EP4436908A1

EP4436908A1 - Machine for filling and closing containers

Info

Publication number: EP4436908A1
Application number: EP22813739.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luca Testoni; Luca Lanzarini
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2021-11-26
Filing date: 2022-11-17
Publication date: 2024-10-02
Also published as: WO2023094948A1; IT202100029912A1

Abstract

Described herein is a machine (10) for filling and closing containers (100) for products, preferably products of the pharmaceutical or foodstuff industry, comprising: - an inlet (1), an outlet (2), and a conveyor (4) for conveying a plurality of containers along a path of feed (K) from the inlet (1) to the outlet (2); - a product-dispensing station (12) for dispensing into the empty containers (100) a pre-set amount of product; and - a station (16) for applying tops that is to apply at least one top on each container (100) filled with product in order to close the container so as to prevent the product from coming out. The machine (10) comprises an inspection station (20), which includes a plurality of supporting disks (21) for receiving, on each, a container (100); each supporting disk (21) is mobile along at least one stretch (K1') of the path of feed (K) and is configured to be set in rotation about itself.

Description

"Machine for filling and closing containers"

Field of the invention

The present invention regards a machine for filling and closing containers for products, preferably products of the pharmaceutical or foodstuff industry.

In particular, the machine described herein is of the type comprising:

- an inlet, an outlet, and a conveyor for conveying a plurality of containers along a path of feed from the inlet to the outlet;

- a product-dispensing station for dispensing into the empty containers a pre-set amount of product; and

- a station for applying tops that is to apply at least one top on each container filled with product in order to close the container so as to prevent the product from coming out.

The containers filled with product and closed are then usually sent on to a further machine for inspection of the containers in order to check the integrity of the containers, the possible presence of external agents in the product contained therein, the hermetic sealing of the containers, etc. This type of checks is inter alia contemplated by the regulatory standards for pharmaceutical products.

In view of the foregoing, industrial lines for the production of the aforesaid containers are considerably complex because they must necessarily combine a machine for filling and closing products with an inspection machine that is completely independent and has its own structural and functional peculiarities according to the manufacturer of the machine, so that an intense activity for preparation of the line is required, and considerable overall dimensions are moreover involved.

On the other hand, control of the process of the line through the two control stations of the two machines is far from convenient and may be the cause of delays in adopting appropriate counter-measures in the event of any malfunctioning.

In this context, the present invention regards a machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and characterized in that it comprises an inspection station that includes a plurality of supporting disks for receiving, on each, a container, wherein each supporting disk is mobile along at least one stretch of the path of feed and is configured to be set in rotation about itself

The claims form an integral part of the teaching provided herein.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing description with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an example of the machine described herein;

- Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the machine described herein; and

- Figure 3 illustrates an example of inspection station of the machine described herein.

In the ensuing description, various specific details are illustrated, aimed at enabling an in-depth understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments may be obtained without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, or materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not illustrated or described in detail so that various aspects of the embodiment will not be obscured.

The references used herein are provided merely for convenience and hence do not define the sphere of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

With reference to Figure 1, designated by the reference number 10 is a machine for filling and closing containers 100 for products, in particular products of the pharmaceutical or foodstuff industry.

Preferably, the machine described herein is to be used in applications in which the product is liquid or in any case flowable, for example in the form of granular material.

The machine 10 comprises an inlet 1, an outlet 2, and a conveyor 4 for conveying a plurality of containers 100 along a path of feed K from the inlet 1 to the outlet 2.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the conveyor 4 comprises at least one carousel 6 that is rotatable about a preferably vertical axis of rotation I, to move the containers 100 along a circular stretch KI that forms the path of feed K. Moreover, in one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the conveyor 4 comprises a first wheel 7 for diverting the flow of containers 100 entering through the inlet 1 towards the stretch KI of the carousel 6. The conveyor 4 further comprises a second wheel 8 for diverting the flow of containers 100 at the end of the stretch KI of the carousel 6 towards the outlet 2 of the machine. The conveyor 4 may be provided with a guide by which the containers are supported in a slidable way.

The machine 10 comprises a product-dispensing station 12 for dispensing a pre-set amount of product into each empty container 100 that is located in a position P 1 along the stretch KI of the path of feed K. The station 12 preferably comprises one or more product-dispensing units; in the latter case, it is possible to fill a number of containers 100 simultaneously. In this case, the person skilled in the sector will understand that the position Pl is to be understood as the circumscribed region of the path of feed K on which the product-dispensing units of the station 12 come to operate.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, set upstream and downstream of the station 12 are two stations 13, 14 for weighing, respectively, the containers that are still empty and the containers filled with the product.

The machine 10 further comprises a station 16 for applying tops that is to apply at least one top on each container 100 filled with product in order to close the container so as to prevent the product from coming out. The station 16 is preferably served by a feed unit 15 for feeding the tops to the station itself.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the station 16 is configured to apply a top on each container 100 that is located in a position P2, along the stretch KI, downstream of the position Pl.

