JPH0648483A - Method of controlling device for filling ampul or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify ampul filling control by a method wherein the number of the ampuls retainable by a turntable and star wheels is set at an integer multiple of the number of the ampuls capable of being filled with the contents in a simultaneous operation and the ampuls are divided into groups for the filling control. CONSTITUTION:A large number of ampuls (a) are carried by an in-coming conveyor 21 and successively engaged first with the outer peripheral recess parts of a feed star wheel 1 by a guide 16 and then with the outer peripheral recess parts 12 of an intermediate star wheel 11 by a guide 17 and the upper ends of the successive individual ampuls are thereafter gripped by a large number of pinchers 4 on the outer peripheral part of a turntable 3. The ampuls are then filled with the contents by a filling device 5 and the upper ends thereof are fusion sealed by a burner 6. In this case, the number of the ampuls (a) retainable by the star wheels 1 and 11 and the turntable 3 is set at an arbitrary integer multiple of the number of the ampuls (a) capable of being filled by the filling device 5 in a simultaneous operation and the ampuls (a) are divided into groups by the number of the ampuls (a) capable of being filled simultaneously, thereby effecting the ampul filling control.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention fills a plurality of ampules and the like with a filling liquid at the same time by a filling needle arranged around the turntable while conveying the ampules and the like fed from a feeding star wheel by rotating the turntable. Then, the present invention relates to a method for managing the filling state and the like of a filling device that sequentially delivers ampoules and the like to a discharge star wheel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An apparatus configured to automatically perform a process of filling an internal solution after washing and drying an empty ampoule having an open upper end and sealing the upper part is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 47-86.
No. 92, JP-A No. 50-125881, and the like.
In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 50-83187 discloses "Ampule filling /
"Sealing machines" are also known.

[0003]

As described above, in an apparatus for automatically performing the step of filling an ampoule or the like with an internal solution, it is necessary to check the filling state and manage it so that no defective product is generated. is necessary. It is an object of the present invention to provide means for easily managing the filling state in an apparatus that automatically performs the step of filling an ampoule or the like with an internal solution as described above.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Therefore, in a filling device that simultaneously fills a plurality of ampules and the like with a content liquid by a filling needle while conveying the ampules and the like by rotating a turntable, and discharging the ampules and the like with a star wheel, The number of ampules or the like that can be held on the turntable and the star wheel is configured to be an arbitrary integral multiple of the number of ampules or the like that can be simultaneously filled by the filling needle, and for each number of ampules or the like that can be simultaneously filled by the filling needle. The ampules and the like were divided into groups to manage the filling state and the like.

[0005]

[Function] Ampoules are divided into groups according to the number of ampoules that can be filled simultaneously by the filling needle, and the state of filling of chemicals, air oxygen, etc. and the replacement rate by nitrogen gas filling are compared and checked in any one group. Manage the filling state of the filling needle.

