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EP0633190A1 - Procédé et appareil pour remplir des récipients à aérosols - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil pour remplir des récipients à aérosols Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0633190A1
EP0633190A1 EP93810485A EP93810485A EP0633190A1 EP 0633190 A1 EP0633190 A1 EP 0633190A1 EP 93810485 A EP93810485 A EP 93810485A EP 93810485 A EP93810485 A EP 93810485A EP 0633190 A1 EP0633190 A1 EP 0633190A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
aerosol
container
filling head
filling
valve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP93810485A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Heinz Iten
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Novartis AG
Original Assignee
Ciba Geigy AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ciba Geigy AG filed Critical Ciba Geigy AG
Priority to EP93810485A priority Critical patent/EP0633190A1/fr
Publication of EP0633190A1 publication Critical patent/EP0633190A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/003—Adding propellants in fluid form to aerosol containers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and a device for filling aerosol containers according to the preamble of the respective independent patent claim.
  • aerosols are common forms of administration of active pharmaceutical substances. Many nasal and oral substances are available in this dosage form and are administered as an aerosol (e.g. sprays). These active substances are stored in an aerosol container in a mixture of active substances and propellant gases. If necessary, the user removes a desired amount of the aerosol from the container, usually by means of a removal device (spray valve) provided on the container.
  • a removal device spot valve
  • Such aerosol containers are filled, for example, as described in GB-A-2,236, 146.
  • the active substance is filled into the aerosol container in the form of a solution or suspension by means of a filling head through the valve tube (stem) of the aerosol container.
  • the filling head is provided with a channel via which a storage container, in which the solution or suspension is provided, can be communicatively connected to the interior of the aerosol container via the valve tube (stem).
  • the filling head is placed on the container, the valve tube is pressed down and the container is then filled.
  • a certain amount of solution or suspension is first filled into the aerosol container from the storage container through a first inlet and then through the channel of the filling head.
  • a certain amount of propellant gas is then poured into the container through a second inlet, but through the same channel of the filling head, and added to the solution or suspension, with no solution or suspension being fed through the inlet for the solution or suspension Propellant gas can flow out.
  • the solution or suspension still in the channel of the filling head or in the valve tube (stem) is supplied with the aid of the following Propellants are filled in the container and do not remain in the channel or in the valve tube.
  • the propellant gas supply is stopped and the filling head is removed from the container.
  • Another known filling method does not have this disadvantage. With this filling process, the aerosol is already provided in the storage container exactly in the desired ratio of solution or suspension to propellant gases. This ratio no longer changes during filling, so that after the aerosol container has been filled, the ratio of solution or suspension to propellant gases in the aerosol container corresponds exactly to the desired ratio. After filling the container, the filling head is removed from the container again.
  • this method also has the advantage that it is a filling method which, compared to the previously required two filling steps (first solution or suspension and then propellant gases), only comprises one filling step .
  • the portions of solution or suspension still in the channel of the filling head can escape from the channel and become so dirty that the containers have to be subjected to extensive cleaning before they can be delivered .
  • the propellant gas still in the channel of the filling head or in the valve tube of the aerosol container can escape and lead to environmental pollution.
  • this object is achieved in that excess aerosol is sucked off from the aerosol container after the aerosol container has been filled and before the filling head has been removed. Aerosol, which is still in the channel of the filling head or in the valve tube of the aerosol container, is thus suctioned off, so that contamination of the container and environmental pollution caused by escaping ("deflagrating") propellant gases can be avoided.
  • propellant gas is recovered again after suction.
  • a further advantageous method variant is characterized in that in the state in which no aerosol container is filled, the aerosol is circulated back through the filling head back into the storage container. This allows a so-called “stand-by” operation and avoids that the device is started each time for filling and that it is switched off each time after a container has been filled. This also prevents undesirably high pressures from building up in supply lines.
  • Another process variant is characterized in that the temperature of the filling head is monitored and regulated. In this way, the formation of solid bodies ("icing") and thus a blockage of the channel of the filling head can be avoided.
