EP4267468A2 - Dispositif de traitement de contenants pharmaceutiques et dispositif de remplissage - Google Patents

Dispositif de traitement de contenants pharmaceutiques et dispositif de remplissage

Info

Publication number
EP4267468A2
EP4267468A2 EP21843974.3A EP21843974A EP4267468A2 EP 4267468 A2 EP4267468 A2 EP 4267468A2 EP 21843974 A EP21843974 A EP 21843974A EP 4267468 A2 EP4267468 A2 EP 4267468A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
transport
containers
station
filling
segment
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
EP21843974.3A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Florian BÖRRET
Simon Ackermann
Fabian Kleinheinz
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.)
Bausch and Stroebel SE and Co KG
Original Assignee
Bausch and Stroebel SE and Co KG
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 Bausch and Stroebel SE and Co KG filed Critical Bausch and Stroebel SE and Co KG
Publication of EP4267468A2 publication Critical patent/EP4267468A2/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/003—Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like
    • 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
    • B65B21/00—Packaging or unpacking of bottles
    • B65B21/02—Packaging or unpacking of bottles in or from preformed containers, e.g. crates
    • B65B21/08—Introducing or removing single bottles, or groups of bottles, e.g. for progressive filling or emptying of containers
    • 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
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/24—Topping-up containers or receptacles to ensure complete filling
    • 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
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/26—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled
    • B65B3/28—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled by weighing
    • 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
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
    • 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
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
    • B65B35/16—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by grippers
    • 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
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
    • B65B35/26—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by rotary 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
    • B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
    • B65B39/12—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers movable towards or away from container or wrapper during filling or depositing
    • 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
    • B65B43/44—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 from supply magazines
    • 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
    • B65B43/50—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 rotary tables or turrets
    • 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
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
    • B65B55/04—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging
    • 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
    • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • B65B57/02—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages
    • B65B57/08—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages and operating to stop, or to control the speed of, the machine as a whole
    • 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
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • B65B59/001—Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the product to be packaged
    • 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
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • B65B59/003—Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the packaging material
    • 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
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • B65B59/02—Arrangements to enable adjustments to be made while the machine is running
    • 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
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • B65B59/04—Machines constructed with readily-detachable units or assemblies, e.g. to facilitate maintenance
    • 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
    • B65B65/003—Packaging lines, e.g. general layout
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65B7/2807—Feeding closures
    • 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
    • B65B7/2821—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 applying plugs or threadless stoppers
    • 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
    • B65B2210/00—Specific aspects of the packaging machine
    • B65B2210/02—Plurality of alternative input or output lines or plurality of alternative packaging units on the same packaging line for improving machine flexibility

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for processing pharmaceutical containers, in particular vials, syringes or carpules.
  • the device serves in particular to fill the containers with a pharmaceutical substance.
  • a filling station of the device is preferably provided for this purpose.
  • the pharmaceutical substance is in particular a medically active substance (agent).
  • the present invention also relates to a filling device for filling pharmaceutical containers.
  • containers of different types can preferably be processed with the device.
  • the containers of different types include, in particular, vials, syringes and/or cartridges. Vials can also be referred to as “vials” or “vials”. Containers can also be referred to as “vessels”.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned at the outset with a compact design.
  • a device for processing pharmaceutical containers comprising: a frame which can be positioned on a set-up surface and has a surface, a first side and a second side opposite thereto, at least one processing station for the Container, an in particular linear transport device arranged between the first side and the second side with revolving holding elements for the containers, which move along a transport direction from a coupling-in side to a decoupling side on a transport segment and counter to the transport direction on a return segment, wherein the at least one processing station on the transport segment is arranged and the transport segment and the return segment define a transport plane of the transport device and are arranged above the surface, and wherein the transport plane is inclined by an angle of inclination relative to a plane of the surface and/or a horizontal plane and the transport segment is arranged above the return segment in the direction of gravity .
  • the containers can be coupled into holding elements on the transport segment on the coupling side (hereinafter also: “coupled into the transport segment or transferred to it”) and on this in particular linearly along the transport direction to at least one processing station and after processing to the decoupling side be moved.
  • the containers can be decoupled from the holding elements on the transport segment (hereinafter also: “decoupled from or taken over from the transport segment”).
  • the transport segment and the return segment define a transport level.
  • the transport plane can also be viewed as the plane of movement of the transport device.
  • the plane of transport is inclined at an angle of inclination relative to a plane of the surface of the frame and/or relative to a horizontal plane.
  • the surface of the frame is defined, for example, by an erection element of the frame that is at least partially and/or essentially plate-shaped. Due to the inclination of the transport plane, the transport segment is arranged above the return segment in relation to the direction of gravity. It turns out in practice that in this way the space required for the transport device between the first side and the second side can be kept relatively small. In this way, the device can be achieved with a relatively compact construction, in particular in a direction from the first side to the second side, for example transverse and in particular perpendicular to the transport direction. In practice, it is advantageous if the components of the device, specifically the transport device, are particularly easily accessible for maintenance purposes.
  • the return segment and the transport segment are arranged above the surface. This positioning of the transport segment and the return segment above the surface and thus within an outer contour of the frame prevents the user from being bumped into.
  • Position and orientation information such as “above”, “below”, “horizontal” or the like are in this case related to the intended use of the device.
