• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention relates to a weighing unit for containers, as well as a method for weighing containers which are arranged in a holding structure, comprising the steps of: providing a holding structure (7) which is suitable for at least one container (A), possibly a contains substance to be weighed, in a substantially stable position, wherein the one container has a holding portion (C) which is shaped such that it holds the container hanging from the holding structure; Bringing the at least one container (A) to a weighing station having a weighing element (4) which is suitable for weighing the at least one container (A); Weighing the at least one empty container or container containing a substance with the aid of the weighing element (4); wherein the weighing step is performed by moving the holding structure (7) such that the at least one container (A) received within the holding structure (7) is in contact with the weighing element (4) held in a fixed position is brought until the detachment of the holding portion (C) of the at least one container (A) from the holding structure (7) has been achieved.
    公开号:CH714170B1
    申请号:CH00098/19
    申请日:2017-07-28
    公开日:2021-07-15
    发明作者:Trebbi Claudio；Gabusi Gabriele；Cussini Michele
    申请人:Ima Spa；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Technical area
    The present invention relates generally to the field of filling containers such as ampoules, small vials, syringes, cartridges and the like in the pharmaceutical sector.
    In particular, the invention relates to a method for weighing empty containers and the same containers filled with a substance, and a corresponding weighing device by which the method is implemented.
    State of the art
    In the pharmaceutical sector, there is often a need to fill containers such as ampoules, small vials, syringes, cartridges and the like with pharmaceuticals in accordance with a predefined dosage.
    In such a case, it is essential that the amount of drug contained in the container, for example a pre-filled syringe, corresponds exactly to the specified amount with an extremely low margin of error.
    The prior art of the sector provides for the preparation of a nest within which empty containers to be filled are housed, a robot removes the containers one at a time from the nest and weighs them one by one to obtain their correct weight .
    Usually, the tare, the weight of the empty container, is obtained first, before filling.
    As soon as the containers returned to the nest are filled after obtaining the tare, the robot continues and removes one container from the nest to weigh each of them on a special scale, usually using a load cell, to weigh the Obtain the weight of the container with its contents (gross weight).
    In order to accelerate the weighing of the containers, both empty and already filled with the desired substance, the robot can simultaneously remove several containers from the nest and, after weighing, place them back in the nest from which they were removed.
    Although the method described above is advantageous, it has some disadvantages, including a processing time of the weighing steps, which, although it has become shorter thanks to more modern systems, due to the need to always remove containers from the nest in order to measure the Carry out weight, does not allow high speeds.
    Such a removal from the nest as described above must be done twice for each container if it is necessary to obtain the tare for each container and the gross weight for each container with its respective contents.
    EP-A-2949353 discloses a vertical displacement device comprising a plurality of push rods which are arranged in a holding structure in accordance with a regular arrangement of corresponding ampoules. The push rods move vertically upwards from below. A weight sensor can also be integrated at the end of the vertical shift.
    In other words, the weight sensor is driven vertically against the ampoule in order to weigh it.
    This movement of the weight sensor brings about a loss of precision in the weight to be maintained. Further, in order to obtain stable weight measurement, it is necessary to wait a long time until the vibration of the weight sensor by the vertical movement is suppressed.
    Last but not least, it is necessary to provide systems for moving the weight sensor that are precise and relatively small, which entails a corresponding increase in the cost of their manufacture.
    Summary of the invention
    A first object of the present invention is to provide a method for weighing containers housed in a nest, which allows a significant reduction in the processing time of weighing the containers without adversely affecting the precision of the values measured in order to ensure compliance with the standards required in the sector concerned.
    A second object of the present invention is to provide a weighing device which makes it possible to implement the aforementioned method by means of a simple and rational constructive solution.
    The first object is achieved by a method of weighing containers placed in a holding structure according to claim 1 of the present invention.
    The second object is achieved by a weighing device for containers which are arranged in a holding structure according to claim 8.