  • icing solid bodies
  • the object is achieved in that the device has a suction device which can be connected in a communicating manner to the channel of the filling head, and a controller which connects the suction device with the channel of the filling head in a communicating manner after the aerosol container has been filled.
  • the suction device is connected to a device for recovering propellant gas.
  • the conveying device comprises a pump and a metering device connected downstream of the pump.
  • a closing valve in the filling head provided which, in the operating state in which the aerosol container is not filled, closes the channel and the pump conveys the aerosol back through the filling head, but past the channel, back into the storage container.
  • a check valve is provided between the pump and the filling head and after the filling head.
  • the control first closes the check valves and then opens the shut-off valve of the channel.
  • the metering device then doses a defined amount of aerosol into the aerosol container through the channel.
  • the filling head is equipped with a thermostat in order to avoid ⁇ icing '' of the filling head channel.
  • a further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a bypass line which branches off the pump from the supply line from the storage container to the filling head and which can be opened by means of a valve.
  • the control opens the bypass line after closing the check valves using this valve.
  • the '' stand-by '' operation can also be maintained while the aerosol container is being filled, although the two non-return valves are closed and a '' stand-by '' operation through the filling head past the channel is not possible .
  • this enables the use of continuously delivering pumps without undesirably high pressures building up in the feed lines.
  • a storage container 1 can be seen, in which the aerosol 2, which is to be filled into an aerosol container 3, is provided.
  • a supply line 10 leads from the storage container 1 to a filling head 4 which is placed on the aerosol container 3 in FIG. 1.
  • a pump 5 is connected between the storage container 1 and the filling head 4 and conveys aerosol 2 from the storage container 1 through the feed line 10.
  • a bypass line 11 branches off the supply line 10 downstream of the pump 5. This bypass line 11 can be opened by means of a valve V1, which causes a control 6, the functions of which will be discussed in more detail below.
  • a check valve V2 is provided in the feed line 10. Between this check valve V2 and the filling head 4, a metering device 7 is arranged, through which the aerosol enters the filling head 4
  • the filling head 4 there is a channel 40 which is closed by a closing valve V3.
  • the filling head 4 also has an inlet 41 which leads to an annular space 42 which surrounds the closing valve V3. From the annular space 42 an outlet 43 leads to a return line 12, in which a further check valve V4 is provided.
  • the return line 12 is further led back to the reservoir 1. In the further course of the return line 12, the bypass line 11 then opens into this return line 12.
  • the closure valve V3, which closes the channel 40 in the filling head 4, can be actuated by means of an organ 44, so that it can open the channel 40.
  • the channel 40 leads through the filling head 4 to a valve tube (stem) 30 of the aerosol container 3, which is to be filled with aerosol 2. 1 shows that aerosol 2 has already been filled into the container 3.
  • An example of how the stem 30 can be designed and how the container 3 is filled is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are explained in detail.
  • the filling head 4 is provided with a sealing O-ring 45, which seals the channel 4 and the stem 30 to the outside when the filling head 4 is placed on the container 3
  • the filling head 4 is provided with a centering bell 46, in which stops 47 are provided.
  • the centering bell 46 is screwed onto the outer wall of the filling head.
  • the filling head is also equipped with a thermostat 48, with the aid of which the temperature of the filling head can be monitored and regulated.
  • FIG. 1 also shows a suction device 8 which can be connected in a communicating manner to the channel 40 of the filling head 4.
  • the core of this suction device 8 is very similar to the closure valve V3 with its actuating member 44.
  • a branch 400 is provided in the duct 40, which leads to an intake duct 80, which is closed by a closure valve V5 of the suction device 8.
  • the closure valve V5 can be actuated by means of an organ 84.
  • An annular space 82 is provided around the closure valve V5 and is connected to an outlet 81.
  • This outlet 81 is connected to a discharge line 83, which leads to a suction pump 85, for example.
  • a device 9 for recovering propellant can be connected to this suction pump 85.