  • the frame is positioned on a floor space, for example a hall or a laboratory, with the floor space being horizontally oriented.
  • the surface preferably defines in particular a horizontal plane.
  • the device preferably comprises a control device for controlling and/or regulating the operation of the device and also the filling device. It goes without saying that the device can have drive devices for the respectively active components. These are not explained below. Such drive devices are known to those skilled in the art.
  • one, preferably linear, transport device of the filling device is preferably provided for transporting the containers through from the coupling-in side to the coupling-out side.
  • the angle of inclination is greater than 45°, preferably greater than 60° and even more preferably greater than 70°.
  • the angle of inclination is approximately 80°.
  • angle of inclination is less than 90°, preferably less than 85°.
  • a relatively small extension of the device in the direction from the first side to the second side can be achieved.
  • the transport segment is not arranged directly above the return segment. This is favorable in order to avoid damage to and/or contamination of the holding elements on the return segment, for example if a container accidentally falls out of the transport segment and/or the pharmaceutical substance is lost.
  • the transport device has a free space below the holding elements arranged in the transport segment, with the holding elements arranged on the return segment being arranged outside the free space.
  • the containers held on the holding elements are transported above the free space, preferably in a vertical orientation.
  • the return segment is offset in the direction of the second side with respect to the free space.
  • the transport segment is spaced less from the first side than the return segment.
  • the first side and/or the second side can be a longitudinal side of the frame, for example.
  • the transport device is a clocked transport device and preferably comprises a plurality of holding element carriers with a respective plurality of holding elements, the containers being processed at the at least one processing station within a predetermined or specifiable cycle time.
  • a respective holding element carrier comprises a plurality of holding elements. In an advantageous implementation, for example, six holding elements can be provided, the invention not being limited to this number of holding elements.
  • the transport device can be stopped at the at least one processing station in order to process the containers.
  • the tact time may be the length of time between the processing of containers on consecutive chuck carriers at the same processing station.
  • Clocked processing can also be possible if no holding element carriers are provided for the holding elements.
  • the number of holding elements defines a number of "points" of the clocked device.
  • the cycle times are advantageously identical for a plurality of processing stations. This enables the containers to be processed efficiently.
  • the transport device is not clocked, but instead is designed to run continuously.
  • the holding elements are advantageously designed in such a way that they can cover a number of different formats.
  • format is understood to mean, in particular, containers of different types that differ from one another in terms of their container type (vials, syringes or cartridges) and/or in terms of their container properties (such as, in particular, size).
  • the device preferably comprises a plurality of format sets with respective format parts, the format parts having holding element carriers and/or holding elements, the format parts of different format sets differing from one another in a container-specific, container-component-specific and/or processing-specific nature.
  • the device proves to be very versatile.
  • a distance between container receptacles of the holding elements of different format sets is advantageously identical.
  • the holding elements are holding tongs that can be actively opened and actively closed.
  • the holding elements can be guided, for example, over a control contour, as a result of which they are spread to accommodate the container. The opposite can apply when decoupling.
  • the multiple holding elements can preferably be opened together by means of a control contour.
  • the containers are preferably guided horizontally over the frame.
  • the containers in the transport segment are favorably aligned along the direction of gravity.
  • the transport segment and/or the return segment preferably runs parallel to the first side and/or parallel to the second side.
  • the at least one processing station includes a filling station for filling the containers with a pharmaceutical substance.
  • the device can in particular be or form a filling device for filling the containers.
  • the filling station favorably comprises filling elements and, in particular, a robotic handling device for the filling elements, with the handling device preferably being arranged between the transport segment and the first side.
  • the filling elements are in particular needles which can be lowered into the containers by means of the handling device in order to fill them.
  • the handling device Positioned between the transport segment and the first side, the handling device can be reached particularly well, for example for maintenance purposes.
  • the handling device is preferably an articulated arm robot or includes one.
  • the articulated arm robot can be a so-called "Scara" robot, for example.
  • the containers can be filled during movement in the transport segment, as a result of which the cycle time can be kept short.
  • the filling station preferably comprises at least one pumping and/or dosing unit for supplying the substance to the filling elements, which is arranged between the return segment and the second side. It has been shown in practice that the pumping and/or dosing unit can be conveniently reached from the second side in this way for maintenance purposes. Fluid lines for the pharmaceutical substance are preferably routed over the transport device to the filling elements.
  • the handling device and the pumping and/or dosing unit are advantageously arranged on the frame.
  • the at least one processing station preferably includes a first weighing station for weighing the unfilled containers, which is arranged upstream of the filling station in the direction of transport.
  • the tare weight of the containers can be determined by means of the first weighing station with regard to a process control to be carried out.
  • the first weighing station is preferably arranged between the transport segment and the first side and for example on the frame. In this way the first weighing station is easily accessible for the user in case of maintenance.
  • Weighing elements of the weighing station can preferably be placed against the containers from below and the containers can be placed on the weighing elements.
  • the transport device is stopped and the holding elements are opened when the containers rest on the weighing elements.
  • the weighing station can reach into the free space below the containers on the transport segment.
  • the at least one processing station preferably includes a second weighing station for weighing the filled containers, which is arranged downstream of the filling station in the direction of transport.
  • the gross weight of the filled containers can be determined via the second weighing station with a view to process control.
