The field of the invention relates generally to filling containers with liquid. More specifically, the invention relates to the real-time assessment of the volume filled into containers, particularly in the manufacture of medicaments such as pharmaceuticals. The invention finds specific use in the final stage of drug manufacturing known as fill/finish wherein the drug substance or active pharmaceutical intermediate is prepared as a final drug product in a formulation suitable for administration to patients in need of the same, which is then provided to patients. More particularly, the invention relates to controlling the volume in container via in-line non-destructive monitoring of the fill process.

A method of a method of controlling a volume of material dispensed by a constant pressure adhesive and sealant dispensing system controlled by a controller during shots includes automatically adjusting a proportional valve control setting for an orifice size of a controlled pressure regulator. An orifice size control pressure corresponding to the proportional valve control setting is applied to an orifice size control inlet of the controlled pressure regulator. A volume of the material dispensed during each shot is monitored and when the volume of material dispensed during each shot of a predetermined number of successive shots is outside a target range, the proportional valve control setting is automatically adjusted by the controller.

A peristaltic dosing device for providing dosages of a fluid at a volume of less than one milliliter comprises: a flexible tube, a counter pressure element, a plurality of actors and a drive. The flexible tube is essentially straightly arranged along the counter pressure element thereby forming a longitudinal axis. The actors arranged parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis. They are moveable by the drive in relation to the flexible tube. The flexible tube is compressible between the actors and the counter pressure element by moving the actors. Each of the actors is independently and linearly moveable by the drive along an actuation axis essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexible tube from a home position in which the flexible tube is least compressed to an end position in which the flexible tube is compressed and sealed between the respective actor and the counter pressure element. The peristaltic dosing device according to the invention allows for exactly and repeatably providing dosages at comparably small volumes in a sterile environment.

An apparatus (10) is provided for dispensing a flowable product from a collapsible container (12) comprising an air-tight cavity (14) and an opening (16). The apparatus (10) includes a reservoir (18) comprising a chamber (20) for storing flowable product, the chamber (20) comprising a product inlet (22) for receiving flowable product delivered from the air-tight cavity (14) of a connected collapsible container (12) through the opening (16) thereof, and a product outlet (24) for the flowable product. A piston (46) is positioned inside the chamber (30) and is movable to vary the volume of the chamber (30), for example between a first position defining a maximum chamber volume and a second position defining a minimum chamber volume.

A selectable volume precision liquid dispenser apparatus and method of use. The dispenser apparatus includes a graduated, segmented elastic body with an interior space having different regions corresponding to different volumes where different liquid containing chambers are separated by one-way valves. Pressure applied by a user to one of the different chambers causes the dispensing of a precise amount of liquid through an inner conducting tube having openings to receive liquid in each of the different regions, and an outlet for dispensed the liquid. Release of the pressure allows the elastic body to return towards its original (resting) shape and draw liquid from a reservoir into the previously dispensed region in preparation for the next dispensing operation.

A selectable volume precision liquid dispenser apparatus and method of use. The dispenser apparatus includes a graduated, segmented elastic body with an interior space having different regions corresponding to different volumes where different liquid containing chambers are separated by one-way valves. Pressure applied by a user to one of the different chambers causes the dispensing of a precise amount of liquid through an inner conducting tube having openings to receive liquid in each of the different regions, and an outlet for dispensed the liquid. Release of the pressure allows the elastic body to return towards its original (resting) shape and draw liquid from a reservoir into the previously dispensed region in preparation for the next dispensing operation.

A selectable volume precision liquid dispenser apparatus and method of use. The dispenser apparatus includes a graduated, segmented elastic body with an interior space having different regions corresponding to different volumes where different liquid containing chambers are separated by one-way valves. Pressure applied by a user to one of the different chambers causes the dispensing of a precise amount of liquid through an inner conducting tube having openings to receive liquid in each of the different regions, and an outlet for dispensed the liquid. Release of the pressure allows the elastic body to return towards its original (resting) shape and draw liquid from a reservoir into the previously dispensed region in preparation for the next dispensing operation.

A selectable volume precision liquid dispenser apparatus and method of use. The dispenser apparatus includes a graduated, segmented elastic body with an interior space having different regions corresponding to different volumes where different liquid containing chambers are separated by one-way valves. Pressure applied by a user to one of the different chambers causes the dispensing of a precise amount of liquid through an inner conducting tube having openings to receive liquid in each of the different regions, and an outlet for dispensed the liquid. Release of the pressure allows the elastic body to return towards its original (resting) shape and draw liquid from a reservoir into the previously dispensed region in preparation for the next dispensing operation.

A drop-detection device detects a drop that escapes from a metering valve. The drop-detection device includes a light guide with first and second light-guiding elements that are arranged opposite each other at an intermediate space. A drop trajectory runs through the intermediate space such that a light beam sent out by the first light-guiding element crosses the drop trajectory and is subsequently coupled into the second light-guiding element. In addition, the drop-detection device includes a light-signal generation device that couples a pulsed light beam with a carrier frequency into the first light-guiding element. Furthermore, the drop-detection device also has a light evaluation device for evaluating the light beam coupled into the second light-guiding element to determine if a drop has been dispensed by the metering valve. A method of detecting a drop is also described.

A drop-detection device detects a drop that escapes from a metering valve. The drop-detection device includes a light guide with first and second light-guiding elements that are arranged opposite each other at an intermediate space. A drop trajectory runs through the intermediate space such that a light beam sent out by the first light-guiding element crosses the drop trajectory and is subsequently coupled into the second light-guiding element. In addition, the drop-detection device includes a light-signal generation device that couples a pulsed light beam with a carrier frequency into the first light-guiding element. Furthermore, the drop-detection device also has a light evaluation device for evaluating the light beam coupled into the second light-guiding element to determine if a drop has been dispensed by the metering valve. A method of detecting a drop is also described.