EP3172818A1

EP3172818A1 - Device for filling a receptacle

Info

Publication number: EP3172818A1
Application number: EP15729448.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Werner Arleth; Ulrich Krauss; Stefan Pfeiffer; Werner Runft; Stefan Junker; Joshua Windsheimer; Andreas Rappold; Jochen Peters; Joachim Frangen; Jochen Ziegler; Oliver Ullmann; Markus Hanisch; Albert Eberhardt; Dieter Bandtel; Sebastian GRAN
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Syntegon Technology GmbH
Priority date: 2014-07-25
Filing date: 2015-06-15
Publication date: 2017-05-31
Also published as: CN106660642B; CA2956085C; CA2956085A1; CN106660642A; WO2016012157A1; US20180229866A1; DE102014214697A1; US10669049B2

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for filling a receptacle, comprising at least one filling station (48) for filling at least one receptacle (36), and at least one receptacle holder (38) for conveying the receptacle (36) relative to the filling station (48), characterized in that at least one driving surface (13) and at least one mover (20) which can be coupled to the driving surface (13) especially in a magnetic manner are provided, the mover (20) being arranged so as to be movable and/or rotatable on the driving surface (13) in at least two degrees of freedom, and in that the receptacle holder (38) is disposed on the mover (20).

Description

description

title

Device for filling a container The invention is based on a device for filling a container according to the preamble of the independent claim.

PRIOR ART WO 2011/138448 already discloses a system for transporting containers between different stations, the containers being accommodated in container carriers. The system comprises a control unit which controls the transport of the container carriers, a transport surface, which is subdivided and on which the container carriers are movably arranged, and drive means, wherein the drive means are controlled by the control unit and a respective drive surface is assigned, wherein a respective drive means is adapted to act on an associated container carrier with a driving force. This system is characterized by high flexibility, as required in particular for the transport of sample containers of a laboratory analysis system.

The invention has for its object to further optimize a filling system. This object is solved by the features of the independent claim. Advantages of the invention

A device according to the invention with the features of the independent claim has the advantage that sequential process steps or fixed process steps are no longer necessarily required. Characterized in that at least one drive surface and at least one on the drive surface In particular magnetically coupled mover are provided, and the mover on the drive surface in at least two degrees of freedom slidably and / or rotatably arranged and the container receptacle is arranged on the mover, can be in a particularly flexible manner, the containers of the filling station and remove. In addition, via this drive principle the

Particle emission or abrasion via relative movements of otherwise required roles, sliding elements or drive means can be reduced, since now the mover can be moved without contact relative to the drive surface due to the magnetic coupling. This is particularly advantageous for pharmaceutical bottling plants. In addition, the cleanability of the system is improved by requiring only planar surfaces without the usual mechanical and difficult to clean connections between the drive and moving container transport. Furthermore, the effort is just reduced in the establishment or assembly of the processes to the filling station, in that the transport does not always have to provide the containers at a fixed position. Furthermore, the service life is increased by reducing wear parts. Furthermore, fixed, unchangeable mechanical routes can be avoided. Switching functions are no longer localized, but can be defined by appropriate programming at any point within the drive surface. The flexible drive concept with superposition of a rotary motion of the mover can directly influence the

Swinging behavior of a filled container by the mover generates a rotational movement, which counteracts the sloshing of the bottled product.

In an expedient embodiment, it is provided that the drive surface is formed as a vertical plane. As a result, it is particularly easy to realize typical relative movements, such as the transport below usually vertically oriented filling needles, for filling. Particularly preferably, the receptacle receiving moves during filling. Thus, the filling needles can be fixed, without affecting the filling process. The fixed arrangement of Füllnadeln affects particle-reducing, otherwise occurring friction of the filling hoses or the like in a possible hard piping no longer occur. In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that a plurality of independently movable mover are provided. In this way, the process sequences can be made more flexible by being able to approach other stations depending on the condition of the container.

In an expedient embodiment, it is provided that at least one drive surface and at least one process mover, which is in particular magnetically coupled on the drive surface, are provided, and that at least one filling needle of the filling station is connected to the process mover for moving the filling needle through the process mover. Despite moving filling needles is the

Particle production reduced because it can be used on a non-contact and thus abriebarmes drive system.

In an expedient embodiment, it is provided that the filling station comprises at least one prefill station and / or at least one end filling station, wherein the drive surface is designed such that the mover moves the container carrier between the prefill station and the final filling station. It is particularly expedient to provide at least one closing station and / or at least one weighing device and / or at least one inspection device and / or an inlet and / or an outlet and the drive surface is configured such that the mover at least the receptacle receptacle to at least one of moved above stations. In this way, the process sequences can be made more flexible by being able to approach other stations depending on the condition of the container. In particular, in the case of poor weighing results, the container for refilling can be brought again to the filling station, which is easily possible due to a freely programmable route in this drive concept.

