WO2011018303A1

WO2011018303A1 - Weighing station for weighing a product, particularly a capsule base

Info

Publication number: WO2011018303A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/060408
Authority: WO
Inventors: Werner Runft; Ralf Schmied; Timm Sattler
Original assignee: Robert Bosch Gmbh
Priority date: 2009-08-10
Filing date: 2010-07-19
Publication date: 2011-02-17
Also published as: DE102009028372A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a weighing station (1) for weighing a product (4), particularly a capsule base, comprising a gravimetric scale (5) having a weighing table (6), a format insert (3) formed for receiving the product (4), a transport device (7) having a receptacle enclosing the format insert (3) for positioning the format insert (3) above the weighing table (6), wherein the format insert (3) is vertically displaceably disposed within the enclosing receptacle (10), and a clearance arrangement implemented for displacing the format insert (3) and the receptacle (10) relative to each other in the vertical direction (8) so that the format insert (3) can be placed with clearance on the weighing table (6).

Description

description

title

Wäqestation for weighing a product, in particular capsule base prior art

The present invention relates to a weighing station for weighing a

Product, in particular capsule base, and a device for producing medical preparations and a method for weighing a product.

To the weight of hard gelatin capsules, for example from the

Medical technology, to determine there are several previously known ways.

For example, a capsule filling machine becomes a checkweigher

downstream. In addition to various indirect weight control systems such as by capacitive measurement or ultrasound, which often need to be calibrated consuming, you can also check the weight of a capsule gravimetrically. For this, the entire capsules or the filled capsule bottoms are mechanically, e.g. by a gripper, removed from a receptacle and placed on a balance. After the weighing process, the capsules must then be grasped again and the receptacle reset. These previously known processes are usually very time consuming and therefore lead to a low process cycle number.

Disclosure of the invention

The weighing station according to the invention with the features of claim 1 now makes it possible to increase the Prozeßstaktzahl significantly. In particular, the total time for a weighing process, consisting of

Withdrawal, weighing, return placement, reduced. According to the invention, the mechanical conversion of the capsules to the balance is dispensed with. It is therefore no longer necessary to remove the capsules from a receptacle. All this will happen achieved by a weighing station for weighing a product, in particular a capsule lower part, comprising a gravimetric balance with a weighing table, a trained for receiving the product

Format insert, a transport device designed for positioning the format insert above the weighing platform with a receptacle enclosing the format insert, the format insert being displaceably arranged in the vertical direction within the encompassing receptacle. Furthermore, the weighing station according to the invention comprises a release arrangement, which is designed to displace the insert and the receptacle relative to each other in the vertical direction, so that the format insert on the

Weighing table is freistellbar. The vertical direction here is by definition the

Direction in which gravity acts. In particular, in the case of a plane weighing table, the vertical direction is thus a direction perpendicular to the plane

Weighing table. Characterized in that the format insert, in which the product is arranged, in the vertical direction displaceable in the encompassing

Can be arranged recording, without the transport device or the

To remove recording, the format insert on the weighing table are released. That is, the format insert according to the invention always in the

enclosing receptacle remains and is moved to crop on the weighing table only relative to the recording in the vertical direction. Of the

Format insert can be adapted according to different products, so that the complete weighing station very easy on e.g. Different capsules is customizable. The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the format insert comprises a collar and hangs with this collar in the receptacle. The hanging recording of the format insert is a simple and effective way to safely transport the format insert within the encompassing recording while ensuring the vertical displacement.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the

Transport device comprises a transport arm, wherein the receptacle is arranged relative to the transport arm in the vertical direction to move the

Format use free. It is particularly preferred that the recording by a depressor is lowered to indemnify the format use. By Niederdrücker the recording is preferably pressed in the vertical direction down, in which case the format insert on the

Weighing table comes to a halt. The receptacle is preferably designed so that it does not touch the weighing table during lowering. Since the recording and the

Transport arm can be moved relative to each other, the transport arm can remain stationary during the release, with only the recording must be lowered. In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that between the

Recording and the transport arm is arranged a spring, wherein the

Recording by the depressor against the spring force is lowered. As soon as the depressor no longer has any effect on the receptacle, the spring advantageously moves the receptacle upward in a vertical direction, at the same time lifting the format insert and removing it from the weighing table.

