DE102023116749A1 - Device for dosing of free-flowing or compressed products - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for the monitored dosing of a free-flowing or compressed product (2) into a container (3), comprising a dosing device (4) with which a defined amount of the product (2) can be provided, and with a measuring channel sleeve (5) with an inner surface (6) made of non-electrically conductive material, which encloses a conveying path (7) of the defined amount of the product (2) from the dosing device (4) into the container (3), so that the product (2) on the way from the dosing device (4) into the container (3) enters an inner volume (9) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) through an inlet region (8) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) and is then guided into the container (3) at an outlet region (10) of the measuring channel sleeve (5), wherein the measuring channel sleeve (5) is arranged within an electrical measuring device (11) and the electrical measuring device (11) is designed to measure electrical properties of the free-flowing or compressed product (2) as it moves along the conveying path (7), the measuring channel sleeve (5) having a constriction (12) in the inlet region (8) which is tapered compared to the inner volume (9) and which causes the product (2) to be centered in the cylindrical inner volume (9), so that contact of the product (2) with the inner surface (6) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) is reduced on the conveying path (7).

Description

The device and method described relate to monitoring the dosage of free-flowing or compressed products - in particular products consisting of pellets. Particularly noteworthy here are, for example, medicinal pellets or nutritional supplements presented as pellets, which can be dosed using the device described. Such pellets are administered in capsules into which the pellets must be dosed. The accuracy of the dosage is particularly important for medicinal pellets, so that permanent monitoring of each individual dosing process into a capsule or other container is desired. This is the prerequisite for incorrect dosages to be immediately recognized and incorrectly filled capsules/containers to be immediately sorted out.

The dosing of drug pellets in capsules is preferably carried out by feeding a defined amount of the drug pellets into a capsule through a measuring channel sleeve made of electrically non-conductive material, in particular plastic. Preferably, the defined amount or a certain portion falls under the influence of gravity through a measuring channel sleeve made of electrically non-conductive material, in particular plastic, into the capsule.

The portion is monitored, for example, by moving the portion through a capacitor during or before dosing. In particular, the pellets fall through the sleeve or through the capacitor surrounding the sleeve under the influence of gravity. The pellets have dielectric properties, so that the pellets cause a change in the electrical properties of the capacitor (in particular a change in the capacitance of the capacitor). This change in the electrical properties of the capacitor can be evaluated to determine the portion or amount of pellets.

The capacitor for monitoring the portioning preferably surrounds the measuring channel sleeve made of electrically non-conductive material, particularly plastic. When the portion of pellets is moved or falls through the measuring channel sleeve, the capacitance of the capacitor changes temporarily. A measuring voltage is preferably applied to the capacitor. The change in capacitance causes electrical currents to occur that can be measured as an electrical signal. Suitably configured electronics can use these signals (if necessary taking into account other parameters such as time, humidity, electrical properties of the pellets, etc.) to determine the quantity or mass of pellets that have been moved through the capacitor.

It has been found that friction between the pellets and the plastic measuring channel sleeve causes electrical effects that affect the analysis used to determine the portion or quantity. These effects occur in particular because the measuring channel sleeve is not electrically conductive or, in particular, is made of plastic and is therefore electrically insulating. A portion of pellets comprises a large number of pellets which, taken together, have a very large surface area. Friction between these pellets and the measuring channel sleeve creates static electricity (triboelectric effect), which distorts the signals used to determine the quantity or mass of pellets. In addition, deposits of pellets can form on the measuring channel sleeve. The formation of static electricity promotes the adhesion of pellets to the measuring channel sleeve. This means that undosed pellets remain in the sleeve, which have an effect on the electrical properties of the capacitor and which further distorts the signals used to determine the quantity or mass of pellets.

The object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. Measures are to be proposed which reduce the influence of deposits and static electricity and thus increase the accuracy of the determination of dosed pellets, in particular drug pellets.