    Further properties and advantages will become even more apparent from the following description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention with reference to the exemplary but non-limiting figures.
    Brief description of the drawings
    [0020]FIGS. 1-3 schematically show the weighing steps according to a first embodiment of the present invention, carried out with a weighing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;FIGS. 4-6 schematically show the weighing steps according to a second embodiment of the present invention, carried out with a weighing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
    Detailed description
    With particular reference to the figures, FIG. 1 generally shows a weighing device for containers A, which are received in a holding structure 7, usually a nest.
    The weighing unit 1 is provided in particular for weighing the container A, the type of which is preferably selected from ampoules, small vials, syringes, carpules and the like.
    It should be noted that the types of containers mentioned are usually used in the pharmaceutical sector, and for this reason very precise weighing of the same is provided.
    Indeed, weighing unit 1 according to the invention is usually coupled to a filling machine which is responsible for filling container A with a predefined dose of at least one substance before weighing the filled containers in order to obtain the gross weight.
    The weighing may also be carried out before filling in order to obtain the given weight of the empty container (tare).
    Containers A are received within the nest 7 in a substantially stable position.
    In particular, each container A has a holding portion C which is shaped such that it rests against the nest 7 in order to hold the container A hanging on the nest.
    In particular, the holding portion C has an annular shape, usually in the form of an annular shoulder portion on the top of the container A.
    In the figures, the nest 7 comprises a flat surface with a plurality of cylindrical receptacles 8, which are designed to receive the containers A.
    When the containers A are received in the cylindrical receptacle 8, the holding portion C of the containers rests against the flat surface of the nest 7.
    The cylindrical receptacle 8 is designed as openings (circular holes) into which the containers A are inserted.
    In practice, the containers A are held suspended from the nest 7, from which they protrude through the openings 8 held on the annular shoulder portion C.
    In addition, each opening 8 has a central axis which coincides with a longitudinal axis of the container A housed therein.
    According to the present invention, the weighing unit 1 has a weighing station which has a weighing element 4, usually a weighing cell, on which the containers A are weighed.
    This load cell 4 is held in a fixed position during weighing in order to ensure correct and rapid weighing.
    The weighing of the container A takes place in that the nest 7 is moved in the direction of the weighing cell 4 in such a way that the container A to be weighed is brought into contact with the weighing cell 4. The container A lifts off the nest 7, as a result of which the annular shoulder section C of the container A detaches from the nest 7.
    In the present invention, the detachment of the annular shoulder portion C of the container A is achieved solely by the movement of the nest with respect to the stationary load cell 4.
    The weighing of the containers A can be done by means of a manipulator, preferably an anthropomorphic robot X, which is properly programmed to move the nest 7 in such a way that it brings one of the containers A into contact with the load cell 4, until the shoulder C is detached from the nest 7.
    Thus, the weight of the container is obtained without removing it from the nest and placing it on a weighing element.
    In fact, according to the present invention, the weighing operation is carried out simply by moving the nest 7 in which the containers to be weighed are held without removing the containers to be weighed.
    As mentioned above, the weighing element 4 is held in a stationary position according to the present invention.
    In other words, it is the nest with the containers that is brought to the load cell 4, while the latter remains firmly attached.
    In this way, extremely precise weighing is achieved, since the weighing element is not subjected to the loads which the movement of the containers would cause.
    As an alternative to the robot, it is possible to use any other transport system, for example a carriage on rails or a belt carriage.
    The container A, which is weighed, can therefore remain in its receptacle 8 in the nest 7 during the weighing step. However, it is possible that the container A leaves its receptacle 8 completely, as shown in FIG. 3, when the container A is placed on the weighing cell 4. In this case, although the container A does not remain in its receptacle, there is no removal process whatsoever by any robot.
    In order to achieve optimal weighing, the container A must remain stable on the weighing cell 4, which is achieved by a suitable holding element 2 which is connected to the weighing cell 4 and against which the container A rests.
