DE102008001287A1 - Filling and closing machine for containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A container filling and wearing machine (6) comprising a first handling station (1) with a first robot arm (11), a second handling station (2) with a second robot arm (21) and a first stationary process station (4), the first one Robot arm (11) transports containers (6) to the first stationary process station (4), wherein the second robot arm (21) transports containers (6) from the first process station (4) to a subsequent station (7) and at the first stationary process station (4) at least one process step is carried out.

Description

State of the art

The The present invention relates to a filling and closing machine for containers.

previously known are packaging machines for example from the pharmaceutical Industry for filling and closing of containers (Bottles, vials, ampoules, syringes, etc.). The containers are usually made of glass or plastic with a variety of geometric outer shapes. While processing of pharmaceutical products are the highest requirements required for sterilization and precision. Not seldom is bottling in clean rooms resp. in insulators. These requirements have high costs in construction and Production of packaging machines result.

From the DE 103 30 700 A1 For example, a machine for filling and sealing packages with multiple processing stations is known. The processing stations each have a robot of the same type. A conveyor belt transports the containers to be processed from one processing station to the next.

Advantages of the invention

The filling and closing machine according to the invention with the features of claim 1, in contrast, the Advantage on that they due to a simple and efficient construction is inexpensive to produce. this makes possible a flexible and economical adaptation of the invention Filling and closing machine for various Containers and closures. Furthermore, the filling and closing machine modular component in a chain of production processes. This modularity allows a flexible variation without the production steps before or after the filling and to change the closing machine.

consequently is thus a simple adaptation of the invention Filling and closing machine to the respective Customer requests possible. In contrast to the stand technique, uses the filler according to the invention and closing machine no conveyor belt for the transport of a container from a processing station to the next. This allows a much shorter Construction and increased Isolatortauglichkeit the invention Filling and closing machine. Furthermore costs are saved as a complete mechanical unit (conveyor belt) and the associated programming can be saved. This is inventively achieved in that the filling and closing machine according to the invention for containers with a first handling station a first robot arm, a second handling station with a second robot arm and a first stationary process station comprises. The first robot arm transports the container to first stationary process station. The second robot acts among other things as a second means of transport and transports the Container from the first process station to a subsequent station. Furthermore, at the first process station at least one additional Process step executed. This handover of the Container at a stationary station allows the filling and closing machine according to the invention the handling of the containers without conveyor belt. The Stationary process station serves as transfer position for the container, with the individual robot arms take over the transport.

The Subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises the first Stationary process station, a balance and / or a filling device. Thus, at the first stationary process station, an empty one Containers are weighed and / or filled. Further can be a filled container at the first stationary Process station are weighed. Thus, the first stationary acted Process station as tara weighing, gross weighing and filling unit.

Farther It is advantageous, the second handling station with a closing device to provide during the transport of the container a subsequent station to close the container. This allows two functions, namely transporting and closing, to be carried out simultaneously. This leads to the acceleration of the process flow.

Further advantageous is an integration of a third handling station with a third robot arm in the inventive Filling and closing machine. This third handling station can between the first handling station and the second handling station be arranged to close before closing the container to carry out another process step. This embodiment increased the modularity of the invention Filling and closing machine and allows an individual adaptation to customer requirements.

It is also advantageous if the third robot arm feeds the container to a filling device. For example, the third robot arm may guide the container below a spout and / or a filling needle of a filling device and perform a required centrifugal movement for gently filling a liquid into the container. The filling device may additionally or instead of Füllvor be advantageous direction at the first process station. Thus, it is also provided according to the invention to fill the container partially at the first process station and then the container of the filling device z. B. for filling with another substance to perform.

Further It is advantageous, a spout and / or a filling needle the filling device directly above the first stationary Process station to arrange. About this spout and / or Filling needle can container, which on the first stationary process station are filled become.

In an advantageous embodiment comprises the closing device the second handling unit a Verschlussabschleppeinheit. By means of this Verschlussabschleppeinheit the second robot arm without stopping to record a shutter.

Further It is advantageous, a crimping in the inventive Fill and seal machine to integrate Crimp caps on the container. In an advantageous Embodiment, this crimping station comprises at least one Star wheel for transporting and clearing containers.

