FILLING APPARATUS

Abstract

The problem is to provide a filling apparatus with a simple structure that can achieve improvement in production efficiency when filling a syringe with a paste-like material. As a solution, a filling apparatus according to the present invention is a filling apparatus filling a syringe with a paste-like material from a first opening provided in the syringe and includes a stage, a rotating table provided rotatably on top of the stage and removably holding the syringe and positioning the syringe at a predetermined position by a rotational movement, and a material supply unit supplying the material, wherein the stage has a supply port communicating to the material supply unit and wherein, as the predetermined position, a first position where the syringe is installed on the rotating table and a second position where the first opening of the syringe communicates to the supply port are set.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a filling apparatus, and more specifically, relates to a filling apparatus filling a syringe with a paste-like material.

BACKGROUND ART

According to the related art, a filling apparatus filling a syringe with a paste-like material is known. As an example of this material, a paste-like material, that is, a fluid or the like having a higher viscosity than a liquid, used in the fields of pharmaceuticals, chemical materials, groceries, paints, semiconductor device materials, and the like, may be employed.

In this regard, if air bubbles enter the foregoing material, it causes irregularity in the amount of ejection or no ejection from the syringe, or the occurrence of a product defect due to these, or the like. Therefore, research has been conducted on a filling apparatus that makes it hard for air bubbles to enter when filling a syringe. As an example, a filling apparatus filling a syringe with a paste-like material in a pressure-reduced vacuum chamber has been developed (see PTL 1: JP-A-2018-203375).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

• PTL 1: JP-A-2018-203375

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

The filling apparatus exemplified in the foregoing PTL 1 can fill a syringe with a paste-like material in the pressure-reduced vacuum chamber and therefore can prevent air bubbles from entering the filling material. Meanwhile, a process of pressure reduction for the vacuum chamber is needed and this gives rise to a restriction that the process of filling the syringe accommodated in the vacuum chamber with the material must be performed as batch processing. In short, this restriction is a factor that makes improvement in production efficiency difficult.

Solution to Problem

The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing circumstances and aims to provide a filling apparatus with a simple structure that can achieve improvement in production efficiency when filling a syringe with a paste-like material.

The present invention solves the foregoing problem by a solution as described below.

This filling apparatus is a filling apparatus filling a syringe with a paste-like material from a first opening provided in the syringe and includes, as essential elements, a stage, a rotating table provided rotatably on top of the stage and removably holding the syringe and positioning the syringe at a predetermined position by a rotational movement, and a material supply unit supplying the material, wherein the stage has a supply port communicating to the material supply unit and wherein, as the predetermined position, a first position where the syringe is installed on the rotating table and a second position where the first opening of the syringe communicates to the supply port are set.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, the filling apparatus with a simple structure can be implemented, and when filling a syringe with a material, the process of batch processing can be resolved and the filling can be performed by a process of successive processing, thus enabling improvement in production efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a filling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a II-II line in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a rotating table in the filling apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of the rotating table in the filling apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a V-V line in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a VI-VI line in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectional view showing an example of a syringe filled with a material, using the filling apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of an adaptor causing a rotating table to hold the syringe shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along a IX-IX line in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a filling apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along a XI-XI line in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a rotating table in the filling apparatus shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a piping unit and a pressurizing unit in the filling apparatus shown in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing an example of a setting unit for detection in the filling apparatus shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a degassing mechanism in the filling apparatus shown in FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

A filling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is an apparatus filling a syringe 50 held at a rotating table 20 with a paste-like filling material (which hereinafter may be simply referred to as the “material”) sent out from a material supply unit 40. The embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view (schematic view) showing an example of the configuration of the filling apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view (schematic view) taken along a II-II line in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view (schematic view) showing an example of the configuration of the peripheries of the rotating table 20 in the filling apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view (schematic view) of the rotating table 20. FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views taken along a V-V line and a VI-VI line in FIG. 4, respectively. In all the drawings for explaining each embodiment, members having the same function may be denoted by the same reference sign and a repeated explanation thereof may be omitted. Also, as the structural material of the apparatus, a general structural material (metal material, resin material) is used unless specifically expressed.

