Device and Method for the Quantity-Controlled Filling of Containers with Powdered Substances

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

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]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.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention pertains to a device and to a method for the controlled filling of containers with powdered substances.[0003]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.[0004]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 pock...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]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.

[0008]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.

[0010]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.

[0011]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.

[0014]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.

[0017]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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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