METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FILLING NESTING CONTAINERS

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device (2) for filling a plurality of containers (1) in a nest (10) comprising columns (101) and rows (102), in particular for filling nested ampoules or cartridges, wherein a plurality, in particular all, of the containers arranged in a column (101) are each simultaneously filled by way of a filling needle (200), wherein a sensor device (21) in each case detects when a defined fill level is reached during the filling operations of the containers (1), and wherein detection of the defined fill level being reached triggers a stop signal for the filling operation of the respective container (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a method and a device for filling a plurality of containers in a nest comprising columns and rows, in particular for filling nested ampoules or cartridges, wherein a container is filled by way of a filling needle.

In the context of this patent application, a nest denotes a packaging unit in which a plurality of containers are arranged in a matrix comprising columns and rows. The terms columns and rows are merely used for differentiation and do not define the orientation of the matrix or nest. The columns and/or rows can be arranged offset for a denser arrangement of the containers. In the context of this patent application, containers denote objects fillable with a liquid, in particular a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical liquid, such as syringes, vials, ampoules, cartridges or the like.

It is known for the purpose of filling containers with cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical liquids to wash, sterilize and/or depyrogenate the containers beforehand and to supply them to a filling line in a sterile packed nest.

Depending on the particular application, filling with an exact filling volume is of great significance, in particular for pharmaceutical products. DE 103 45 338 B4 discloses for this purpose a method for controlled filling of nested containers, wherein the containers in a row of a nest are simultaneously filled and the filled containers are then closed, a row of containers being taken from the nest at intervals and weighed in the empty state. The weighed containers are simultaneously filled and the row of weighed and filled containers is weighed a second time. The row of containers weighed for the second time is then placed back into the nest.

OBJECT AND ACHIEVEMENT THEREOF

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a device for filling a plurality of containers in a nest that enable a container to be filled to an exact fill level.

This object is achieved by the method and the device having the features of claims 1 and 9. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, a method is provided for filling a plurality of containers in a nest comprising columns and rows, in particular for filling nested ampoules or cartridges, wherein a container arranged in a column is filled by way of a filling needle, wherein a sensor device detects when a defined fill level is reached during the filling operation of the container, and wherein detection of the defined fill level being reached triggers a stop signal for the filling operation of the container.

According to a second aspect, a device for filling a plurality of containers in a nest comprising columns and rows, in particular for filling nested ampoules or cartridges, is provided, said device comprising a filling system with a filling needle by way of which a container arranged in a column is fillable, and a sensor device capable of detecting when a defined fill level is reached during the filling operation of the container, wherein the sensor device is connected to a control unit of the filling system such that detection of the defined fill level being reached triggers a stop signal for the filling operation of the container.

In the context of this patent application, the terms “a” and “an” are used as the indefinite article and not for counting purposes.

In particular, an embodiment of the method provides that a plurality of containers arranged in different rows, in particular all the containers arranged in a common column, are simultaneously filled by way of a filling needle each, wherein a sensor device in each case detects when a defined fill level is reached during the filling operations of the containers, and wherein detection of the defined fill level being reached triggers a stop signal for the filling operation of the respective container.

An embodiment of the device provides that the filling system has a plurality of filling needles, by way of which a plurality of the containers arranged in different rows, in particular all of the containers arranged in the column, are simultaneously fillable, wherein a plurality of sensor devices are provided, wherein the sensor devices are set up to detect when a defined fill level is in each case reached during the filling operations of the containers, wherein the sensor devices are connected to a control unit of the filling system, and wherein the control unit is set up such that detection of the defined fill level being reached triggers a stop signal for the filling operation of the respective container.

By using a sensor device to detect when a uniformly defined fill level for the container has been reached, it is possible to ensure that the container has a preset fill level after the filling operation.

The defined fill level can be individually set for each container. In other embodiments, the defined fill level is set uniformly for containers in a column or for all the containers in a nest. By using a sensor device to detect when a defined fill level for each container has been reached, it is possible to ensure that each container has a preset fill level after the filling operation, wherein in particular all the containers of a nest have the same fill level. Such a method and/or such a device is/are in particular advantageous for filling cylindrical ampoules or cartridges to be closed with a plunger, wherein the plunger is intended to be placed for later use in an exact position relative to an upper or a lower end of the cylindrical ampoule or cartridge while avoiding air entrapment.

