GB1328421A - Syringe filling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1328421 Syringe filling apparatus SHERWOOD MEDICAL INDUSTRIES Inc 19 April 1971 [8 April 1970] 26068/71 Headings B8T65 T68A T68D T68E T68J T69 and T72 A medicament filling device 10 for a syringe of the type having a barrel member 22 and a plunger (26) comprises frame sections (36), (38), a syringe filling station 110 for supporting a syringe to be filled, means (119) for filling the syringe barrel and means (20) for inserting the plunger after filling. After loading the medicament dispenser 14 and depressing power button 183 the empty syringes are loaded into the turret 12 at location 270. Valve 140 is opened for the purpose of inserting the tube 142 therein by pressing button 278 which actuates solenoid (153). The turret 12 is indexed to the next station by pressing index button 272 and another syringe barrel 22 and plunger (26) can be loaded. Manual depression of button 272 continues until the first empty syringe arrives at the syringe loading station 117. The presence of a syringe barrel is sensed by a switch (308) at filling station 110, and an indication that the syringe is unfilled is provided by a photo-cell 188 causing energization of solenoid (153) opening valve 140 to allow filling of the syringe. When the level of medicament is at the correct level in the syringe a signal from photo-cell (188) ceases and causes the control circuit to de-energize solenoid (153) and close valve 140 to terminate the flow of medicament. In response to the filling of the first syringe the index motor (92) energizes rotating turret 12 to the next station placing the first syringe at plunger station (216) and the second syringe at station 110. After indexing, motor (223) drives tool head (218) downward and releases plunger assembly 25 in the aligned syringe barrel 22. The piston (27) then engages with syringe barrel 22 and the entrapped air builds up sufficient pressure to captivate piston (27) and permits all but a small amount of residual air to escape. Upon completion of rotation of the plunger cam (239), a switch (244) in the control circuit is opened allowing indexing to occur when another cylinder barrel 22 is filled. The first syringe is then indexed to the camming station (20) and enters cam channel (252) after a further index. After two subsequent indexing movements the first syringe is through the cam member (252). and the filling and plunger inserting operation of the machine is complete and the filled syringe can be unloaded at station 275. Operation is discontinued as required by pressing power button 183 which terminates all functions of the filling device 10.