer kritischen Länge der von dem Schaltschrank zu der Kapselfüllmaschine geführten Leitungen kann es zu Übertragungsproblemen kommen bzw. es müssen kostspielige Signalumformer eingesetzt werden. Zum Anschluss sind große Schnittstellen bzw. Steckerfelder erforderlich. Eine Nachrüstung von Baugruppen ist erschwert.In external control cabinets, although the accessibility to the capsule filling machine can be improved. However, attention must be paid to the correct cable length of the cables to be routed from the control cabinet to the capsule filling machine during configuration, and this must be taken into account both in the supplier's mechanical engineering and in the event of a relocation or relocation of the machines to another filling room or another Location of the capsule filling machine to be recreated or adapted. Care must also be taken when routing the cables so that cables are laid so that contamination is avoided or they can also be cleaned of dusty products. By the capsule filling machine receiving space guided lines disturb the operators located in the room, complicate the cleaning and take up undesirable space. If the external control cabinet is arranged in the production space accommodating the capsule filling machine, an additional one arises Space requirements. If, however, the control cabinet is located in an external technical room, maintenance is difficult. From a critical length of the guided from the cabinet to the capsule filling lines leads to transmission problems or costly signal converter must be used. For connection, large interfaces or connector panels are required. A retrofitting of modules is difficult.

Ausgehend von dem erläuterten Stand der Technik liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Kapselfüllmaschine der eingangs genannten Art bereitzustellen, bei der der Schaltschrank unter Vermeidung der oben genannten Nachteile angeordnet werden kann. Insbesondere sollen durch den Produktionsraum geführte Leitungen soweit möglich vermieden werden. Gleichzeitig soll die Zugänglichkeit zu der Kapselfüllmaschine nicht beeinträchtigt sein.Based on the explained prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a capsule filling machine of the type mentioned, in which the cabinet can be arranged while avoiding the disadvantages mentioned above. In particular, lines routed through the production room should be avoided as much as possible. At the same time the accessibility to the capsule filling machine should not be affected.

Die Erfindung löst die Aufgabe durch den Gegenstand von Anspruch 1. Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen finden sich in den abhängigen Ansprüche, der Beschreibung und den Figuren.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.

Für eine Kapselfüllmaschine der eingangs genannten Art löst die Erfindung die Aufgabe dadurch,

  • dass die Prozessstationen Prozessantriebe für ihren Betrieb aufweisen, die unabhängig von dem Förderradantrieb steuerbar sind, und
  • dass ein Schaltschrank, der unter anderem einen Maschinenrechner für den Betrieb der Kapselfüllmaschine und die Steuerung des Förderradantriebs sowie der Prozessantriebe enthält, ebenfalls innerhalb des Maschinengehäuses angeordnet ist und über innerhalb des Maschinengehäuses angeordnete Leitungen zumindest mit dem Förderradantrieb und den Prozessantrieben verbunden ist.
For a capsule filling machine of the type mentioned above, the invention achieves the object by
  • that the process stations have process drives for their operation which are controllable independently of the conveyor wheel drive, and
  • that a control cabinet which contains, inter alia, a machine computer for the operation of the capsule filling machine and the control of the conveyor wheel drive and the process drives, is also disposed within the machine housing and connected via arranged within the machine housing lines at least with the conveyor wheel drive and the process drives.

Derartige getaktete Kapselfüllmaschinen weisen ein beispielsweise als Drehteller ausgebildetes Förderrad auf, an dessen Umfang eine Mehrzahl von Kapselhaltern zur Aufnahme der zu befüllenden Kapseln vorgesehen ist. Durch einen Förderradantrieb wird das Förderrad taktweise entlang einer Mehrzahl von entlang des Umfangs des Förderrades angeordneten Prozessstationen bewegt, wobei die Kapselhalter taktweise die Prozessstation durchlaufen. Derartige Kapselfüllmaschinen bilden sogenannte Rundläufermaschinen. Bei dem taktweisen Fördern der Kapselhalter von Prozessstation zu Prozessstation durchläuft das Förderrad Stillstandszeiten und Bewegungszeiten. Es wird unterschieden zwischen einer Schaltzeit und einer Rastzeit. Die Schaltzeit definiert die Zeit in der die Kapselhalter von einer Prozessstation zur nächsten Prozessstation bewegt werden. Diese wird durch die Bewegungszeit des Förderrads vorgegeben. Die Rastzeit definiert die Zeit, in der die Kapselhalter jeweils an den Prozessstationen zur Durchführung des jeweiligen Prozesses verharren. Diese wird durch die Stillstandszeit des Förderrades vorgegeben.Such clocked capsule filling machines have an example designed as a turntable conveyor wheel, on the periphery of a plurality of capsule holders is provided for receiving the capsules to be filled. By a Förderradantrieb the feed wheel is cyclically moved along a plurality of arranged along the circumference of the feed wheel process stations, the capsule holder cyclically through the process station. Such capsule filling machines form so-called rotary machines. During the cyclic conveying of the capsule holder from process station to process station, the conveyor wheel passes through downtimes and movement times. There is a distinction between a switching time and a rest time. The switching time defines the time in which the capsule holders are moved from one process station to the next process station. This is determined by the movement time of the feed wheel. The rest time defines the time in which the capsule holders each remain at the process stations for carrying out the respective process. This is determined by the downtime of the feed wheel.