Depending on the embodiment, the containers of the nest can be filled in succession or individual ones or all of the containers in different rows and/or columns can be filled simultaneously.

Depending on the particular application, “defined fill level” denotes a fill level definable by a user and/or on setting up a device or line for filling the containers. Since in most applications a filling operation cannot be stopped immediately once the defined fill level is detected or can only be stopped with significant technical effort and/or with very long filling times, in some embodiments of the method the defined fill level is selected below the fill level set for filling. The stop signal can then be used to bring the filling operation to an end with a post-fill time suitably settable by a person skilled in the art and/or a suitably settable post-fill volume.

In an embodiment, the sensor device or the sensor devices is/are mounted at a fixed height. In other embodiments, the sensor device(s) is/are mounted height adjustably, wherein height adjustment allows a defined fill level to be individually set for the associated container(s) and/or two or more fill levels of the associated container(s) to be detected.

Depending on the particular application, the filling system can be suitably selected by a person skilled in the art, for example from the group comprising a peristaltic pump, a rotary piston pump and/or a time/pressure system. Other filling systems comprising filling needles are, however, also conceivable for filling containers with liquids.

The filling system has a control unit with which filling operations via filling needles are open- or closed-loop controllable. In the context of this patent application, any unit capable of influencing a filling operation via filling needles is denoted a control unit of the filling system. In some embodiments, the control unit may be distributed electronic units, wherein signals from the sensor devices are evaluated and the filling system is driven by way of various electronic units that are implemented in a common component or in separate components.

In an embodiment, detection of when the defined fill level of the container is reached is carried out in a plane transverse, in particular perpendicular, relative to a longitudinal axis of the container.

In the case of fill level detection in a plane transverse, in particular perpendicular, relative to a longitudinal axis of the container, the sensor device is arranged at least in part beside the nest. Depending on their position in the nest, the containers monitored by the sensor device are positioned at different distances from the sensor device. In order to prevent measurement deviations due to the different distances from the sensor device influencing the fill level of the containers, an embodiment involves evaluating a measurement signal from the sensor device and/or establishing a run-on time and/or run-on volume after triggering of the stop signal as a function of the position of the container in the nest.

In an embodiment, precisely one a sensor device is provided, wherein the sensor device is mounted adjustably in the direction of the columns such that containers arranged in different rows are fillable in succession, wherein it is possible to monitor when the defined fill level is reached by way of precisely one sensor device.

In other embodiments, a plurality of sensor devices is provided such that sensor-monitored filling of a plurality of containers is simultaneously possible.

In an embodiment, the sensor devices are each associated with one row of the nest, wherein, for the filling operation of each container, a measurement signal from the sensor device is evaluated, and/or a run-on time and/or a run-on volume after triggering of the stop signal is established as a function of the position of the container relative to the sensor device, in particular as a function of the column of the container in the nest. In an embodiment, a conveyor system is provided by way of which the nests can be conveyed in the direction of the columns to the filling system or away from the filling system.

Depending on their position in the nest, the containers are arranged at different distances from the respective sensor devices arranged beside the nest. In order to prevent measurement deviations due to the different distances from the sensor devices influencing the fill level of the containers, an embodiment involves evaluating a measurement signal from the sensor device and/or establishing a run-on time and/or run-on volume after triggering of the stop signal as a function of the position of the container in the nest. In the event of the sensor device being associated with the rows, evaluation is carried out in particular as a function of a column of the associated container. In an embodiment, if the containers in a column are staggered, evaluation is additionally carried out as a function of the row of the associated container.

As mentioned above, in an embodiment, detection of when the defined fill level of the containers is reached is carried out in a plane transverse, in particular perpendicular, relative to a longitudinal axis of the container or containers. The sensor device may then be arranged in such a way that no parts of the sensor devices are located above the nest, so avoiding contamination of the nest or the containers accommodated therein.