First, the configuration of the syringe 50 filled with a material, using the filling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 7, the syringe 50 has a first opening 52 having a relatively small inner diameter, at one end, and a second opening 54 having a relatively large inner diameter, at the other end. In this embodiment, a configuration example where a material is put inside from the first opening 52 of the syringe 50 is employed (though a configuration example where a material is put from the second opening 54 may be employed). Also, a plunger 56 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is slidably fitted inside from the second opening 54. This plunger 56 is a member pushed when sending out the filling material from the first opening 52 while sealing the second opening 54. The material forming the syringe 50 and the plunger 56 is not particularly limited and these parts are formed using a resin material that is suitably selected according to the nature or the like of the filling material.

Here, the first opening 52 of the syringe 50 is provided with a screw part 52a and is configured in such a way that a cap (not illustrated) can be fitted thereon. As an example of the screw part 52a, a configuration where the first opening 52 is formed in a single cylindrical shape (simple cylindrical shape) with the screw part 52a provided at the inner circumference or the outer circumference thereof, or a configuration where the first opening 52 is formed in a double cylindrical shape with the screw part 52a provided at the inner circumference of the outer cylinder, or the like, is conceivable. In this embodiment, an example using the latter configuration is given.

Next, the configuration of the filling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the filling apparatus 1 has a stage 12, the rotating table 20 provided rotatably on top of the stage 12 and removably holding the syringe 50, and the material supply unit 40 supplying a material.

This rotating table 20 rotationally moves on the stage 12 and acts to be positioned and stop at a “predetermined position”. As this “predetermined position”, at least the following two positions are set. Specifically, these positions are a first position 20A where the syringe 50 is installed on and removed from the rotating table 20 and a second position 20B where the syringe 50 is filled with a material. While a configuration where the syringe 50 is installed and removed at the first position 20A is employed in this embodiment, a configuration where the syringe 50 is at least installed at the first position 20A may be employed and a configuration where the syringe 50 is removed at another position, for example, at a fourth position 20D or the like, as will be described later, may be employed.

As an example, the rotating table 20 is rotationally driven by pulse control, using a stepper motor 26 as a rotation drive mechanism. When the power is turned on, a return-to-origin operation is executed and an accurate start position setting is thus performed. Specifically, this is executed by finely adjusting the number of pulses of the stepper motor 26 after detecting a stop position by a proximity switch (not illustrated). However, the rotation drive mechanism is not limited to the above configuration.

Here, the stage 12 is provided with a supply port 14 communicating to the material supply unit 40 and supplying a material and is configured in such a way that an opening (in this embodiment, the first opening 52) of the syringe 50 that is held communicates to the supply port 14 at the foregoing second position 20B (as will be described in detail later). Therefore, as a material is supplied by the material supply unit 40 and sent out from the supply port 14 when the syringe 50 is installed on the rotating table 20 at the first position 20A and is positioned at the second position 20B by the rotation of the rotating table 20, the material can be put into the syringe 50. In this embodiment, a position sensor 11 detecting a top face position of the material inside the syringe 50 installed on the rotating table 20 is arranged at a position directly above the rotating table 20. Thus, the filling state inside the syringe 50 can be detected. While a laser distance measuring sensor which measures a distance, using a laser beam, is used as an example of the position sensor 11, this is not limiting.

According to the above configuration, a series of processes need not be performed by batch processing as in the filling apparatus exemplified in PTL 1 and can be performed by successive processing. Therefore, in connection with the operation of filling the syringe 50 with a material, production efficiency can be improved and simple operability can be achieved.

Also, in this embodiment, the following position is additionally set as the foregoing “predetermined position”. Specifically, this position is a third position 20C where a vacuum is created inside the syringe 50. The third position 20C is set between the first position 20A, which is upstream along the direction of rotation of the rotating table 20, and the second position 20B, which is downstream. However, the process of setting the third position 20C and creating a vacuum inside the syringe 50 is not essential and a configuration where this process is omitted may be employed.

Here, the stage 12 is provided with a suction port 16 communicating to a vacuum generation unit (not illustrated) and is configured in such a way that an opening (in this embodiment, the first opening 52) of the syringe 50 that is held communicates to the suction port 16 at the third position 20C. Therefore, when the rotating table 20 with the syringe 50 installed thereon at the first position 20A is rotated and the syringe 50 is thus positioned at the third position 20C upstream from the second position 20B, a vacuum state can be created inside the syringe 50 by the vacuum generation unit. The “vacuum” in this application is not a perfect vacuum and refers to a pressure-reduced state of approximately 50 to 100 [Pa], for example.

