EP4074609A1 - Füllstation für behälter im pharmazeutischen bereich und verfahren dafür - Google Patents

Füllstation für behälter im pharmazeutischen bereich und verfahren dafür Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4074609A1
EP4074609A1 EP22167404.7A EP22167404A EP4074609A1 EP 4074609 A1 EP4074609 A1 EP 4074609A1 EP 22167404 A EP22167404 A EP 22167404A EP 4074609 A1 EP4074609 A1 EP 4074609A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
washing
collector
station
configuration
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP22167404.7A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Luca Testoni
Paolo Degliesposti
Luca Lanzarini
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.)
GD SpA
Original Assignee
GD SpA
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 GD SpA filed Critical GD SpA
Publication of EP4074609A1 publication Critical patent/EP4074609A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B1/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
    • 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
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/001—Cleaning of filling devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C7/00—Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottles; Processes or devices for at least two of these operations
    • B67C7/0006—Conveying; Synchronising
    • B67C7/0026—Conveying; Synchronising the containers travelling along a linear path
    • B67C7/0033—Conveying; Synchronising the containers travelling along a linear path the operation being performed batch-wise

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a filling station for containers of the pharmaceutical field and method thereof.
  • a filling station for containers of the pharmaceutical field comprises a conveyor device that conveys the containers (for example vials or bottles) along a filling path, a filling head arranged along the path which comprises a plurality of dispensing nozzles arranged to dispense a filling material (for example liquid or powder) inside the containers.
  • the head results in the respective filling configuration.
  • Filling stations of the pharmaceutical field often provide for a dedicated automatic washing and/or sterilization system of the filling circuits on site (namely, the so-called CIP/SIP systems), allowing the latter to be cleaned without having to completely disassemble the filling system.
  • the washing/sterilization cycle is necessary periodically or, in any case, between two filling cycles which involve two different products.
  • the washing/sterilization can take place by means of chemical agents and/or steam at high temperatures which are passed through the circuit and then collected for disposal.
  • the filling station is brought into a washing configuration: in detail, the dispensing nozzles are removed from the filling head and inserted into corresponding washing collectors (also called "false bottles") arranged adjacent to the conveyor.
  • the nozzles are connected by means of pipes to the washing circuit for dispensing the washing fluid to the collectors through the respective opening.
  • Patent application DE102019211885A1 describes a device for handling containers comprising: a support with at least a filling and/or closing element suitable for filling and/or closing a container, and at least an extension arm connected to the support
  • Patent application GB2324999A describes an evacuation and sealing device comprising a module which is provided with a plurality of evacuation and sealing units and is independently movable along three mutually perpendicular axes; the module cooperates with a first conveyor device for small containers and a second conveyor device for container caps.
  • the object of the present invention is to overcome said drawback. This object is achieved by means of a filling station and method according to the attached claims.
  • the proposed filling station and method allow to reduce the time required for the preparation of the filling station, from the filling configuration to the washing one, and vice versa, with respect to the known art.
  • the proposed filling station and method reduce machine downtime related to the cleaning cycles of the filling station compared to the prior art.
  • the filling head is automatically movable from the respective filling configuration to a washing configuration (and vice versa), where the respective nozzle is arranged at the opening of the washing collector to fill the washing collector with the washing fluid through the opening of the collector.
  • the manual intervention of the operator is therefore no longer necessary for carrying out the cleaning cycle.
  • the station 1 comprises: a conveyor 2 for conveying the containers C along a filling path P (the direction of which is indicated in Figures 1 , 2 and 4 ) and a filling head 3 comprising in turn at least a dispensing nozzle 30 (preferably more than one, as in the illustrated case).
  • the filling head 3 can assume the filling configuration F (see Figure 1 ) in which the dispensing nozzle 30 is ready for filling the containers C conveyed by the conveyor 2 with a product (for example liquid or powder, not shown).
  • a product for example liquid or powder, not shown.
  • the filling station 1 further comprises at least a washing collector 4 (preferably more than one, as in the illustrated case), arranged adjacent to the filling path P and comprising an opening 40 (indicated in Figures 1-3 ) for receiving a washing fluid.
  • the dispensing nozzle 30 can be coupled with the opening 40 (preferably insertable in the opening 40, as shown in Figure 4 ) of the washing collector 4 for dispensing a washing fluid in the washing collector 4 through the opening 40.
  • the washing fluid can comprise chemical agents and/or steam at high temperatures (e.g., 120°C).
  • the number of washing collectors 4 corresponds to the number of dispensing nozzles 30.
  • the filling head 3 is automatically movable from the filling configuration F ( Figure 1 ) to a washing configuration S ( Figures 3 and 4 ), where the respective dispensing nozzle 30 is at the opening 40 of the washing collector 4 (preferably in the washing collector 4) to fill the washing collector 4 with the washing fluid through the opening 40, and vice versa.
  • the proposed filling station 1 allows to reduce the machine downtime which, in the known art, was necessary to allow the operator to manually disconnect the dispensing nozzle from the filling head and place it in the washing collector, to which it was necessarily connected by piping and fixed for dispensing the washing fluid into the collector. Therefore, the productivity of the filling station 1 is significantly increased compared to the known art.
  • the movement of the filling head 3 from the filling configuration F to the washing configuration S (and vice versa) takes place along a first direction D1, transversal to the filling path P.
  • a first direction D1 transversal to the filling path P.
  • the filling head 3 is further movable along a second direction D2, transversal to the filling path P, between a lowered position in which the dispensing nozzle 30 is inserted in the washing collector 4 and a raised position in which the dispensing nozzle 30 is not inserted in the washing collector 4 (see Figures 3 and 4 ).