  • the second weighing station is preferably positioned directly downstream of the filling station in the transport direction. Based on the “positions” of the holding elements in the transport segment, the holding element leading in the transport direction at the filling station is preferably followed by the last holding element in the transport direction of the second weighing station.
  • the second weighing station is preferably arranged between the transport segment and the first side, for example on the frame.
  • Weighing elements of the second weighing station can advantageously be placed against the containers from below, and the containers can be placed on the weighing elements.
  • the holding elements are opened when the containers rest on the weighing elements.
  • the weighing station can reach into the free space below the containers on the transport segment.
  • the device can preferably determine whether the containers are filled with a predetermined or predeterminable quantity of the substance, with the containers being refillable via the filling station if the determination is negative and the filling quantity is too low.
  • the filling quantity can be determined in particular from the difference between the gross weight and the tare weight.
  • the filling station can be controlled for refilling.
  • the containers can preferably be refilled at the second weighing station, with the filling elements being able to be fed to the device via a handling device.
  • the handling device of the filling station can position the filling elements above the weighing elements of the second weighing station and refill an underfilled container.
  • the at least one processing station preferably comprises a closing station for closing the containers with closing elements, the closing station being positioned downstream of a filling station in the transport direction.
  • the containers are preferably still closed within the transport segment in order to avoid contamination and/or unintentional spilling of the substance when filled.
  • the closing station is preferably positioned downstream of the aforementioned second weighing station in the direction of transport.
  • the closing station advantageously includes a lowering unit, via which the closing elements can be lowered from above in the direction of the filled containers.
  • the closing elements for example in the form of mushroom plugs, can be pressed onto the containers from above, in which case the containers are preferably supported from below.
  • Closing elements in the form of piston stoppers can be inserted into the containers, for example.
  • the lowering unit is preferably arranged between the transport segment on the first side, for example on the frame. In this way, the lowering unit can be easily reached for maintenance purposes.
  • the closing station preferably comprises a storage unit for storing closing elements and a supply unit for supplying isolated ones Closing elements, wherein the storage unit and the supply unit are preferably arranged between the return segment and the second side.
  • the storage unit for example a pot or the like, is preferably independent of the format.
  • the feed unit includes, for example, feed tracks that can be exchanged with little effort in the event of conversions.
  • the feed unit comprises, for example, at least one feed track that is oriented at an angle to the transport direction.
  • the angle is preferably from about 30° to 70°, more preferably about 40° to 60°. It has been shown in practice that a compact design of the device can be achieved by such an orientation of the supply unit.
  • the closing station preferably comprises a receiving unit for receiving isolated closing elements and feeding them to the lowering unit, the closing elements preferably being able to be moved over the transport device.
  • the closing elements are preferably turned by means of the receiving unit.
  • inert gas can be applied to one side of the closing elements that faces the substance as a result of turning when the containers are closed. Any foreign particles and/or contamination on the closing elements can be removed in this way.
  • the frame is preferably essentially L-shaped in plan view and comprises a first leg and a second leg which is oriented at an angle relative to the first leg and which cross one another in an area of intersection.
  • the angle is, for example, 90° or essentially 90°.
  • the transport device is preferably aligned along the first leg, and a feed unit of the closing station preferably runs at least in sections in or through the crossing area. A compact design of the device can be achieved by such a configuration and arrangement of the components.
  • a control unit can be provided to control the presence of a respective closure element on the receiving unit. If a closure element is missing, it can preferably be conveyed from the supply line into the receiving unit.
  • the at least one processing station preferably includes a control station for checking the presence of a closing element on the respective container.
  • the control station is advantageously arranged between the transport segment and the first side, for example on the frame.
  • the control station which is optically designed, for example, can be easily reached for maintenance purposes.
  • the corresponding container can be ejected, for example.
  • An advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized by a 100% check during processing of the containers.
  • the quantity filled with the pharmaceutical substance is checked for each container by means of the tare weight and the gross weight, refilled if necessary and the presence of a closing element on the container is checked.
  • the device preferably comprises a coupling element for transferring the containers individually to the transport device and/or a decoupling element for taking over the containers individually from the transport device.
  • the coupling element and/or the decoupling element is a respective format part of a format set.
  • the coupling element and/or the decoupling element is a transport wheel, for example.
  • the transport wheel can, for example, feed the containers in a clocked manner and transfer them to the holding elements or take them over in a clocked manner.
  • the coupling element and/or decoupling element is a segmented wheel.
  • the segmented wheel for example, continuously supplied containers can be transferred to the holding elements in a clocked manner.
  • cyclically moving containers can be continuously decoupled.
  • the coupling element and/or the decoupling element is preferably held on the frame.
  • "held on the frame” can in particular be understood to mean “arranged on the frame”, and vice versa.
  • the device preferably comprises an infeed element that is upstream of the infeed element in a feed direction and transfers the containers to the infeed element, which is held on the frame, with no further transport element being held on the frame on the infeed side.
  • the coupling element and at most the infeed element are preferably held on the frame holding the transport device.
  • the device comprises an ejector element which is located downstream of the decoupling element in the decoupling direction and takes over the containers from the decoupling element and which is held on the frame, with preferably no further transport element being held on the frame on the decoupling side. Accordingly, the decoupling element and at most the discharge element are preferably held on the frame.