Further expedient developments emerge from further dependent claims and from the description.

drawing

Embodiments of the device according to the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it: Figure 1 shows both a passive mover module as well as an active

2 shows a system representation of the device, FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a machine concept for filling nest-bound pharmaceutical containers, FIGS. 4 and 5 show perspective views of further machine concepts for filling in particular pharmaceutical containers, FIG Infeed situation with a planar drive in nine different states a to i and the figure 7 mover with filled containers without and with special

Control to reduce a sloshing of bottled in the container product.

According to FIG. 1, a base platform 10 comprises a carrier plate 12 or a drive surface 13, on which at least one mover 20 is movably arranged. The mover 20 is a normally passive mover 20, which preferably comprises permanent magnets 19 connected to coils on the carrier plate

12 and drive surface 13 cooperates to produce a relative movement. Alternatively, however, the mover 20 could also be actively operated by the mover 20 comprising at least one coil package for voltage supply, which cooperates with magnetic field generating means (permanent magnets, coils) on the support plate 12 and drive surface 13 for generating a relative movement in a suitable manner. FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, the first carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13, which is designed as a horizontal plane, and another carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 adjoining thereto, which is designed as a vertical plane. The two movers 20 arranged thereon are likewise flat and act with the respective drive surfaces 13 in this way together that a preferably non-contact movement of the movers 20 relative to the drive surface 13 in both the plane of the drive surfaces 13 in at least two degrees of freedom as well as optionally a rotation about the normal of the drive surface 13 is possible.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, two movers 20 are shown by way of example with different basic shapes, namely a substantially rectangular mover 20 or a round mover 20. An oval design would also be conceivable. The carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 consists of several individual parts or tiles 16. The tiles 16 are square or rectangular in shape. The tiles 16 essentially have a planar surface and are constructed in layers. The tile 16 is square or rectangular in shape. Thus, the tile 16 comprises a coil plane 18, a sensor plane 22 and a power electronics plane 24. Furthermore, a bus system 26 is provided, which the tiles 16 with a non-illustrated

Central computer or processor connects. In addition, a voltage supply 28 is provided with associated terminals, via which the power electronics plane 24 or the coil plane 18 and / or the sensor plane 22 can be supplied with energy.

The base platform 10 describes the base element. From this arise the necessary design possibilities of the system in space. The basic platform 10 is understood to be the system carrier or a machine frame. It must have the necessary rigidity. The basic platform 10 can already accommodate control components and power electronics. Optionally, the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 could already be part of the base platform 10. The base platform 10 provides the base or element for placement of further functional units. The base platform 10 is also the base or element for arranging further transport systems. The basic platform 10 should be compatible with other ground platforms. On the surface of the

Base platform 10, the relatively movable mover 20 are arranged on the drive surface 13. For this purpose, the drive surface 13 and the support plate 12 generates a driving force which acts on the mover 20 and puts him in the desired movement. The stationary drive surface 13 is preferably planar. The movers 20 are controlled in such a way that they are at least split into two degrees of freedom. which is displaceable and / or rotatable. In particular, as described below, different stations can be approached in a flexible manner when the drive surface 13 connects them in a suitable manner. The mover 20 describes the movable element of the device 8. On the one hand, the mover 20 serves to generate a relative movement with respect to the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13. Furthermore, there is an interaction between the movers 20 or between the mover components. In addition, the mover 20 generates a force on the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13. To this end, the mover 20 comprises at least one means for generating a magnetic field, in particular a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet 19, the coil 18 of the carrier plate 12 generating a traveling field or the drive surface 13 cooperates for generating movement. In this case, an air gap is formed between the carrier plate 12 or the drive surface 13 and the mover 20, so that a contactless movement of the mover 20 relative to the drive surface 13 can take place. Furthermore, the mover 20 may comprise means for detecting a position.

In a view of Figure 2, the mover 20 is shown in perspective. A lower side 17 of the mover 20 interacts with the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13. At the bottom 17 of the mover 20 more permanent magnets 19 are arranged. The magnetic fields of adjacent arranged permanent magnets 19 differ. In essence, the underside 17 consists of four fields, each with a plurality of permanent magnets 19. The middle region of the bottom 17 has no permanent magnets 19. WO 2013/059934 AI specifies still further alternative embodiments, which are included in the disclosure of the present application. The mover 20 is surrounded by a collision protection 23, which is advantageous in the case of a large number of moving movers 20. The carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 represents a multilayer component according to FIG. 2. It has the following basic functionalities. First, it comprises means for generating a relative movement relative to the mover 20. In addition, a force is generated, which acts on the mover 20. It also includes means for creating distances (air gap) between the carrier plate 12 and the mover 20. In addition, the carrier plate 12 comprises means for detecting positions and means for detecting transmission of energy and means for transmitting information.