Die getaktete Bewegung der Kapselhalter wird im Stand der Technik in der Regel durch ein Schrittschaltgetriebe realisiert, welches von dem Förderradantrieb angetrieben wird. Das Schrittschaltgetriebe setzt eine konstante Drehzahl des Förderradantriebs in Schrittbewegungen und damit in Schalt- und Rastzeiten um. Bei konventionellen Kapselfüllmaschinen wird durch den Förderradantrieb über mechanische Kurvenscheiben auch der jeweils erforderliche Antrieb der Prozessstationen realisiert. Bei der erfindungsgemäßen Kapselfüllmaschine weisen dagegen die Prozessstationen Prozessantriebe auf, die getrennt von dem Förderradantrieb steuerbar sind. Es sind somit keine mechanischen Schrittschaltgetriebe bzw. mechanischen Kurvenscheiben erforderlich. Dadurch lässt sich die Rastzeit von der Schaltzeit entkoppeln, was Vorteile hinsichtlich der Flexibilität des Prozessablaufs mit sich bringt.The clocked movement of the capsule holder is realized in the prior art usually by a stepping gear, which is driven by the conveyor wheel drive. The step-by-step gearbox converts a constant speed of the conveyor wheel drive into step movements and thus into switching and rest periods. In conventional capsule filling machines, the respective required drive of the process stations is realized by the conveyor wheel drive via mechanical cam disks. By contrast, in the case of the capsule filling machine according to the invention, the process stations have process drives which can be controlled separately from the conveyor wheel drive. There are thus no mechanical stepper or mechanical cams required. This makes it possible to decouple the rest time from the switching time, which brings advantages in terms of flexibility of the process flow with it.

Ein weiterer vorteilhafter Effekt der separat anzusteuernden Prozessantriebe ist, dass durch den Verzicht auf das Schrittschaltgetriebe bzw. die mechanischen Kurvenscheiben Platz in dem Maschinengehäuse geschaffen wird, der die erfindungsgemäße Anordnung des Schaltschranks in dem Maschinengehäuse ermöglicht. Durch die erfindungsgemäße Integration des Schaltschranks in das Maschinengehäuse kann einerseits auf störende Leitungen in dem die Kapselfüllmaschine aufnehmenden Produktionsraum verzichtet werden. Gleichzeitig wird die Zugänglichkeit zu der Kapselfüllmaschine nicht behindert. Der Schaltschrank wird dabei in geeigneter Weise an den Bauraum in dem Maschinengehäuse angepasst. Insbesondere betrifft dies die geeignete Auswahl der Komponenten des Schaltschranks sowie die räumliche Anordnung derselben (Antriebe, Rechner, Klemmen etc.).Another advantageous effect of the process drives to be controlled separately is that space is created in the machine housing by dispensing with the stepping gear or the mechanical cams, which allows the arrangement of the control cabinet according to the invention in the machine housing. On account of the integration of the control cabinet into the machine housing according to the invention, it is possible on the one hand to dispense with disruptive lines in the production space receiving the capsule filling machine. At the same time, the accessibility to the capsule filling machine is not hindered. The cabinet is adapted in a suitable manner to the space in the machine housing. In particular, this relates to the appropriate selection of the components of the cabinet and the spatial arrangement of the same (drives, computers, terminals, etc.).