  • the two advantageous embodiments explained above make it possible to achieve a particularly compact design of a filling device of the device, the filling device comprising the frame with the transport device, the filling station, the weighing stations, the closing station and preferably the control station.
  • Containers of a first type from a first feed unit or containers of a second type from a second feed unit can preferably be fed in via the infeed element.
  • the containers of the first type are, for example, vials or carpules that are provided as bulk goods.
  • the spacing of the containers from one another can already be adjusted to the spacing of the receptacles of the holding elements (“machine pass”) in the first feed unit.
  • the distance between the containers in the carrier (“nest stitch") is preferably already adjusted to the distance between the receptacles of the holding elements.
  • the containers can be delivered to a first removal unit, for example, via the discharge element.
  • the removal unit is provided, for example, for storing containers, in particular vials and carpules.
  • the removal unit includes a further closing station, with which already closed containers with flanged caps can be finally closed.
  • both the original and bulk goods can be used containers provided and the containers removed from the carrier are transferred to the first removal unit.
  • a second removal unit can be provided in order to transfer the containers to a common carrier.
  • the distance between the containers set to the machine stitch is again set to the nest stitch of the common carrier. It is particularly advantageous if the common carrier is transported from the supply unit to the removal unit after the containers have been removed and the containers are placed back into this carrier. Both the containers originally provided as bulk goods and the containers removed from the carrier can advantageously be transferred to the second removal unit.
  • the device preferably comprises at least one and in particular precisely one interface position, an interface element, via which containers can optionally be fed from the first feed unit or from the second feed unit.
  • the interface element can be, for example, the coupling element, the infeed element or a transport element for the containers arranged in front of it.
  • the interface element is a transport wheel, for example.
  • the interface element can be a format part.
  • the device preferably comprises an interface element at at least one and in particular precisely one interface position, via which the processed containers can be fed either to the first removal unit or to the second removal unit.
  • the interface element can be, for example, the decoupling element, the discharge element or another transport element for the containers.
  • the interface element is a transport wheel, for example.
  • the interface element can be a format part.
  • the at least one processing station advantageously comprises a turning station for turning the containers, which is upstream of the filling station in the transport direction.
  • the containers can be turned from a first orientation in the holding elements to an orientation in the holding elements opposite to the first orientation.
  • the containers are removed from the holding elements by means of the turning station, for example, and then reinserted into them.
  • the at least one processing station advantageously comprises a closing station, which is upstream of the turning station in the transport direction, for closing the containers with closing elements. Accordingly, two locking stations can be provided. At the first closing station, carpules in particular are closed on a first side, whereupon the containers are turned. After filling, the containers are closed on the second side.
  • the at least one processing station preferably comprises a further turning station for turning the containers upstream of the closing station of the preceding step in the direction of transport. Via the further turning station, the containers can be turned from a first orientation in the holding elements into an orientation in the holding elements which is opposite to the first orientation. Accordingly, provision can be made for the containers to be turned twice along the transport segment and sealed in between.
  • the containers can be coupled “upside down” into the transport segment, closed on one side and then turned only once, whereupon they can be filled and then closed on the other side.
  • the containers can be closed on one side and then coupled into the transport segment.
  • the device preferably comprises a further transport device, which is designed to correspond to the transport device and to which the containers can be transferred via transport elements of the device, and at least one further processing station for processing the containers.
  • the above explanations in relation to the transport device can be applied accordingly to the further transport device.
  • the further transport device can be arranged on the same frame or on a further frame of the device.
  • the at least one further processing station includes, for example, a control station for checking that a closing element is correctly seated on the respective container. In the event of a negative determination, the container can be ejected, for example.
  • the at least one further processing station preferably includes a closing station for attaching a closing element to the already closed containers.
  • the closing station is used in particular in connection with vials that have already been sealed, in order to place crimp caps on the containers.
  • a crimping station for crimping the crimp caps is preferably provided.
  • the device advantageously comprises at least one isolator device covering at least one frame with a cover element, preferably for providing an atmosphere and/or for decontamination purposes between the cover element and the frame and, for example, for charging the containers with the atmosphere.
  • the cover element can cover the frame and preferably extend with side walls up to the frame.
  • the filling device preferably has an independent or separate isolator device.
  • the containers can be filled in an atmosphere for protection and/or for decontamination purposes with protective gas. This makes the filling device, in particular for filling the containers with toxic or highly sensitive pharmaceutical substances.
  • a hood-shaped machine guard with glass or plastic panes can be provided to cover the at least one frame.
  • the present invention also relates to a filling device for filling pharmaceutical containers.
  • a filling device for filling pharmaceutical containers, which can in particular be part of one of the devices described above, comprises a frame that can be positioned on a set-up surface and has a surface, a first side and a second side opposite this, at least one processing station for the containers, which has a filling station - tion for filling the containers with a pharmaceutical substance, a linear transport device arranged between the first side and the second side, in particular, with peripheral holding elements for the containers, which move along a transport direction from a coupling side to a decoupling side on a transport segment and counter to the transport direction move on a return segment, the filling station being indicated on the transport segment and defining the transport segment and the return segment and a transport plane of the transport device and above of the surface are arranged, and wherein the transport plane is inclined by an angle of inclination relative to a plane of the surface and/or a horizontal plane and the transport segment is arranged in the direction of gravity above the return segment.
  • FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for processing pharmaceutical containers, comprising a filling device according to the invention for the pharmaceutical containers;
  • FIG. 2 schematically a plurality of pharmaceutical containers accommodated in a common carrier (top) and a plurality of pharmaceutical containers held on a transport device of the device (bottom);
  • FIG. 3 an enlarged representation of the filling device according to detail A, non-schematic and simplified;
  • FIG. 4 an enlarged partial illustration of the filling device in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 a view of the filling device with the omission of components in the direction of arrow “5” in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 6 an illustration symbolizing an angle of inclination of a transport plane of the filling device relative to a surface plane and/or a horizontal plane
  • FIG. 7 an enlarged representation of a partial area according to detail C in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 8 an enlarged representation of a removal unit of the device from FIG. 1 according to detail B in a non-schematic, simplified representation
  • FIG. 12 a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, comprising a further embodiment of the filling device according to the invention
  • FIG. 13 a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, comprising a further embodiment of the filling device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 14 a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, comprising a further embodiment of the filling device according to the invention.
  • pharmaceutical containers include, in particular, vials (also referred to as bottles or phials), syringes and/or cartridges.
  • the containers are processed with the device, in particular filled with the filling device.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic representation, a so-called "layout" representation, of an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention for processing containers 12, which is given the overall reference number 10.
  • Figures 5 and 7 show containers 12 in the form of vials 14 shown.
  • the device 10 includes a preferred embodiment of the filling device according to the invention, which is shown with the reference number 16 and is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 7 in a detailed view.
  • the filling device 16 can also be referred to as a “filling machine”.
  • the device 10 further comprises a first feed unit 18 and a second feed unit 20 upstream of the filling device 16 in the feed direction of the containers 12.
  • the device 10 Downstream of the filling device 16 in a decoupling direction for the containers 12, the device 10 comprises a first extraction unit 22 and a second extraction unit 24.
  • the supply units 18, 20 are provided for providing and supplying containers 12 of different types.
  • the removal units 22 and 24 are provided for removing the containers 12 for further processing as desired.
  • the "genus" of the containers 12 is determined in particular by the form in which they are provided by the supply units 18 , 20 .
  • the first supply unit 18 is designed to provide containers 12 as bulk goods.
  • the containers 12 are picked up individually by a transport element in the form of a turntable 26 and, for example, indirectly fed to an interface element 28 via a further transport element 27 .
  • An element 29 is shown schematically in front of the turntable 26 in the drawing. This stands as a placeholder for further components of the supply unit 18, for example, and preferably in this order, a washing device, a sterilization device and/or a drying device for the containers 12.
  • the second supply unit 20 is provided for the processing of so-called RTU containers (ready-to-use) and is designed to remove the containers 12 from a common carrier 30, which can also be referred to as a "nest".
  • a handling device 31 is used for removal, from which the containers 12 can be fed to the interface element 28 via at least one further transport element 32, 33, for example.
  • the transport elements 27 and 33 are transport wheels and the transport element 32 is a cell chain, via which the containers 12 are transported on individually.
  • the interface element 28 is a transport wheel and is arranged in particular at an interface position 34 .
  • the respective containers to be processed can optionally be introduced into the filling device 16 via the interface element 28 .
  • the containers 12 are smuggled in individually in both cases.
  • the filling device 16 is dimensioned such that a distance 37 between adjacent containers 12 is the same in a transport device 36 explained below, regardless of the type of container 12, type and size of the container to be processed (within the scope of the device's area of application).
  • This distance (“machine stitch") is defined by the distance between receptacles of holding elements of the transport device 36 from one another.
  • Containers 12, which are fed in by the first feed unit 18, are picked up by the turntable 26 in such a way that the distance is already set to the machine stitch.
  • a respective format set 39 has container-specific, container-component-specific or processing-specific format parts, which can be exchanged on the device 10 if necessary in order to be able to process the desired container 12 .
  • the format parts of the format sets 39 do not differ insofar as receptacles for the containers 12 of the holding elements are designed for the different format sets in order to ensure the constant machine stitch.
  • transport elements for containers 12, in particular the transport wheels can also be format parts.
  • the interface element 28 is also a transport wheel and can be a format part. It is advantageous to use exactly one interface position for introducing containers 12 into the filling device 16.
  • the containers 12 processed by the filling device 16 can optionally be transferred to the first removal unit 22 or to the second removal unit 24.
  • the first removal unit 22 will be discussed below with reference to FIG.
  • transport elements 42, 43, a transport device 44 and then further transport elements 45 and 46 are shown adjoining the interface element 40 in FIG.
  • the transport elements 42, 43, 45 and 46 are in the present case transport wheels; their number is symbolic and exemplary in the present example.
  • the machine pass of the removal unit 22 and in particular of the transport device 44 is preferably identical to the machine pass of the filling device 16.
  • the second removal unit 24 is designed at least partially to correspond to the second supply unit 20 and comprises, for example, a transport element 47 in the form of a transport wheel and a transport element 48 connected thereto in the form of a cell chain.
  • a further handling device 49 the supplied containers 12 can be conveyed into the carrier 30, which, if previously emptied, can preferably be supplied by the supply unit 20 via a conveying device (not shown in the drawing) (arrow 50).
  • the distance 37 between the containers 12 is adjusted again to the nest stitch with the distance 38 by means of the handling device 49.
