US20090056826A1 - Device and Method for the Quantity-Controlled Filling of Containers with Powdered Substances - Google Patents
Device and Method for the Quantity-Controlled Filling of Containers with Powdered Substances Download PDFInfo
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- US20090056826A1 US20090056826A1 US12/200,230 US20023008A US2009056826A1 US 20090056826 A1 US20090056826 A1 US 20090056826A1 US 20023008 A US20023008 A US 20023008A US 2009056826 A1 US2009056826 A1 US 2009056826A1
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- powdered substance
- supply vessel
- sensor
- approximately
- container
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- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 79
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 15
- 238000005429 filling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 claims description 24
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000005303 weighing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000035484 reaction time Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000002421 anti-septic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000825 pharmaceutical preparation Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229940127557 pharmaceutical product Drugs 0.000 description 2
- 230000010287 polarization Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004480 active ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003670 easy-to-clean Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005284 excitation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003908 quality control method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B1/08—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by vibratory feeders
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/30—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/30—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled
- B65B1/36—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled by volumetric devices or methods
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/30—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled
- B65B1/48—Checking volume of filled material
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
- G01F1/56—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using electric or magnetic effects
- G01F1/64—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using electric or magnetic effects by measuring electrical currents passing through the fluid flow; measuring electrical potential generated by the fluid flow, e.g. by electrochemical, contact or friction effects
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F13/00—Apparatus for measuring by volume and delivering fluids or fluent solid materials, not provided for in the preceding groups
- G01F13/001—Apparatus for measuring by volume and delivering fluids or fluent solid materials, not provided for in the preceding groups for fluent solid material
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
- G01F15/001—Means for regulating or setting the meter for a predetermined quantity
- G01F15/003—Means for regulating or setting the meter for a predetermined quantity using electromagnetic, electric or electronic means
Definitions
- the invention pertains to a device and to a method for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substances.
- a sensor is used to verify the quantity of material in the pockets of a blister pack. This sensor is described in EP 1 193 77 A1. After the sensor has checked the quantity of material in the pockets of the blister pack, the pockets are sealed.
- An example of a sensor of this type is a capacitive measuring sensor.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,363 describes a filling device, in which the powder is first metered into recesses in a rotatable filling unit, as can be seen in FIG. 6 .
- the filling unit is rotated, and the powder is discharged pneumatically downward into a container. As it is falling, the powder is inspected by a capacitive measuring sensor to ensure that the quantity is correct.
- a vibration device connected to the glass vessel is included to turn the powder stream on and off.
- the container is positioned on a weighing device, which determines the total weight of the container and from that value derives the quantity of powder which has been transferred thereto.
- the vibration device is controlled on the basis of this calculation.
- the system suffers from the problem of a long weighing time for small quantities of powder. Furthermore, the system can not be used in the area of antiseptic or sterile production, as the weighing cells cannot be sterilized in-line. Another short coming is that certain types of containers cannot stand free of attachment or support on a weighing cell.
- the device for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substance includes a supply vessel with a narrow exit opening for holding the powdered substance and for discharging a predetermined quantity of the powdered substance into at least one container located below the supply vessel.
- the device also includes vibrator means, connected to the supply vessel, for effectuating the discharge of the powdered substance.
- a sensor for determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged from the supply vessel into the container and a control unit, which is adapted to convert the data acquired by the sensor into control commands for the vibrator means are also included.
- the sensor is a capacitive sensor for the quantitative determination of the amount or quantity of powdered substance falling through it during the filling process and is located between the supply vessel and the container.
- the device of the present invention provides an accurate determination of the quantity of the powdered substance as it is falling into the container despite any irregular distribution, local splitting or expansion of the cluster of the powdered substance. Accordingly, the method of the present invention is highly reliable and accurate. In addition, the device of the present invention provides for the precise, accurate and quick control of the filling process including discharge of the powdered substance.
- the device of the present invention can be used for a very wide variety of applications including but not limited to the filling of blister pockets, the filling of ring-shaped cassettes with several pockets for individual doses, and the filling of other types of multi-unit containers.