Preferably, the recording is moved only a few millimeters against the spring force by pressing the hold-down. In the released state, the format insert has no contact with the receptacle, so that the lower part of the capsule can be weighed together with the format insert.

In a preferred embodiment, the weighing table comprises an inclined plane for lifting the format insert. Thus, instead of the construction with the press-down device, the receptacle with the format insert can be pushed laterally onto the weighing table. By an inclined plane on the weighing table, which is designed so that it raises the format insert including capsule bottom, but does not touch the recording, the exemption is realized.

As an alternative to the depressor or to the inclined plane on the weighing table, the weighing table for lifting the format insert is preferably made liftable. This means that either only the weighing table or preferably the entire scale can be lifted. In this case, in turn, the weighing table is preferably designed so that it only comes into contact with the format insert, wherein a contact between the weighing table and recording is to be avoided in order to ensure the cropping. - A -

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the weighing station comprises a filling device with a material outlet, wherein over the

Material outlet the capsule base is filled in the format insert, and wherein the transport device is designed for inserting the format insert between the weighing table and the material outlet. This preferred

Weighing station with integrated filling device can also be used as product or

Capsule filling machine are called.

In bevozugter execution is provided that the transport device comprises a shield, wherein the shield is adapted to a between the

Seal the weighing table and the weighing chamber with the material outlet when the format insert is used. This seals in a very simple manner the space between the weighing table and the material exit, which prevents any air movement in the room during the filling and weighing process.

This allows the weighing process to run smoothly.

The invention further includes an apparatus for manufacturing

medical preparations, in particular for filling medical preparations, comprising a weighing station with filling device, as just described, wherein the weighing station is designed for filling hard gelatin capsule bottoms with powder or tablets or pellets. Of course, in particular the format insert for receiving the hard gelatin and the capsule is formed. The discussed in the weighing station advantageous

Embodiments naturally also find appropriate application to the device according to the invention for the production of medical preparations.

In particular, when filling capsules for medical preparations, it is of particular importance to always control the exact dosage. Characterized in that the filling device is arranged with the material outlet directly above the weighing table, the filling of the capsule lower part can always be controlled. By gross / tare weighing it is possible to measure the weight of the dosed

Determine product quantity exactly.

The invention further comprises a method for weighing a product, in particular a capsule lower part, comprising the following steps: Positioning a format insert receiving the product by means of a transport device above a weighing table of a

gravimetric scale,

Cropping the format insert on the weighing table by relative movement of the format insert and the format insert encompassing recording of the transport device to each other in the vertical direction, and

Weigh the freestanding format insert with the product.

The advantageous embodiments, as used in connection with the

weighing station according to the invention or were discussed with the inventive device for the preparation of medical preparations, see

corresponding wise preferred application to the inventive method. In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the following steps are preferably provided:

Inserting the format insert by means of the transport device between a material outlet of a filling device and the weighing table of the gravimetric balance, and

- filling the product.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the freestanding format insert is weighed with the product or capsule base before filling and / or during filling and / or after filling. Because of that

Material outlet of the filling is located directly above the weighing table, here are various ways to control the weight of the capsule base possible. In particular, the filling quantity can also be regulated during filling as a function of the measured weight. Short description of the drawing

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing: FIG. 1 shows a weighing station according to the exemplary embodiment before

Inserting a format insert into a weighing room, FIG. 2 shows the weighing station according to the exemplary embodiment before

Cropping the format insert, Figure 3, the weighing station according to the embodiment with freed

Format used

Figure 4 including the weighing station according to the embodiment

Filling device, and

Figure 5 shows a processing station with integrated weighing station according to the embodiment.

Embodiment of the invention

In the following the invention will be shown with reference to an embodiment and explained in more detail in Figures 1 to 5.