In an embodiment, detection of when the defined fill level is reached is carried out by way of an optical sensor device comprising a transmitter arranged adjacent to the nest and a receiver arranged adjacent to the nest or by way of a plurality of optical sensor devices each comprising a transmitter arranged adjacent to the nest and a receiver arranged adjacent to the nest. The optical sensor device comprises for example a sensor device that detects the light absorption of the liquid, wherein the transmitter and receiver are arranged at the height of the defined fill level. In another embodiment, a camera system with one or more cameras is provided for detecting the fill level.

In order to achieve the same fill level in all the containers of a column in embodiments with a plurality of sensor devices, in an embodiment the transmitters and receivers of the sensor devices are all positioned at precisely the same height.

In an embodiment, an opaque barrier is provided between the transmitter and the nest and/or between the receiver and the nest, which barrier provides at least a bottom limit for radiation emitted by the transmitter. The barrier is in particular advantageous in embodiments with a plurality of sensor devices, in order to compensate for tolerances in the positioning of the sensor devices, wherein the barrier specifies a measurement plane.

In an embodiment, the opaque barrier takes the form of a slit diaphragm. The slit diaphragm is an opaque barrier with one slit in embodiments with precisely one sensor device or, in embodiments with a plurality of sensor devices, with a plurality of slits each associated with a sensor device. The slit diaphragm can provide a top and bottom limit for the measurement plane. In addition, scattered light from sensor devices arranged next to one another is reduced such that the sensor devices arranged next to one another influence each other less. The opaque barrier, in particular the slit diaphragm, can additionally reduce the influence of the distance of the container from the sensor device on the measurement signal. The opaque barrier, in particular the slit diaphragm, is advantageously usable in methods for filling a plurality of containers in a nest, wherein a sensor device, in particular an optical sensor device comprising a transmitter arranged adjacent to the nest and a receiver arranged adjacent to the nest, or a plurality of transmitter units is used to detect when a defined fill level is reached during the filling operation of the container or a plurality of containers, irrespective even of how the device is otherwise configured.

A filling operation, i.e., dispensing of liquid at the filling needles, is suitably settable by a person skilled in the art depending on the particular application. An embodiment provides that a volumetric flow rate is continuously and/or discontinuously reduced during the filling operation as the defined fill level is approached. An embodiment provides that a filling operation is subdivided into two or more stages, wherein a volumetric flow rate is individually settable for each stage. Alternatively or in addition, in another embodiment the volumetric flow rate is continuously modified in accordance with a suitably settable linear or nonlinear function over the entire filling operation or in one stage or in a plurality of stages.

An embodiment provides that the filling needle or the filling needles is/are movably mounted, wherein the filling needle is moved relative to the container in the direction out of the container during the filling operation. If a plurality of filling needles is provided, depending on the embodiment the filling needles are movable individually or as group during the filling operations. In an embodiment, the filling needles are attached to a holder, wherein the holder is adjustably mounted for moving the filling needles. An embodiment provides that movement of the filling needles is stopped in a defined position at or before the end of each filling operation.

In an embodiment, the container or containers to be filled of the column are lifted out of the nest before the filling operation to ensure a trouble-free measurement procedure. In some embodiments, lifting is carried out by a suitable lifting device. In an embodiment, the lifting device comprises a bolt arranged under the nest, a plurality of bolts arranged under the nest and/or a bar or similar elements arranged under the nest that is/are advanced from below to lift the containers. If an opaque barrier, in particular a slit diaphragm, is arranged between the nest and the transmitter and/or between the nest and the receiver, it should be aligned parallel to the bar. In an embodiment, in order to modify the defined fill level, to compensate for tolerances, and/or to compensate for a distance-dependent measurement signal from the sensor device, the lifting device is set up to lift the containers of different columns and/or different rows by different strokes. In another embodiment, all the containers are lifted by a uniform stroke, wherein a limit stop is provided. In an embodiment, the limit stop interacts with the lifted element, for example the bar or bolt(s). In other embodiments, the containers are lifted against the limit stop. To achieve high precision, an embodiment provides that the lifted element, for example the bar or bolt, or the containers is/are forced against the limit stop, for example by way of a spring unit.