Wie bereits erwähnt, liegt ein wichtiger Vorteil der Erfindung in einem von allen Seiten gut zugänglichen Maschinengehäuse und damit Prozessraum der Kapselfüllmaschine. Dadurch wird die Reinigung erleichtert, die Reinigungszeit verkürzt und die Reinigungsqualität verbessert. Dies führt zu einer Kosteneinsparung. Im Vergleich zu einem externen Schaltschrank wird die Projektierung vereinfacht, die Montage vor Ort schneller und sicherer, da keine Energie- und/oder Steuerleitungen mehr vor Ort verlegt werden müssen. Ferner kann die Kapselfüllmaschine schneller, zuverlässiger und kostengünstiger an einem anderen Ort aufgestellt werden. Die Aufstellfläche der Kapselfüllmaschine ist im Vergleich zu beiden herkömmlichen Schaltschrankvarianten verkleinert. Aufwendige Steckverbindungen und Anschlussfelder außerhalb des Maschinengehäuses können entfallen. Die Signalqualität wird verbessert. Die Montage wird durch vorkonfektionierte Kabellängen vereinfacht und damit kostengünstiger, da die erforderlichen Kabellängen innerhalb des Maschinengehäuses standardisiert werden können. Insgesamt werden die Herstellkosten verringert, da externe Befestigungen wegfallen und das vorhandene Maschinengehäuse für den Schaltschrank mitgenutzt werden kann. Für die Maschinenwartung ergeben sich weitere Vorteile durch die bessere Zugänglichkeit im Vergleich zum Stand der Technik. Wie erwähnt, muss keine Vielzahl von Leitungen mehr durch den die Kapselfüllmaschine aufnehmenden Produktionsraum geführt werden. Vielmehr reichen eine Verbindung zur Kommunikation zwischen einer externen Bedieneinheit und dem in dem Maschinengehäuse angeordneten Schaltschrank und eine elektrische Energieversorgung aus.As already mentioned, an important advantage of the invention lies in a machine housing, which is easily accessible from all sides, and thus process space of the capsule filling machine. This facilitates cleaning, shortens the cleaning time and improves the quality of cleaning. This leads to a cost saving. Compared to an external control cabinet, the configuration is simplified, the on-site installation is faster and safer, as no energy and / or control cables need to be laid on site. Furthermore, the capsule filling machine can be set up faster, more reliably and more cheaply in another location. The footprint of the capsule filling machine is reduced in size compared to both conventional control cabinet variants. Elaborate plug connections and connection fields outside the machine housing can be omitted. The signal quality is improved. The assembly is simplified by pre-assembled cable lengths and thus more cost-effective, since the required cable lengths can be standardized within the machine housing. Overall, the manufacturing costs are reduced because external fasteners are eliminated and the existing machine housing shared with the control cabinet can be. For machine maintenance, further advantages result from better accessibility compared to the prior art. As mentioned, a plurality of lines no longer has to be guided through the production space accommodating the capsule filling machine. On the contrary, a connection to communication between an external operating unit and the control cabinet arranged in the machine housing and an electrical power supply suffice.

Nach einer bevorzugten Ausgestaltung kann der Förderradantrieb ein elektrischer Servoantrieb sein, umfassend einen das Förderrad über ein Getriebe drehend antreibenden Servomotor, oder der Förderradantrieb kann ein Direktantrieb, insbesondere ein Torque-Antrieb, sein. Die Prozessantriebe können Antriebe aus der Gruppe elektrische Servoantriebe, Direktantriebe, insbesondere Torque-Antriebe, und Linearantriebe sein. Die genannten Antriebe, insbesondere elektrische Servoantriebe, zeichnen sich durch einen geringen Platzbedarf aus und erleichtern damit die erfindungsgemäße Anordnung des Schaltschranks in dem Maschinengehäuse weiter.According to a preferred embodiment, the conveyor wheel drive may be an electric servo drive, comprising a servomotor driving the conveyor wheel in rotation via a transmission, or the conveyor wheel drive may be a direct drive, in particular a torque drive. The process drives can be drives from the group of electric servo drives, direct drives, in particular torque drives, and linear drives. The said drives, in particular electric servo drives, are characterized by a small footprint and thus facilitate the inventive arrangement of the cabinet in the machine housing on.