1 shows a weighing station 1 for weighing a product, designed as a capsule lower part 4. For this purpose, the weighing station comprises a capsule unit 2 consisting of a format insert 3 with accommodated capsule lower part 4, a transport device 7, a balance 5 and a depressor 12. In the direction of gravity vertical direction 8 drawn. The format insert 3 comprises a hollow cylindrical portion 14 and an adjoining collar 9. The hollow cylindrical portion 14 is designed to receive the capsule lower part 4. So that the lower capsule part 4 can not slip down out of the format insert 3, the hollow cylindrical portion 14 is slightly constricted in the lower region of the format insert 3. The collar 9 closes in the upper region of the format insert 3 to the cylindrical

Share 14 and is turned outwards. Viewed in cross section, the collar 9 is a downwardly open U-shaped pocket.

The transport device 7 consists essentially of a pivot arm 15, a transport arm 1 1 and a encompassing receptacle 10th At the pivot arm 15 of the transport arm 1 1 is arranged. In this case, the transport arm 1 1 in a horizontal plane, that is, in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction 8 pivotally. At this transport arm 1 1 turn the format insert 3 encompassing receptacle 10 is arranged. A more detailed construction of the encompassing receptacle 10 will be given in connection with FIG. The encompassing receptacle 10 is connected by means of a vertically standing guide pin 16 with the transport arm 1 1. The guide pin 16 is fixedly connected to the transport arm 11 for this purpose. The encompassing receptacle 10 inserted with a bolt receptacle 18 in the vertical direction 8 slidably on the

Guide pin 16. On the guide pin 16 is located between the

Transport arm 1 1 and the encompassing receptacle 10 a coil spring 13. This coil spring 13 presses the encompassing receptacle 10 in the vertical direction 8 against a stop upwards. Furthermore, there is a laterally to the receptacle 10 on the transport arm 1 1 a

Shield 33.

The balance 5 is embedded in a housing 17. At the upper end of the balance 5 there is a plane weighing table 6. The vertical direction 8 is perpendicular to this weighing table 6. Above this weighing table 6, laterally delimited by the housing 17, a weighing space 19 is defined. Thus the format insert 3 including capsule base 4 can be used in this weighing chamber 19, the housing 17 is open on one side. The shield 33 closes this one open side as soon as the transport arm 11 has completely inserted the format insert 3 into the weighing chamber 19.

Furthermore, the depressor 12 is disposed within the housing 17. This depressor 12 fits into a corresponding groove 48 on the outside of the receptacle 10th

As soon as the transport device 7 has moved the receptacle 10 including format insert 3 and lower capsule part 4 into the weighing chamber 19, the button presses

Niederdrücker 12, the receptacle 10 in the vertical direction 8 down. Thanks to the connection between the transport arm 11 and receptacle 10 by means of the vertical guide pin 16, the transport arm 11 and the pivot arm 15 remain stationary. By depressing the format insert 3 is included Capsule lower part 4 on the weighing table 6 free. This can be seen in detail in Figures 2 and 3.

Figures 2 and 3 show the sequence of the exemption according to

Embodiment. In Figure 2 it can be seen how the transport device 7 the

Capsule unit 2 has completely introduced into the weighing chamber 19. At the same time the shield 33 closes by contact with the housing 17 from the weighing chamber 19 to the outside. For this purpose, a seal 49 is disposed between the shield 33 and the housing 17.

