DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE FORCE-CONTROLLED CLOSURE OF PHARMACEUTICAL CONTAINERS

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for closing pharmaceutical containers (12) by means of closures (14).

Claims

1. A device (10) for closing pharmaceutical containers (12) via closures (14), the device comprising: a first holding device (16), which lies in a first plane (18), for receiving at least one pharmaceutical container (12) a second holding device (20), which lies in a second plane (22) parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane (18), for receiving at least one closure (14) for closing an opening (24) of the pharmaceutical container (12), wherein the two holding devices (16, 20) are alignable or aligned with each other such that the closure (14) and the opening (24) of the pharmaceutical container (12) are aligned with each other, the device (10) further comprising at least one pressure unit (34) with a pressure element (26) and a counter element (28), wherein the device (10) comprises a drive device (30), by which the counter element (28) and the pressure unit (34) can be moved relative to one another along a closure movement axis (32) orthogonal to the planes (18, 22), wherein during the movement of the pressure unit (34) towards one another with the pressure element (26) and the counter element (28), the closure (14) and the container (12) are brought into contact between the pressure element (26) and the counter element (28) and are pressurized between the pressure element (26) and the counter element (28) in such a way that the closure (14) is pressed onto or into the container (12) with a contact force in a direction of the closure movement axis (32) in order to close the opening (24) of the container (12), wherein the pressure element (26) is mounted to be translationally movable relative to the pressure unit (34) in the direction of the closure movement axis (32), and the movable mounting is configured in such a way that a maximum contact pressure exerted on the container (12) and the closure (14) during the closure operation is predetermined.

2. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pressure element (26) is coupled to the pressure unit (34) via a mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or electric pressure limiting device (52) that limits the contact force that can be applied by the pressure element (26).

3. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first holding device (16) and/or the second holding device (20) is configured to be movable relative to the pressure unit (34).

4. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the counter element (28) in the device (10) can be moved translationally along the closure movement axis (32) relative to the pressure unit (34) by the drive device (30), or wherein the counter element (28) is arranged immovably in the device (10).

5. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pressure unit (34) in the device (10) can be moved translationally along the closure movement axis (32) relative to the counter element (28) by the drive device (30) or a further drive device (36), or wherein the pressure unit (34) is arranged immovably in the device (10).

6. The device (10) according to claim 5, wherein a controller (38) is provided for controlling the drive device (30) and/or the further drive device (36), the controller (38) being designed to control the drive device (30) and/or the further drive device (36) in such a way that closing of the opening (24) of the container (12) with the closure (14) takes place in a force-controlled manner, the control (38) being configured to interrupt the pressing-in/pressing-on operation after a maximum contact force has been reached.

7. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pressure unit (34) with the pressure element (26) is arranged on a side of the first holding device (16), the pressure element (26) penetrating through a passage (40) formed on the first holding device (16) during a closing operation for contacting the container (12), in order to contact the container (12) at an end of the container (12) facing away from the opening (24), wherein the counter element (28) is arranged on a side of the second holding device (20), or wherein the pressure unit (34) with the pressure element (26) is arranged on a side of the second holding device (20), wherein the pressure element (26) penetrates through a passage (42) formed on the second holding device (20) during a closing operation for contacting the closure (14) in order to contact the closure (14) on a side facing away from the opening (24), and the counter element (28) is arranged on a side of the first holding device (16).

8. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first holding device (16) comprises a plurality of receptacles (44) for containers (12) and the second holding device (20) comprises a corresponding plurality of receptacles (46) for closures (14), and the pressure unit (34) comprises a corresponding plurality of pressure elements (26) coupled to the pressure unit (34) via a corresponding plurality of pressure limiting devices (52) or via a common pressure limiting device (52).

9. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pressure limiting device (52) is configured to preset a same maximum contact force on the containers (12) and closures (14) in an adjustable manner, in each case or wherein the pressure limiting device (52) is designed to preset a maximum contact force on the containers (12) and the closures (14) in each case in an individually adjustable manner.

10. A method for closing pharmaceutical containers (12) via closures (14), the method comprising: providing at least one pharmaceutical container (12) and at least one closure (14) for closing an opening (24) of the container (12), aligning the pharmaceutical container (12) and the closure (14) relative to each other so that the closure (12) and the opening (24) of the container (12) are aligned with each other, pressing the closure (14) onto or into the container (12) along a closure movement axis (32) to close the opening (24), wherein the container (12) and the closure (14) are pressed into or onto each other in a force-controlled manner, so that a contact force exerted on the container (12) and the closure (14) is exerted only up to a predetermined value of a maximum contact force.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of containers (12) are simultaneously closed with closures (14) by being pressed onto one another with a contact force between a respective pressure element (26) and a counter element (28), wherein the contact force is the same for all containers (12) and closures (14) and a first end distance between a first pressure element (26) and a counter element (28) associated therewith, between which a first container-closure pair (12, 14) is arranged, and a second end distance between a second pressure element (26) and a second counter element (28) associated therewith, between which a second container-closure pair (12, 14) is arranged, are different.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the pressing on or pressing in of the closure (14) is carried out by a drivable counter element (28) which is arranged on a first side (48) of the container (12), wherein the drivable counter element (28) applies the contact force in a direction of the closure movement axis (32) towards a second side (50) of the container facing away from the first side (48), and wherein the maximum contact force on the container (12) and the closure (14) is limited by a pressure limiting device (52) which couples a pressure unit (34) to a pressure element (26).