Der Schaltschrank kann nach einer weiteren Ausgestaltung in einem Freiraum unterhalb des Maschinentisches auf einer Bodenplatte des Maschinengehäuses angeordnet sein. Dieser Freiraum eignet sich in besonderer Weise für den Schaltschrank, da dieser dann zwar in dem Maschinengehäuse, aber räumlich separiert von dem die Betriebskomponenten der Kapselfüllmaschine, insbesondere das Förderrad und die Prozessstationen, aufnehmenden Prozessraum unterhalb des Maschinentisches angeordnet ist. Es ist dann weiter möglich, dass der Maschinentisch auf einer Tragplatte angeordnet ist, unterhalb der sich der den Schaltschrank aufnehmende Freiraum befindet. Die Tragplatte bietet einerseits die erforderliche Stabilität zur Aufnahme der Betriebskomponenten der Kapselfüllmaschine. Andererseits kann durch die Tragplatte eine Trennung realisiert werden, die die gegebenenfalls hohen Reinheitsanforderungen im Bereich des die Betriebskomponenten der Kapselfüllmaschine aufnehmenden Prozessraums sicher erfüllt, ohne dass der den Schaltschrank aufnehmende Freiraum dieselben Reinheitsanforderungen erfüllen muss. Die Tragplatte separiert also den Prozessraum von dem den Schaltschrank aufnehmenden Freiraum. Die Funktion der Tragplatte kann alternativ auch von dem Maschinentisch selbst erfüllt werden. Grundsätzlich sind natürlich auch andere Platzierungsorte des Schaltschranks in dem Maschinengehäuse denkbar.The cabinet may be arranged according to a further embodiment in a free space below the machine table on a bottom plate of the machine housing. This space is particularly suitable for the control cabinet, since this is then indeed arranged in the machine housing, but spatially separated from the operating components of the capsule filling machine, in particular the feed wheel and the process stations, receiving process space below the machine table. It is then further possible that the machine table is arranged on a support plate, below which there is the space receiving the control cabinet. The support plate on the one hand provides the required stability for receiving the operating components of the capsule filling machine. On the other hand, a separation can be realized by the support plate Be sure that meets the possibly high purity requirements in the area of the operating components of the capsule filling machine receiving process space safely without the cabinet receiving space must meet the same purity requirements. The support plate thus separates the process space from the free space accommodating the control cabinet. The function of the support plate can alternatively be met by the machine table itself. In principle, of course, other placement locations of the cabinet in the machine housing are conceivable.

Es kann nach einer weiteren Ausgestaltung eine Entnahmeeinrichtung vorgesehen sein, mit der der Schaltschrank aus dem Maschinengehäuse entnehmbar ist. Die Entnahmeeinrichtung kann auf einer Bodenplatte des Maschinengehäuses angeordnete Schienen umfassen, auf denen der Schaltschrank angeordnet ist. Die Schienen können Teleskopschienen sein, so dass der Schaltschrank durch Ausfahren der Teleskopschienen aus dem Maschinengehäuse gefahren werden kann. Die vorgenannten Ausgestaltungen erlauben eine einfache Entnahme des Schaltschranks für eine Wartung oder eine Reparatur oder dergleichen aus dem Maschinengehäuse. Der Schaltschrank kann direkt auf den Schienen aufstehen, zum Beispiel über Rollen oder Gleitelemente oder fest auf den Schienen angeordnet sein. Er kann aber auch indirekt auf den Schienen angeordnet sein, beispielsweise auf einer auf den Schienen angeordneten Tragplatte oder dergleichen. Durch die Ausgestaltung als Teleskopschienen können diese und damit der Schaltschrank besonders einfach aus dem Maschinengehäuse herausgefahren werden.It can be provided according to a further embodiment, a removal device with which the cabinet is removed from the machine housing. The removal device may comprise rails arranged on a base plate of the machine housing, on which the control cabinet is arranged. The rails can be telescopic rails, so that the control cabinet can be moved out of the machine housing by extending the telescopic rails. The aforementioned embodiments allow easy removal of the cabinet for maintenance or repair or the like from the machine housing. The control cabinet can stand up directly on the rails, for example via rollers or sliding elements or fixedly arranged on the rails. But it can also be arranged indirectly on the rails, for example on a rail arranged on the support plate or the like. Due to the design as telescopic rails, these and thus the control cabinet can be moved out of the machine housing in a particularly simple manner.

Nach einer weiteren Ausgestaltung kann außerhalb des Maschinengehäuses eine Bedieneinheit zum Bedienen des Maschinenrechners durch eine Bedienperson vorgesehen sein. Die Bedieneinheit kann ein Bediendisplay umfassen, zum Beispiel ein Touchdisplay oder dergleichen.According to a further embodiment, an operating unit for operating the machine computer can be provided by an operator outside of the machine housing. The operating unit may comprise an operating display, for example a touch display or the like.

Die Bedieneinheit kann neben dem Maschinengehäuse und getrennt von diesem angeordnet sein und drahtlos oder über eine drahtgebundene Verbindung mit dem Maschinenrechner kommunizieren. Bei dieser Ausgestaltung kann die Bedieneinheit als reines Bedienterminal neben der Kapselfüllmaschine angeordnet sein, beispielsweise auf einem geeigneten Ständer oder dergleichen.The operating unit can be arranged next to and separate from the machine housing and communicate with the machine computer wirelessly or via a wired connection. In this embodiment, the operating unit can be arranged as a pure operating terminal next to the capsule filling machine, for example on a suitable stand or the like.

Alternativ ist es auch denkbar, dass die Bedieneinheit an einer an dem Maschinengehäuse befestigten Halterung angeordnet ist und drahtlos ober über eine durch oder an der Halterung geführte drahtgebundene Verbindung mit dem Maschinenrechner kommuniziert. Zum Beispiel kann die Bedieneinheit an einem an dem Maschinengehäuse befestigten Galgen oder dergleichen angeordnet sein.Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the operating unit is arranged on a holder fixed to the machine housing and communicates wirelessly above a guided by or on the holder wired connection with the machine computer. For example, the operating unit may be arranged on a gallows or the like fastened to the machine housing.