The encompassing receptacle 10 comprises in detail a collar extension 20, a lower contact surface 21, a first free cut 22 and a second cutout 23. Further, FIG. 2 shows different diameters of the components of the weighing station 1. A first diameter 24 shows an outer diameter of the format insert 3 as well an inner diameter of the receptacle 10 at the level of the collar extension 20 or at the level of the collar 9. A second diameter

25 defines an outer diameter of the format insert 3 at the level of the first free cut 22. Along this first free cut 22 is a

Inner diameter of the receptacle 10 slightly larger than this second

Diameter 25. A third diameter 26 shows an inner diameter of

Pick-up 10 at the level of the second free-cutting 23. This third diameter

26 is larger than the first diameter 24 and the second diameter 25. At the level of the second cutout 23 of the format insert 3 further has the second diameter 25 as the outer diameter. Below the second cutout 23, the format insert 3 bears against the inner diameter of the receptacle 10. This results in the lower contact surface 21 at a fourth diameter 27. The weighing table 6 has a fifth diameter 28, wherein the fifth diameter 28 is smaller than the fourth diameter 27. Due to the different diameters just described is the

Form insert 3 before the cropping at two sections in contact with the receptacle 10. Firstly, the two components in the upper area, where the collar 9 hangs on the collar extension 20 touch. Secondly, the receptacle 10 and the format insert 3 touch against the lower abutment surface 21. Between these two contact regions there is the first free cut 22 and the second free cut 23. Figure 3 shows the state in which the presser 12 was moved down and thus the encompassing receptacle 10 along the guide pin 16 was set relative to the transport arm 11 down. The receptacle 10 thereby moves, without touching the weighing table 6, on

Weighing table 6 over. At the same time format insert 3 is included

Capsule base 4 are on the weighing table 6. In this release state according to FIG. 3, the receptacle 10 and the format insert 3 no longer touch each other. As a result, the capsule unit 2, consisting of format insert 3 and capsule lower part 4, are weighed independently of the transport device 7.

In particular, the receptacle 10 has been lowered so far that the collar extension 20 slips out of the collar 9 and in this area due to the first Freischnitts 22 and due to the differences in diameter between the first diameter 24 and the second

Diameter 25 no contact between format insert 3 and receptacle 10 is. In the lower region is crucial that the fourth diameter 27 is slightly larger than the fifth diameter 28 of the weighing table 6. This allows the receptacle 10 without contact with the balance 5 slide lower than that

Weighing table 6 stands. In this case, the receptacle 10 comes to stand such that a lower region of the format insert 3 is arranged with the fourth diameter 27 at the level of the second cutout 23. Due to the difference between the third diameter 26 and the fourth diameter 27, there is now no contact between at the level of the second free cut 23

Format insert 3 and recording 10.

As a result, the capsule unit 2 is thus absolutely free-standing on the weighing table 6. To this end, only one part, namely the receptacle 10, had to be removed

Transport device 7 are lowered slightly. Consequently, a very fast

Recovery of the capsule unit 2 possible and the cycle time is reduced enormously.

FIG. 4 shows the weighing station 1, supplemented by a filling device 30. The combination of weighing station 1 and filling device 30 may be referred to as capsule filling station 29. The filling device 30 comprises a material outlet 31 and a material supply 32. The material outlet 31 is located in the vertical direction 8 above the weighing table 6. Between the material outlet 31 and the weighing table 6, the previously discussed weighing chamber defined 19. Above the material outlet 31 and selbigem connected to the material supply 32. In this material supply 32 is the

Stored product with which the capsule base 4 is to be filled.

In particular, in this combination of filling device 30 and weighing station 1, the invention is preferably used, since it can be weighed here both before filling, during filling and after filling.

FIG. 5 shows a processing station 34 for the production of medical

Preparations and in particular for filling capsules with integrated

Weighing station 1 and filling device 30. In this case capsule parts 4 are filled and closed with capsule tops 35. First to twelfth steps, as performed at the processing station 24, are shown by reference numerals 36 to 47.

In the first step 36, a capsule supply and an orientation or orientation of the capsules. In the second step 37, the capsules are released and opened. In the third step 38 and optionally in the fourth step 39, the capsule bottoms 4 are filled with pellets or tablets. This is preferably done with a sword drive for pellets or via a dosing. In the fifth step 40 and optionally in the sixth step 41 are the

Capsule bottoms 4 filled with powder or pellets. The seventh step 42 again provides for filling with pellets or tablets via a sword drive or a metering disk. It should be noted that the third step 38 to the seventh step 42 are used alternatively or additionally, depending on the application. The processing station 34 described here is relatively flexible to a wide variety of capsules and different products to be filled aligned. In an application-specific embodiment of

Processing station 34 may possibly account for any of the steps.