Further preferred is the use of the invention Filling and closing machine within a pharmaceutical Production plant for filling pharmaceutical substances.

Farther is provided the filler according to the invention and closing system within an insulator or within to use a clean room.

Further The invention includes a method for filling and sealing of containers with the features of claim 9. Advantage of the method according to the invention is that it is due to a simple and efficient process cost feasible is. This allows a flexible and economical Carrying out the process for various containers and closures. Furthermore, the method is a modular component in a chain of production processes. This modularity allows a flexible variation of the process without the production steps before or after the process according to the invention to have to change. This is in particular an implementation of the procedure in a laboratory where frequent only smaller batches can be filled. This is inventively achieved in that the method for filling and closing Containing containers with a first handling station a first robot arm, comprising a second handling station a second robot arm and with a first stationary process station Perform the following steps: In a first step the container is picked up with the first robot arm. A second step involves transporting the container to the first stationary process station. At this first stationary process station is the container in a third step. Thereupon, in a fourth step a process step at the first stationary process station completed. In a fifth step, the container recorded in the second robot arm. The steps must do not follow each other directly and especially between the fourth and the fifth step may be further steps to get integrated.

A advantageous embodiment of the invention Procedure sees the following three steps at the first stationary Process station before: weighing the empty container and / or Filling the container and / or weighing the filled Container. Thus, at the first stationary Process station of the containers not only filled but it can also be a control of tare weight and weight Gross weight be carried.

Short description of the drawing

following become two preferred embodiments of the invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing is:

1 a top view of a filling and closing machine according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

2 a plan view of a filling and closing machine according to the invention according to a second embodiment, and

3 a perspective view of the filling and closing machine according to the invention according to the second embodiment.

Preferred embodiment the invention

The following is with reference to the 1 to 3 a filling and closing machine according to the invention according to a first and a second embodiment described in detail. In both embodiments, the filling and closing machine according to the invention is used in a pharmaceutical production plant.

1 shows a filling and closing machine according to the invention 8th according to the first embodiment. This filling and closing machine 8th is designed to each case two containers in each step 6 to process. On the left side is a first conveyor belt 13 , which by an electric motor 14 is driven to see. Next this conveyor belt 13 there is a first handling station 1 comprising a first robot arm 11 with a first receiving device 12 , Right from this first handling unit 1 there is a first stationary process station 4 with a first parking position 41 and a second parking position 42 , The first parking position 41 is a bit obscured by a filling device 5 , This filling device 5 includes a filling device 54 with a filling needle 55 , Further shows 1 a second handling station 2 with a second robot arm 21 and a second receiving device 22 , In the effective range of this second robot arm 21 there is a stuffing sorting device 23 with a towing position 25 , On the right side of 1 is a crimping machine 7 with a cap sorter 71 , a feeder 72 a star wheel 73 , a second conveyor belt 74 and guide rails 75 to see.

The filling and closing machine 8th works essentially from left to right. Therefore, the first handling station 1 positioned so that its effective range from the first conveyor belt 13 to the first stationary process station 4 extends. The second handling station 2 is approximately between the first stationary process station 4 and the crimping machine 7 , Thus, the second robot arm is enough 21 to the first stationary process station 4 , to the towing position 25 and to the star wheel 73 ,

The first conveyor belt 13 acts as an inlet for the containers 6 into the filling and closing machine 8th , That is why the first conveyor belt 13 by means of the electric motor 14 operated clocked and provides two empty containers 6 ready next to each other. These two containers 6 be from the first cradle 12 added. This cradle 12 is located at the end of the first robot arm 11 , This allows the first robot arm 11 , by means of the first receiving device 12 two containers each 6 to the first stationary process station 4 transport.

At this first stationary process station 4 represents the first handling station 1 at the same time a container 6 on the first parking position 41 and a container 6 on the second parking position 42 from. The first parking position 41 and the second parking position 42 are each operatively connected to a balance of the first stationary process station 4 , This allows the tare weight (tare weight) of the two containers 6 be determined separately.