According to FIG. 3, the mover 20 has at least one receptacle receptacle 38 for accommodating at least one receptacle 36 to be transported. The

Container receptacle 38 is preferably slot-shaped in the manner that a plurality of containers 36 can be arranged side by side and they are held by the receptacle 38. However, another embodiment of the container receptacle 38 is possible. Furthermore, the mover 20 could include means for moving the containers 36. The mover 20 is preferably potted to protect the internal magnets from environmental influences such as corrosion. A process movers 21 is technically identical or similar in structure to the movers 20, but moves instead of the containers 36 components of process stations as explained in more detail below. However, the drive principle or the interaction with the drive surfaces 13 described does not differ.

With reference to FIG. 3, the device 8 for processing in particular nest-bound containers 36 can be explained in more detail. In a tub 32, a trough-shaped container as shown, containers 36 located in a nest 34 are delivered. The nest 34 serves to receive the containers 36, in particular in the tub 32. A tube 40 forms the interface to an upstream machine, not shown. The tubs 32 are moved in a direction indicated by an arrow transport direction 31 by a transport device 42. Various common transport solutions (belt, belt) can be used, shown is a solution with transport belt as a transport device 42. In principle, would be possible according to the illustration of Figure 1 in the horizontal plane, the transport of the tubs 32 by means of planar drive, ie using the mover 20, which is arranged and formed on the horizontally oriented support plate 12 and drive surface 13 for transporting the tub 32.

According to FIG. 3, the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 is designed as a vertical plane for moving the movers 20. The movers 20 moves upward from a start position 120 shown on the left to a singulation position 144. In the singulation position 144, the mover 20 is in Range a removal means 46. The removal means 46 is formed for example as a robot or robot arm. It serves to remove a nest 34 provided with containers 36 from the tub 32. The removal means 46 is able to remove by an up-down movement at least one row of containers arranged perpendicular to the transport direction 31 and / or in the receptacle receptacle

38 of the mover 20 sell. Thus, the containers 36 located in the nest 34 are removed in rows and thus isolated. Row-by-row separation is understood to mean that a plurality of containers 36 are arranged essentially in a single row perpendicular to the transport direction 31.

Optionally, the mover 20 can accomplish the removal of the containers 36 from the tub 32 provided by the removal means 46 by the mover 20 itself a corresponding removal movement relative to

Removal means 46 generated. In the removal position, the mover 20 moves the receptacle receptacle 38 over the openings of the receptacles 36 ready for removal. The width of the preferably slot-shaped recess of the receptacle receptacle 38 is greater than the diameter of the neck of the receptacle 36. The mover 20 moves the receptacle receptacle 38 into the way that the recess can enclose the containers 36. Subsequently, the holding of the container receptacle 38 enclosed containers takes place

36, by the mover 20, the container receptacle 38 is rotated so that thereby the containers 36 are clamped. The inner edges of the preferably slot-shaped recess come thereby from both sides in contact with the side walls of the containers 36. After the twisting or positive contact of the receptacle receptacle 38 with the containers 36, the mover 20 moves upwards and removes the containers 36, which are now separated in rows Alternatively, the nest 34 could be lowered.

The removed container rows transports the movers 20 from the separation position 144 to a weighing device 54 in a weighing position 154. Here, the mover 20 and thus the container receptacle 38 keeps the slightly tilted position as indicated in Figure 3, so that the containers 36 continue safe be clamped and held. This weighing device 54 weighs the empty containers 36, thus serving for tare weighing. For this purpose, the mover 20 by a corresponding up and down movement in the vertical direction to free weighing containers 36 on the weighing device 54. The cropping is done by an opposite tilting movement of the mover 20 and thus the container receptacle 38, so that the containers 36 are no longer clamped. The particular advantage of row-by-row singling is evident in weighing. Thus, conventional weighing devices 54, 56 may be used, which are usually designed for at least single-row weighing. This is possible at the usual nestwise processing at most with great effort, so that usually only a small percentage is weighed. The weighing could be done in rows or individually.

After weighing in the (first) weighing position 154, the mover 20 transports the weighed empty containers 36 to a filling position 148 at which a filling station 48 is arranged. For this purpose, the mover 20 tips the

Container receptacle 38, so that the previously released containers 36 are held again by clamping.