- the device of the present invention may also be used to fill any container with a narrow filling opening and can be used in sterile, antiseptic and sanitary environments without any operational or configuration difficulties.
- the sensor preferably comprises a voltage generator producing a high-frequency alternating electrical field, two opposing, vertically arranged capacitor plates, which are given opposite, rapidly reversing charges by the voltage generator, and an ammeter.
- the high-frequency alternating electric current has a frequency in the range between approximately 500 kilohertz (kHz) and approximately 10 megahertz (MHz) and preferably a frequency of approximately 1 MHz.
- the speed of the filling process is increased by the ability of the sensor to perform frequent measurements and at least 1,000 measurements per minute.
- the sensor is able to determine the quantity of powdered substance within a time window of less than approximately 50 milliseconds (ms) and preferably less than approximately 10 milliseconds (ms), so that the reaction time is suitable even for very small quantities of powder or powdered substances and for processes which require high-speed filling.
- the capacitor plates are separated from each other by a distance of approximately 5 millimeters (mm) to approximately 30 millimeters (mm) and this separation is preferably at least approximately 10% larger than the area covered by the powdered substance as it passes through the capacitor plates.
- control unit is able to convert the data acquired by the sensor into a control command for the vibrator within a period of approximately 10 ms.
- the filling process the supply vessel includes a capillary with the narrow exit opening located at one end.
- a capillary with the narrow exit opening located at one end.
- Such construction does not require a means for blocking the exit but instead provides that the cohesiveness of the powdered substance will prevent flow of the powdered substance under the effect of gravity. Accordingly, the powder stream can be controlled effectively by the action of the vibrator means.
- the device is thus suitable even for very small quantities of powder, powdered substances or other material and ensures an extremely accurate filling process.
- the device of this embodiment is particularly suitable for powders and powdered substances which are sensitive to abrasion.
- the inventive method for the controlled filling of containers with a powdered substance comprises the steps of providing a supply vessel with a narrow exit opening for temporarily holding the powdered substance then generating vibrations to vibrate the supply vessel and thus to discharge a predetermined controlled quantity of the powdered substance into at least one container located below the supply vessel.
- the method also includes the steps of determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged from the supply vessel into the container; and controlling the vibration of the supply vessel on the basis of the result of the quantity determination step.
- the step of determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged includes the step of determining the quantity of powdered substance as it falls from the supply vessel into the container.
- the step of determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged from the supply vessel into the container includes measuring the quantity of powder substance through the use of a capacitive sensor located between the supply vessel and the container. This measurement determines the quantity of powdered substance falling through the capacitive sensor during the filling process.
- the quantity of powdered substance is determined within a time window of less than approximately 50 ms, and preferably a time window of less than approximately 10 ms.
- the data acquired by the sensor is converted into a control command for the vibrator means within a time period of approximately 10 ms.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive device for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substances
- FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic diagram of the sensor used in the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive device for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substances.
- the device comprises a supply vessel 2 , which is at least partially filled with a powdered substance 4 .
- Supply vessel 2 is preferably clamped in a holder (not shown), which is mounted so that it is free to rotate.
- Supply vessel 2 is preferably made of high-grade steel, but many other materials such as glass, ceramic or other metals are which are also contemplated herein.
- supply vessel 2 comprises at its lower end a capillary 5 , which tapers to a point at the bottom, where a narrow exit opening 6 is located.
- capillary 5 can be adapted to powdered substance 4 and to the geometry of the container 7 to be filled.
- Supply vessel 2 can also be of a two-part design in order to make it easier to replace capillary 5 with one of a different size, material, configuration or the like.
- Capillary 5 may enter the narrow openings of one or more containers, one of which is shown as container 7 . Thus container 7 can be filled without contamination.