In an embodiment, the filling needle is moved into the container on lifting the container, so enabling time-optimized process control.

An embodiment provides that prefilling, in particular volume-based prefilling, of the containers is carried out before the filling operation by way of the filling needles. The prefilling device boosts the performance of the device.

In an embodiment, the device comprises for this purpose a prefilling device which can carry out prefilling, in particular volume-based prefilling, of the containers before the filling operation by way of the filling system. In an embodiment, the prefilling device is arranged and set up to fill containers row by row in a nest. In an embodiment, filling is carried out during continuous or cyclic conveying of the containers in the nest. In an embodiment, two or more prefilling devices that have filling needles of different sizes are provided.

Alternatively or in addition, the containers are closed, in particular the containers are vacuum-closed, after the filling operation.

In an embodiment, the device comprises for this purpose a closing device which can carry out closing of the containers, in particular vacuum closing, of the containers after the filling operation by way of the filling system. In an embodiment, the closing device is arranged and set up to close containers row by row in a nest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and aspects of the invention can be derived from the claims and the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention that are explained below on the basis of the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional side view of a cylindrical ampoule or cartridge closed with a plunger,

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a first exemplary embodiment of a device for filling a plurality of containers, in particular a plurality of cartridges, in a nest,

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional side view of the device according to FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional side view of the device according to FIG. 2 in an alternative filling process,

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a second exemplary embodiment of a device for filling a plurality of containers, in particular a plurality of cartridges, in a nest,

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a third exemplary embodiment of a device for filling a plurality of containers, in particular a plurality of cartridges, in a nest, and

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of an opaque barrier in the form of a slit diaphragm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional side view of a container 1 in the form of a cylindrical ampoule or cartridge. The container 1 is closed by way of a crimp cap (not shown) at a first end 11 that has a top and serves for subsequent dispensing of a liquid filled into the container 1. The container is closed at the opposing second end 12 by way of a plunger 14.

Such cartridges are generally inserted in special syringes, which are also known as initiators. The position of the plunger 14 in the cartridge is important for safe insertion of the cartridge into the syringe and reliable functionality of the syringe. Depending on the particular use, the position can be indicated by a distance x of a rear end of the plunger 14 from the first end 11 of the cartridge or by a distance y of the rear end of the plunger 14 from the second end 12 of the cartridge.

Due to tolerances of the container 1, in the case of volumetric filling and closing of the container 1 with the plunger 14 without air entrapment, the positions x, y can differ for different containers 1 of the same design and the same manufacturer.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a device 2 that allows the containers 1 in a nest 10 to be filled to a preset fill level.

The nest shown in FIG. 2 has a 10×12 matrix, wherein the containers are arranged in ten columns 101 and twelve rows 102. The terms “rows” and “columns” are merely used for differentiation and do not define the orientation of the nest 10 for processing.

FIG. 3 shows the device 2 according to FIG. 2 in a sectional view along a row 102.

The device 2 comprises a filling system 20 with a plurality of filling needles 200, twelve in the exemplary embodiment shown, with which the plurality, in the exemplary embodiment shown all, of the containers 1 arranged in one column 101 are simultaneously fillable. The device 2 further comprises a control unit 23 with which dispensing of liquid is open- or closed-loop controllable at each of the filling needles 200. The filling system 20 for filling by way of the filling needles 200 can be suitably selected by a person skilled in the art depending on the particular use application. For example, but not limitingly, the filling system 20 comprises a peristaltic pump, rotary piston pump, and/or takes the form of a time/pressure system.

The device 2 further comprises a plurality of sensor devices 21, in the exemplary embodiment shown twelve, capable of detecting in each case when a defined fill level is reached during the filling operations of the containers 1 by way of the filling system 20.

As schematically indicated by arrows, the sensor device 21 are connected to the control unit 23 for the filling system 20. The connection between the sensor device 21 and the control unit 23 can be wired or wireless depending on the particular use application.