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand von Figuren näher erläutert. Es zeigen schematisch:

Fig. 1
eine erfindungsgemäße Kapselfüllmaschine in einer Draufsicht,
Fig. 2
die Kapselfüllmaschine aus Fig. 1 in einer teilweise geschnittenen Seitenansicht.
An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to figures. They show schematically:
Fig. 1
a capsule filling machine according to the invention in a plan view,
Fig. 2
the capsule filling machine off Fig. 1 in a partially sectioned side view.

Soweit nichts anderes angegeben ist, bezeichnen in den Figuren gleiche Bezugszeichen gleiche Gegenstände. Die in den Figuren gezeigte Kapselfüllmaschine zum Befüllen von aus einem Kapseloberteil und einem Kapselunterteil zusammengesetzten Kapseln, beispielsweise Hartgelatinekapseln, umfasst ein Maschinengehäuse 10. Das Maschinengehäuse 10 ist durch eine Tragplatte 12 in einen oberen und einem unteren Teil unterteilt. In dem oberen Teil befinden sich die Betriebskomponenten der Kapselfüllmaschine, wie in Fig. 2 schematisch bei dem Bezugszeichen 14 gezeigt. Diese Betriebskomponenten umfassen einen Maschinentisch und ein Förderrad, an dessen Umfang eine Mehrzahl von Kapselhaltern vorgesehen ist, die jeweils eine Mehrzahl von Kapselaufnahmen für jeweils eine Kapsel aufweisen. Weiterhin umfassen diese Betriebskomponenten einen Förderradantrieb, mit dem das Förderrad taktweise gedreht werden kann, so dass sich die Kapselhalter taktweise entlang einer Förderbahn bewegen. Darüber hinaus umfassen die Betriebskomponenten eine Mehrzahl von entlang der Förderbahn an oder auf dem Maschinentisch angeordneten Prozessstationen, nämlich insbesondere mindestens eine Zuführstation zum Zuführen von zu befüllenden Kapseln in die Kapselaufnahmen, mindestens eine Öffnungsstation zum Öffnen der zu befüllenden Kapseln durch Trennen der Kapseloberteile von den Kapselunterteilen, mindestens eine Füllstation zum Befüllen der Kapselunterteile mit zu befüllendem Material, mindestens eine Schließstation zum Schließen der befüllten Kapseln durch Verbinden der Kapseloberteile mit den Kapselunterteilen, und mindestens eine Auswurfstation zum Auswerfen der befüllten Kapseln. Der grundsätzliche Aufbau einer Kapselfüllmaschine ist an sich bekannt. Die Prozessstationen der erfindungsgemäßen Kapselfüllmaschine besitzen dabei Prozessantriebe für ihren Betrieb, die vorliegend unabhängig von dem Förderradantrieb steuerbar sind und ebenfalls Teil der Betriebskomponenten sind.Unless otherwise indicated, like reference characters designate like items throughout the figures. The capsule filling machine shown in the figures for filling capsules composed of a capsule upper part and a capsule lower part, for example hard gelatine capsules, comprises a machine housing 10. The machine housing 10 is subdivided by a support plate 12 into an upper and a lower part. In the upper part are the operating components of the capsule filling machine, as in Fig. 2 schematically shown at reference numeral 14. These operating components include a machine table and a conveyor wheel, on the periphery of a plurality is provided by capsule holders, each having a plurality of capsule receptacles for each capsule. Furthermore, these operating components include a conveyor wheel drive, with which the feed wheel can be cyclically rotated, so that the capsule holder move in cycles along a conveyor track. In addition, the operating components comprise a plurality of process stations arranged along or at the machine table along the conveyor track, specifically at least one feed station for feeding capsules to be filled into the capsule receptacles, at least one opening station for opening the capsules to be filled by separating the capsule tops from the capsule bottoms at least one filling station for filling the capsule bottoms with material to be filled, at least one closing station for closing the filled capsules by connecting the capsule tops to the capsule bottoms, and at least one ejection station for ejecting the filled capsules. The basic structure of a capsule filling machine is known per se. The process stations of the capsule filling machine according to the invention thereby have process drives for their operation, which in the present case are controllable independently of the conveyor wheel drive and are also part of the operating components.