The filling station 48 has filling needles 72. The filling needles 72 are preferably arranged in a row, particularly preferably in a row perpendicular to the transport direction 31. The liquid to be filled may be, for example, pharmaceuticals. In the filling position 148, the filling needles 72 are moved toward one another relative to the containers 36. This could take place in that the filling needles 72 themselves are designed to be movable and / or the containers 36 are moved or lifted by the mover 20. In the variant shown in FIG. 3, the relative movement takes place solely by means of the mover 20 moving the container 36. The mover 20, on the one hand, retains the rotation for holding the containers 20 in a clamped manner. On the other hand, the mover 20 moves the containers 36 along the axis of the filling needles 49 during the filling operation. This relative movement may change during the filling process. With increasing filling level in the container 36, the mover 20 lowers the container 36 downwards. This reduces annoying blistering during bottling. After filling, the filling needles 72 are moved relative to the containers 36 away from each other. This could take place in that the filling needles 72 themselves are designed to be movable and / or the containers 36 are moved or lowered by the mover 20. In the embodiment, the mover 20 lowers the containers 36 further down parallel to the axis of the Filling needles 72 from, so that then a collision-free lateral movement is possible.

After filling, the mover 20 transports the filled containers 36 into a further weighing position 156 in the detection area of a (further)

Weighing device 56. The transport can now be carried out so that a sloshing of the filled containers 36 is prevented by a suitable pivoting of the containers 36 about a horizontal axis. For this purpose, after a certain movement ungsprofil further tilting, wherein the clamping holding the containers 36 is maintained. The anti-slosh function will be explained in more detail below in connection with FIG.

At the weighing device 56, the gross weighing takes place. In this case, similarly as in the tare weighing position 154, the filled containers 36 are deposited and picked up on and from the weighing device 56 or alternative filling quantity detection devices. In the weighing position 156, the following functions are to be carried out: holding by appropriately clamping the containers 36, releasing the containers 36 by corresponding counterrotating rotation of the container receptacle 38, so that the containers 36 are no longer held in a clamping manner for weighing, and subsequent clamping holding the container Containers 36 by a rotation of the mover 20th

Should the gross weighing in the weighing position 156 reveal that an intolerable quantity has been filled, the mover 20 could discharge the corresponding container 36 and / or possibly bring it into the filling position 148 for subsequent dosing.

The weighed containers 36 brings the mover 20 into a closing position 150, which is located in the detection area of a closing station 50. The closing station 50 comprises at least one setting tube 64 and a plunger 62.

Setting tubes 64 and plungers 62 are arranged in rows, in particular in a row perpendicular to the transport direction 31. Furthermore, closures 37 such as plugs are fed by means of a supply 76 to the setting tubes 64 in order to close the filled container 36. The closure 37 enters the interior of the setting tube 64. The setting tube 64 is designed such that the connection 37 is peripherally slightly compressed, so that it then expands again in the container opening and thus closes it. The shutter 37 is brought into a suitable position above the container opening. Now there is a relative movement between the container 36 and closure 37, in that the plunger 62 dips into the setting tube 64 and presses the closure 37 into the container opening. Alternatively or additionally, the container 36 itself could be moved by the mover 20 toward the closure 37. The container 36 is closed.

Subsequently, the sealed containers 36 are brought into a reset position 152 for resetting into the nest 34. The mover 20 brings the sealed containers 36 into the detection area for this purpose

Handling device 52. This handling device 52 may be, for example, a robot. The handling device 52 removes, for example, the empty nest 34 transported by a tub 32. The mover 20 places the isolated row of containers back into the nest 34. For this purpose, the containers 36 held in a clamped position are brought into the nest 34 in the reset position. By opposite rotation of the mover 20 and the

Container receptacle 38 preferably in the horizontal clamping is canceled again. Subsequently, the mover 20 moves the container receptacle 38 without the containers 36.

After all rows of the nest 34 were equipped with containers 36, the handling device 52 sets by raising and lowering the container 36 filled with nest 34 back into the empty tub 34. This reset functionality can be with the help of the mover 20 and the handling device 52, for example Robot or external Achsportal or similar, realize.

Subsequently, the mover 20 moves from the reset position 152 back to the starting position 140. This could be done, for example, with a mover 20 designed as an active planar drive. Alternatively, it would be one

Planar drive with a static traveling field and / or an additional guide possible or even a passive conveyor (such as chain, belt, etc.). The filled tub 32 is provided at an outlet 58 which serves as an interface to a downstream machine.

The following optional process steps can be integrated into the processing. This can be application-specific and modular:

Suspension gassing, vacuum stoppering, pre-gassing, double chamber, syringe / carpule, crimping, use mixing ball, eg suspension, inspection (front closure, container, needle, stopper seat, residual oxygen, filling level, residual air bubble), removal station, marking, product loss avoidance.

With reference to FIG. 4, a device 8 for processing containers 36, in particular cartridges, can be explained in more detail. In a manner not shown to be filled containers 36 are delivered. In particular, these can be containers 36 to be filled with liquid pharmaceuticals, such as syringes, ampoules, cartridges, vials or the like.