- Vibrator means may include a variety of vibrating elements including piezoelectric elements, electromagnets or the like, or may be designed as a pneumatic vibrator, hi a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , vibrator means includes a vibrator 8 which is shown as a piezoelectric vibrator and is preferably configured as the holder for supply vessel 2 . Vibrator 8 can be actuated by way of a variable control current allowing supply vessel 2 to vibrate in a controlled and a variably controllable manner, preferably in a generally longitudinal direction consistent with the flow direction of powdered substance 4 . Excitation in the direction transverse to flow of powdered substance 4 is also possible.
- Sensor 12 is positioned below or underneath exit opening 6 of supply vessel 2 .
- Sensor 12 is configured to determine the quantity of powdered substance 4 passing there through.
- Sensor 12 can be designed in a variety of configurations and may have various geometries. It will be appreciated that sensor 12 may be configured to form a plurality of parallel sensors (not shown) which can be set up in a very small working environment with very little space requirements.
- Sensor 12 measures the quantity of powdered substance 4 falling through it and transmits measured data to a control unit 9 , which converts the data acquired by sensor 12 into control commands to control vibrator 8 .
- the discharge of powdered substance 4 can be controlled directly as a reaction to the quantity of powdered substance 4 already present in container 7 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of sensor 12 .
- Sensor 12 is designed as a capacitive measuring sensor and comprises two vertically arranged capacitor plates 15 , 16 , which are positioned opposite each other. Powdered substance 4 falls between them.
- Capacitor plates 15 , 16 are provided with opposite, rapidly reversing charges by a high-frequency AC voltage generator 13 .
- the frequency of AC voltage generator 13 is between approximately 500 kHz and approximately 10 MHz, and preferably approximately 1 MHz.
- the charge states of capacitor plates 15 , 16 upon application of opposite voltages are shown in the two parts of the figure. In the part on the left, capacitor plate 15 has a positive charge, and capacitor plate 16 has a negative charge, whereas, in the part on the right, capacitor plate 16 has a positive charge and capacitor plate 15 has a negative charge.
- Sensor 12 is able to detect even very small quantities and also to integrate the values over time providing measurement of a loose powder stream of the type that may occur or be produced in this instance. This is especially advantageous, for example, in the case of powders for inhalation, because other metering systems can cause the powder to become compacted, which causes problems during the use of the product.
- capacitor plates 15 , 16 have a height of approximately 5- approximately 10 mm, preferably of approximately 6 mm, and the distance between them is in the range of approximately 5 to approximately 30 mm; preferably, however, it is at least approximately 10% wider than the area covered by the powdered substance as it passes through sensor 12 .
- Container 7 may include a line of containers which may be transported to the filling station by a timed conveyor device.
- the data for powdered substance 4 is determined for a specific container and recorded by sensor 12 within a time window of less than approximately 50 ms, and preferably of less than approximately 10 ms. Because the data acquired by sensor 12 are converted by control unit 9 into a control command for vibrator means 8 within a time window of approximately 10 ms, the total reaction time of the system is preferably about approximately 20 ms.
- inventive devices can be arranged and operated in a very small space. In many applications, a circular arrangement of the devices can be advantageous and is contemplated as one of many configuration alternatives of the present invention.
- the containers may be any shape, from extremely small blister pockets to large ampoules.
- powdered substance should be construed to include any powdered product, granular material or the like, and more specifically any powdered pharmaceutical product.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Quality & Reliability (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Supply Of Fluid Materials To The Packaging Location (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
Abstract
A device for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substance includes a supply vessel with a narrow exit opening for temporarily holding the powdered substance and for discharging a predetermined quantity of the powdered substance into a container located underneath the supply vessel, a vibrator means is connected to the supply vessel for effecting the discharge of the powdered substance. A sensor for determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged from the supply vessel into the container, and a control unit, which converts the data acquired by the sensor into control commands for the vibrator means is included. The sensor includes a capacitive sensor for the quantitative determination of the quantity of powdered substance falling there through during the filling process and is located between the supply vessel and the container.
Description
- This application claims priority based on European patent applications EP 07 017 104.6, filed Aug. 31, 2007, and EP 08 014 296.1, filed oil Aug. 11, 2008.
- The invention pertains to a device and to a method for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substances.
