EP2006204B1 - Facility for filling pharmaceutical products into bottle-like containers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system for filling of bottle-like or can-like containers with pharmaceutical products.

Such systems have been used for many years to fill a larger number of tablets or a certain amount of powder into bottle-like containers, so that a patient a sufficient amount of drugs, for example for daily use, is available. Typically, such systems for filling bottle-type containers with tablets include a device for introducing a desiccant into each container, a device for counting and introducing the tablets into the containers, a device for introducing a cotton ball into each container, a device for applying a closure on each container, a device for sealing the closures on the containers and a device for sorting out certain containers after a quality check. The individual devices are arranged in a street as a standalone units, the containers are transported between the individual units by means of conventional conveyor belts. A corresponding plant for Affliction of bottle-like containers with powder, which has a plurality of stations arranged one after the other, is for example from US 6,755,223 known.

A disadvantage of such systems is in particular that the individual devices and conveyor belts must be precisely adjusted to each other, which requires a lot of work. In addition, after each inspection station for the quality control, a sorting of containers detected as defective must take place, since a product tracking over several stations of the plant line is very complex.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system for filling of bottle-like containers with pharmaceutical products, in which at any time an accurate tracking of the individual containers within the system is possible, opting for a one-time sorting of poorly evaluated containers in the process chain and where the installation and maintenance of the transport equipment is particularly easy.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the system for filling bottle-like or can-like containers with pharmaceutical products has a device for dosing the pharmaceutical products and for introducing the pharmaceutical products into the containers. In addition, it comprises at least three of the following devices: a device for introducing the containers into the system, a device for introducing a desiccant into each container, a device for introducing a cotton ball into each container, a device for applying a closure to each container, a device for sealing the closures on the containers, and a device for sorting out certain containers and for discharging the remaining containers from the system. In this case, a plurality of devices on a transport device for only a continuous, forcibly guided and isolated movement of the container, while at least the device for dosing the pharmaceutical products and for introducing the pharmaceutical products into the container transport means for a partially pulsed, positively driven and isolated Movement of the container has. The respective transport devices of the devices are coupled together in series, so that a positive guidance of the isolated container is ensured by the entire system.

As a result, a transport of containers is made possible, even with different forms of movement, so that the containers remain traceable at all times. This serves the safety of the filling process as well as the simplification of the structure and the reduction of assembly and adjustment work.

In a particularly simple manner, a continuous, positively driven movement of the individual containers succeeds, in that each transport device has at least one screw conveyor.

To avoid dodging the container perpendicular to the direction of movement, each transport device for a continuous, positively guided movement of the individual containers preferably has a guide plate which is parallel to the Worm conveyor is arranged.

Particularly advantageously, the transport device for a partially clocked, positively driven movement of the individual containers is designed such that a circulation movement of the container is combined to a carriage controlled by a translational movement of the carriage. This allows a smooth transition from continuous motion to timed motion and back to continuous motion.

A simple construction is achieved when the transport means for a partially cycled, positively driven movement of the singulated containers is an endlessly circulating belt with catches directed around pulleys fixed to the carriage.

To further simplify the installation or replacement of devices, each device is formed as a modular unit, each with a housing, wherein the housing of all modular units are connected in series such that the system is designed as an integral system.

A special adjustment of the transport devices in the transition between two modular units can be avoided that projects in a plurality of devices, a first screw conveyor on one side of the respective housing over a predetermined length out in the adjacent housing and that in the adjacent housing a second screw conveyor is arranged in parallel at a predetermined distance from the first screw conveyor, so that the two screw conveyors form a means for transferring the container from one modular unit to the next.

The adjustment between two housings takes place by a precisely fitting connection, preferably by means of dowel pins.

In addition to the space savings achieved due to the modular, cohesive design of the integral system is preferably formed substantially closed to the outside, whereby the risk of contamination is reduced and the Plant may optionally be operated in a clean room of lesser quality.

In the sense of a standardized division, each housing has a table top over which the transport devices for the containers are arranged and under which, for example, drive and adjustment devices and cables for the respective devices are arranged.