According to the above configuration, a mechanism for creating a vacuum inside the syringe 50 can be implemented without providing a vacuum chamber unlike the filling apparatus exemplified in PTL 1. Therefore, the simplification of the apparatus and cost reduction can be achieved and improvement in operability can also be achieved. Also, since a material can be put in the state where a vacuum has been created inside the syringe 50, the entrainment (entry) of a gas (usually, air) into the material can be prevented and improvement in the quality of the product can be achieved.

In this embodiment, a configuration where the “predetermined position” for positioning the rotating table 20 is provided at four sites at an interval of 90[°] is employed. That is, an example where the third position 20C is set at a position of 90[°] from the first position 20A, where the second position 20B is set at a position of 180[°], and where the fourth position 20D is set at a position of 270[°] is employed. While the fourth position 20D is set here as a standby position before the syringe 50 filled with a material moves to the first position 20A, the fourth position 20D may be set as a position where the syringe 50 is removed, as a modification example.

Also, as another embodiment, a configuration where the fourth position 20D is omitted and where the “predetermined position” for positioning the rotating table 20 is provided at three sites at an interval of 120[°] may be employed. In this case, an example where the third position 20C is set at a position of 120[°] from the first position 20A and where the second position 20B is set at a position of 240[°] is conceivable.

Also, since the process of creating a vacuum inside the syringe 50 is not essential, as described above, a configuration where the third position 20C and the fourth position 20D are omitted and where the “predetermined position” for positioning the rotating table 20 is provided at two sites at an interval of 180[°] may be employed as still another embodiment. In this case, an example where the second position 20B is set at a position of 180[°] from the first position 20A is conceivable.

Next, the filling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is configured in such a way that the syringe 50 is removably fixed to the rotating table 20 via an adaptor 60. A perspective view (schematic view) of the adaptor 60 is shown in FIG. 8 and a cross-sectional view taken along a IX-IX line thereof is shown in FIG. 9. This adaptor 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a closed bottom and with a brim part 66 (as an example, two parts arranged in such a way as to form an angle of 180[°]) at the outer circumference and is provided with an engagement part 62 with which the screw part 52a provided in the first opening 52 of the syringe 50 can be spirally engaged and which has a flow path in the middle, at a bottom part inside the cylinder, thus generating a state where the syringe 50 is coupled to the adaptor 60 by this spiral engagement. Also, a circulation port 64 communicating to the first opening 52 of the syringe 50 in the coupled state is provided at a bottom face (face on the side facing the rotating table 20).

In this regard, the rotating table 20 has a fitting hole 22 in which the adaptor 60 is removably fitted, and is configured in such a way that the adaptor 60 with the syringe 50 coupled thereto is fitted in the fitting hole 22. Thus, the syringe 50 can be fixed to (held at) the rotating table 20 via the adaptor 60.

According to the above configuration, when the syringe 50 is positioned at the third position 20C, the first opening 52 of the syringe 50 is made to communicate to the vacuum generation unit via the circulation port 64 of the adaptor 60 and a vacuum state can thus be created inside this syringe 50. Also, when the syringe 50 is positioned at the second position 20B, the first opening 52 of the syringe 50 is made to communicate to the material supply unit 40 via the circulation port 64 of the adaptor 60 and a material can thus be put into this syringe 50.

In this way, according to the configuration where the syringe 50 is held at the rotating table 20 via the adaptor 60, a series of filling processes can be carried out by “successive processing” to a plurality of (in this example, four) syringes 50 held at the rotating table 20, and also the coupling operation and the removal operation between the syringe 50 and the adaptor 60 can be performed at another place outside the apparatus. Therefore, the installation and removal of the syringe 50 onto and from the rotating table 20 can be performed in a short time and easily (by a one-touch operation) and operability can thus be significantly improved. Also, syringes 50 of various shapes can be dealt with by preparing corresponding adaptors 60 and the apparatus itself need not be modified, and therefore a reduction in the cost of the apparatus can be achieved.

As a modification example of the adaptor 60, a configuration further having a check valve holding the vacuum state in the syringe 50 in which the vacuum state has been created may be employed (not illustrated). That is, this is a configuration having a check valve that enables the circulation of a gas (in this example, air) moving from inside the syringe 50 to outside the syringe 50 and that regulates the circulation of a gas (in this example, air) moving from outside the syringe 50 to inside the syringe 50, in the state where the syringe 50 is coupled. Thus, in the case where the filling apparatus 1 is configured in such a way that a vacuum state is created inside the syringe 50 at the third position 20C, as described above, the vacuum state is easily maintained while the syringe 50 is moved from the third position 20C to the second position 20B. That is, the vacuum state inside the syringe 50 that is held can be maintained even during the rotational movement of the rotating table 20. In this way, a mechanism for creating a vacuum inside the syringe 50 can be implemented even in a configuration where a series of filling processes are carried out by “successive processing”.