    Shaped elements can be used as the holding element 2 to hold the container A detachably, for example by means of a recess or a small tray 5 (Figs. 1-3) designed to receive the underside of the container A.
    Alternatively, the holding element 2 can be formed by a simple surface element 6 (FIGS. 4-6).
    The stability of the weighing cell 4 is increased by the fact that it can be attached to a suitable holder 9 in a stable manner.
    Precise and rapid weighings are thus achieved without the need to provide moving elements of the weighing cell.
    This holder 9 is in turn preferably attached to a frame 3 of a chamber in which the weighing processes take place.
    In operation, the containers are weighed according to the steps described below.
    A nest 7 containing the containers A to be weighed, which may be empty or contain a substance, is provided. As previously indicated, it is sometimes necessary to weigh each container before and after filling it.
    The containers A are placed in the openings 8 through which they protrude downwards by being held by the annular shoulder C suspended from the nest 7, the shoulder being an annular shape created on the upper edge of the container A. is.
    The weighing step is carried out by moving the nest 7 towards the load cell 4 in such a way that the container A is brought into contact with the load cell 4 while the load cell 4 is held in a stationary position. The container A lifts off from the nest 7 in that it detaches the annular shoulder C from the nest 7, the detachment of the annular shoulder C being achieved exclusively by the movement of the nest 7 in relation to the stationary load cell 4.
    According to a preferred embodiment, the robot X clamps the nest 7, which contains at least one container (empty or filled with a substance), and brings it into the vicinity of the stationary load cell 4. The nest 7 is handled in such a way that the container A to be weighed is brought into contact with the load cell 4, whereupon the nest 7 is moved further until the ring shape C has been detached from the nest 7 in order to measure the weight of the container.
    As mentioned above, it is preferable that the bottom B of the container A can be placed in the holding member 2 during weighing in order to detachably hold the container A in a stable position when the ring shape C separates from the nest 7.
    In order to move the nest 7 holding the containers A quickly and at the same time not interfere with the weighing, the nest 7 is held by the robot X by clamping means of the type known in the sector.
    Preferably, the step in which the robot X brings the nest 7 with the container A on the load cell in order to obtain the weight is carried out by positioning the container A to be weighed above the load cell 4 and lowering it vertically Nests 7 until the bottom B of the container A rests against the load cell 2 or the holding element 2 of the load cell 4. By continuing the always vertical downward movement of the nest 7 moved by the robot X, the detachment of the ring shape C from the nest 7 is achieved, through which it is then possible to gain the weight of the container.
    If the receptacles 5 of the nest 7 have side walls which touch the container (A) even during the measurement of the weight, this is irrelevant, since this contact does not make the measurement unreliable.
    If the container A touches the nest 7 (more precisely, the receptacle 8 within which it is inserted) during the weighing process, this is irrelevant as far as the measurement to be carried out is concerned.
    In order to speed up the weighing step, the robot X can be controlled by a control unit which is programmed to make the movements of the robot X according to an input received from the load cell 4.
    Although express reference has been made to the weighing of one container at a time (empty or filled with a substance), it is possible to carry out this weighing process with several containers at the same time.
    Of course, those skilled in the art can make various changes and variants to the invention described above to meet dependent and specific needs, all of which are included within the scope of the protection of the invention as defined in the following claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (15)
    [1]
    1. A method for weighing containers which are arranged in a holding structure, comprising the steps:- Providing a holding structure (7) which is suitable for holding at least one container (A), which possibly contains a substance to be weighed, essentially stable, the one container (A) having a holding section (C) which is in such a way is shaped so that it rests against the holding structure (7) in order to hold the at least one container (A) hanging on the holding structure (7);- Bringing the at least one container (A) to a weighing station having a weighing element (4) which is suitable for weighing the at least one container (A);Weighing the at least one container with the weighing element;characterized in that the weighing step is carried out by moving the holding structure (7) in the direction of the weighing element (4) in such a way that the at least one container (A) received within the holding structure (7) is connected to the weighing element ( 4) comes into contact while the weighing element (4) is held in a stationary position, the lifting of the at least one container (A) from the holding structure (7) causes the holding section (C) to be detached from the holding structure (7) Detachment of the holding section (C) is achieved exclusively by the movement of the holding structure (7) in relation to the stationary weighing element (4).