An inlet 40 forms the interface to an upstream machine, not shown. The receptacle receptacle 38 according to FIG. 4 consists of two strips provided with coaxial part-circular recesses which run along the surface of the mover 20. By way of example, four containers 36 can be accommodated. However, another, suitable number would be possible.

According to FIG. 4, the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 is designed as a vertical plane for moving the movers 20. The movers 20 moves upwards from a start position 120 shown on the left to an infeed position 140. In the infeed position 140, the mover 20 is in Range of the supplied containers 36. In the inlet position 140, the supplied containers 36 are brought into the container receptacles 38 via handling devices not shown in detail or the like.

The recorded containers 36 are transported by the mover 20 from the inlet position 140 to a closing station 50, in particular for insertion of piston plugs than conventional closures 37, as for cartridges, glass tubes open at the top and bottom, typically in an insertion position 141 closed at the bottom by closures 37 (plugs). The Closing station 50 includes at least one hold-down 66 and a plunger 68. Several hold-down 66 and plunger 68 are arranged parallel to the transport direction 31 and the drive surface 13 in series according to the receiving geometry of the container receptacle 38. Here are different variants possible, such as a relative movement between plugs or closures

37 and containers 36 is generated. Thus, the hold-down 66 and / or the plunger 68 could be moved by a servo drive or by means of a mover 20 or a process movers 21. FIG. 4 shows a variant in which hold-down devices 66 and plungers 68 are each moved by process movers 21. Process movers 21 are understood to be those movers 20 which move certain process steps (closing eg piston setting, filling, etc.) with the associated components, but not the containers 36 directly. When the closures 37 are set, the upper process movers 21 move the hold-down devices 66 to the upper side the container 36 provided by the movers 20. The lower process movers 21 moves the shutters 37 accommodated by the plunger 68 upwards and presses them into the underside of the containers 36.

After the containers 36 have been closed at the bottom by the closures 37 (plugs) in the insertion position 141, the mover 20 brings the containers 36 into a ball insertion position 143. Here, the containers 36 are under feeds 70 of a ball insertion station 43, via which one or more balls be brought into the interior of the container 36 as required for certain dosage forms of certain pharmaceuticals. After the ball has been inserted, the mover 20 brings the containers 36 into a pre-filling position 147. There, a plurality of filling needles 72 of a pre-filling station 47 can be provided, under which the mover 20 brings the containers 36 to be pre-filled. The filling needles 72 are arranged for this purpose in series parallel to the direction of movement 31. Several prefilling points can be provided; in FIG. 4, three prefilling points, each with four filling needles 72, are provided by way of example. The mover 20 can be controlled so that he anfährt a free prefill. For this purpose, a corresponding sensor for evaluating the current mover positions is provided, which detects the presence of a mover 20 at a prefill point and activates the respective drive surfaces 13 via a higher-level control so that the mover 20 does not control an occupied prefill position. The filling needles 72 could be either rigid as shown in Figure 4 or arranged to be movable. In any case, there is preferably a relative movement between the filling needle 72 and the container 36. The filling preferably takes place depending on the product type above or below the filling level in order to support a foam-free filling. For this purpose, filling needle 72 and / or container 36 are moved. The filling needles 72 could by a servo drive or a mover 20 and

Process movers 21 are moved. In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, however, the containers 36 are moved relative to the filling needles 72 with the aid of the mover 20. During filling, the mover 20 removes the containers

36 parallel to the axis of the filling needles 72 of the filling needles 72 down. An advantage of a rigid filling needle 72 is due to a motion-free filling process in reduced particle emissions in this particle-sensitive process area, as might otherwise occur, for example, by friction during movement of the leads or the like. In this variant, for example, a solid casing of the filling needles 72 can take place. Also, by slightly tilting, the mover 20 could also slightly skew the containers 36 during the filling process to support a foam-free filling. The containers 36 could be lowered slightly inclined parallel to the axis of the filling needles 72 during the filling process.

After prefilling the mover 20 moves the prefilled containers 36 from the prefilling position 147 to a residual filling position 149. There, a final filling station 49 comprises a plurality of filling needles 72 arranged in series parallel to the transporting direction 31 as well as a corresponding sensor system via which the exact

Residual filling can be controlled and monitored. As already in connection with the pre-filling station 47, a relative movement between containers 36 and filling needles 72 should be possible during filling. In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the filling needles 72 of the final filling station 49 are now movably arranged on a process mover 21. Via the movement of the

Process movers 21 can in turn achieve a filling above or below the filling level by the filling needles 72 during the filling process parallel to the axis of the containers 36 withdraw from these upwards. Alternatively, it would be conceivable to make the filling needles 72 and / or the containers 36 slightly sloping during the filling in order to optimize the filling process. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable, in addition to the filling needles 72, to move the containers 36 during the filling process.