However, in the case of the configuration where the adaptor 60 has the check valve, when the filling of the syringe 50 with a material is performed at the second position 20B downstream from the third position 20C, there is a need to prevent the filling with the material from being regulated by the action of the check valve and therefore a filling flow path needs to be secured, for example, by a configuration where a mechanism (not illustrated) for cancelling or avoiding (bypassing) the action of the check valve is provided as well, or the like.

Incidentally, in the filling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, a sealing member (in this example, an O-ring made of rubber or elastomer) 18 for pressure-contact and sealing of the bottom face (the peripheral edge part of the opening of the circulation port 64) of the adaptor 60 is provided at the suction port 16, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Also, a sealing member (in this example, an O-ring made of rubber or elastomer) 19 for pressure-contact and sealing of the bottom face (the peripheral edge part of the opening of the circulation port 64) is provided at the supply port 14. Therefore, a flow path configuration without any leakage is enabled between the circulation port 64 of the adaptor 60, and the suction port 16 and the supply port 14.

On the other hand, however, if the rotating table 20 is rotationally moved in the state where the adaptor 60 holding the syringe 50 is fitted in the fitting hole 22, it creates a state where the boundary part between the bottom face and the lateral face of the adaptor 60 horizontally comes into contact with and further presses the sealing members 18, 19. Consequently, a problem can arise in that the sealing members 18, 19 tend to be severed more easily.

To cope with this problem, an up-and-down movement mechanism moving the rotating table 20 up and down in the axial direction is provided so as to move the rotating table 20 closer to the stage 12 when stopping as the syringe 50 is positioned at the “predetermined position” (in this embodiment, the first to fourth positions 20A to 20D) and so as to move the rotating table 20 away from the stage 12 when rotationally moving as the syringe 50 moves away from this “predetermined position”.

Specifically, as an example of the configuration of the up-and-down movement mechanism, an annular cam face 30 and a cam 32 protruding upward at predetermined position (in this embodiment, four positions set corresponding to the foregoing “predetermined position” (the first to fourth positions 20A to 20D) for positioning) on the cam face 30 are provided at the top face of the rotating table 20. Also, a cam follower 34 supported by a casing 10 and having a roller that rolls on the cam face 30 is provided. Moreover, an energizing member 36 energizing the rotating table 20 upward is provided. This energizing member 36 is also used as a configuration for generating a clamping force to allow the brim part 66 of the adaptor 60 to enter and be clamped between the bottom face of an upper top plate 24 of the rotating table 20 and a clamping ring (spring holder) 38. Although the energizing member 36 is configured to be using a coil spring as an example, this is not limiting and other configurations such as a leaf spring or an air spring may be employed.

According to this configuration, at a position other than the position where the cam 32 is arranged, the cam follower 34 comes into contact with the cam face 30, creating a state where the rotating table 20 has risen to a position where the rotating table 20 is regulated by a stopper (not illustrated) due to the energizing force of the energizing member 36. Meanwhile, at the position where the cam 32 is arranged, the cam follower 34 comes into contact with the cam 32 and the cam 32 is pushed down, creating a state where the rotating table 20 has descended against the energizing force of the energizing member 36. Therefore, when the rotating table 20 is at the predetermined position (the foregoing “predetermined position” for positioning), a state where the bottom face (the peripheral edge part of the opening of the circulation port 64) of the adaptor 60 is in pressure-contact with the sealing members 18, 19 can be created, and at the other positions (positions in the course of rotational movement), a state where the bottom face (the peripheral edge part of the opening of the circulation port 64) of the adaptor 60 is spaced apart from the sealing members 18, 19 can be created. Consequently, a solution to the foregoing problem of the sealing members 18, 19 tending to be severed more easily can be achieved.

In this way, according to the configuration having the up-and-down movement mechanism, the generation of a vacuum inside the syringe 50 and the filling of the syringe 50 with a material are implemented by the foregoing “successive processing”, and at the same time, a solution to the foregoing problem, that is, the problem in that the sealing members 18, 19 of the supply port 14 and the suction port 16 are damaged by the rotation of the rotating table 20, can be achieved.