- Strict quality criteria must be met in the production of powdered pharmaceutical products. Various inspection methods test the powdered substances to determine, for example, their active ingredient or other content before they are packaged in their final containers. Blister packs are used for this purpose among other types of packaging methods.
- To exclude errors during the final step of filling the containers, a sensor is used to verify the quantity of material in the pockets of a blister pack. This sensor is described in EP 1 193 77 A1. After the sensor has checked the quantity of material in the pockets of the blister pack, the pockets are sealed. An example of a sensor of this type is a capacitive measuring sensor.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,363 describes a filling device, in which the powder is first metered into recesses in a rotatable filling unit, as can be seen in
FIG. 6 . The filling unit is rotated, and the powder is discharged pneumatically downward into a container. As it is falling, the powder is inspected by a capacitive measuring sensor to ensure that the quantity is correct. - The article “On the rate of descent of powder in a vibrating tube” by S. Yang and J. R. G. Evans, Philosophical Magazine, Vol. 85, No. 10, Apr. 1, 2005, pp. 1089-1109, describes a device for filling containers with powder in which the powder is held temporarily in a glass vessel with a narrow tip and then transferred downward into the container through an exit opening. The exit opening is narrow such that the cohesiveness of the powder prevents it from flowing under the effect of gravity. A vibration device connected to the glass vessel is included to turn the powder stream on and off. The container is positioned on a weighing device, which determines the total weight of the container and from that value derives the quantity of powder which has been transferred thereto. The vibration device is controlled on the basis of this calculation. The system suffers from the problem of a long weighing time for small quantities of powder. Furthermore, the system can not be used in the area of antiseptic or sterile production, as the weighing cells cannot be sterilized in-line. Another short coming is that certain types of containers cannot stand free of attachment or support on a weighing cell.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substances such that the powdered substances are subjected to rapid quantitative inspection during the filling process. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for controlled filling of containers which allows the amount of powder transferred to the containers to be controlled accurately and reliably. It is a further object of the invention to provide a corresponding method for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substances.
- According to an aspect of the invention, the device for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substance includes a supply vessel with a narrow exit opening for holding the powdered substance and for discharging a predetermined quantity of the powdered substance into at least one container located below the supply vessel. The device also includes vibrator means, connected to the supply vessel, for effectuating the discharge of the powdered substance. A sensor for determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged from the supply vessel into the container and a control unit, which is adapted to convert the data acquired by the sensor into control commands for the vibrator means are also included. The sensor is a capacitive sensor for the quantitative determination of the amount or quantity of powdered substance falling through it during the filling process and is located between the supply vessel and the container. The device of the present invention provides an accurate determination of the quantity of the powdered substance as it is falling into the container despite any irregular distribution, local splitting or expansion of the cluster of the powdered substance. Accordingly, the method of the present invention is highly reliable and accurate. In addition, the device of the present invention provides for the precise, accurate and quick control of the filling process including discharge of the powdered substance. The device of the present invention can be used for a very wide variety of applications including but not limited to the filling of blister pockets, the filling of ring-shaped cassettes with several pockets for individual doses, and the filling of other types of multi-unit containers. The device of the present invention may also be used to fill any container with a narrow filling opening and can be used in sterile, antiseptic and sanitary environments without any operational or configuration difficulties.
- The sensor preferably comprises a voltage generator producing a high-frequency alternating electrical field, two opposing, vertically arranged capacitor plates, which are given opposite, rapidly reversing charges by the voltage generator, and an ammeter. The high-frequency alternating electric current has a frequency in the range between approximately 500 kilohertz (kHz) and approximately 10 megahertz (MHz) and preferably a frequency of approximately 1 MHz.
- The speed of the filling process is increased by the ability of the sensor to perform frequent measurements and at least 1,000 measurements per minute.
- The sensor is able to determine the quantity of powdered substance within a time window of less than approximately 50 milliseconds (ms) and preferably less than approximately 10 milliseconds (ms), so that the reaction time is suitable even for very small quantities of powder or powdered substances and for processes which require high-speed filling.