After the remainder of the filling, the mover 20 brings the correctly filled containers 36 from the residual filling position 149 into a position 151, in which a closure 37 or a cap is supplied to the container 36. A closing station 50 comprises a container 74 in which the closures 37 are stored and provided in a suitable manner via a feed 76. In this case, the mover 20 moves the container 36 along the feed 76 with a preferably continuous drag movement, so that the closure 37 comes to lie on the container opening.

Subsequently, the mover 20 moves the container 36 provided with a closure 37 into a closing position 150. There, the closure 37 and the container 36 are located in the detection area of a closing station 50. This can be, for example, a hemming station 53. The corresponding crimping rollers are not shown. The mover 20 positions the containers 36 in the detection area of the crimping station 53, which makes a positive connection of the closure 37, such as an aluminum cap, with the container 36. Thereafter, the containers 36 are closed in the desired manner.

Subsequently, the mover 20 can bring the sealed containers 36 into an optionally possible inspection position 155, which is located in the detection area of an inspection station 55. This could be equipped with appropriate sensors to automatically detect and evaluate the desired inspection criteria.

Subsequently, the sealed containers 36 are brought into an outlet position 160 in the detection area of an outlet 60, which supplies the containers 36 to further processing steps if necessary. The transfer can be realized with the aid of the mover 20 and / or a handling device 52, for example a robot or external axis gantry or the like. Subsequently, the empty mover 20 moves from the outlet position 160 back to the starting position 140. This could be done, for example, with a mover 20 configured as an active planar drive. Alternatively, a planar drive with a static traveling field and / or additional guidance would be possible or else a passive conveying means (such as chain,

Straps etc.).

FIG. 5 shows a device 8 for processing containers 36, in particular ampoules or vials. Via a screw conveyor 39, the containers 36 to be filled are supplied perpendicular to the plane of the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13. A deflection wheel 45 takes over a deflection of the containers 36 by 90 ° parallel to the surface of the support plate 12 in an inlet position 140. There, the mover 20 takes over the containers 36 from the inlet 40 into the container receptacle 38. For this purpose, suitable handling solutions can be provided which facilitate this transfer accomplish. By way of example, at least two movers 20 can be provided which are brought directly adjacent to one another between the deflecting wheel 45 and the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13. The movers 20 move at the same speed as the incoming containers 36 on the guide wheel 45. A third mover 20 is already ready when all container receptacles 38 of the first mover 20 are filled and this leaves the detection range of the guide wheel 45. During this time, the second mover 20 is filled with synchronized speed with containers 36 fed from the deflecting wheel 45, and so on. The various steps of receiving the containers fed via the deflection wheel 45 are shown in FIG. 6. The deflection wheel 45 rotates about an axis parallel to the plane of the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13, as shown in FIG. The outer container receptacles of the deflection wheel 45 are also arranged at a distance from the drive surface 13 to the drive surface 13. This distance is chosen so that between drive surface

13 and the next outboard receptacle receptacle of the guide wheel 45, the receptacle receptacle 38 of the mover 20 can be arranged so that the container to be transferred 36 fits between two recordings. In a first step (FIG. 6 a), first movers 20. 1 and second movers 20. 2 are in the vicinity of the deflecting wheel 45, but are not yet in engagement. In the second step (FIG. 6 b), the first mover 20. 1 brings the receptacle receptacle 38 up to a height with the deflecting wheel 45. The first mover 20

Container receptacle 38 parallel to the plane of the guide wheel 45, for example horizontally as shown in Figure 5 and 6. The second mover 20.2 continues to approach the deflection wheel 45. In a third step (FIG. 6c), the first mover 20.1 moves at the same speed as the rotational speed of the receptacle receptacle of the deflection wheel 45. The first mover 20.1 is

synchronized. Also the container recordings of diverter wheel 45 and the first

Mover 20.1 face each other so that the intermediate container 36 can be safely transferred from the guide wheel 45 to the first mover 20.1. The second mover 20.2 continues to approach just like a third mover 20.3. In a fourth step (FIG. 6 d), the second mover 20. 2 is suitably aligned. The first mover 20.1 moves to receive the containers 36 in synchronization with the guide wheel 45 on. The third mover 20.3 continues to move to the guide wheel 45. In a fifth step (FIG. 6 e), the second mover 20. 2 is synchronized, moves at the same speed as the receptacles of the deflecting wheel 45. The receptacle receptacle 38 directly adjoins that of the first mover 20. The first mover 20.1 continues to move at a constant speed and picks up the containers 36 supplied by the deflecting wheel 45. In a sixth step (FIG. 6f), first and second movers 20.1, 20.2 continue to move at the same speed in the detection range of deflecting wheel 45. Third movers 20.3 continue to approach. In a seventh step (FIG. 6g), the third mover 20.3 moves its receptacle receptacle 38 to the same height as that of the deflecting wheel 45. First and second movers 20.1, 20.2 continue to move. The first mover 20.1 begins to leave the region of the deflection wheel 45. In the eighth step (FIG. 6h), the first mover 20.1 is no longer in engagement with the deflecting wheel 45 and moves the container receptacle 38, which is now completely provided with containers 36, to the next one