Next, the material supply unit 40 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the material supply unit 40 has a reservoir unit 42 storing a material to fill the syringe 50, a piping unit 44 allowing the material to circulate, and a pressurizing unit 46 applying a pressure and thus sending the material out of the reservoir unit 42 to the piping unit 44. This piping unit 44 is configured to communicate to the supply port 14 of the stage 12.

Here, the reservoir unit 42 is configured to be arranged at such a position (lateral position) that the entirety thereof or a part forming a main area does not overlap the rotating table 20, as viewed in a plan view. Thus, a compact filling apparatus having a lower overall height than in a configuration where the reservoir unit 42 is arranged at a position directly below the rotating table 20 can be implemented.

Alternatively, if a configuration (not illustrated) where the reservoir unit is increased in capacity and installed on a floor or the like is employed as a modification example, the replacement cycle of the reservoir unit 42 can be made even longer when the filling process is carried out successively, and production efficiency can be improved.

Meanwhile, the pressurizing unit 46 is configured to apply a pressure, using a configuration (not illustrated) for bringing a pressure plate 46a into contact with the top face (liquid surface) of the material inside the reservoir unit 42 and pushing the pressure plate 46a downward. As an example, a known linear motion mechanism having a stepper motor is used, but this is not limiting.

Now, an outline of the process of filling the syringe 50 with a paste-like material accommodated in the reservoir unit 42, using the filling apparatus 1 having the foregoing configuration, will be described.

First, a plurality of the empty syringes 50 are prepared and a state where each syringe 50 is coupled to the adaptor 60 is created (Step 1).

Next, the adaptor 60 with a first syringe 50 coupled thereto is fitted in the fitting hole 22 of the rotating table 20 at a predetermined position (first position 20A) (Step 2). As an example of the fitting method, the brim part 66 of the adaptor 60 is made to coincide with a wide part 22a of the corresponding fitting hole 22 and pushed downward to push down the clamping ring 38, and the adaptor 60 is rotated 90[°] at this position, thus creating a state where the brim part 66 is clamped between the bottom face of the upper top plate 24 and the clamping ring 38. Thus, the syringe 50 can be securely fitted (fixed) to the rotating table 20.

Next, the rotating table 20 is driven to rotate by a predetermined angle (in this example, 90[°] as described above). Thus, the first syringe 50 reaches the third position 20C. At this time, a vacuum state (in this example, the foregoing pressure-reduced state of approximately 50 to 100 [Pa]) is created inside the syringe 50 by the vacuum generation unit (Step 3). Along with this, Step 2 is performed to a second syringe 50.

Next, the rotating table 20 is driven to rotate by a predetermined angle (in this example, 90[°] as described above). Thus, the first syringe 50 reaches the second position 20B. At this time, the material supply unit 40 fills the first syringe 50 with a material (Step 4). Along with this, Step 3 is performed to the second syringe 50 and Step 2 is performed to a third syringe 50.

Next, the rotating table 20 is driven to rotate by a predetermined angle (in this example, 90[°] as described above). Thus, the first syringe 50 reaches the fourth position 20D. At this time, the first syringe 50 turns into a standby state before removal (Step 5). Along with this, Step 4 is performed to the second syringe 50, Step 3 is performed to the third syringe 50, and Step 2 is performed to a fourth syringe 50.

Next, the rotating table 20 is driven to rotate by a predetermined angle (in this example, 90[°] as described above). Thus, the first syringe 50 reaches the initial first position 20A. At this time, the adaptor 60 with the first syringe 50 coupled thereto, the syringe 50 being in the state of being filled with the material, is removed from the rotating table 20 (fitting hole 22) (Step 6). Along with this, Step 5 is performed to the second syringe 50, Step 4 is performed to the third syringe 50, Step 3 is performed to the fourth syringe 50, and Step 2 is performed to a fifth syringe 50.

From then on, the foregoing process is repeated and the filling of the syringe 50 with the material can thus be performed by successive processing.

As described above, as a modification example, the process of turning into the standby state in Step 5 may be replaced by the process of removing the syringe 50. Moreover, as another modification example, one or both of the process of creating the vacuum state in Step 3 and the process of turning into the standby state in Step 5 may be omitted.