The control unit 23 is set up such that detection of the defined fill level being reached triggers a stop signal for the filling operation of the respective container 1. Depending on the embodiment, after triggering of the stop signal, the filling operation is immediately brought to an end or the filling operation is brought to an end after a defined post-fill time and/or at a defined post-fill volume. The container 1 in the nest 10 can consequently be filled to a preset fill level.

The measuring directions of the sensor device 21 lie in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the container 1. The sensor devices 21 shown are optical sensor devices comprising transmitters 210 and receivers 212 arranged adjacent to the nest 10. The transmitters 210 and receivers 212 are arranged at a suitable height for detecting when the defined fill level is reached.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an opaque barrier in the form of a slit diaphragm 5 is in each case provided between the transmitter 210 and the nest 10 and between the receiver 212 and the nest 10. FIG. 7 shows a side view of slit diaphragm 5. The slit diaphragm 5 has a plurality of slits 50, wherein the number of slits 50 is equal to the number of sensor devices 21.

The slit diaphragm 5 provides a bottom, top and lateral limit for the radiation emitted by the transmitter 210 and received by the receiver. The slit diaphragm 5 can compensate for tolerances in positioning of the sensor devices 21 such that the same measurement plane is obtained for all the containers 1.

The containers are filled column by column. In the example shown, the column filled is the fourth column 101 from the left in the plane of the drawing, wherein for this purpose the filling needles 20 are arranged over this column 101. As schematically indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2, the filling needles 20 are mounted movably in the direction of the rows 102 and are thus positionable over the containers 1 of a column to be filled.

The device 2 shown further has a lifting device 24 shown in FIG. 3, wherein the containers 1 of the column 101 to be filled can be lifted out of the nest 10 by the lifting device 24 before the filling operations. In an embodiment, the lifting device 24 comprises a bar that is fed from below. In an embodiment, a bar is provided for each column 101. In other embodiments, the bar is adjustable in the direction of the rows 102 and can thus be placed below the containers of the column 101 to be filled. The bar is aligned parallel to the slit diaphragm 5, i.e., parallel to the slits 50 (cf. FIG. 7) of the slit diaphragm 5.

As is apparent in FIG. 2, the sensor devices 21 are in each case associated with one row 102 of the nest 10. In order to fill all the containers 1 of the nest 10, the containers 1 of a column 101 are in each case liftable out of the nest 10 by the lifting device 24 and fillable by way of the filling needles 200. The filling operation of the containers 1 of each row 102 is monitorable in each case by a sensor device 21 and can thus be carried out with a set fill level.

An embodiment provides that a stroke of the lifting device 24 is variable for modifying the defined fill level. Alternatively or in addition, an embodiment compensates for tolerances, for example on installation of the sensor device 21, by lifting the containers 1 of a column 101 by different strokes for different rows 102.

The transmitter 210 and receiver 212 of the sensor devices 21 are arranged outside the nest 10 in the direction of the rows 102 in a fixed position relative to the nest 10 in order to avoid contamination of the nest 10 and/or the containers 1 arranged therein by the sensor devices 21.

The containers 1 of different columns 101 are therefore arranged at different distances from the respective transmitters 210 and receivers 212. In order to prevent the fill level of the containers 1 being influenced by measurement deviations due to the different distances from the transmitters 210 and receivers 212, the control unit 23 is set up, for the filling operation of each container 1, to evaluate a measurement signal from the sensor device 21 and/or establish a run-on time and/or run-on volume after triggering of the stop signal as a function of the column 102 of the container 1 in the nest 10. For example, in the case of an optical sensor device, a sensor signal may be distance-dependent in such a way that the moment when the defined fill level is reached is detected sooner for containers 1 arranged centrally between the transmitter 210 and receiver 212 than for containers 1 that are arranged closer to the transmitter 210 or the receiver 212. For example, an embodiment provides that a longer run-on time and/or a larger run-on volume is/are specified for containers 1 that are arranged in columns 101 arranged centrally in the nest 10 than for containers in columns 101 arranged at the edge of the nest 10. Alternatively or in addition, an embodiment takes account of a position of the container 1 in the nest 10 on evaluating the measurement signal from the sensor device 21. Still another embodiment compensates for a distance-dependent measurement signal by the lifting device 24 lifting the containers 1 in different columns 101 by different strokes.