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the pressing on or pressing in of the closure (14) is carried out by a drivable pressure unit (34) with a pressure element (26), which is arranged on a first side (48) of the container (12), wherein a counter element (28), which is arranged on a second side (50) of the container opposite the first side (48), forms a counter bearing for the pressure unit (34), so that the container and the closure are arranged between the pressure unit (34) counter element (28) and wherein the maximum contact force on the container (12) and the closure (14) is limited by a pressure limiting device (52) which couples the pressure unit (34) to the pressure element (26).

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises a step of adjusting the maximum contact force on the container (12) and the closure (14).

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein method comprises a step in which for several pairs of a container (12) and a closure (14), a maximum contact force is adjusted to an identical value or to at least 2 different values.

16. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pressure element (26) includes a piston of pin-like design.

17. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the maximum contact pressure exerted on the container (12) and the closure (14) during the closure operation is predetermined in an adjustable manner.

18. The device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the control (38) is configured to interrupt the pressing-in/pressing-on operation after a maximum contact force has been reached, and also after a further movement of the pressure unit and counter element towards one another following the reaching of the maximum pressing-on force.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first side (48) of the container (12) is a side on which the opening (24) of the container (12) is arranged, and wherein the pressure unit (34) is immovable.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first side (48) of the container (12) is a side opposite to the opening (24) of the container (12), and wherein the counter element (28) is immovable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] The invention is explained below with reference to the figures, whereby identical or functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference signs, but where applicable only once. It shows:

[0060] FIG. 1 a device for closing pharmaceutical containers by means of a drivable counter element in a schematic, partially cut side view.

[0061] FIG. 2 a device for closing pharmaceutical containers by means of a drivable pressure unit in a schematic, partially cut side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a device for closing pharmaceutical containers, the device as a whole being designated by the reference sign 10.

[0063] The device 10 has a first holding device 16 and a second holding device 20.

[0064] The first holding device 16 has a plurality of receptacles 44. The receptacles 44 are for receiving pharmaceutical containers 12. (The holding device 16 may also have a single receptacle for receiving a nest of containers.) Each pharmaceutical container 12 includes an opening 24. Each of the receptacles 44 has a passageway 40. The passage 40 is arranged opposite the opening 24 of each of the pharmaceutical containers 12.

[0065] The second holding device 20 includes a plurality of receptacles 46. The receptacles 46 are for receiving closures 14 for closing the opening 24 of the containers 12. (The holding device 20 may also have a single receptacle for receiving a nest of closures.)

[0066] The device 10 of FIG. 1 comprises a counter element 28 with a drive device 30. In the device 10 of FIG. 1, the counter element 28 is in the form of a plate.

[0067] In FIG. 1, the counter element 28 has two cylindrical first stops 21. The first stops 21 project vertically from an end face 23 of the counter element 28. The end face 23 of the counter element 28 is designed for contacting the second holding device 20. In each case, a first stop 21 is laterally adjacent to the holding device 20.

[0068] The device 10 has a controller 38 for controlling the drive device 30. The controller 38 is connected to the drive unit 30 by means of signals.

[0069] The device 10 has a pressure unit 34 with pressure elements 26. In FIG. 1, the pressure elements 26 are designed as pin-like pistons. The pressure elements 26 are coupled to the pressure unit 34 via a pressure limiting device 52. The pressure limiting device 52 adjustably specifies the contact force that can be applied by the pressure element 26.

[0070] A cylindrical second stop 35 is arranged on both sides of the pressure unit 34. The longitudinal axis of the second stops is parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the pressure elements. The stops extend in the same direction as the pressure elements 26. The second stops are spaced apart from each other by the same amount as the first stops on the counter element 28.

[0071] The first holding device 16 is arranged extending in a first plane 18. The second holding device 20 is arranged extending in a second plane 22. The second plane 22 is arranged parallel to and spaced from the first plane 18. The first and second holding devices 16, 20 are aligned with each other such that the closure 14 and the opening 24 of the container 12 are aligned with each other.