  • the filling head 4 When the device is operating, the filling head 4 is initially in the so-called ⁇ stand-by '' mode, i.e. no container 3 is filled.
  • the pump 5 conveys aerosol 2 from the storage container 1.
  • the valve V1 and thus the bypass line 11 are closed, the check valve V2 is open.
  • the pump 5 conveys aerosol to the inlet 41 of the filling head 4 through the feed line 10 and through the metering device 7.
  • the closure valve V3 in the filling head 4 is closed, so that the aerosol cannot get into the channel 40. Rather, it gets into the annular space 42, which surrounds the closure valve V3 and then through the outlet 43 into the return line 12.
  • the check valve V4 is also open, so that the aerosol is fed back through the return line 12 back into the storage container 1.
  • the centering bell 46 is placed on the container 3 or on its spray valve 3a until the O-ring 45 is seated on the stem 30. Then the filling head together with the screwed on Centering bell 46 lowered until the stops 47 in the centering bell 46 strike the container 3. As a result, the stem 30 of the container is lowered to such an extent that the container can be filled, which will be explained below with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
  • the closure valve V5 of the suction device 8 initially remains closed.
  • FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a spray valve 3a of an aerosol container 3 to be filled, the stem 30 being in a position in which the container cannot be filled.
  • the stem 30 is held in this position in the idle state by a valve spring 31.
  • the stem 30 projects through an opening 32 and an inner seal 33 provided at the opening into a metering chamber 34 which is formed in a valve housing 35 which is held in the valve capsule 36.
  • This inner seal 33 seals the interior of the valve 3a (and thus also the interior of the container) and in particular also the metering chamber 34 from the outside.
  • the stem 30 has a type of blind hole 300 which has an opening 301 near the end of the blind hole.
  • the lower part of the stem 30 is designed as a solid pin 302
  • the valve housing 35 has in its further course circumferential projections 350 projecting inward from its inner wall.
  • One end of the valve spring 31 is supported against these projections 350, the other end of the valve spring 31 is supported against an outwardly projecting annular projection 303 of the stem 30.
  • the outside diameter tapers in one place from a larger outside diameter 304 to a smaller 305.
  • the larger outside diameter 304 is almost exactly the same size as the inside diameter of the circumferential projections 350 Smaller outer diameter 305 is smaller than the inner diameter of the circumferential projections 350. In the rest position of the stem 30 shown in FIG. 2, there is therefore a small gap between the circumferential projections 350 and the solid pin 302.
  • the stem 30 must be supplied with aerosol through the channel 40 of the filling head 4 (FIG. 1). Since the aerosol is already provided in the desired ratio of solution or suspension to propellant gas in the storage container 1, the following steps are still necessary: First, the control 6 closes the check valves V2 and V4 and opens the valve V1, so that the continuously operating pump 5 now pumps the aerosol 2 removed from the container 1 through the bypass line 11 back into the storage container 1. This means that the device can remain in the “stand-by” mode even when a container 3 is being filled, so that it is not necessary to switch off and restart. The controller 6 now opens the closing valve V3 of the filling head 4 by means of the organ 44. The seal 440 above the closing valve V3 can deform with the movement of the valve V3, the closing valve V3 is therefore movable and sealed at the same time. The closure valve V5 of the suction device 8 is still closed.
  • the dosing device 7 doses a desired amount of aerosol 2 into the container 3, as is explained on the basis of the explanation of FIG. 3.
  • the metering device 7 is therefore indicated symbolically in FIG. 1 by a displaceable piston, wherein the piston stroke can be variable and a variable piston stroke means that different amounts of the aerosol can be filled into containers of different sizes.
  • the ratio of solution or suspension to propellant gases is adhered to exactly regardless of the amount to be filled in, since the aerosol is already present in the desired composition.
  • the filling head 4 is raised again to such an extent that the stem 30 is just returned to its rest position by the valve spring 31, but is still sealed off from the outside by the O-ring 45.