Second Embodiment

Now, a filling apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The filling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is similar to the foregoing first embodiment in the basic configuration but differs particularly in the configuration of the material supply unit 40 or the like. Hereinafter, this embodiment is described mainly in terms of the difference. Here, FIG. 10 is a perspective view (schematic view) showing an example of the configuration of the filling apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view (schematic view) taken along a XI-XI line in FIG. 10. Also, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view (shown along a cross section taken at the position of a XII-XII line in FIG. 11) showing an example of the configuration of the peripheries of the rotating table 20 in the filling apparatus 1.

In the filling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the reservoir unit 42 of the material supply unit 40 is configured to be removably arranged at a position directly below the rotating table 20, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Thus, with respect to the piping unit 44 and the pressurizing unit 46 for sending the material from the reservoir unit 42 to the syringe 50, the simplification of the structure and improvement in maintainability can be achieved, as described below.

Specifically, the piping unit 44 is formed, using a straight pipe 44A made of a metal (or a resin) extending from the reservoir unit 42 to the supply port 14 of the stage 12 (see FIG. 13). Because of such a straight and short structure, maintenance such as cleaning after use can be performed very easily. Also, key-like parts 44a, 44b each extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction are provided at both ends of the straight pipe 44A. Thus, a configuration where the straight pipe 44A (or an object to be engaged) is simply rotated in the circumferential direction and thus easily engaged can be implemented.

Also, the pressurizing unit 46 is provided with a movement mechanism 48 moving the reservoir unit 42 up and down. A configuration where the movement mechanism 48 moves the reservoir unit 42 up, causing the pressure plate 46a arranged at a position directly below the rotating table 20 to press the top face (liquid surface) of the material inside the reservoir unit 42, thus applying a pressure for sending the material to the piping unit 44, is employed. As an example, a known linear motion mechanism having a stepper motor 48a is used as the movement mechanism 48, but this is not limiting.

Moreover, due to the configuration where the reservoir unit 42 is arranged at a position directly below the rotating table 20, the foregoing position sensor 11 can also be used as a position sensor detecting the top face position of the material inside the reservoir unit 42. In this embodiment, a setting unit for detection 28 for setting (that is, positioning and placing) the reservoir unit 42 is provided above the stage 12, as shown in FIG. 14 (where FIG. 14A is a plan view and FIG. 14B is a front view). Thus, the reservoir unit 42 in the state of accommodating a material is set on the setting unit for detection 28, and the position detection sensor 11 can detect the top face position (which can be converted into the amount of the material accommodated) of the material accommodated in the reservoir unit 42. Since a configuration where a single sensor serves as a plurality of sensors that are originally needed can be implemented in this way, the simplification of the apparatus structure and a cost reduction can be achieved.

Also, as a characteristic configuration, the filling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment further includes a degassing mechanism 70 discharging a gas (usually, air) remaining in an upper space in the reservoir unit 42 and in the piping unit 44 in the state where the reservoir unit 42 is accommodating a predetermined amount of the material and is arranged at a predetermined position. As shown in FIG. 15, the degassing mechanism 70 has a degassing adaptor 72 installable on and removable from the rotating table 20 and provided with a flow path 72a inside. This degassing adaptor 72 is provided with an inlet port 72b communicating to the flow path 72a, at a lower part, and a discharge port 72c communicating to the flow path 72a, at an upper part, and is configured in such a way that a tubular member 74 such as a tube or a pipe can be attached to the discharge port 72c via a pipe joint 76. Meanwhile, the rotating table 20 is provided with a second fitting hole in which the degassing adaptor 72 is removably fitted (the fitting hole 22 for the adaptor 60 is configured to be used also as the second fitting hole). According to this configuration, the gas remaining in the reservoir unit 42 and the piping unit 44 can be discharged at the stage before the syringe 50 is filled with the material. Therefore, the entrainment (entry) of the gas into the material filling the syringe 50 can be prevented and improvement in the quality of the product can be achieved.

As a specific example of the process, first, the degassing adaptor 72 is fitted in the fitting hole 22 of the rotating table 20 and the rotating table 20 is positioned in such a way that the degassing adaptor 72 is arranged at the second position 20B (described above). Subsequently, the movement mechanism 48 moves the reservoir unit 42 up and the pressure plate 46a presses the top face (liquid surface) of the material inside the reservoir unit 42. This pressing operation continues until a state where the material is sent out from the discharge port 72c of the degassing adaptor 72 (in this case, the tubular member 74 attached to the discharge port 72c) is created. When this state is created, the discharge of the gas remaining in the reservoir unit 42 and in the piping unit 44 is completed. Subsequently, the degassing adaptor 72 is removed and the adaptor 60 with the syringe 50 fixed thereto is fitted in each fitting hole 22 instead, and the process of filling the syringe 50 (described above) is started.