Fig. 1

ist eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Anlage zur Befüllung von flaschenartigen Behältern mit pharmazeutischen Produkten;

Fig. 2

ist eine Perspektivansicht eines Beispiels eines Gehäuses einer modularen Einheit der Anlage aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

ist eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Transporteinrichtungen für die Behälter in der Anlage aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

ist eine vergrößerte schematische Perspektivansicht eines Ausschnitts aus Fig. 3, aus dem der Übergang der Transporteinrichtungen zwischen einzelnen modularen Einheiten ersichtlich ist; und

Fig. 5

ist eine schematische Draufsicht auf die teilweise getaktet arbeitende Transporteinrichtung der Vorrichtung zum Dosieren der pharmazeutischen Produkte und zum Einbringen der pharmazeutischen Produkte in die Behälter.

Further details, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

is a schematic side view of a plant for filling bottle-like containers with pharmaceutical products;

Fig. 2

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example of a modular unit housing of the plant. FIG Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the transport devices according to the invention for the container in the system Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4

is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a section of Fig. 3 showing the transition of the transport devices between individual modular units; and

Fig. 5

is a schematic plan view of the partially cycled transport device of the device for dosing the pharmaceutical products and for introducing the pharmaceutical products into the container.

In Fig. 1 an embodiment of a system for filling of bottle-like or can-like containers is shown with pharmaceutical products. The system is designed in modular design, whereby the individual process steps are integrated into different standard modules, which jointly form the integral system. It is also possible in principle, but at a distance from each other to use arranged modules.

The various modular units 2 have in this example in each case a housing 4, which usually corresponds to a standard housing with precisely defined connection dimensions. Even with transversely larger modular units 2, the depth connection dimensions are met.

The individual modular units 2 comprise in the present example case Fig. 1 a device 6 for introducing the containers 5 into the system, a device 8 for introducing a desiccant into each container 5, a device 10 for counting tablets and for introducing the tablets into the containers 5, a device 12 for applying a closure to each Container 5, a device 14 for sealing the closures on the containers 5 and a device 16 for sorting out certain containers 5 and for discharging the remaining container 5 from the plant.

In addition, additional supplemental devices can be integrated into the filling system, for example a device not shown here for introducing a cotton ball into each container 5. Devices in the chain can also be omitted.

Although the modular units 2 can be combined in almost any order to an integral system, there are certain successive sequences that make sense in the flow of the filling and can not be changed. For example, it is imperative that the device 12 for applying a closure is arranged on each container 5 after the apparatus 10 for counting the tablets and for introducing the tablets into the containers 5.

The device 6 for introducing the container 5 into the system serves to receive and separate the containers 5 into the transport system of the system, which will be described in detail later. By means of the device 8 for introducing a desiccant into each container 5, known desiccants are placed in the bottle-like containers 5 in order to reduce or maintain the moisture in the container 5 after its sealing to a defined extent. The apparatus 10 for counting tablets and for introducing the tablets into the containers 5 can be carried out in many different ways. In all known devices 10, the tablets are counted out of a reservoir and then filled into the container 5. It is important here that the correct amount of tablets gets into the container 5.

By the device 12 for applying a closure to each container 5, the container 5 are preferably torque controlled, each provided with a closure in which an aluminum seal may already be located. In the device 14 for sealing the closures to the container 5, the aluminum crucible is inductively heated and fused with the container 5. The device 16 for sorting out certain containers 5 and discharging the remaining containers 5 from the system ultimately serves to convey the containers 5 to a subsequent conveyor belt. In addition, here classified as unsuitable container 5 can be sorted out or removed container 5 for process control. It is necessary to provide certain sensors or cameras for monitoring tasks within the plant chain.