- In a preferred embodiment, the capacitor plates are separated from each other by a distance of approximately 5 millimeters (mm) to approximately 30 millimeters (mm) and this separation is preferably at least approximately 10% larger than the area covered by the powdered substance as it passes through the capacitor plates.
- So that the filling process can be subjected to quality control, the control unit is able to convert the data acquired by the sensor into a control command for the vibrator within a period of approximately 10 ms.
- In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the filling process the supply vessel includes a capillary with the narrow exit opening located at one end. Such construction does not require a means for blocking the exit but instead provides that the cohesiveness of the powdered substance will prevent flow of the powdered substance under the effect of gravity. Accordingly, the powder stream can be controlled effectively by the action of the vibrator means. The device is thus suitable even for very small quantities of powder, powdered substances or other material and ensures an extremely accurate filling process. In addition, since a mechanical seal is not utilized, the device of this embodiment is particularly suitable for powders and powdered substances which are sensitive to abrasion.
- The inventive method for the controlled filling of containers with a powdered substance comprises the steps of providing a supply vessel with a narrow exit opening for temporarily holding the powdered substance then generating vibrations to vibrate the supply vessel and thus to discharge a predetermined controlled quantity of the powdered substance into at least one container located below the supply vessel. The method also includes the steps of determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged from the supply vessel into the container; and controlling the vibration of the supply vessel on the basis of the result of the quantity determination step. The step of determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged includes the step of determining the quantity of powdered substance as it falls from the supply vessel into the container.
- The step of determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged from the supply vessel into the container includes measuring the quantity of powder substance through the use of a capacitive sensor located between the supply vessel and the container. This measurement determines the quantity of powdered substance falling through the capacitive sensor during the filling process.
- So that the containers can be filled reliably and accurately with the correct quantity of powdered substance, the quantity of powdered substance is determined within a time window of less than approximately 50 ms, and preferably a time window of less than approximately 10 ms. To provide the improved reliability and reaction time for vibrating the supply vessel, the data acquired by the sensor is converted into a control command for the vibrator means within a time period of approximately 10 ms.
- Additional details, features, and advantages of the present invention can be derived from the following description and drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive device for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substances; and -
FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic diagram of the sensor used in the present invention. -
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive device for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substances. The device comprises asupply vessel 2, which is at least partially filled with a powderedsubstance 4.Supply vessel 2 is preferably clamped in a holder (not shown), which is mounted so that it is free to rotate.Supply vessel 2 is preferably made of high-grade steel, but many other materials such as glass, ceramic or other metals are which are also contemplated herein. In a preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 1 ,supply vessel 2 comprises at its lower end a capillary 5, which tapers to a point at the bottom, where anarrow exit opening 6 is located. The length and diameter ofcapillary 5 can be adapted topowdered substance 4 and to the geometry of thecontainer 7 to be filled.Supply vessel 2 can also be of a two-part design in order to make it easier to replace capillary 5 with one of a different size, material, configuration or the like. Capillary 5 may enter the narrow openings of one or more containers, one of which is shown ascontainer 7. Thuscontainer 7 can be filled without contamination. - Other geometries are also conceivable, such as a small tube with a flat bottom and a narrow outlet bore as
exit opening 6. Specifically, it is desired that nopowdered substance 4 may flow out ofexit opening 6 under the effect of gravity alone. - The flow of