The station 16 may comprise one or more devices for applying tops; in the latter case, it is possible to top a number of containers 100 simultaneously. Also in this case, the person skilled in the sector will understand that the position P2 is to be understood as the circumscribed region of the path of feed K on which the application devices of the station 16 come to operate.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the machine 10 moreover comprises a station 18 for applying sealing elements on the closed containers 100. For instance, the aforesaid sealing elements may be constituted by a flange part or other protection element that is applied on the plug fitted in the container and that has to be tom, broken, or modified in some way for it to be removed. The station 18 is preferably served by a feed unit 17 for feeding the tops to the station itself

The station 18 is configured to apply the sealing element on each container 100 that is located in a position P3, along the stretch KI, downstream of the positions Pl and P2.

Preferably, the station 18 comprises one or more application devices; in the latter case, it is possible to apply the sealing elements simultaneously on a number of containers 100. As for the foregoing, the person skilled in the sector will understand that in this case the position P3 is to be understood as the circumscribed region of the path of feed K on which the application devices of the station 18 come to operate.

According to an important characteristic of the solution described herein, the machine 10 comprises an inspection station 20 for detecting one or more features of the containers 100 filled with product and closed, and possibly also provided with the aforesaid sealing elements. In particular, the inspection station 20 is configured to carry out a step of detection on each container 100 that is located in a position P4, along the stretch KI, downstream of the positions Pl, P2, and P3. The person skilled in the sector will understand that the position P4 can also be understood as the circumscribed region of the path of feed K on which the station 20 operates.

The inspection station 20 comprises a plurality of supporting disks 21 that are to receive, each, a container 100 and to move it for a stretch KI’ of the path of feed K along which the station 20 itself extends. In the example illustrated, the stretch KI’ coincides with a part of the stretch KI of the carousel 6.

In other words, the supporting disks 21 have the function of taking up and conveying the containers 100 at least through the inspection station 20.

Moreover, for the reasons referred to in what follows, the supporting disks 21 are configured to be set in rotation about themselves; preferably, each supporting disk 21 is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation that basically coincides with a central axis of the container positioned on the disk itself. The supporting disks 21 may be constituted by moving elements of the conveyor 4, i.e., of the carousel 6 in the example illustrated, which operate for conveying the containers 100 along the path of feed K for a stretch, for example the stretch KI, which is longer than the stretch KI’.

In alternative embodiments, the supporting disks 21 may instead be conveying means belonging to the inspection station 20, which receive the containers 100 from the conveyor 4 at the start of the station, and that reconsign the containers 100 to the conveyor 4 at the end of the station.

The inspection station 20 comprises a plurality of detection units 22 configured to carry out a step of detection of the containers 100 that move along the stretch KI’.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the detection units 22 are mobile on a guide 23 to follow the containers 100 along the stretch KI’. This makes it possible not to stop, i.e., modify, the flow of the containers 100 at the inspection station 20 and thus maintain a high rate of the production cycle. According to an alternative, the detection units 22 do not follow the containers 100; i.e., they are stationary with respect to the movement of the carousel 6.

In one or more preferred embodiments, the detection unit 22 may be selected from among:

- a camera and lighting means for visual inspection of the containers;

- an ultrasound testing unit (using Airborne Ultrasound technology) for monitoring integrity of the sealing element;

- a vacuum testing unit (using Vacuum Decay technology) for monitoring any possible leakages from the containers; and

- a high-voltage testing unit (using High-Voltage Leak Detection - HVLD - technology) for monitoring any possible leakages from the containers.

During a detection step carried out by a unit 22, the supporting disks 21 may be set in rotation about their own axis of rotation I’ as necessary step for proper execution of the detection step.

For instance, in the case of visual inspection of the container 100 by a camera, rotation of the supporting disk 21 makes it possible to expose the entire outer surface of the container 100 to the camera to carry out a check on the quality of appearance. Once again by way of example, rotation of the supporting disk 21 may have the function of bringing out any possible deposits lying on the bottom of the container 100 in order check for the presence of any foreign bodies in the product using the detection units 22.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of inspection station 20 in which the detection unit 22 comprises a camera 22A, one or more lighting devices 22B, and one or more reflecting surfaces 22C. The lighting devices 22B and the reflecting surfaces 22C are configured for creating a given lit-up environment through a combination of direct light and indirect light, and the camera 22A is configured for filming the container 100 bathed in the lit-up environment itself, supported by the disk 21.