The degassing mechanism 70 can be similarly applied in the foregoing first embodiment as well as in the second embodiment.

As described above, the filling apparatus according to the present invention can implement a filling apparatus having a simple structure without having a vacuum chamber. Also, when filling a syringe with a material, the process of batch processing can be resolved and the filling can be implemented by a process of successive processing and therefore improvement in production efficiency can be achieved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be changed in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. Particularly, while a configuration where four syringes are held on a rotating table via adaptors and where the positioning (stop position) of the rotationally driven rotating table is set at four sites, to carry out a series of processes, is used as an example in the description, this is not limiting and the present invention can be similarly applied to an apparatus where other numbers of syringes and the corresponding positioning of the rotating table are set.

Claims

1. A filling apparatus filling a syringe with a paste-like material from a first opening provided in the syringe, the filling apparatus comprising:

a stage;

a rotating table provided rotatably on top of the stage and removably holding the syringe and positioning the syringe at a predetermined position by a rotational movement; and

a material supply unit supplying the material, wherein

the stage has a supply port communicating to the material supply unit, and

as the predetermined position, a first position where the syringe is installed on the rotating table and a second position where the first opening of the syringe communicates to the supply port are set.

2. The filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a vacuum generation unit generating a vacuum, wherein

the stage has a suction port communicating to the vacuum generation unit, and

as the predetermined position, a third position where the first opening of the syringe communicates to the suction port is set between the first position and the second position.

3. The filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an up-and-down movement mechanism moving the rotating table up and down in an axial direction so as to move the rotating table closer to the stage when stopping as the syringe is positioned at the predetermined position and so as to move the rotating table away from the stage when rotationally moving as the syringe moves away from the predetermined position.

4. The filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an adaptor which a screw part provided in the first opening of the syringe is spirally engaged with and the syringe is thus coupled to, wherein

the adaptor has, at a bottom face, a circulation port communicating to the first opening of the syringe in a coupled state, and

the rotating table has a fitting hole in which the adaptor is removably fitted, and is configured in such a way that the adaptor with the syringe coupled thereto is fitted in the fitting hole, thus holding the syringe via the adaptor.

5. The filling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

the adaptor has a check valve regulating circulation of a gas moving from the circulation port toward the first opening of the syringe.

6. The filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the material supply unit has a reservoir unit storing the material, a piping unit allowing the material to circulate, and a pressurizing unit applying a pressure and thus sending the material out of the reservoir unit to the piping unit, and

the reservoir unit is arranged at a lateral position of the rotating table.

7. The filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the material supply unit has a reservoir unit storing the material, a piping unit allowing the material to circulate, and a pressurizing unit applying a pressure and thus sending the material out of the reservoir unit to the piping unit, and

the reservoir unit is removably arranged at a position directly below the rotating table.

8. The filling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein

the pressurizing unit has a movement mechanism moving the reservoir unit up and down, and is configured to move the reservoir unit up by the movement mechanism, causing a pressure plate arranged at a position directly below the rotating table to press a top face of the material inside the reservoir unit, thus applying the pressure.

9. The filling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein

the piping unit is formed using a straight pipe having, at both ends, a key-like part extending in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction.

10. The filling apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising:

a position sensor arranged at a position directly above the rotating table and detecting a top face position of the material inside the syringe installed on the rotating table, wherein

the position sensor is also used as a position sensor detecting a top face position of the material inside the reservoir unit, and

a setting unit for detection for setting the reservoir unit when the position sensor detects the top face position of the material inside the reservoir unit is provided above the stage.

11. The filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a degassing mechanism discharging a gas remaining in an upper space and in the piping unit in the state where the reservoir unit is accommodating a predetermined amount of the material, wherein

the degassing mechanism has a degassing adaptor installable on and removable from the rotating table and provided with a flow path inside,

the degassing adaptor has an inlet port communicating to the flow path, at a lower part, and a discharge port communicating to the flow path, at an upper part,

the rotating table has a second fitting hole in which the degassing adaptor is removably fitted, and

the inlet port of the degassing adaptor and the supply port of the stage are configured to communicate to each other in the state where the degassing adaptor is fitted in the second fitting hole and arranged at the second position.