Furthermore, FIG. 5 shows an eighth step 43 for error capsule ejection. In a ninth step 44, the capsules are replaced by placing the

Capsule upper 34 on the lower capsule 4 together. In one Tenth step 45, the capsules are then closed by printing on capsule top 35 on capsule bottom part 4 finally. Subsequently, in a eleventh step 46, again a good / bad T rennung by ejecting the bad capsules. In a last and twelfth step 47, in particular the format inserts 4 are cleaned, preferably by air pressure, so that again new capsule parts can be inserted and filled.

In particular, when filling capsules for medical preparations, it is of particular importance to always control the exact dosage. Characterized in that the filling device 30 with the material outlet 31 directly above the

Weighing table 6 is arranged, the filling of the capsule lower part 4 can always be controlled. By gross / tare weighing, it is possible to accurately determine the weight of the metered product quantity.

Claims

claims

1. Weighing station (1) for weighing a product (4), in particular

Capsule base, comprising

a gravimetric balance (5) with a weighing table (6),

a format insert (3) designed to receive the product (4), a transport device (7) designed to position the format insert (3) above the weighing table (6) with a receptacle (10) embracing the format insert (3), the format insert (10) 3) within the encompassing receptacle (10) in the vertical direction (8) is slidably disposed, and

a release arrangement, which is adapted to the format insert (3) and the receptacle (10) relative to each other in the vertical direction (8) to move, so that the format insert (3) on the weighing table (6) is freistellbar.

2. Weighing station according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Format insert (3) comprises a collar (9) and with this collar (9) in the receptacle (10) depends.

3. Weighing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the transport device (7) comprises a transport arm (1 1), wherein the receptacle (10) relative to the transport arm (1 1) in the vertical direction (8) is movably arranged to indemnify the format insert (3).

4. Weighing station according to claim 3, characterized by a depressor (12), wherein the receptacle (10) by the depressor (12) is lowered to indemnify the format insert (3).

5. Weighing station according to claim 4, characterized in that between the

Recording (10) and the transport arm (1 1) a spring (13) is arranged, wherein the receptacle (10) by the depressor (12) is lowered against the spring force.

6. Weighing station according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that on the weighing table (6) has an inclined plane for lifting and

Cropping the format insert (3) is arranged.

7. Weighing station according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the weighing table (6) for lifting and releasing the format insert (3) can be raised.

8. weighing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a filling device (30) having a material outlet (31), wherein via the material outlet (31) the product (4) in the format insert (3) can be filled, and

wherein the transport device (7) for inserting the format insert (3) between the weighing table (6) and the material outlet (31) is formed.

9. Weighing station according to claim 8, characterized in that the

Transport device (7) comprises a shield (33), wherein the shield (33) is adapted to a between the weighing table (6) and the material outlet (31) located weighing chamber (19) when inserted

Seal format insert (3).

10. A device for producing medical preparations comprising a

Weighing station (1) according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the weighing station (1) for filling hard gelatin capsule underside with powder or

Tablets or pellets is formed.

1 1. A method for weighing a product (4), in particular capsule part, comprising the following steps:

Positioning a format insert accommodating the product (4)

(3) by means of a transport device (7) above a weighing table

(6) a gravimetric balance (5),

- Cropping of the format insert (3) on the weighing table (6) by

Relative movement of the format insert (3) and a den Format insert (3) encompassing recording (10) the

Transport device (7) to each other in the vertical direction (8), and

- Weighing the freestanding format insert (3) with the product (4).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized by the following steps:

Inserting the format insert (3) by means of the transport device (7) between a material outlet (31) of a filling device (30) and the weighing table (6) of the gravimetric balance (5), and

- filling the product (4).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the

freestanding format insert (3) is weighed with the capsule base (4) before filling and / or during filling and / or after filling.