In dem unterhalb der Tragplatte 12 gebildeten unteren Teil des Maschinengehäuses 10 befindet sich ein Schaltschrank 16, der unter anderem einen Maschinenrechner für den Betrieb der Kapselfüllmaschine, insbesondere die Steuerung des Förderradantriebs sowie der Prozessantriebe enthält. Über in den Figuren nicht näher dargestellte Leitungen innerhalb des Maschinengehäuses ist der Maschinenrechner des Schaltschranks 16 mit dem Förderradantrieb und den Prozessantrieben verbunden. Die Tragplatte 12 bildet eine dichte Trennung zwischen dem den Prozessraum der Kapselfüllmaschine bildenden oberen Teil des Maschinengehäuses 10 und dem einen Freiraum für den Schaltschrank 16 bildenden unteren Teil des Maschinengehäuses 10.In the lower part of the machine housing 10, which is formed below the support plate 12, there is a switchgear cabinet 16, which contains inter alia a machine computer for the operation of the capsule filling machine, in particular the control of the conveyor wheel drive and the process drives. About not shown in the figures lines within the machine housing of the machine computer of the cabinet 16 is connected to the conveyor wheel drive and the process drives. The support plate 12 forms a tight separation between the process chamber of the capsule filling machine forming upper part of the machine housing 10 and the free space for the cabinet 16 forming the lower part of the machine housing 10th

Der Schaltschrank 16 ist auf Teleskopschienen 18 angeordnet, die wiederum auf der Bodenplatte des Maschinengehäuses 10 angeordnet sind. Durch Ausziehen der Teleskopschienen 18 kann der Schaltschrank 16 für einen Service oder eine Reparatur aus dem Maschinengehäuse 10 entnommen werden.The control cabinet 16 is arranged on telescopic rails 18, which in turn are arranged on the bottom plate of the machine housing 10. By removing the telescopic rails 18, the cabinet 16 can be removed from the machine housing 10 for service or repair.

Neben dem Maschinengehäuse 10 und getrennt von diesem befindet sich eine Bedieneinheit 20 mit einem Bediendisplay 22 zum Bedienen des Maschinenrechners durch eine Bedienperson. Die Bedieneinheit 20 ist über einen Ständer 24 mit einem Fuß 26 auf dem Boden des Produktionsraums abgestützt und kommuniziert in dem gezeigten Beispiel über eine drahtlose Verbindung 28 mit dem Maschinenrechner des Schaltschranks. Somit ist lediglich eine Leitung von außen in das Maschinengehäuse 10 für die elektrische Versorgung des Schaltschranks 16 und der Antriebe der Kapselfüllmaschine erforderlich.In addition to the machine housing 10 and separate from this is an operating unit 20 with an operating display 22 for operating the machine computer by an operator. The operating unit 20 is supported by a stand 24 with a foot 26 on the floor of the production room and communicates in the example shown via a wireless connection 28 with the machine computer of the cabinet. Thus, only a line from the outside into the machine housing 10 for the electrical supply of the cabinet 16 and the drives of the capsule filling machine is required.

Claims (11)

  1. A capsule-filling machine for filling capsules composed of an upper capsule part and a lower capsule part, comprising a machine housing (10), in which a machine table is arranged, and a conveyor wheel, on the periphery of which a plurality of capsule holders are provided which each comprise a plurality of capsule receiving portions for one capsule each, further comprising a conveyor wheel drive that is also arranged in the machine housing (10), by means of which drive the conveyor wheel can be rotated in a pulsed manner such that the capsule holders move along a conveyor path in a pulsed manner, and comprising a plurality of processing stations that are arranged on the side of or on top of the machine table along the conveyor path and that are also arranged in the machine housing (10), the processing stations comprising at least one feed station for feeding capsules to be filled into the capsule receiving portions, at least one opening station for opening the capsules to be filled by separating the upper capsule parts from the lower capsule parts, at least one filling station for filling the lower capsule parts with filling material, at least one closing station for closing the filled capsules by connecting the upper capsule parts to the lower capsule parts, and at least one ejection station for ejecting the filled capsules, characterized in that
    - the processing stations have process drives for operation thereof that can be controlled independently of the conveyor wheel drive, and
    - a control cabinet (16), which, inter alia, contains a machine computer for operating the capsule-filling machine and controlling the conveyor wheel drive and process drives, is also arranged inside the machine housing (10) and is connected at least to the conveyor wheel drive and the process drives via lines arranged inside the machine housing (10).
  2. The capsule-filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor wheel drive is a servo drive, comprising a servomotor that drives the conveyor wheel in rotation via a transmission, or in that the conveyor wheel drive is a direct drive, in particular a torque drive.
  3. The capsule-filling machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the process drives are drives from the group consisting of servo drives, direct drives, in particular torque drives, and linear drives.
  4. The capsule-filling machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control cabinet (16) is arranged in a free space below the machine table on a base plate of the machine housing (10).
  5. The capsule-filling machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the machine table is arranged on a support plate (12), below which the free space accommodating the control cabinet (16) is located.
  6. The capsule-filling machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a removal apparatus is provided, by means of which the control cabinet (16) can be removed from the machine housing (10).
  7. The capsule-filling machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the removal apparatus comprises rails (18) arranged on the base plate of the machine housing (10), on which rails the control cabinet (16) is arranged.
  8. The capsule-filling machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the rails (18) are telescopic rails (18), such that the control cabinet (16) can be moved out of the machine housing (10) when the telescopic rails (18) are extended.
  9. The capsule-filling machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an operating unit (20) is provided outside the machine housing (10) such that an operator can operate the machine computer.
  10. The capsule-filling machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the operating unit (20) is arranged adjacent to and separate from the machine housing (10) and communicates with the machine computer wirelessly or via a wired connection.
  11. The capsule-filling machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the operating unit (20) is arranged on a mount secured to the machine housing (10) and communicates with the machine computer wirelessly or via a wired connection guided on or through the mount.
EP16166437.0A 2015-04-24 2016-04-21 Capsule filling machine Active EP3085353B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102015106369.7A DE102015106369B4 (en) 2015-04-24 2015-04-24 capsule