After weighing, the two containers 6 by means of the filling device 5 filled. This is done in the first embodiment by means of the filling device 54 and the filling needle 55 , This filling device 54 is designed as a boom of the filling device 5 towards the first stationary process station 4 , Directly above the container to be filled 6 there is the filling needle 55 which is in the filling device 54 is integrated. In this embodiment, the filling device 54 swiveling and can thus over both containers 6 be panned. Alternatively, it is of course also possible that a filling device 54 over the left parking position 41 and the right parking position 42 extends and accordingly also over two filling needles 55 features. This alternative allows simultaneous filling of the two containers 6 ,

After the filling process, the two containers 6 weighed again with the balance already described. In this case, however, the gross weight of the two containers 6 determined. The difference between the gross weight and the tare weight gives the weight of the container contents. This allows a continuous quality control of the filling process.

Subsequent to this quality control, the containers are 6 from the second robot arm 21 transported away and closed. But before the second handling station 2 with the second receiving device 22 the containers 6 takes two rubber stoppers are towed. These rubber stoppers are from the Stopfsortiervorrichtung 23 aligned, isolated and at the parking position 25 provided. The second recording device 22 now leads, moving through the second robot arm 21 , a towing movement (arrow 24 ) by. In this towing the second pick-up device touches 22 two rubber plugs from the towing position 25 from.

After receiving the two rubber plugs takes the second recording device 22 the two containers 6 from the first stationary process station 4 on and transported them in the direction of the crimping machine 7 , During this transport, the second cradle presses 22 the two rubber plugs in the two containers 6 , Thereafter, the second handling station sets 2 the two containers 6 in two pockets of the star wheel 73 ,

In these pockets of the clocked rotating star wheel 73 can the containers 6 under the feeder 72 be transported through. This feeder 72 is associated with the cap sorter 71 and thus, aluminum caps can be removed from the cap sorter 71 over the feeder 72 on the containers 6 be placed.

At the crimping machine 7 can the containers 6 be turned off on turntables. By rotating these turntables, the aluminum caps on the containers 6 crimped. By further turning the star wheel 73 can the beaded containers 6 to the second conveyor belt 74 or to the guide rails 75 be transported. About the se two alternative outputs, the second conveyor belt 74 and the guide rails 75 Leave the filled and sealed containers 6 the filling and closing machine 8th , The exit via the second conveyor belt 74 leads to a magazine station, the one over the guide rails 75 serves a good-bad separation of the containers. Alternatively, the output can be varied in many ways depending on the customer's requirements. For example, a pneumatically controlled device for good-bad separation of the container is conceivable.

2 shows a filling and closing machine according to the invention 9 according to a second embodiment, wherein identical or functionally identical parts are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

In contrast to the first embodiment, the filling and sealing machine 9 of the second embodiment via a third handling station 3 as well as a modified filling device 5 , This third handling station 3 consists of a third robot arm 31 with a third receiving device 32 , Further shows 2 a separator 34 and a second stationary process station 33 , The structure of the filling device 5 of the second embodiment is in 3 described.

The third handling station 3 stands between the first handling station 1 and the second handling station 2 , The sphere of action of the third robot arm 31 extends from the first stationary process station 4 over the filling device 5 and the separator 34 to the second stationary process station 33 ,

The third robot arm 31 takes by means of the third recording device 32 the two containers 6 from the first stationary process station 4 on. By means of the third robot arm 31 become the containers 6 in the filling device 5 kept and filled there. During this filling process, the third robot arm moves 31 the third recording device 32 in a circular motion, to ensure a careful filling of the pharmaceutical substance. Upon completion of this filling process, the third robotic arm stops 31 the two containers 6 on the second stationary process station 33 from.

This second stationary process station 33 corresponds in its construction to the first stationary process station 4 , Thus, the second stationary process station 33 the respective gross weight of the containers 6 determine.

The separator 34 is used to remove faulty containers 6 or poorly filled container 6 from the filling and closing machine 9 , The third robot arm 31 can at this separator 34 one or both containers 6 submit.

From the second stationary process station 33 become the containers 6 by the second handling station 2 picked up, transported and closed. The further construction and procedure of the filling and closing machine 9 of the second embodiment corresponds to the structure and operation of the filling and sealing machine 8th from the first embodiment.