Process station. Second and third movers 20.2, 20.3 continue to move at the same speed as the guide wheel 45. A fourth mover 20.4 is brought into the vicinity of the deflection wheel 45. In a ninth step (FIG. 6i), the receptacle receptacle 38 of the fourth mover 20.4 is brought to the same height as the receptacles of the deflecting wheel 45. Second and third mover 20.2, 20.3 because of themselves immediately one behind the other at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the recordings of the deflection wheel 45. Then, the steps from Figure 6g close again.

According to FIG. 5, the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13 is designed as a vertical plane for moving the movers 20. The movers 20 moves upwards from a start position 120 shown on the left to the receiving position 140. In the receiving position 140, corresponding holding, Perform gripping and positioning functions. The removed container rows transported by the mover 20 from the receiving position 140 to a weighing device 54 in a weighing position 154. The weighing device 54 includes a plurality of unspecified load cells, which are arranged in a row parallel to the transport direction 31. The weighing device 54 can be moved up and down as indicated by arrows in order to come into contact with the containers 36 to be weighed. This weighing device 54 weighs the empty containers 36, thus serving for tare weighing. For this purpose, the mover 20 can release the containers 36 to be weighed on the weighing device 54 by a corresponding up and down movement in the vertical direction. This could be done in rows or individually. In the weighing position 154, the following functions of the mover 20 or container carrier 38 are to be implemented: depositing and receiving the containers 36 on the weighing device 54.

After weighing in the (first) weighing position 154, the mover 20 transports the weighed empty containers 36 to a filling position 148 at which a filling station 48 is arranged. The filling station 48 has filling needles 72, which are preferably arranged in a row which is oriented parallel to the transport direction 31. In the liquid to be filled, it can, for example

Pharmaceuticals act. In the filling position 148, the filling needles 72 are moved relative to the containers 36. This could take place in that the filling needles 72 themselves are designed to be movable and / or the containers 36 are moved or lifted by the mover 20. The filling needles 72 could be moved in a non-illustrated alternative similar to the embodiment of Figure 4 by a process movers 21 during the filling process. This relative movement may change during the filling process as already described in more detail in connection with the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 3 and 4 described. After filling, the filling needles 72 are moved relative to the containers 36 away from each other. This could take place in that the filling needles 72 themselves are designed to be movable and / or the containers 36 are moved or lowered by the mover 20.

After filling, the mover 20 transports the filled containers 36 into a further weighing position 156 in the detection area of another weighing device 56. The transport can now be carried out in such a way that a sloshing of the filled containers 36 is prevented by a suitable pivoting of the containers 36 about a horizontal axis is indicated by a corresponding arrow.

At the weighing device 56, the gross weighing takes place. In this case, similarly as in the tare weighing position 154, settling and picking up of the filled containers 36 on and from the weighing device 56 or alternative filling quantity detection devices takes place. Again, the further weighing device 54 is designed to be movable for receiving the containers 36 to be weighed. In the weighing position 156 are the following functions

the mover 20 or container receptacle 38 to realize: settling and receiving the containers 36 on the weighing device 56th

If the gross weighing in the weighing position 156 shows that a non-tolerable quantity has been filled, the mover 20 could discharge the incorrectly filled container 36 or possibly bring it into the filling position 148 for subsequent dosing.

The weighed containers 36 brings the mover 20 into a closing position 150, which is located in the detection area of a closing station 50. The closing station 50 is designed as a plug setting station by way of example. It comprises at least one container 74 for the closures 37, which provides a supply 76 in a suitable manner. Now there is a relative movement between the container 36 and closure 37. For this purpose, the mover 20 moves the open containers 36 upwards, so that the closures 37 can be inserted into the container openings. Subsequently, the sealed containers 36 are brought into a discharge position 160 for transfer into an outlet 60. For this purpose, a deflection wheel 58 is provided, which receives the supplied containers 36 and transferred after a 90 ° rotation in the outlet 60 in the form of a screw conveyor. Here, the mover 20 is synchronized to the speed of the guide wheel 58, so that it moves in the transfer position at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the feed wheel 58th

Subsequently, the mover 20 moves from the exit position 160 back to the starting position 120. For example, this could be active as one

Planar drive configured mover 20 done. Alternatively, it would be one

Planar drive with a static traveling field and an additional guide possible or even a passive conveyor (such as chain, belt, etc.).