A filling operation, i.e., dispensing of liquid at the filling needles, is suitably settable by a person skilled in the art depending on the particular use application. For example, an embodiment provides that a filling operation is carried out in two or more stages, wherein a volumetric flow rate decreases with each stage. Alternatively or in addition, an embodiment provides that the volumetric flow rate is continuously reduced in accordance with a suitably settable linear or nonlinear function over the entire filling operation or in one stage or in a plurality of stages. In an embodiment, the filling operations are differently specifiable for different containers 1. Other embodiments specify substantially identical filling operations, wherein the filling operations differ merely in a phase after triggering of the stop signal.

As shown schematically by an arrow in FIG. 3, the filling needles 200 are mounted movably individually or as a group in the exemplary embodiment shown, such that the filling needles 200 are movable relative to the containers 1 in the direction out of the containers 1 during the filling operation. In order to enable consistent fluid breakaway, the control unit 23 is set up in some embodiments to stop a movement of the filling needles 200 in a defined position at or before the end of the filling operation. To ensure rapid performance of the process, an embodiment provides that the filling needles 200 are introduced into the containers 1 as early as when the containers 1 are lifted out of the nest 10.

As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the nests 10 can be moved in a conveying direction perpendicular to the measuring direction of the sensor device 21 before, during, and/or after the filling operation. In an embodiment, in order to move the nest 10 during the filling operation by way of the filling needles 200, the filling system 20, the sensor device 21 and the lifting device 24 are movably mounted and movable with the nest in the conveying direction. In other embodiments, the nest 10 remains in a defined position for the filling operation.

In an embodiment, as shown schematically in FIG. 3, the entire filling operation is carried out by way of the filling needles 200 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein the filling needles 200 are introduced into empty containers.

Another embodiment provides a prefilling device 3 shown in FIG. 5 which carries out prefilling before the filling operation by way of the filling system 20.

In an embodiment, the containers 1 are filled by way of the prefilling device on a volume basis, wherein a defined volume is supplied to each container 1.

As shown schematically in FIG. 4, the prefilled containers are then filled exactly to a set fill level by way of the filling needles 200, wherein the filling needles 200 are introduced into the prefilled containers 1.

In an embodiment, as shown schematically in FIG. 4, the lifting device 24 comprises a limit stop 241, wherein the container 1 is lifted for filling by a bar 240 or a bolt and forced against the limit stop 241, for example by way of a schematically shown spring 242. The limit stop allows the container 1 to be lifted very precisely to a defined height with respect to fill level as defined by the second end 12 (see FIG. 1) of the container 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a device 2 similar to FIG. 2 for filling and closing the containers 1, comprising the prefilling device 3, the filling system 20 and a closing device 4. The same reference signs are used for identical or similar components and reference is made to the above for a description.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 provides that the prefilling device 3 fills the containers 1 in the nest 10 row by row and the closing device 4 closes the filled containers 1 in the nest 10 row by row.

In contrast, when it comes to the filling system 20 with the filling needles 200, the containers 1 are processed column by column, wherein the sensor devices 21 are arranged adjacent to the nest 10 for monitoring the filling operation by way of the filling needles 200 in such a way that one row can be monitored at a time. The complete filling and closing process can be carried out without displacing the nest 10 along a linear conveying direction. In contrast to FIG. 2, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the containers 1 of a column 101 are not aligned along a straight line but are instead staggered to ensure a dense arrangement of the containers in the nest 10. The filling needles 200 are correspondingly likewise arranged alternately offset along two parallel lines.

The filling and closing process using the device 2 according to FIG. 5 can be carried out in an embodiment as follows.

The containers 1 are supplied to the device 2 in nested form. In an embodiment, the nests 10 are arranged, as generally known for transport, in tubs (not shown).

In order to process the containers 1, the nests 10 are taken out of the tubs and inserted into a centering plate (not shown) for conveying through the device 2. In the case of a flangeless container, such as a cartridge shown in FIG. 1, the centering plate can only position the nest 10 and not the container itself, as in the case of containers with a flange, for example syringes.