[0006]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the filling and sealing device. 1 is a supply star wheel, which rotates in a counterclockwise direction. A concave portion 2 for inserting the ampoule a is formed on the peripheral surface of the supply star wheel 1. A turntable 3 rotates counterclockwise. A large number of pinchers 4 for holding the upper end of the ampoule a are attached to the peripheral edge of the turntable 3 at equal intervals. Around the turntable 3, a filling device 5 for filling the ampoule a with the content liquid and a burner 6 for heating and sealing the upper part of the ampoule a are arranged. Reference numeral 7 is a liquid feed pump of the filling device 5, and 8 is an exhaust duct for releasing the heat of the burner 6. In addition, 9 is a discharge chute that discards the upper piece of the ampoule a removed by the burner 6,
Reference numeral 10 denotes a screw conveyor that carries out the ampoule a from the filling and sealing device. An intermediate star wheel 11 that rotates in the clockwise direction is provided between the supply star wheel 1 and the turntable 3. A recess 12 is formed on the peripheral surface of the intermediate star wheel 11 for inserting the ampoule a. Similarly, between the turntable 3 and the screw conveyor 10, intermediate star wheels 14 and 15 each having a concave portion 13 formed on the peripheral surface are provided. The intermediate star wheel 14 rotates clockwise and the intermediate star wheel 15 rotates counterclockwise. Then, guides 16 to 20 for assisting the conveyance of the ampoule a are provided around the supply star wheel 1, the intermediate star wheels 11, 14, 15 and the screw conveyor 10, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the supply star wheel 1. 8 × 7 = 56 in total on the peripheral surface of the supply star wheel 1.
Individual recesses 2 are formed. These recesses 2 are divided into 7 groups of 8 in accordance with the number of filling needles, and the recesses 2 of each group are numbered 1 to 8 in the order of clockwise rotation. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the turntable 3. 8 × 8 = 64 in total on the periphery of the turntable 3.
Each pincher 4 is attached. These pinchers 4 are divided into eight groups of eight, and the concave portions 2 of each group are numbered 1 to 8 in the order of clockwise rotation. 4 and 5 show a plan view and a side view of the pincher 4, in which the left and right pinch hands 32, 33 are pivotally supported so as to intersect a shaft 31 hung on the lower surface of the pincher body 30. Arms 34 and 35 pivotally attached to the proximal ends of the pinch hands 32 and 33 are connected to a shaft 37 at the tip of a rod 36. The rod 36 is supported by a bush 38 attached to the pincher body 30 so as to be movable back and forth. A follower 39, which comes into contact with a cam (not shown), is attached to the rear end of the rod 36, and is normally urged in a direction to push the follower 39 by a spring 40 wound around the rod 36. FIG. 6 shows that when the follower 39 contacts the cam, the rod 36
Shows a state in which is pushed back against the force of the spring 40. In this way, when the rod 36 is pushed back by the cam and the arms 34 and 35 and the pinch hands 32 and 33 swing to open the tips of the pinch hands 32 and 33, the upper end of the ampoule a moves to the pinch hands 32 and 33. Then, the rod 36 is pushed back again by the spring 40, and the upper end of the ampoule a is sandwiched between the pinch hands 32 and 33 to hold the ampoule a, and the turntable 3 is rotated to convey the ampoule a. It is supposed to do. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the intermediate star wheel 11.
A total of 8 × 3 = 24 recesses 12 are formed on the peripheral surface of the intermediate star wheel 11. These recesses 12 are divided into three groups of eight, and the recesses 12 of each group are numbered 1 to 8 in the order of counterclockwise rotation.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the intermediate star wheel 14. The intermediate star wheel 14 has the same structure as the intermediate star wheel 11 and has 8 × 3 = 24 recesses 13 formed on the peripheral surface in total, and is divided into 3 groups of 8 groups. The recesses 13 are numbered 1 to 8 in the order of counterclockwise rotation. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the intermediate star wheel 15. 8 × 3 in total on the circumference of the intermediate star wheel 15.
= 24 concave portions 13 are formed and divided into 3 groups of 8 portions, and the concave portions 13 of each group are numbered 1 to 8 in the order of clockwise rotation.

As shown in FIG. 10, the filling device 5 includes a central content liquid filling unit 50, and the content liquid filling unit 5
It has the gaseous nitrogen filling units 51 disposed on the left and right of 0. Each of these units 50 and 51 is attached to a plate 52 fixed to the drive shaft of a pick and place unit (not shown). A manifold 53 is provided at the back of the gas nitrogen filling unit 51, and the flow path 5
The gaseous nitrogen injected from No. 4 is 8 in this manifold 53.
It is branched into a main pipe 55 and supplied to the gaseous nitrogen filling unit 51. In addition, the content liquid filling unit 50 is shown in FIG.
The content liquid sent from the liquid sending pump 7 shown in (4) is supplied by eight hoses 56. FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the content liquid filling unit 50 and the gaseous nitrogen filling unit 51 as described above. Each unit 50, 5 as shown
Eight filling needles 57 are attached to the lower surface of No. 1, and each of these filling needles 57 is also numbered 1-8. The gaseous nitrogen and the content liquid supplied by the pipe 55 and the hose 56 as described above are supplied to the filling needle 57 of each unit 50, 51. With the above configuration, while the ampoule a is continuously conveyed by the rotation of the turntable 3, the pick-and-place unit is driven to rotate the filling needle 57 together with the ampoule a conveyed on the turntable 3 while moving up and down. By moving up and down, the inner solution is filled in eight ampoules a at the same time.