  • the control by means of the organ 84 now opens the valve V5 of the suction device 8 connected to the suction pump 85, all of which are still in the filling head 4 and in the blind hole 300 of the Stems 30 sucks aerosol
  • This aerosol can either be disposed of without polluting the environment, but it is also conceivable in particular to recycle it, ie to lead it back into the storage container.
  • the propellant gas contained in the aerosol can also be recovered in the device 9 for propellant gas recovery.
  • the controller 6 closes the closure valve V5 of the suction device 8 again by means of the organ 84, then the closure valve V3 of the filling head 4 by means of the organ 44. Furthermore, the controller 6 then closes the valve V1 and thus the bypass line 11 and opens the check valves V2 and V4 again.
  • the metering device 7 is also reset again. The filling process is ended and the filling head 4 together with the centering bell 46 can be removed from the container 3 again.
  • this type of filling means that on the one hand the environment cannot be polluted by escaping propellant gases, but on the other hand it also enables contamination-free filling of the containers so that they do not have to be subjected to extensive cleaning after filling .
  • the thermostat 48 is also provided on the filling head.
  • the valve V5 whose seal 840 is also deformable, is opened, the aerosol can relax and low temperatures can occur, which can lead to solidification (icing) in the duct or in the lines.
  • the temperature of the filling head 4 can be regulated to a temperature at which such solid formation is excluded.
  • the filling head 4 With the filling head 4 described, it is not only possible to fill containers 3 that have already been completed, that is to say finally assembled, as has been explained so far. With the filling head 4 it is also possible to first clean the spray valves 3a of the containers 3 before they are placed on the container 3 and the containers are then finally assembled and then filled.
  • the variant of the device according to the invention which is suitable for this is shown in FIG. 4, with some parts of the device being simply compared to FIG have been omitted.
  • the spray valves 3a can often still contain dust particles or similar impurities, for example.
  • the spray valve 3a can first be placed on a hollow cylindrical body 36 which is open on both sides instead of a container. The lower opening of this hollow cylindrical body 36 is tightly connected to a recycling station R, which is equipped with filters and / or other suitable cleaning devices.
  • the filling head 4 with its centering bell 46 is now placed on the spray valve 3a placed on the hollow cylindrical body 36 until the stops 47 of the centering bell 46 strike the spray valve 3a. Subsequently, the filling head 4 together with the centering bell 46 is lowered, as a result of which a sufficiently tight, but later releasable connection between the spray valve 3a and the hollow cylindrical body 36 is achieved. At the same time, the valve stem 30 is pressed down as when the container 3 is being filled.
  • aerosol is not now filled into the hollow cylindrical body, but instead of the aerosol either propellant gas or air 2a is supplied from a propellant gas or air reservoir 1a by means of the pump 5a in order to "blow out” contaminants from the spray valve 3a.
  • This resulting mixture of propellant gas or air and impurities is fed through the lower opening of the hollow cylindrical body 36 to the recycling station R and cleaned by filters and / or other cleaning devices in the recycling station R, so that the cleaned propellant gas or the cleaned air e.g. can be returned and reused.
  • the suction device 8 of the filling head 4 then sucks off the propellant gas or air still located in the channel 40 of the filling head 4 and in the valve stem 30, in the same way as is described when the container 3 is filled with aerosol.
  • This propellant gas or the air extracted by the suction device 8 can also be cleaned and e.g. be returned for further use.
  • the main difference in the cleaning process is that there is simply no filling of a container, but only the cleaning ("flushing") of the spray valve 3a described.
  • the suction device 8 is deactivated again and the centering bell 46 is lifted again from the spray valve 3a placed on the hollow cylindrical body.
  • the spray valve 3a is now cleaned ("rinsed") and can be placed on a container and this container can then be finally assembled.
  • a Such assembled containers can then be filled in a subsequent step in the manner already described.
  • contaminants that may still be present in spray valves 3a for example due to production, can be effectively removed from these valves and, as a result, contaminant-free containers can be assembled.