The centering plate transfers the nest 10 to the prefilling device 3, which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, operates in tens. In an embodiment, once all the containers 1 of a nest have been prefilled with a prefill volume, the nest 10 is transferred to a position change station (not shown) that moves the nest 10 from a first conveyor system to a second conveyor system.

The second conveyor system transfers the nest 10 with the prefilled containers 1 to a position below the filling needles 200. Using the filling needles 200, the containers 1 are filled as described above to a set fill level.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the filling operations monitored by the sensor device 21 take place in twelves, wherein a holder accommodating the filling needles 200 is arranged rotated by 90° relative to the prefilling device 3.

Once all the containers 1 have been completely filled to the set fill level, the nest 10 is again transferred to a position change station (not shown) where the nest 10 is introduced into a third conveyor system.

The third conveyor system transfers the nests 10 to the closing device 4 with which the containers 1 are closed with the plunger 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown, plunger placement operates in tens.

After closing, the nest 10 can be returned to its tub.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a device 2 similar to the device 2 according to FIG. 2. The same reference signs are used for identical or similar components and reference is made to the above for a detailed description of known components.

In contrast to the device 2 according to FIG. 2, the filling system 20 according to FIG. 6 only comprises a single filling needle 200 and a single sensor device 21. The filling needle 20 is displaceable along the rows 102 in order to fill the containers 1 of a row 102 in succession. The nest 10 is additionally movable along the columns 101 in order to move the containers 1 of different rows 102 in succession to the filling needle 200, wherein the sensor device 21 is arranged at the height of the filling needle 200 in order to monitor a filling operation in the individual rows 102.

In a further embodiment that is not shown, the sensor device 21 and the filling needle 200 are movable in synchronized manner along the columns 101 in order to fill containers 1 in a stationarily arranged nest 10 in succession.

In still another embodiment that is not shown, the sensor device 21 and the filling needle 200 are arranged in a fixed location, wherein a distance between the transmitter 210 and the receiver 212 of the sensor device 21 is selected to be sufficiently large for displacement of the nest 10 along the columns 101 and along the rows 102 for sensor-monitored filling.

The exemplary embodiments shown are merely schematic and numerous modifications are conceivable. In particular, it is conceivable to combine components shown and described as part of one exemplary embodiment with those of other exemplary embodiments so as to obtain further embodiments.

Claims

1. A method for filling a plurality of containers in a nest comprising columns and rows, in particular for filling nested ampoules or cartridges, wherein a container arranged in a column is filled by way of a filling needle, wherein a sensor device detects when a defined fill level is reached during the filling operation of the container, wherein detection of the defined fill level being reached triggers a stop signal for the filling operation of the container.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein detection of when the defined fill level of the container is reached is carried out in a plane transverse, in particular perpendicular, relative to a longitudinal axis of the container, wherein, for the filling operation of the container, a measurement signal from the sensor device is evaluated, and/or a run-on time and/or a run-on volume after triggering of the stop signal is established as a function of the position of the container relative to the sensor device, in particular as a function of the column of the container in the nest.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of containers arranged in different rows, in particular all the containers arranged in a column, are each simultaneously filled by way of a filling needle, wherein a sensor device in each case detects when a defined fill level is reached during the filling operations of the containers, and wherein detection of the defined fill level being reached triggers a stop signal for the filling operation of the respective container, wherein in particular the sensor devices are each associated with one row of the nest, wherein, for the filling operation of each container, a measurement signal from the sensor device is evaluated, and/or a run-on time and/or a run-on volume after triggering of the stop signal is established as a function of the position of the container relative to the sensor device, in particular as a function of the column of the container in the nest.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein detection of when the defined fill level is reached is carried out by way of an optical sensor device comprising a transmitter arranged adjacent to the nest and a receiver arranged adjacent to the nest.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein an opaque barrier is provided between the transmitter and the nest and/or between the receiver and the nest, which barrier provides at least a bottom limit for radiation emitted by the transmitter, wherein in particular the opaque barrier takes the form of a slit diaphragm.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a volumetric flow rate is continuously and/or discontinuously reduced during the filling operation as the defined fill level is approached, and/or in that the filling needle is moved relative to the container in the direction out of the container during the filling operation, wherein movement of the filling needle is stopped in a defined position at or before the end of the filling operation, wherein in particular the filling needles are moved as a group.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the containers to be filled of the column are lifted out of the nest before the filling operation, wherein in particular the filling needle is moved into the container on lifting, and/or wherein in particular in order to modify the defined fill level, to compensate for tolerances, and/or to compensate for a distance-dependent measurement signal from the sensor device, the containers of different columns and/or different rows are lifted by different strokes.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein prefilling, in particular volume-based prefilling, of the containers is carried out before the filling operation, wherein in particular containers in a nest are prefilled row by row, and/or the containers are closed, in particular the containers are vacuum-closed, after the filling operation, wherein in particular containers in a nest are closed row by row.