  • the components of the extraction units 22, 24 can also have format parts from one of the format sets 39.
  • containers 12 of the first or second type can be transferred to the removal unit 22 or to the removal unit 24 .
  • Device 10 includes a control device 52 for controlling and/or regulating the operation of device 10 and also of filling device 16.
  • the device 10 has drive devices for the respectively active components. These are not shown in the drawing and are not explained. Such drive devices are known to those skilled in the art.
  • the frames 54 which can also be referred to as a substructure or "table”, can be positioned on a set-up surface 55, for example the floor of a laboratory or a hall. A clean room environment or atmosphere is preferred.
  • the filling device 16 comprises an independent frame 54 for itself.
  • At least one isolator device 56 is also provided, which comprises a cover element 57 for covering the respective frame 54.
  • the frame 54 is covered on the top by means of the cover element 57, which also includes side walls. It goes without saying that maintenance openings can be present.
  • an independent frame 54 for the filling device 16 also makes it possible, in particular, in combination with an independent isolator device 56 ( Figure 3), to fill the containers 12 in a protective atmosphere and/or an atmosphere for decontamination purposes with a protective gas, in particular H2O2 . For this reason it is suitable the filling device 16 in particular also for filling the container 12 with toxic or highly sensitive pharmaceutical substances.
  • the frame 54 in the filling device 16 is essentially L-shaped in plan view and comprises a first leg 58 and a second leg 59.
  • the legs 58, 59 cross over one another at an intersection area 60.
  • the angle between the Legs 58, 59 is 90 ° in the present case.
  • the frame 54 has a first side 61 running along the first leg 58 and a second side 62.
  • the second side 62 opposes the first side 61 with respect to a surface 63 of the frame 54.
  • the first side 61 is a long side of the frame 54. Because of the L-shape, the second side 62 is provided with a step.
  • the sides 61, 62 are parallel to each other.
  • the surface 63 is defined by a positioning element 64 of the frame 54, which in the present case is plate-shaped.
  • the surface 63 defines a plane 65.
  • the plane 65 is aligned parallel to a plane of the installation surface 55 and, in particular, is aligned horizontally.
  • the already mentioned transport device 36 is a linear transport device. It has a transport segment 66 along which the containers 12 can be transported in a transport direction 67 .
  • the transport device 36 includes holding elements 68, designed here as holding tongs.
  • a plurality of holding elements 68 is held on a respective holding element carrier 69, in the present example six pieces.
  • the transport device 36 is a circulating transport device, the holding elements 68 with the circulating holding element carriers 69 moving without containers along a return segment 70 counter to the transport direction 67 .
  • the transport segment 66 and the return segment 70 are aligned parallel to one another and parallel to the first side 61 and the second side 62, respectively.
  • the transport segment 66 is spaced less far from the first side 61 than from the second side 62 .
  • the return segment 70 is arranged approximately centrally between the first side 61 and the second side 62 .
  • the transport segment 66 and the return segment 70 define a transport plane 72 of the transport device 36.
  • the transport plane is defined by the holding element carrier 69 with the holding elements 68, which are each located within the transport segment 66 and the return segment 70.
  • the transport plane 72 is inclined by an angle of inclination 73 relative to a horizontal plane and relative to the plane 65 of the surface 63 (FIGS. 5 and 6).
  • the angle of inclination 73 is approximately 80°.
  • the transport device 36 is inclined "backwards" in the direction of the second side 62 in this way.
  • the transport segment 66 is arranged above the return segment 70 in relation to the direction of gravity. It will be appreciated that the return segment 70 is laterally offset in plan view relative to the transport segment 66, toward the second side 62 ( Figure 4). Both the transport segment 66 and the return segment 70 are arranged above the surface 63 and thus completely within an outer contour of the frame 54. This offers in particular the possibility of covering the frame 54 on all sides by means of the isolator device 56, in particular along the outer contours of the frame 54.
  • a free space 74 is arranged below the transport segment 66 .
  • the return segment 70 is arranged outside of the free space 74, as mentioned, offset laterally in the direction of the second side 62.
  • a particularly compact design of the filling device 16 can be achieved in a transverse direction 75 of the frame 54, transverse to the transport direction 67. This makes it easier, for example, to access the components of the filling device 16 for maintenance purposes, for example when changing format sets 39.
  • the components of the filling device 16 can be accessed in a user-friendly manner from both the first page 61 and the second page 62.
  • the positioning of the return segment 70 outside of the free space 74 also offers the advantage that the holding elements cannot be damaged if a container 12 falls down, or the holding elements 68 on the return segment 70 cannot be contaminated if a pharmaceutical substance drips down. For this reason, the filling device 16 also has greater operational reliability. This proves to be particularly advantageous when processing toxic pharmaceutical substances.
  • the holding element carriers 69 are arranged in such a way that the containers 12 suspended from the holding elements 68 are transported on the transport segment 66 above the free space 74 in a vertical orientation.
  • the containers 12 of the transport device 36 via a smuggling element 76 - for smuggling into the Filling device 16 - and a coupling element 77 supplied.
  • the transfer element 76 and the coupling element 77 are transport wheels.
  • the coupling element 77 is arranged on a coupling side of the transport device 36 and in particular of the transport segment 66 .
  • the transport device 36 is clocked, in this case the six containers 12 on a holding element carrier 69 are processed together at the plurality of processing stations 78 of the filling device 16 .