    [2]
    2. The method of claim 1, wherein the holding structure is secured to a manipulator (X) during the weighing step.
    [3]
    3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement of the holding structure (7) towards the weighing element in a vertical direction is carried out in such a manner that the lifting of the holding portion (C) of the container (A) from the holding structure (7) occurs along a substantially vertical direction.
    [4]
    4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the holding portion (C) of the container (A) is raised from the holding structure (7) by a distance which is smaller than a longitudinal extension of the container (A), so that the container (A) has the holding structure (7) does not leave completely.
    [5]
    5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a holding element (2) is connected to the weighing element (4), wherein the container (A) moves during the weighing step until it rests on the holding element (2).
    [6]
    6. The method according to claim 5, wherein during the weighing step the at least one container (A) is detachably held in a stable position by the holding element (2).
    [7]
    A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the movement of the support structure (7) with respect to the weighing element (4) held in a fixed position is controlled by a control unit in accordance with an input received from the weighing element (4) .
    [8]
    8. Weighing unit for containers which are arranged in a holding structure (7), at least one container (A) being held in a substantially stable position by a holding structure (7), the at least one container (A) having a holding section (C ) which is shaped such that it rests against the holding structure (7) in order to hold the at least one container (A) hanging on the holding structure (7); having the weighing unit:a weighing station having a weighing element (4) which is suitable for weighing the at least one container (A), the weighing element (4) being so stably attached to a holder (9) that the weighing element (4) is in relation to cannot move the holder;a manipulator (X) which is programmed to move the holding structure (7) in such a way that it brings the at least one container (A) received within the holding structure (7) into contact with the weighing element (4 ) to bring while the weighing element (4) is held in a stationary position until the detachment of the holding section (C) of the at least one container (A) from the holding structure (7) is achieved.
    [9]
    9. Weighing unit according to claim 8, wherein the manipulator (X) is a robot.
    [10]
    10. Weighing unit according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the weighing element (4) has a load cell.
    [11]
    11. Weighing unit according to one of claims 8-10, wherein the weighing station has a holding element (2) on which the container rests during the weighing of the container (A).
    [12]
    12. Weighing unit according to claim 11, wherein the holding element (2) is designed to hold the container stably during weighing.
    [13]
    13. Weighing unit according to one of claims 8-12, wherein the manipulator (X) is connected to a control unit which is programmed to control the movements of the manipulator (X) in accordance with an input received from the weighing element (4).
    [14]
    14. Weighing unit according to one of claims 8-13, wherein the holding structure (7) comprises a flat surface with at least one cylindrical receptacle (8) which is designed to receive the at least one container (A), wherein the holding portion (C) has an annular shape and rests against the flat surface of the holding structure (7) when the at least one container (A) is received in the at least one cylindrical receptacle (8).
    [15]
    15. Weighing unit according to claim 14, wherein the cylindrical receptacle (8) has a circular hole with a central axis which coincides with a longitudinal axis of the container when it is received within the receptacle.
    类似技术:
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    同族专利:
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    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    IT102016000079769A|IT201600079769A1|2016-07-29|2016-07-29|WEIGHING GROUP|
    IT102016000079799A|IT201600079799A1|2016-07-29|2016-07-29|METHOD FOR WEIGHING CONTAINERS AND ITS WEIGHING GROUP.|
    PCT/EP2017/069142|WO2018019985A1|2016-07-29|2017-07-28|Method for weighing containers and relative weighing unit.|
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