powdered substance 4 is generated by a vibrator means 8, which is connected to supplyvessel 2. Vibrator means may include a variety of vibrating elements including piezoelectric elements, electromagnets or the like, or may be designed as a pneumatic vibrator, hi a preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 , vibrator means includes avibrator 8 which is shown as a piezoelectric vibrator and is preferably configured as the holder forsupply vessel 2.Vibrator 8 can be actuated by way of a variable control current allowingsupply vessel 2 to vibrate in a controlled and a variably controllable manner, preferably in a generally longitudinal direction consistent with the flow direction ofpowdered substance 4. Excitation in the direction transverse to flow ofpowdered substance 4 is also possible. -
Sensor 12 is positioned below or underneath exit opening 6 ofsupply vessel 2.Sensor 12 is configured to determine the quantity ofpowdered substance 4 passing there through.Sensor 12 can be designed in a variety of configurations and may have various geometries. It will be appreciated thatsensor 12 may be configured to form a plurality of parallel sensors (not shown) which can be set up in a very small working environment with very little space requirements. -
Sensor 12 measures the quantity ofpowdered substance 4 falling through it and transmits measured data to acontrol unit 9, which converts the data acquired bysensor 12 into control commands to controlvibrator 8. Thus the discharge ofpowdered substance 4 can be controlled directly as a reaction to the quantity ofpowdered substance 4 already present incontainer 7. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment ofsensor 12.Sensor 12 is designed as a capacitive measuring sensor and comprises two vertically arrangedcapacitor plates Powdered substance 4 falls between them.Capacitor plates AC voltage generator 13. The frequency ofAC voltage generator 13 is between approximately 500 kHz and approximately 10 MHz, and preferably approximately 1 MHz. The charge states ofcapacitor plates capacitor plate 15 has a positive charge, andcapacitor plate 16 has a negative charge, whereas, in the part on the right,capacitor plate 16 has a positive charge andcapacitor plate 15 has a negative charge. - As a result of the reversing applied voltage UGenerator(t), very small changes in polarization are produced in
powdered substance 4, which in itself represents an insulator, in the alternating electrical field. These very small polarization changes can be picked up by anammeter 18. The measured current IM(t) is proportional to the number of charged particles inpowdered substance 4. Excellent results are obtained even during the time that the powder is falling and thus even during the extremely short time thatpowdered substance 4 is present in the area ofsensor 12. Even a loose arrangement or a local splitting or expansion of the cluster of powder constituting the part ofpowdered substance 4 intended forcontainer 7 does not have any negative effect on the measurement result.Sensor 12 is also insensitive to pressure variations and air currents, which offers considerable advantages in the area of aseptic or sterile production. In such environments, it is also advantageous thatsensor 12 be easy to clean and to sterilize. -
Sensor 12 is able to detect even very small quantities and also to integrate the values over time providing measurement of a loose powder stream of the type that may occur or be produced in this instance. This is especially advantageous, for example, in the case of powders for inhalation, because other metering systems can cause the powder to become compacted, which causes problems during the use of the product. - The details of the design of
sensor 12 can vary widely, as long as the basic structure described herein in reference toFIG. 2 is preserved. In a preferred example,capacitor plates sensor 12. - In all cases, reference models or test samples corresponding to the type of powder must be recorded so that
sensor 12 can be calibrated beforehand for the area of application in question. In this way it is possible to measurepowdered substance 4 quantitatively and thus to control the discharge of the powdered substance accurately and reliably. -
Container 7 may include a line of containers which may be transported to the filling station by a timed conveyor device. Through use of the device and method as described herein, with several sensors arranged next to each other and operating in parallel, it is possible to control the process of filling containers with powdered substance at a rate of more than 1,000 containers per minute. In this configuration, the data forpowdered substance 4 is determined for a specific container and recorded bysensor 12 within a time window of less than approximately 50 ms, and preferably of less than approximately 10 ms. Because the data acquired bysensor 12 are converted bycontrol unit 9 into a control command for vibrator means 8 within a time window of approximately 10 ms, the total reaction time of the system is preferably about approximately 20 ms. - Several inventive devices can be arranged and operated in a very small space. In many applications, a circular arrangement of the devices can be advantageous and is contemplated as one of many configuration alternatives of the present invention. The containers may be any shape, from extremely small blister pockets to large ampoules.
- The term “powdered substance” as used herein, should be construed to include any powdered product, granular material or the like, and more specifically any powdered pharmaceutical product.