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3085353A1 EP3085353A1 (en) 2016-10-26
EP3085353B1 true EP3085353B1 (en) 2019-03-13

Family

ID=55808980

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16166437.0A Active EP3085353B1 (en) 2015-04-24 2016-04-21 Capsule filling machine

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20160311565A1 (en)
EP (1) EP3085353B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6440325B2 (en)
CN (1) CN106176236B (en)
DE (1) DE102015106369B4 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102020115777A1 (en) * 2020-06-16 2021-12-16 Fette Compacting Gmbh Process for product tracking in a plant

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2886099A1 (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-06-24 Fette Engineering GmbH Filling punch station and method for filling capsules in a filling punch station

Family Cites Families (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1483594A (en) * 1973-09-11 1977-08-24 Manesty Mach Ltd Hard-gelatin capsule filling machines
JP3570518B2 (en) * 1993-04-12 2004-09-29 シオノギクオリカプス株式会社 Capsule filling weighing method and capsule filling machine
DE69405307T2 (en) * 1993-06-11 1998-02-26 Ulma S Coop Machine for wrapping trays in stretchable film
JPH11189205A (en) * 1997-12-26 1999-07-13 Kao Corp Filling and packaging unit
DE10001068C1 (en) * 2000-01-13 2001-05-31 Bosch Gmbh Robert Powder dosing and delivery device for filling gelatin capsules uses detection of spring path of reciprocating stamp for monitoring powder quantity
US7454228B2 (en) * 2000-06-30 2008-11-18 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Display device and display system
US6772575B2 (en) * 2002-12-30 2004-08-10 Lantech Management Corp. And Lantech Holding Corp. Shrink wrap apparatus and method of shrink wrapping products
US7073877B2 (en) * 2003-06-30 2006-07-11 Emhart Glass S.A. Container inspection machine
DE20313807U1 (en) * 2003-09-03 2003-11-06 Hoefliger Harro Verpackung Device for filling containers, such as hard gelatin capsules in particular
US7247010B2 (en) * 2003-10-01 2007-07-24 Technophar Equipment & Service Limited Servo control for capsule making machine
ITBO20040310A1 (en) * 2004-05-18 2004-08-18 Ima Spa OPERATING MACHINE AND RELATED METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HARD JELLY CAPSULES.
DE102004048007A1 (en) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-06 Robert Bosch Gmbh Filling machine for hard gelatin pharmaceutical capsules has turntable, around which boxes for capsules are mounted, piston ejecting them and rocker arm passing satisfactory capsules along one path and defective capsules along another
ES2360605T3 (en) * 2005-07-28 2011-06-07 I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A. MACHINE TO FILL INTERMITTENT MOVEMENT CAPSULES.
DE102006035280A1 (en) * 2006-07-31 2008-02-07 Robert Bosch Gmbh Device and method for ejecting at least one capsule
DE202006013558U1 (en) * 2006-09-01 2006-10-26 Beck Packautomaten Gmbh & Co. Foil packaging machine comprises a self-supporting housing which is made of sheet metal, and accommodates foil roll handling and drive equipment together with control and regulation systems
IT1394027B1 (en) * 2009-05-11 2012-05-25 Mg 2 Srl MACHINE FOR FILLING CAPSULES WITH PHARMACEUTICALS
DE102009043970A1 (en) * 2009-09-10 2011-03-17 Krones Ag Module for a packaging line and / or a grouping unit
JP2011078598A (en) * 2009-10-07 2011-04-21 Seiko Instruments Inc Automatic medicine feeder
DE102010040505A1 (en) * 2009-10-22 2011-04-28 Robert Bosch Gmbh Machine and method for filling and closing capsules, in particular consisting of hard gelatine
JP5099270B2 (en) * 2010-03-26 2012-12-19 株式会社湯山製作所 Dispensing device
DE102010056319B4 (en) * 2010-12-27 2013-09-12 Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller Gmbh & Co. Kg Packaging machine with a liftable and lowerable tool
DE102011015249B4 (en) * 2011-03-28 2021-09-09 Gerhard Schubert Gmbh Processing machine
DE102011119584A1 (en) * 2011-10-05 2013-04-11 Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) System for operating a packaging system
CN202478190U (en) * 2012-01-18 2012-10-10 北京鑫航成科技发展有限公司 Soft capsule making machine