  • This movement of the filling head 3 along the second direction D2 also allows the dispensing nozzle 30 to enter the container C to be filled (lowered position), and to exit therefrom (raised position, see the Figures 1 and 2 ).
  • the insertion and removal of the dispensing nozzle 30 in the washing collector 4 exploits a movement already possible for the filling head 3, without creating structural and functional complications.
  • the station 1 comprises a support arm 5, and the filling head 3 further comprises: a dispensing portion 31 (substantially parallel to the conveyor 2), which carries the dispensing nozzle 30, and an advancing portion 32 (substantially transversal and preferably perpendicular to the conveyor 2) which is connected to the dispensing portion 31 and bound to the support arm 5.
  • the advancing portion 32 is movable with respect to the support arm 5 to bring the filling head 3 from the filling configuration F to the washing configuration S, and vice versa.
  • the advancing portion 32 has a substantially cylindrical shape. According to an example, the advancing portion 32 is slidable with respect to the support arm 5
  • the advancing portion 32 is telescopic, namely, it comprises a plurality of tubular portions sliding relative to one another to determine the movement of the filling head 3 from the filling configuration F to the washing configuration S, and vice versa.
  • this specification guarantees a high structural simplicity of the filling head 3.
  • the movement of the advancing portion 32 with respect to the support arm 5 is motorized.
  • the support arm 5 is movable at least along a rotation direction O which is transversal to the first direction D1 of movement of the filling head 3 (namely, it is at least partially parallel to the filling path P of the containers C and to the conveyor 2 in the case illustrated).
  • the support arm 5 is movable along said rotation direction O to move the filling head 3 along said second direction D2 (namely, from the respective lowered to the raised position, and vice versa).
  • the station 1 comprises a base 50 arranged adjacent to the conveyor 2 and with respect to which the support arm 5 is bound (preferably hinged).
  • the support arm 5 is movable with respect to the base 50 along said rotation direction O.
  • the conveyor 2 has a linear development direction V (namely, it is a linear conveyor 2, for example with a closed loop comprising pockets 20), preferably parallel to the filling path P, and the filling head 3 comprises a plurality of dispensing nozzles 30 arranged in a row.
  • the filling station 1 comprises a plurality of washing collectors 4 arranged in a row (with the number of dispensing nozzles 30 preferably coinciding with the number of washing collectors 4).
  • the row of dispensing nozzles 30, the row of washing collectors 4 and the development direction V of the conveyor 2 are parallel to one another. This embodiment guarantees the system an optimal effectiveness and at the same time a high compactness (namely, it results in contained overall dimensions of the filling station 1).
  • each dispensing nozzle 30 of the filling head 3 is arranged inside the corresponding washing collector 4 passing through the opening 40; namely, in the washing configuration S each dispensing nozzle 30 of the filling head 3 is inserted into the corresponding washing collector 4 engaging the opening 40. Furthermore, in the washing configuration S each dispensing nozzle 30 of the filling head 3 seals the opening 40 of the washing collector 4 to prevent the overflow of the washing fluid from the opening 40; in this regard, each dispensing nozzle 30 of the filling head 3 or each washing collector 4 has an elastically deformable annular seal 41 which ensures the hydraulic seal between the dispensing nozzle 30 and the opening 40 of the washing collector 4.
  • Each washing collector 4 has a cup-like shape which is delimited at the bottom by a bottom wall 42 (completely devoid of holes) opposite the opening 40 and is laterally delimited by a side wall 43 which is configured to contain, with a given clearance, the dispensing nozzle 30 of the filling head 3 arranged in the washing configuration S (namely, between the dispensing nozzle 30 of the filling head 3 and the side wall 43 of the washing collector 4 free space is provided).
  • the side wall 43 of the washing collector 4 has at least a drain hole 44 (in effect a plurality of uniformly distributed drain holes) which is arranged on the opposite side of the bottom wall 42 near the opening 40 and is designed to allow the outflow of the washing fluid once the washing fluid has filled the washing collector 4.
  • each dispensing nozzle 30 of the filling head 3 enters, through the opening 40, into the corresponding washing collector 4, sealing the opening 40 in a hermetic manner.
  • the washing fluid is dispensed which, passing through the dispensing nozzle 30, cleans the inside of the said dispensing nozzle 30; when the washing fluid comes out of the dispensing nozzle 30 " hits " against the bottom wall 42 of the washing collector 4 and therefore, filling the washing collector 4, is forced to rise upwards until it reaches the drain hole 44 from which the washing fluid flows towards a drain.
  • the washing fluid rises from bottom to top to reach the drain hole 44, it externally cleans the dispensing nozzle 30 as it flows over the outer surface of the dispensing nozzle 30.
  • each washing collector 4 is " filled " by the washing fluid allows the corresponding dispensing nozzle 30 to be cleaned not only internally but also externally.
  • the present invention further relates to a method for filling containers C of the pharmaceutical field (for example bottles or vials), which can be implemented by means of a filling station 1 of the type described above.
  • containers C of the pharmaceutical field for example bottles or vials
  • the method comprises the steps of:
  • the method comprises the step of: automatically bringing the filling head 3 into the corresponding washing configuration S and filling the washing collector 4 with the washing fluid by means of the dispensing nozzle 30.
  • the method comprises the step of automatically returning the filling head 3 to the corresponding filling configuration F.
  • the method described above essentially comprises a filling and subsequent cleaning cycle that can be performed for example by means of the filling station 1, which is also the subject of the invention and described above.
  • the method according to the invention therefore has the same advantages identified with reference to the filling station 1.
  • the proposed method allows to reduce the downtimes that were necessary in the known art by increasing the productivity of the filling station 1 by which it is implemented.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
EP22167404.7A 2021-04-12 2022-04-08 Füllstation für behälter im pharmazeutischen bereich und verfahren dafür Pending EP4074609A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102021000009086A IT202100009086A1 (it) 2021-04-12 2021-04-12 Stazione e metodo di riempimento per contenitori del settore farmaceutico