- While the invention is shown in several forms, it is not limited to those embodiments illustrated, but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (13)
1. A device for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substance, comprising:
a supply vessel with a narrow exit opening for temporarily holding the powdered substance and for discharging a predetermined quantity of the powdered substance into at least one container located below the supply vessel;
vibrator means connected to the supply vessel for effecting the discharge of the powdered substance;
a sensor for acquiring data and determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged from the supply vessel into the container; and
a control unit, which is adapted to convert said data acquired by the sensor into control commands for the vibrator means,
wherein the sensor is a capacitive sensor for the quantitative determination of the quantity of powdered substance falling through the sensor during the filling process and is located between the supply vessel and the container.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises
a voltage generator producing a high-frequency alternating electrical field:
two opposing, vertically oriented capacitor plates, which are given opposite, rapidly reversing charges by the voltage generator; and
an ammeter.
3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the alternating electrical field has a frequency in the range from approximately 500 kHz to approximately 10 MHz.
4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is adapted to perform a measurement.
5. The device according to claim 4 , wherein the sensor is adapted to perform at least approximately 1,000 measurements per minute.
6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is adapted to determine the quantity of powdered substance within a time window of less than approximately 50 ms.
7. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the distance between the capacitor plates is in the range of approximately 5 mm to approximately 30 mm.
8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is adapted to convert the data acquired by the sensor into a control command for the vibrator means within a time period of approximately 10 ms.
9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the supply vessel comprises a capillary, at the end of which the narrow exit opening is located.
10. A method for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substance comprising the steps of:
providing a supply vessel having a narrow exit opening for temporarily holding the powdered substance;
generating vibrations to vibrate the supply vessel and thus to discharge a predetermined quantity of the powdered substance into at least one container located below the supply vessel;
determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged from the supply vessel into the container; and
controlling the vibration of the supply vessel based on the result of the step of determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged,
wherein the step of determining the quantity of powder substance discharged comprises the step of determining the quantity of powdered substance as it falls from the supply vessel into the container.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the step of determining the quantity of powdered substance discharged from the supply vessel into the container includes measuring the quantity of powder substance through the use of a capacitive sensor located between the supply vessel and the container.
12. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the quantity of powdered substance is determined within a time window of less than approximately 50 ms.
13. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the data acquired by the sensor are converted within a time period of approximately 10 ms into a control command for a vibrator means responsible for vibrating the supply vessel.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP07017104 | 2007-08-31 | ||
EPEP07017104.6 | 2007-08-31 | ||
EPEP08014296.1 | 2008-08-11 | ||
EP08014296A EP2030893A1 (en) | 2007-08-31 | 2008-08-11 | Device and method for volume-controlled filling of dust-form substances into containers |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090056826A1 true US20090056826A1 (en) | 2009-03-05 |
Family
ID=38951454
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/200,230 Abandoned US20090056826A1 (en) | 2007-08-31 | 2008-08-28 | Device and Method for the Quantity-Controlled Filling of Containers with Powdered Substances |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20090056826A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2030893A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
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WO2014111718A1 (en) * | 2013-01-17 | 2014-07-24 | Varydose Limited | Apparatus and method for dispensing powders |
US9409699B2 (en) * | 2012-06-15 | 2016-08-09 | Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH | Capillary metering device and method for operating such a capillary metering device |
EP3279618A1 (en) * | 2016-08-01 | 2018-02-07 | Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH | Calibration device and method for dosing of delivery units |
CN111003224A (en) * | 2019-10-28 | 2020-04-14 | 上海新黄河制药有限公司 | Dry powder quantitative feeding device, system and method |
CN112384317A (en) * | 2018-06-29 | 2021-02-19 | 曼彻斯特大学 | Powder deposition |
US10942093B2 (en) * | 2016-04-07 | 2021-03-09 | Tanabe Engineering Corporation | Powder collector, powder collection device, and automatic powder collecting system |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN110104230A (en) * | 2019-05-31 | 2019-08-09 | 江苏仅一联合智造有限公司 | A kind of method that rotary feeder and material are evenly supplied |
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CN111003224A (en) * | 2019-10-28 | 2020-04-14 | 上海新黄河制药有限公司 | Dry powder quantitative feeding device, system and method |
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