5 shows the filling and closing machine 9 of the second embodiment in a perspective view. Here is the structure of the filling device 5 watching. This consists of a right column 51 , a left pillar 52 and a vertical part 53 , Thus, the containers 6 by means of the third robot arm 31 under the vertical part 53 being held. About the vertical part 53 a pharmaceutical substance flows into the containers 6 ,

The person skilled in the art recognizes that a combination of the first and second exemplary embodiments is possible. For example, the containers 6 at the first stationary process station 4 by means of the filling device 54 only partially filled. Subsequently, a complete filling under the vertical part 53 be done. This allows, for example, a quick first filling at the first stationary process station 4 and a gentle second filling under the vertical part 53 , Alternatively, a filling of the container 6 conceivable with two different pharmaceutical substances.

Further, weighing the containers 6 at the second stationary process station 33 not absolutely necessary. This second stationary process station 33 can also only as a transfer station to the second handling station 2 serve. It is also conceivable, the first stationary process station 4 and / or the second stationary process station 33 to use as a magazine. As a result, uneven processing times between the various handling station can be compensated.

Thus, both embodiments have in common that the handling stations or robot arms clearly from the respective additional devices, such. B. separation, balance, filling device, closing device and sorter, are separated. Furthermore, no conveyor belt between the handling stations is needed. This results in a very compact and clear filling and closing machine on which refilling operations and maintenance are easy to carry out, since all points of the filling and closing machine according to the invention for the operating personnel are easily accessible. Also, the cleaning or a wash-down of the filling and closing machine according to the invention are so easily possible.

The Invention thus apparently a flexible, adaptable Filling and closing machine with modular design. By the transfer of the invention Container from one handling station to the next Stationary positions requires the invention Filling and closing machine of no conveyor belt. Thus, an effective filling of containers For example, in a pharmaceutical production plant at very short length possible.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10330700 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Filling and closing machine for containers ( 6 ), comprising a first handling station ( 1 ) with a first robot arm ( 11 ), a second handling station ( 2 ) with a second robot arm ( 21 ) and a first stationary process station ( 4 ), the first robot arm ( 11 ) Container ( 6 ) to the first stationary process station ( 4 ), wherein the second robot arm ( 21 ) Container ( 6 ) from the first process station ( 4 ) to a subsequent station ( 7 ), and wherein at the first stationary process station ( 4 ) at least one process step is carried out. Filling and closing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first stationary process station ( 4 ) a balance and / or a filling device ( 54 ) as a process step the empty container ( 6 ) and / or the container ( 6 ) and / or the filled container ( 6 ) to weigh. Filling and closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second handling station ( 2 ) comprises a closing device in order, during the transport of the container ( 6 ) to the following station ( 7 ), the container ( 6 ) to close. Filling and closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a third handling station ( 3 ) with a third robot arm ( 31 ), the third robot arm ( 31 ) the container ( 6 ) from the first stationary process station ( 4 ) transported on. Filling and closing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the third robot arm ( 31 ), during the further transport of the container ( 6 ) from the first stationary process station ( 4 ), the container of a filling device ( 5 ) feeds. Filling and closing machine according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a spout ( 55 ) of the filling device ( 54 ) above the first stationary process station ( 4 ) is arranged to the container ( 6 ) to fill. Filling and closing machine according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the closing device comprises a closure tow-away unit in order to remove a closure from a first sorting device ( 23 ). Filling and closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a crimping station ( 7 ) to keep caps on the container ( 6 ) to crimp. Method for filling and closing containers, having a first handling station ( 1 ) comprising a first robot arm ( 11 ), a second handling station ( 2 ) comprising a second robot arm ( 21 ) and a first stationary process station ( 4 ), comprising the steps of - receiving the container ( 6 ) in the first robot arm ( 11 ), - transporting the container ( 6 ) by means of the first robot arm ( 11 ) to the first stationary process station ( 4 ), - parking the container ( 6 ) at the first stationary process station ( 4 ), - carrying out a process step at the first stationary process station ( 4 ), and - picking up the container ( 6 ) in the second robot arm ( 21 ). Method for filling and closing according to claim 9, characterized in that the process step at the first process station ( 4 ) the steps - weighing the empty container ( 6 ) and / or - filling the container ( 6 ) and / or - weighing the filled container ( 6 ).