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4074609A1 true EP4074609A1 (de) 2022-10-19

Family

ID=77021806

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22167404.7A Pending EP4074609A1 (de) 2021-04-12 2022-04-08 Füllstation für behälter im pharmazeutischen bereich und verfahren dafür

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4074609A1 (de)
IT (1) IT202100009086A1 (de)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4417610A (en) * 1981-03-31 1983-11-29 O.G. Hoyer A/S Dispenser systems
US4913202A (en) * 1986-10-14 1990-04-03 Cmb Packaging (Uk) Limited Filling packaging containers
GB2324999A (en) 1997-04-22 1998-11-11 Bosch Gmbh Robert Evacuating and sealing arrangement
US20050028886A1 (en) * 2003-08-05 2005-02-10 Navarro Ramon M. In line filling machine
US7011117B1 (en) * 2004-11-15 2006-03-14 Gerald Albert Carpino Filling valve
DE102019211885A1 (de) 2019-08-08 2021-02-11 Syntegon Technology Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Handhaben von Behältern

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4417610A (en) * 1981-03-31 1983-11-29 O.G. Hoyer A/S Dispenser systems
US4913202A (en) * 1986-10-14 1990-04-03 Cmb Packaging (Uk) Limited Filling packaging containers
GB2324999A (en) 1997-04-22 1998-11-11 Bosch Gmbh Robert Evacuating and sealing arrangement
US20050028886A1 (en) * 2003-08-05 2005-02-10 Navarro Ramon M. In line filling machine
US7011117B1 (en) * 2004-11-15 2006-03-14 Gerald Albert Carpino Filling valve
DE102019211885A1 (de) 2019-08-08 2021-02-11 Syntegon Technology Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Handhaben von Behältern

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT202100009086A1 (it) 2022-10-12

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