In some applications, the containers 100 may be transparent so as to enable detection their contents via visual inspection. In certain applications, the possible presence of cracks or defects in the container or of any foreign bodies in the product are detected optically in the form of darker areas in the images acquired by the camera.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the machine 10 further comprises a control unit 40 configured to receive signals from the inspection station 20 and to control the conveyor 4 and the stations 12, 13, 14, 16 and 18 as a function of the signals received from the inspection station 20. For instance, in the case of detection of a defective container 100, the control unit 40 can issue a command for stopping the conveyor 4 and all the stations 12, 13, 14, 16 and 18 following upon a corresponding signal issued by the inspection station 20. In certain applications, the control unit 40 may instead stop just the device for applying tops or sealing elements and/or just the product-dispensing unit that have/has given rise to the defective container.

Preferably, the machine 10 comprises a single control station 60 through which the operator can control the various stations and apparatuses of the machine.

In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the machine 10 further comprises a station 19 for rejecting the defective containers 100, which is positioned downstream of the inspection station 20 along the path of feed K. The control unit of the machine may be configured to control the reject station 19 as a function of signals received from the inspection station 20.

With reference now to Figure 2, this illustrates an alternative embodiment of the machine described herein in which the inspection station 20 and the reject station 19 are set in a position corresponding to a second carousel 6’, which is located alongside the carousel 6 and conveys the containers 100 filled with product and closed along a second circular stretch K2 that extends downstream of the stretch KI and forms, together with the latter, the path of feed K. Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to what has been illustrated herein purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the annexed claims.

Claims

8 CLAIMS

1. A machine (10) for filling and closing containers (100) for products, preferably products of the pharmaceutical or foodstuff industry, comprising:

- an inlet (1), an outlet (2), and a conveyor (4) for conveying a plurality of containers along a path of feed (K) from the inlet (1) to the outlet (2);

- a product-dispensing station (12) for dispensing into the empty containers (100) a pre-set amount of product; and

- a station (16) for applying tops that is to apply at least one top on each container (100) filled with product in order to close the container to prevent the product from coming out; the machine being characterized in that it comprises: an inspection station (20), comprising a plurality of supporting disks (21) for receiving, on each, a container (100), wherein each supporting disk (21) is mobile along at least one stretch (KI’) of the feed path (K) and is configured to be set in rotation about itself to enable detection of one or more features of the containers (100) filled with product and closed.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the inspection station comprises at least one detection unit (22) for carrying out a step of detection on the containers (100) filled with product and closed in a position (P4) of the feed path (K) downstream of the station (16) for applying tops.

3. The machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the conveyor (4) comprises at least one wheel or carousel (6) rotatable about an axis of rotation (I) that is preferably vertical to move the containers (100) along a circular stretch (KI) forming the path (K) of feed of the containers.

4. The machine according to claim 3, wherein:

- the product-dispensing station (12) comprises at least one dispensing unit configured to dispense the product into at least one container in a first position (Pl) of the circular stretch (KI);

- the station (16) for applying tops comprises at least one application device configured to apply at least one top on at least one container in a second position (P2) of the circular stretch downstream of the first position (Pl).

5. The machine according to claim 4, wherein the inspection station 9 comprises at least one detection unit (22) for carrying out a step of detection on at least one container, filled with product and closed, in a third position (P4) of the circular stretch (KI) downstream of the first and second positions (P1, P2).

6. The machine according to claim 4, wherein the conveyor (4) comprises at least one second wheel or carousel (6’) that is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is preferably vertical for moving the containers (100) along a second circular stretch (K2) that extends downstream of the first circular stretch (KI) and forms, together with the latter, the path (K) of feed of the containers, and wherein the inspection station (20) comprises at least one detection unit (22) for carrying out a step of detection on at least one container, filled with product and closed, in a third position that is located on the second circular stretch (K2).

7. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a station (18) for applying sealing elements on the closed containers.

8. The machine according to claim 7, wherein the station for applying sealing elements comprises at least one application device configured to apply at least one sealing element on at least one container, filled with product and closed, in a fourth position (P3) that is located on the first or second circular stretch (KI, K2).

9. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection station (20) comprises at least one detection unit (22) selected from among:

- a camera and lighting means for visual inspection of the containers;

10. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit (40) configured to receive signals from the inspection station (20) and to control the conveyor (4) and/or the dispensing 10 station (12) and/or the station for applying tops (16) as a function of the signals received from the inspection station (20).

11. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a station (19) for rejecting defective containers, which is positioned downstream of the inspection station (20) along the feed path (K), and a control unit (40) configured to receive signals from the inspection station (20) and to control the reject station (19) as a function of the signals received from the inspection station.

12. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection station (20) comprises at least one camera (22 A), one or more lighting devices (22B), and one or more reflecting surfaces (22C) for reflecting the light emitted by the lighting devices (22B), wherein the lighting devices (22B) and the reflecting surfaces (22C) are configured to co-operate for creating, through a combination of direct light and indirect light, a pre- defined lit-up environment, and wherein each supporting disk (21) is configured to be set in rotation while supporting the container (100) bathed in the lit-up environment itself.