  • a respective cycle time is a few seconds, for example approximately 2 to 4 seconds.
  • the cycle times of the processing stations 78 are preferably the same.
  • a decoupling element 79 for receiving the containers 12 is arranged on a decoupling side of the transport device 36 and in particular of the transport segment 66 .
  • the decoupling element 79 is followed by a discharge element 80 for discharging the containers 12 from the filling device 16.
  • the decoupling element 79 and the discharge element 80 are transport wheels.
  • a first weighing station 81, a filling station 82, a second weighing station 83, a closing station 84 and a control station 85 are provided as processing stations 78 of the filling device 16 in the transport direction 67.
  • the weighing stations 81 and 83 are identical in the present case and are used to determine the tare weight before or the gross weight after the container 12 is filled at the filling station 82.
  • a respective weighing station 81, 83 includes weighing elements 86 which engage in the free space 74.
  • the weighing elements 86 are arranged underneath the containers 12 and can be placed against them from below.
  • the holding elements 68 can be opened when they are in contact, so that the containers 12 rest on the weighing elements 86 .
  • the filling station 82 includes a handling device 87 on which a plurality of filling elements 88, corresponding to the number of positions on the holding element carrier 69, is held.
  • the handling device 87 is configured in particular as a horizontal articulated arm robot 89, a so-called Scara robot.
  • the filling station 82 also includes dosing units 90 in order to apply a liquid pharmaceutical substance to be filled into the filling elements 88 .
  • dosing units 90 are provided to supply the six filling elements 88 .
  • the containers 12 can be refilled by means of the filling station 82 .
  • the filling elements 88 are preferably positioned above the containers 12 at the weighing station 83 and the containers 12 on the weighing station 83 are refilled.
  • the handling device 87 as well as the weighing stations 81 and 83 are arranged between the transport segment 66 and the first side 61 and can therefore be easily reached for maintenance purposes.
  • the dosing units 90 are arranged between the return segment 70 and the second side 62 and can also be easily reached for maintenance purposes. Fluid lines 91 from the dosing units 90 to the filling elements 88 are routed over the transport device 36 .
  • the closing station 84 includes a lowering unit 92, a storage unit 93, a supply unit 94 and a receiving unit 95.
  • the lowering unit 92 is arranged between the transport segment 66 and the first side 61 and can thus be easily reached for maintenance purposes.
  • the storage unit 93 and the supply unit 94 are arranged between the return segment 70 and the second side 62 and can thus be easily reached for maintenance purposes.
  • the storage unit 93 is preferably formatless and is designed, for example, as a pot that is arranged on the second leg 59 outside of the crossing area 60 . From the storage unit 93, the closing elements stored therein for closing the containers 12 reach the supply unit 94.
  • the closing elements can be, for example, mushroom plugs or piston plugs.
  • the feed unit 94 comprises a plurality of feed tracks, with each location on the holding element carrier 69 being assigned a feed track 96 . Within each feed path 96 the closing elements are isolated.
  • the feed unit 94 runs in sections through the crossing area 60 (FIG. 3). Such a positioning of the components of the closing station 84 favors the compact design of the filling device 16 .
  • the feed units 94 are aligned at an angle 97 with respect to the transport direction 67 .
  • the angle 97 is approximately 40° to 60°.
  • the closing elements are picked up by the pick-up unit 95 and are fed via this to the lowering unit 92 via the transport device 36 .
  • the closing elements can be lowered in the direction of the containers 12 in order to close them.
  • the presence of closing elements on the containers 12 is checked at the control station 85 . If the closing element is missing, the corresponding container 12 can be ejected, for example via the removal units 22, 24.
  • the control station 85 is arranged between the transport segment 66 and the first side 61 and can thus be easily reached for maintenance purposes. With the filling device 16, a 100% control during operation (IPC, in-process control) can be achieved.
  • the device 10 comprises the further transport device 44 already mentioned, which is used in the further processing of containers 12 in particular.
  • the containers 12 supplied from the bulk via the first supply unit 18 or the containers 12 supplied from the second supply unit 20 can be processed.
  • the transport device 44 is designed to correspond to the transport device 36 and functions in a corresponding manner, so that reference can be made to the above statements in this regard.
  • the transport plane 72 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane and to the plane 65 by an angle of inclination which is preferably identical to the angle of inclination 73 .
  • a control station 98 , a closing station 99 and a flanging station 100 are arranged as further processing stations on the transport device 44 and are positioned in this order along the transport direction 67 .
  • the control station 98 checks whether the containers 12 are correctly closed by means of the closing elements, i.e. the correct seating of the closing elements is checked. If the determination is negative, the corresponding container 12 can be ejected, for example.
  • the closing station 99 is used to place flanged caps on already closed containers 12, in particular vials. In terms of function and in relation to the arrangement of the respective components, the closing station 99 is designed to correspond to the closing station 84 (FIG. 8). Reference is made to the above statements.
  • the applied crimp caps can be crimped at the crimping station 100.
  • the transport element 43 shown schematically in Figure 1 forms a coupling element 101 for the transport device 44, the decoupling takes place via a decoupling element 102, formed by the transport element 45 shown as an example.
  • the processed containers 12 can be transferred to receiving units 103 on the output side of the first removal unit 42 . This may be referred to as "magazining".