9. A device for filling a plurality of containers in a nest comprising columns and rows, in particular for filling nested ampoules or cartridges, comprising a filling system with a filling needle, by way of which a container arranged in a column is fillable, wherein a sensor device is provided, wherein the sensor device is set up to detect when a defined fill level is reached during the filling operation of the container, wherein the sensor device is connected to a control unit of the filling system, and wherein the control unit is set up such that detection of the defined fill level being reached triggers a stop signal for the filling operation of the container.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the measuring direction of the sensor device lies in a plane transverse, in particular perpendicular, relative to a longitudinal axis of the container, wherein, for the filling operation of the container, the control unit is set up to evaluate a measurement signal from the sensor device, and/or to establish a run-on time and/or a run-on volume after triggering of the stop signal as a function of a position, in particular of the column, of the container in the nest.

11. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the filling system has a plurality of filling needles by way of which a plurality of containers arranged in different rows, in particular all the containers arranged in a common column, are simultaneously fillable, wherein a plurality of sensor devices are provided, wherein the sensor devices are set up to detect when a defined fill level is in each case reached during the filling operations of the containers, wherein the sensor devices are connected to a control unit of the filling system, and wherein the control unit is set up such that detection of the defined fill level being reached triggers a stop signal for the filling operation of the respective container, wherein in particular the sensor devices are each associated with one row of the nest, wherein, for the filling operation of each container, the control unit is set up to evaluate a measurement signal from the sensor device, and/or to establish a run-on time and/or a run-on volume after triggering of the stop signal as a function of a position, in particular of the column, of the container in the nest.

12. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sensor device takes the form of an optical sensor device comprising a transmitter arranged adjacent to the nest and a receiver arranged adjacent to the nest.

13. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein an opaque barrier is provided between the transmitter and the nest and/or between the receiver and the nest, which barrier provides at least a bottom limit for radiation emitted by the transmitter, wherein in particular the opaque barrier takes the form of a slit diaphragm.

14. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control unit is set up to continuously and/or discontinuously reduce a volumetric flow rate during the filling operation as the defined fill level is approached, and/or in that the filling needle is movably mounted such that the filling needle is movable relative to the container in the direction out of the container during the filling operation, wherein the control unit is set up to stop a movement of the filling needle in a defined position at or before the end of the filling operation, wherein in particular a plurality of filling needles are mounted movably individually or as a group.

15. The device as claimed in claim 9 to 14, wherein a lifting device is provided, by way of which the container to be filled of the column is liftable out of the nest before the filling operation, wherein, in order to modify the defined fill level, to compensate for tolerances, and/or to compensate for a distance-dependent measurement signal from the sensor device, the lifting device is in particular set up to lift the containers of different columns and/or different rows by different strokes, and/or wherein the lifting device has a limit stop.

16. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein a prefilling device is provided which can carry out prefilling, in particular volume-based prefilling, of the containers before the filling operation by way of the filling system, wherein the prefilling device is in particular set up to fill containers in a nest row by row, and/or in that a closing device is provided which can carry out closing of the containers, in particular vacuum closing of the containers, after the filling operation by way of the filling system, wherein the closing device is in particular set up to clos containers in a nest row by row.