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2886099A1 (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-06-24 Fette Engineering GmbH Filling punch station and method for filling capsules in a filling punch station

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
FETTE COMPACTING: "Introducing the FEC40: Next-generation Capsule Filling Machine (English)", YOUTUBE, 9 May 2017 (2017-05-09), pages 1 - 1, XP054978589, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU66qplvv98> [retrieved on 20180815] *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20160311565A1 (en) 2016-10-27
CN106176236B (en) 2019-06-18
EP3085353A1 (en) 2016-10-26
JP6440325B2 (en) 2018-12-19
DE102015106369A1 (en) 2016-10-27
DE102015106369B4 (en) 2020-02-13
JP2016204052A (en) 2016-12-08
CN106176236A (en) 2016-12-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2009103435A1 (en) System for processing packaging means and method for adjusting such a system correctly for a format
EP2574574A1 (en) Pharmacy picking device with universal supply and control module
DE102012003574A1 (en) Adjusting device for adjusting the needle valves of a hot runner injection molding device
WO2011107395A1 (en) Mounting device for a rotatable center part in an injection molding device
DE202014006420U1 (en) Transfer module, assembly module and transfer module for a modular assembly transfer system and modular assembly transfer system
EP3085353B1 (en) Capsule filling machine
EP0678475A1 (en) Control for a handling device, particularly for a storage and retrieval machine
EP2916995A1 (en) Manufacturing plant for producing an assembly consisting of a plurality of parts
EP3268286B1 (en) Labelling device for containers
DE3104187A1 (en) &#34;ARRANGEMENT ON A VESSEL TREATMENT MACHINE&#34;
EP2608943B1 (en) Turning plate injection molding machine comprising a decentralized control device
EP3519346B1 (en) Container treatment device
EP2498576B1 (en) Switch holder for an induction hob, on which electronics components are assembled and induction hob with a switch holder
EP3016760A1 (en) Apparatus and method for transferring a component and tool system
DE102004051977B4 (en) Device for transporting and changing the position of workpieces
DE112012004899B4 (en) Multi-coupling system for connecting several tools with at least one supply unit
DE102007034359B3 (en) Plant for the production of compacts of powder material, in particular of tablets
EP2792604A1 (en) Container handling machine
DE202005003364U1 (en) Device for lifting and positioning of object, comprising stationary drive acting on second axle with use of return pulleys
DE102010021151B4 (en) Control device arrangement on a retaining rail and electrical control cabinet with such a control device arrangement
DE102013206663A1 (en) Labeling machine with control cabinet
DE10233780B4 (en) Industrial plant and cable carrier for use in such
EP2707210B1 (en) Press
AT14273U1 (en) System for temporary storage of containers
WO2018108445A1 (en) Electronic component, and container processing machine comprising an electronic component

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20170403

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20171026

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20180911

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1106691

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20190315

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502016003678

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20190313

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190613

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: ISLER AND PEDRAZZINI AG, CH

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190614

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190613

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190713

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502016003678

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190421

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190713

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20191216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190421

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 502016003678

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: HAUCK PATENTANWALTSPARTNERSCHAFT MBB, DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R081

Ref document number: 502016003678

Country of ref document: DE

Owner name: FETTE COMPACTING GMBH, DE

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: FETTE ENGINEERING GMBH, 21493 SCHWARZENBEK, DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: PD

Owner name: FETTE COMPACTING GMBH; DE

Free format text: DETAILS ASSIGNMENT: CHANGE OF OWNER(S), ASSIGNMENT; FORMER OWNER NAME: FETTE ENGINEERING GMBH

Effective date: 20210531

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20210701 AND 20210707

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20160421

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 1106691

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20210421

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190313

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210421

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230530

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20230428

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230417

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230613

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20230502

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20230417

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20230420

Year of fee payment: 8