In Fig. 2 For example, a housing 4 of a standardized modular unit 2 is illustrated in an example of a unitary design without internals. The housing 4 has a roof 18 which is suitable for the integration of various attachments. For this purpose, for example, receptacles 20 are provided for various structures and attachments in the roof, for example, for devices for dry air, certain lighting or suction. In addition, a central area of the roof 18 is designed removable. In the vertical side areas of the roof 18 bushings 22 are provided in which cables and hoses can be passed to the neighboring module. At least at the front and the back of the modular unit 2 protective doors 24 or protective windows are arranged. These are preferably interchangeable to allow flexible intervention. At least in some areas, the protective doors 24 are preferably designed to be transparent. It makes sense if at least partially at transitions between two modular units 2 and in particular at the beginning and at the end of the system also laterally corresponding protective windows or protective doors 24 are arranged. In such a configuration, it is possible, the tablets from the count to the sealing of the container 5 in a transport protected area. It is also possible to isolate particularly sensitive areas of the plant by applying different pressure levels in adjacent modular units 2 of environmental influences. Thus, the system can even be operated in a clean room lesser class.

About one third of the height of the housing 4, a table top 26 is arranged, which divides the interior of the housing 4 in an upper and a lower region. In the upper area, a transport device 28 described in more detail later for the containers 5 and other active components of the respective device 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 is usually accommodated. Below the table top 26, for example, the mechanics and the wiring for the devices are added, with different attachment points for corresponding internals are also provided here.

The modular units 2 can usually be strung together without adjustment. For connection serve e.g. Dowel pins.

In Fig. 3 is the entire transport chain of the invention in Fig. 1 shown unit, each individual device 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 has its own transport device 28 in which the container 5, which are fed to the system, isolated and positively guided. A particularly simple type of transport means 28 are screw conveyors 30, 32 which are described with reference to FIG Fig. 4 to be described in more detail. There are also other transport devices 28 such as belts with drivers conceivable. It is particularly noteworthy that each individual container 5 is forcibly guided through the entire system and thus a product tracking over all modular units 2 away is possible. As a result, a single excretion of rejected containers 5, for example, at the end of the system, so in device 16, for example, even with multiple studies on the quality of the individual containers 5 possible. Even with active removal of a container 5 from the series, the resulting gap can be detected.

While the containers 5 are basically transported continuously in most modular units 2, for example in the area of the device 10 for Counting and introducing the tablets into the container 5 at the required speeds a partially clocked movement form necessary. Nevertheless, this transport device is also seamlessly integrated into the transport chain, as explained in more detail below with reference to FIG Fig. 5 is described.

To ensure the seamless transition between the transport units 28 of adjacent modular units 2, for example, the in Fig. 4 shown construction suitable. In this case, a first screw conveyor 30 is in each case arranged in a housing 4 such that it projects beyond a predetermined length out into the adjacent housing, in the present example the housing 4 lying on the left. In addition, in the adjacent housing 4, a second screw conveyor 32 is arranged at a predetermined distance parallel to the first screw conveyor 30, so that the two screw conveyors 30, 32 form a particularly simple means for transferring the container 5 from one modular unit 2 to the next.

The further movement of the container 5 is carried out in principle by uniform movement of the screw conveyors 30, 32, wherein the container 5 are included in the exceptions of the screw conveyors 30, 32 and are moved forward by rotation of the screw shafts. It is important that in the transfer areas, the screw conveyors 30, 32 are arranged aligned with each other and are moved synchronously. In contrast, within a modular unit 2 it is sufficient if the container 5 is guided on the side opposite the screw conveyor 30, 32 by a guide plate (not shown). The guide plate ensures that the container 5 does not move out perpendicular to the direction of movement from the receptacles of the screw conveyor 30, 32.

By the in Fig. 4 shown arrangement, it is ensured without further adjustment that container 5 within the transport chain are accurately transported from one modular unit 2 to the next, being constantly forcibly guided in isolation. Of course, various modifications of the transport devices 28 are also conceivable.

The in the apparatus 10 for counting the tablets and for introducing the tablets in the container 5 provided transport device 28 is shown in more detail in plan view Fig. 5 shown. The special feature of this transport device 28 is that here a continuous movement of the container in the inlet region 36 and in the outlet region 38 for filling the container 5 is converted in a central region 40 in a clocked motion form. The transport device 28 has a carriage 42 which is translationally movable in the longitudinal direction of the system controlled by a control device.