  • the frame 54 of the feed unit 18 is arranged flush with the frame 54 of the filling device 16 .
  • the feed unit 20 is connected to the feed unit 18 transversely and in particular perpendicularly.
  • the components of the device 10 can, as mentioned, be adapted to the respective requirements in a versatile and structurally simple manner, in particular when using a separate frame 54 for the filling device 16.
  • FIG. 9 shows an example in which the frames 54 of the feed unit 20 and the filling device 16 are aligned.
  • the supply unit 20 is connected to the supply unit 18 which is arranged transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the alignment and which in turn is connected to the filling device 16 .
  • FIG. 10 shows an example of a possible different arrangement of the removal units 22, 24 on the output side of the device.
  • the frames 54 of the filling device 16 and the second removal unit 20 are aligned.
  • the first removal unit 22 is connected to the filling device 16 and is aligned transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the alignment.
  • the second extraction unit 24 follows the first extraction unit 22 .
  • the position of the second extraction unit 24 is changed compared to the configuration according to FIG. 10 in that the frames 54 of the extraction units 22, 24 are aligned with one another.
  • the containers 12 to be transferred back into the carrier 30 can first pass through the removal unit 22, for example the transport device 44, with the processing stations 78 arranged thereon remaining unused.
  • Figure 12 shows a device 106 according to the invention with a filling device 108 according to the invention.
  • a turning station 109 is arranged upstream of the weighing station 81 in the transport direction 67 and a closing station 110 is arranged upstream of this.
  • a closing station 110 reference is made to the explanations for the closing station 84.
  • the containers 12, in particular carpules are coupled upside down into the transport segment 66.
  • the closing station 110 one side of the container 12 is first closed.
  • the containers 12 are then turned over by means of the turning station 109 and further processed as explained using the example of the filling device 16 .
  • Figure 13 shows a partial representation of a device according to the invention, denoted by reference numeral 112, with a filling device 114 according to the invention.
  • the difference in device 112 compared to device 106 is that a further turning station 115 is provided upstream of the closing station 110 in the transport direction 67 .
  • the containers 12, in particular carpules are coupled into the transport segment 66 in that orientation which the containers 12 also have when being filled.
  • the container 12 is turned by means of the turning station 115, closed on one side by the closing station 110, and then turned again by the turning station 109.
  • FIG. 14 shows a device 118 according to the invention with a filling device 120 according to the invention.
  • containers 12 in particular carpules, can be closed on one side before they are coupled into the transport segment 66.
  • the containers 12 are closed at the bottom so that the turning stations 109 and/or 115 on the transport device 36 can be saved.
  • the transport device 44 is arranged on the same frame 54 as the transport device 36 of the filling device 16.
  • the dosing units 90 in the filling devices 16 and 120 are, for example, peristaltic pumps.
  • Figures 12 and 13 schematically show a pump unit 124 on the filling devices 108 and 114, which can represent a plurality of pump units, for example one pump unit 124 for each location in the holding element carrier 69.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de traitement de contenants pharmaceutiques (12), en particulier des flacons (14), des seringues ou des carpules, comprenant un bâti (54) qui peut être positionné sur une surface d'installation (55) et qui comprend une surface (63), un premier côté (61), et un deuxième côté opposé au premier côté, au moins une station de traitement pour les contenants, un dispositif de transport (36), en particulier un dispositif de transport linéaire, qui est disposé entre le premier côté (62) et le deuxième côté et qui comprend des éléments de retenue (68) périphériques pour les contenants (12), lesdits éléments de maintien pouvant être déplacés le long d'une direction de transport (67) d'un côté d'accouplement à un côté de désaccouplement sur un segment de transport (66) et à l'opposé de la direction de transport (67) sur un segment de retour (70), la ou les stations de traitement (78) étant disposée(s) sur le segment de transport (66), et le segment de transport (66) ainsi que le segment de retour (70) définissant un plan de transport (72) du dispositif de transport (36) et étant disposés au-dessus de la surface (63), le plan de transport (72) étant incliné d'un angle d'inclinaison (73) par rapport au plan (65) de la surface (63) et/ou un plan horizontal, et le segment de transport (66) étant disposé au-dessus du segment de retour (70) dans la direction de la gravité. Cette invention concerne se rapporte en outre à un dispositif de remplissage pour le remplissage de contenants pharmaceutiques (12).
EP21843974.3A 2020-12-23 2021-12-22 Dispositif de traitement de contenants pharmaceutiques et dispositif de remplissage Pending EP4267468A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102020134859.2A DE102020134859A1 (de) 2020-12-23 2020-12-23 Vorrichtung zum Verarbeiten pharmazeutischer Behälter und Befülleinrichtung
PCT/EP2021/087237 WO2022136521A2 (fr) 2020-12-23 2021-12-22 Dispositif de traitement de contenants pharmaceutiques et dispositif de remplissage

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EP4267468A2 true EP4267468A2 (fr) 2023-11-01

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US (1) US20230406554A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP4267468A2 (fr)
CN (1) CN116635303A (fr)
DE (1) DE102020134859A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2022136521A2 (fr)

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DE102020134859A1 (de) 2022-06-23
WO2022136521A2 (fr) 2022-06-30
CN116635303A (zh) 2023-08-22
WO2022136521A3 (fr) 2022-09-29

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