In the above-described filling device, however, the ampules a, whose upper ends are still open, which have been conveyed in the direction of the arrow by the conveyor 21 as shown in FIG. Numbered numbered recess 2
Are sequentially inserted into and are conveyed along the guide 16, and are sequentially supplied to the intermediate star wheel 11. FIG. 12 shows a state in which the ampoule a conveyed by the supply star wheel 1 as described above is transferred to the intermediate star wheel 11.
The ampoule a conveyed in the recess 2 of the supply star wheel 1 is guided by the tip of the guide 16 and sequentially delivered to the recess 12 of the intermediate star wheel 11. Then, for example, the ampoule a1 conveyed in the first recessed portion 2 of the supply star wheel 1 is fitted into the first recessed portion 12 of the intermediate star wheel 11 as well, so that the first to second supply star wheels 1 to 1 are fed. Each ampoule a1 transported in the recess 2 of No. 8
The a8 is inserted into the recess 12 of the intermediate star wheel 11 having the same number and conveyed. Then, the ampoule a delivered to the intermediate star wheel 11 as described above
Are then supplied to the turntable 3. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the ampoule a is supplied from the intermediate star wheel 11 to the turntable 3. The tip of the pinch hands 32, 33 of the pincher 4 is opened at the contact point between the intermediate star wheel 11 and the turntable 3 by a cam (not shown). The ampoule a conveyed by the intermediate star wheel 11 is in a state of being guided by the guide 60 so as to move out of the recess 12 of the intermediate star wheel 11, and the upper end of the ampoule a is pinched between the pinch hands 32 and 33. Are sequentially entered. When the ampoule a advances slightly from the contact position between the intermediate star wheel 11 and the turntable 3 due to the rotation of the turntable 3, the cam lowers and the pincher 4
The tip of the pinch hands 32, 33 is gradually closed by the force of the spring 40, and eventually the upper end of the ampoule a is grasped. In this way, the ampoule a is conveyed in the counterclockwise direction by the rotation of the turntable 3 while the upper end of the ampoule is held by the pincher 4. Similarly, the ampoules a1 to a8, which have been transported by being inserted into the recessed portions 12 to 8 of the intermediate star wheel 11, are also sandwiched and transported by the pinchers 4 of the turntable 3 having the same numbers. To be done.

First, the filling device 5 fills the ampoule a in the order of gaseous nitrogen, internal solution, and gaseous nitrogen. The filling as described above was lowered by driving the pick and place unit as described in FIG.
The filling needles 57 are inserted into the eight ampoules a at the same time. Then, the filling needles 57 numbered 1 to 8 are respectively held by the pinchers 4 of the same number and are conveyed while being conveyed.
It is designed to enter a8. In this way, the respective filling needles 57 are put into the ampoules a1 to a8, and the liquid feeding pump 7 is operated to make 8
The inner solution is simultaneously filled in the ampoule a of the book. The ampoule a filled with the internal solution as described above is further conveyed by the turntable 3 and heated by the burner 6, and the upper end of the ampoule a is sealed. In this way, the sealed ampoule a is sequentially transferred to the intermediate star wheels 14 and 15 and conveyed along the guides 18 and 19, and is delivered to the chute 22 by the screw conveyor 10. Similarly to the previous case, the ampoules a1 to n are carried while being pinched by the pinchers 4 numbered 1 to 8 on the turntable 3.
The a8 are respectively transferred to the recessed portions 13 of the intermediate star wheel 14 having the same number, further inserted into the recessed portions 13 of the intermediate star wheel 15 having the same number to be conveyed, and received by the screw conveyor 10. Passed. Then, the upper piece of the ampoule a removed by the burner 6 is conveyed while being held by the pincher 4 as the turntable 3 rotates, and the discharge chute 9
Thrown away.

Thus, as described above, the ampoule conveyed by the star wheel or the turntable is set to an arbitrary integral multiple of the number of filling needles, and a number is assigned to each group, whereby the ampoule is grouped into several. By carrying out sampling while checking the number, it is possible to compare the space oxygen amount in the ampoule and the filling amount of the inner solution for each filling needle in each group. It becomes possible to easily manage the filling state such as the space oxygen amount for each filling needle and the filling amount of the inner solution. Also,
Since the dripping of the filling needle affects the melting closure of the ampoule head, it is possible to inspect the dripping of such filling needle by comparing the melting closure state of the ampule head in each group. become. Although the ampule filling and sealing apparatus has been described as an embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this and includes a vial filling and sealing apparatus other than the ampule. Further, the filling state can be managed by dividing the number into eight without being limited to eight.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the number of ampules or the like that can be simultaneously filled by the filling needles is divided into groups, and the filling state and the melt-closed state are checked for each filling needle, and the filling state by each filling needle is compared. Easy to manage and easy to manage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a filling and sealing device.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the supply star wheel 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the turntable 3.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a pincher.

[Fig. 5] Side view of the pincher

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pincher with the pinch hand opened.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the intermediate star wheel.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the intermediate star wheel.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the intermediate star wheel.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the filling device.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a filling device.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state where an ampoule is transferred from a supply star wheel to an intermediate star wheel.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state where an ampoule is transferred from the intermediate star wheel to the turntable.

[Explanation of symbols]

 a Ampoule 3 Turntable 57 Filling needle

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A filling device in which a plurality of ampoules and the like are simultaneously filled with a content liquid by a filling needle while an ampoule and the like are conveyed by rotation of a turntable, and the ampoules and the like are discharged by a star wheel. The number of ampules and the like that can be held in the filling needle is configured to be an integer multiple of the number of ampules and the like that can be filled simultaneously by the filling needle, and the ampules and the like are grouped according to the number of ampules and the like that can be filled simultaneously by the filling needle Method for managing a filling device such as an ampoule characterized by managing the filling state etc.