[0072] In this example, the counter element 28 is located on a side 48 of the containers 12 facing the opening 24, parallel to the plane 22 (arrangement of the counter element 28 along the direction of gravity above the containers 12 and the closures 14).

[0073] The pressure unit 34 with pressure elements 26 is arranged on a side 50 of the containers 12 opposite the opening 24 of the containers 12, parallel to the plane 18 (arrangement of the pressure unit 34 along the direction of gravity below the containers 12).

[0074] The first and second holding devices 16, 20 are formed separately from the counter element 28 and pressure unit 34 and are arranged between them accordingly. The first holding device 16 is spaced from the pressure unit 34.

[0075] The pressure elements 26 protrude out of the pressure unit 34 in the direction of the first holding device 16. The pressure elements 26 are arranged in the pressure unit 34 in such a way that the pressure elements 26 penetrate through the passages 40 and contact the containers 12 on a side opposite the opening 24 of the containers 12 (in other words, the containers 12 rest on the pressure elements 26). In this case, the pressure elements 26 are mounted so as to be movable translationally relative to the pressure unit 34 in the direction of a closure movement axis 32 orthogonal to the planes 18, 22. The movable mounting is designed in such a way that it can be used to preset, in particular adjust, a maximum contact pressure exerted between the containers 12 and the closures 14 during the closing process.

[0076] Furthermore, the first and second holding devices 16, 20 are movably mounted in the direction of the closure movement axis 32 relative to the pressure unit 34. The first holding device 16 is mounted via the second stops. Furthermore, the second holding device 20 is movably arranged in the direction of the closure movement axis 32 and relative to the first holding device 16.

[0077] The counter element 28 can be moved by the drive device 30 in the direction of the closure movement axis 32 relative to the pressure unit 34. The movement of the counter element 28 towards the pressure unit 34 corresponds to a closing movement direction.

[0078] When the counter element 28 is moved in the closing movement direction, the closures 14 are brought into contact with the containers 12 and pressed onto the containers 12.

[0079] A contact pressure acts between the containers 12 and closures 14 to press the closures 14 onto the containers 12. When the closures 14 are pressed onto the containers 12, the contact pressure increases. When the contact pressure between the individual containers 12 and the corresponding closures 14 reaches a maximum contact pressure predetermined by the mounting of the pressure elements 26, the pressure elements 26 move along the closure movement axis 32. They yield, as it were, and thus limit the maximum contact force acting on the containers.

[0080] Due to manufacturing tolerances, the containers 12 can have different extensions in the direction of the closure movement axis 32. The closures 14 and containers 12 therefore do not all reach the maximum contact pressure at the same travel distance of the pressure elements 26 or at the same time.

[0081] The containers 12 are each positioned on a pressure element 26. Via the pressure limiting device 52, the maximum contact pressure is set to the same value for each of the pressure elements 26. In other words, the mounting of the pressure elements 26 yields in each case when the same pressure or force is reached.

[0082] When the contact pressure between a closure 14 and a container 12 reaches the maximum contact pressure, the corresponding pressure element 26 yields and moves into the pressure unit 34 as the pressure unit 34 and the counter element 28 continue to move toward each other, maintaining the maximum contact pressure.

[0083] An end distance between pressure element 26 and counter element 28 of a first container closure pair 12, 14 may be different than that of a second container closure pair 12, 14 if the maximum contact pressure is achieved at different travel distances for the two pairs.

[0084] The first stops arranged on the counter element 28 and the second corresponding stops arranged next to the pressure unit 34 are designed to contact each other and to limit the maximum travel distance of the counter element 28 relative to the pressure unit 34 during the closing movement.

[0085] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 10 shown in FIG. 1.

[0086] In contrast to the device 10 shown in FIG. 1, the counter element 28 is of fixed design. The pressure unit 34 can be moved along the closure movement axis 32 relative to the counter element 28 by means of a drive device 30.

[0087] The movement of the pressure unit 34 towards the counter element 28 corresponds to the closing movement direction in the device 10 of FIG. 2.

[0088] When the pressure unit 34 is moved along the closure movement axis 32 onto the counter element 28, the pressure elements 26 penetrate through the passages 40 and press the containers 12 out of the holding device 16 in the direction of the closure movement axis 32. In the process, the containers 12 contact the closures 14 and the containers 12 are pressed into the closures 14 (or the closures 14 are pressed onto the containers 12). The pressing-in is continued until a predetermined maximum contact pressure or a contact force, which can be set via the pressure limiting device 52 for the mounting of the pressure elements 26, is exceeded and the pressure elements 26 virtually no longer move further, but move into the pressure unit 34 when the latter is moved further towards the counter element 28.

[0089] According to the device 10 of FIG. 1, manufacturing tolerances in the extension in the closing movement axis 32 of the containers 12 can be compensated, due to which each container 12 to be closed is assigned to a pressure element 26.