To this slide 42 pulleys 44 and sprockets are attached, around which an endlessly circulating belt 46 with drivers or a conveyor chain is placed. The continuously conveyed by the screw conveyors 30, 32 container 5 are deflected by 180 degrees and picked up there by the belt 46. To achieve the transition from continuous motion to clocked positive guided motion, the orbital motion of the containers 5 is combined with the translational movement of the carriage 42 in a controlled manner. Thereby, a continuous decrease of the container 5 in the inlet region 36 and at the same time a clocked, forcibly guided movement of the separated container 5 in the central region 40 of the transport device 28 is possible. For this purpose, it is important that the pulleys 44 and the carriage 42 are controlled separately but harmonized.

As tablets, the description refers to all types of solid medicaments, for example also capsules, dragees, etc. However, the system is also generally suitable for use with other types of pharmaceutical products, e.g. liquid substances, to dose and to fill in containers.

Thus, a system for filling of bottle-like containers 5 has been created, which allows a transport of containers even with different forms of movement such that the containers remain traceable at any time. This serves the safety of the filling process as well as the simplification of the structure and the reduction of assembly and adjustment work.

Claims (10)

1. System for filling bottle-like or can-like containers (5) with pharmaceutical products, comprising:

   a device (10) for metering the pharmaceutical products and for introducing the pharmaceutical products into the containers (5); and

   comprising at least three of the following devices:

   a device (6) for feeding the containers (5) into the system;

   a device (8) for introducing a desiccant into each container (5);

   a device for introducing a wad of cotton into each containers;

   a device (12) for placing a cap on each container (5);

   a device (14) for sealing the caps onto the containers (5); and

   a device (16) for rejecting some containers (5) and for discharging the remaining containers (5) from the system;

   characterised in that
   most of the devices (6, 8, 12, 14, 16) comprise a transport mechanism for continuous movement, with restraint, of each individual containers (5);
   at least the device (10) for metering the pharmaceutical products and for introducing the pharmaceutical products into the containers (5) comprises a transport mechanism (28) for movement with restraint, intermittent in some regions, of each individual container (5); and
   the respective transport mechanisms (28) of the devices (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) are connected to one another in series, ensuring the movement of each individual container (5) with restraint through the entire system.
2. System according to claim 1, characterised in that each transport mechanism (28) comprises at least one screw conveyor (30, 32) for continuous movement of each individual container (5) with restraint.
3. System according to claim 2, characterised in that each transport mechanism (28) comprises a guide plate, arranged parallel to the screw conveyor (30, 32), for continuous movement of each individual container (5) with restraint.
4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transport mechanism (28) is configured for movement with restraint, intermittent in some regions, of each individual container (5), in such a way that the travel of the containers (5) around a sliding carriage (42) is combined in a controlled manner with a translational movement of the sliding carriage (42).
5. System according to claim 4, characterised in that the transport mechanism (28) for movement with restraint, intermittent in some regions, of each individual container (5) comprises an endlessly circulating belt (46) with carrier elements, which passes around belt pulleys (44) mounted on the sliding carriage (42).
6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each device (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) is constructed as a modular unit (2), each having a housing (4), the housings (4) of all the modular units (2) being connected to one another in series so that the system is formed as an integral system.
7. System according to claim 6, characterised in that in a plurality of the devices (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16), a first screw conveyor (30) projects from one side of the respective housing (4) into the adjacent housing (4) by a predetermined length, and in that in the adjacent housing (4), a second screw conveyor (32) is arranged parallel to and at a predetermined distance from the first screw conveyor (30), so the two screw conveyors (30, 32) form a means for transferring the containers (5) from one modular unit (2) to the next.
8. System according to either claim 6 or claim 7, characterised in that every two adjacent housings (4) are connected to one another in a precisely fitting manner, preferably by alignment pins.
9. System according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the integral system is constructed so as to be substantially closed off from the outside.
10. System according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that each housing (4) has a flat shelf (26), above which the transport mechanisms (28) for the containers (5) are arranged and below which the drive and adjustment units and the cables for the respective devices (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) are arranged.

Images