  • the spray valves 3a can be cleaned with a filling head 4 of the same type as is then possible for filling the finally assembled container 3, which distinguishes the filling head in a special way.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
EP93810485A 1993-07-07 1993-07-07 Procédé et appareil pour remplir des récipients à aérosols Withdrawn EP0633190A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP93810485A EP0633190A1 (fr) 1993-07-07 1993-07-07 Procédé et appareil pour remplir des récipients à aérosols

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP93810485A EP0633190A1 (fr) 1993-07-07 1993-07-07 Procédé et appareil pour remplir des récipients à aérosols

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0633190A1 true EP0633190A1 (fr) 1995-01-11

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93810485A Withdrawn EP0633190A1 (fr) 1993-07-07 1993-07-07 Procédé et appareil pour remplir des récipients à aérosols

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EP (1) EP0633190A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997044246A1 (fr) * 1996-05-21 1997-11-27 Pentti Turunen Dispositif de remplissage
US6691746B2 (en) 1998-04-21 2004-02-17 John Brennan Method and apparatus for filling containers
US6820658B2 (en) 1998-04-21 2004-11-23 Astrazeneca Ab Method and apparatus for filling containers
CN102514763A (zh) * 2012-01-09 2012-06-27 扬州美达灌装机械有限公司 气雾剂灌装用高效进给机构

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH367069A (de) * 1958-12-12 1963-01-31 Aeratom Ag Verfahren und Maschine zum Auffüllen von Druckpackungen mit Treibgas
DE1166224B (de) * 1960-04-21 1964-03-26 Aeratom A G Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Fuellen eines Aerosol-Behaelters
CH418160A (de) * 1964-04-06 1966-07-31 Novima Ag Verfahren zum Abfüllen von Druckflüssigkeiten und Einrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
CH477921A (de) * 1968-02-13 1969-09-15 Siebel Carl G Vorrichtung zum Füllen von Druckzerstäuberpackungen mit Treibgasen
EP0340363A1 (fr) * 1988-05-02 1989-11-08 Ccl Industries Inc. Récupération de propulseur d'opération de remplissage de récipients aérosols

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH367069A (de) * 1958-12-12 1963-01-31 Aeratom Ag Verfahren und Maschine zum Auffüllen von Druckpackungen mit Treibgas
DE1166224B (de) * 1960-04-21 1964-03-26 Aeratom A G Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Fuellen eines Aerosol-Behaelters
CH418160A (de) * 1964-04-06 1966-07-31 Novima Ag Verfahren zum Abfüllen von Druckflüssigkeiten und Einrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
CH477921A (de) * 1968-02-13 1969-09-15 Siebel Carl G Vorrichtung zum Füllen von Druckzerstäuberpackungen mit Treibgasen
EP0340363A1 (fr) * 1988-05-02 1989-11-08 Ccl Industries Inc. Récupération de propulseur d'opération de remplissage de récipients aérosols

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997044246A1 (fr) * 1996-05-21 1997-11-27 Pentti Turunen Dispositif de remplissage
AU713114B2 (en) * 1996-05-21 1999-11-25 Pentti Turunen Filling apparatus
US6116296A (en) * 1996-05-21 2000-09-12 Turunen; Pentti Filling apparatus
CN1071674C (zh) * 1996-05-21 2001-09-26 彭蒂·特兰伦 加注装置
CZ296891B6 (cs) * 1996-05-21 2006-07-12 Plnicí zarízení
US6691746B2 (en) 1998-04-21 2004-02-17 John Brennan Method and apparatus for filling containers
US6820658B2 (en) 1998-04-21 2004-11-23 Astrazeneca Ab Method and apparatus for filling containers
CN102514763A (zh) * 2012-01-09 2012-06-27 扬州美达灌装机械有限公司 气雾剂灌装用高效进给机构
CN102514763B (zh) * 2012-01-09 2013-06-19 扬州美达灌装机械有限公司 气雾剂灌装用高效进给机构

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