The filled container 36 is in the outlet 60 ready, which serves as an interface to a possibly downstream machine.

The following optional process steps can be integrated into the processing. This can be application-specific and modular: fumigation,

Rolling, bad / good outlet, inspection, removal station, screwing station, marking, storage, product loss prevention.

According to FIG. 7, the mover 20 is provided with a receptacle receptacle 38 in which receptacles 36 filled with a darkly indicated product 35 are located.

The filling level of the product 35 is oriented horizontally in a first state a. In this first state a, a ', the product 35 is at rest (acceleration and speed equal to zero). The mover 20, which cooperates with a drive surface 13 (not shown), can be rotated about a pivot point 33.

Shown in the top row of Figure 7 is a mover 20 with no anti-slosh control 35 control, and in the lower row there is shown a mover 20 with control to prevent sloshing of the product 35 in the respective states. In a second state b, b 'accelerated the movers 20 the product with constant positive acceleration a. The velocity v increases accordingly linearly. The product 35 above (state b) spills, the filling level of the product 35 is inclined relative to the horizontal or no longer oriented perpendicular to the container axis. In the control of the mover shown below (state b ') to prevent sloshing, however, the mover 20 rotates the receptacle receptacle 38 about the fulcrum 31 by an angle a. The angle a depends on the respective acceleration a (tan α = a / g, where a is the acceleration of the mover 20, g the gravitational acceleration). The angle α describes the rotation relative to the normal position or rest position. By turning the mover 20 according to the state b 'sloshing is prevented. The filling level of the product 35 remains perpendicular to

Container axis aligned.

After passing through the acceleration phase (states b, b '), a phase with constant velocity now follows (states c, c'). In this phase, the mover 20 is no longer rotated by an angle α (a = 0).

In a subsequent phase (states d, d '), the mover 20 is decelerated with a constant negative acceleration. Without anti-sloshing control (state d) the level is no longer aligned perpendicular to the container axis. With anti-sloshing control (state d '), however, the mover 20 rotates the container carrier 38 as shown by an angle α (tan α = a / g, where a is the (negative) acceleration of the mover 20, g the gravitational acceleration). As a result, the filling level is oriented perpendicular to the container axis, sloshing is thus prevented.

The use of movers 20, 21, which cooperate in the form of a planar drive with the carrier plate 12 or drive surface 13, open up flexible possibilities both of the container transport and the movement of components of process stations. The described or depending on the application provided process stations 38, 40, 43, 44, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56 may also be assembled in a different manner in a device 8; Due to the flexible transport system, systems can also be set up very flexibly and modularly and, if necessary, changed. Due to the essentially contactless drive system, this is particularly suitable for the In filling and / or closing and / or weighing devices in the pharmaceutical industry, since there the requirements in terms of

Particle purity are particularly high. However, other fields of application are possible in principle.

Claims

claims

1. A device for filling a container, comprising at least one filling station (48) for filling at least one container (36), at least one container receptacle (38) for transporting the container (36) relative to the filling station (48), characterized in that at least one drive surface

(13) and at least one on the drive surface (13) in particular magnetically coupled mover (20) are provided, wherein the mover (20) on the drive surface (13) in at least two degrees of freedom slidably and / or rotatably arranged and that the container receptacle ( 38) is connected to the mover (20).

2. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive surface (13) is designed as a vertical plane.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of independently movable mover (20) are provided.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container receptacle (38) moves during filling.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the filling, the container receptacle (38) moves relative to the filling needle (72), in particular, during the filling of the filling needle (72) away.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one drive surface (13) and at least one on the drive surface (13) in particular magnetically coupled process movers

(21) are provided, and that at least one filling needle (72) of the filling station (48) is connected to the process movers (21) for moving the filling needle (72) through the process movers (21).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling station (48) at least one prefill llstation (47) and / or at least one Endfüllstation (49), wherein the drive surface (13) is formed so that the mover ( 20) moves the container carrier (38) between the pre-filling station (47) and the final filling station (49).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one closing station (50) and / or at least one weighing device (54, 56) and / or at least one inspection device (55) and / or an inlet (50) and / or an outlet (60) is provided and the drive surface (13) is configured so that the mover (20) at least the container receptacle (38) to at least one of the aforementioned stations (40, 50, 54, 55, 56, 60) moves.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive surface (13) is designed so that the mover (20) after filling the container receptacle (38) with at least one filled container (36) selectively to at least two of the aforementioned Stations (40, 50, 54, 55, 56, 60) moved.

10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mover (20) and / or the drive surface (13) comprise at least one magnetic field generating means, in particular a coil (18) and / or a magnet.