This object is achieved with the invention according to the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependently formulated patent claims as well as in the description and in particular in the description of the figures. It should be noted that the person skilled in the art can combine the individual features in a technologically meaningful way and thus arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

• - wobei die Messkanalhülse in dem Eintrittsbereich eine Verengung aufweist, die gegenüber dem Innenvolumen verjüngt ist und die eine Zentrierung des Produktes in dem zylinderförmigen Innenvolumen bewirkt, so dass auf dem Förderweg ein Kontakt des Produktes mit der Innenoberfläche der Messkanalhülse reduziert wird;
• - und wobei die elektrische Messeinrichtung an eine Auswertschaltung angeschlossen ist, wobei die Auswertschaltung dazu eingerichtet ist, ein elektrisches Signal, welches bei der Bewegung des Produktes entlang des Förderwegs entsteht, derart auszuwerten, dass aus diesem elektrischen Signal eine Menge des dosierten Produktes bestimmbar ist.

What is to be described here is a device for the monitored dosing of a free-flowing or compressed product into a container, comprising a dosing device with which a defined amount of the product can be provided, as well as a measuring channel sleeve with an inner surface made of non-electrically conductive material, which encloses a conveying path of the defined amount of the product from the dosing device into the container, so that the product enters an inner volume of the measuring channel sleeve on the way from the dosing device into the container through an inlet area of the measuring channel sleeve and then is guided into the container at an outlet region of the measuring channel sleeve, wherein the measuring channel sleeve is arranged within an electrical measuring device and the electrical measuring device is designed to detect electrical properties of the free-flowing product as it moves along the conveying path,

• - wherein the measuring channel sleeve has a constriction in the inlet region which is tapered compared to the inner volume and which causes a centering of the product in the cylindrical inner volume, so that contact of the product with the inner surface of the measuring channel sleeve is reduced on the conveying path;
• - and wherein the electrical measuring device is connected to an evaluation circuit, wherein the evaluation circuit is designed to evaluate an electrical signal which is generated during the movement of the product along the conveying path in such a way that a quantity of the dosed product can be determined from this electrical signal.

The device is preferably part of a system with which the free-flowing product can be filled into containers or, in particular, into capsules. Such a system can also be referred to as a capsule filling system.

The dosing device is the part of this device or system with which the amount of product to be filled into a single container or capsule is provided. The dosing device is preferably designed to take the exact amount from a reservoir and make it available for dosing.

The measuring channel sleeve is a common component in such systems, which guides the product from the dosing device to the capsule.

The product is particularly free-flowing or compressed. The term "free-flowing" describes the ability of bulk materials to flow vertically under defined conditions. The flowability of a bulk material is determined by its composition and the nature of its particles. The term "compressed" in this context means that the product consists of particles that have been pressed together to form an agglomerate, for example by pressure. However, the agglomerate bond is usually not absolutely solid, and particles can become detached.

The key feature of the device described here is that the measuring channel sleeve has a narrowed or tapered entry area for the product. The narrowed or tapered entry area concentrates drug pellets along an axis of the measuring channel sleeve. In the direction of movement of the pellets through the measuring channel sleeve, a section of the measuring channel sleeve is widened behind the narrowed or tapered entry area. The narrowed or tapered entry area concentrates the product centrally in the measuring channel sleeve so that the product or its particles are at a distance from the surface of the measuring channel sleeve when moving through the section of the measuring channel sleeve behind it. The described effects of the creation of electrical effects (static electricity / triboelectric effect) and the formation of deposits are thus avoided or at least greatly reduced. A consistently wider diameter would lead to a deterioration in the measurement signal and the product would be guided less.

The measuring channel sleeve separates the externally arranged measuring device from the pellet-shaped product, so that an indirect measuring system is formed. Such measuring channel sleeves also ensure a defined guidance of the product or pellets through the measuring device, in particular guidance along a defined path.

In principle, both capacitive and inductive methods can be used with the measuring device to acquire an electrical signal that allows a conclusion to be drawn about the amount of pellets.

Measuring channel sleeves are also used in particular to mask a container into which the product is to be transported (for example a capsule into which pellets are to be filled as a product). The term "masking" here means that such sleeves form a channel through which the product or pellets are fed into the container or capsule and which is adapted to the format of the container or capsule.

The measuring channel sleeve and in particular the inner surface of the measuring channel sleeve is preferably made of non-electrically conductive material, in particular plastic. The entire measuring channel sleeve is preferably made of non-electrically conductive material.

The inner surface of the measuring channel sleeve preferably has surface properties that cause low mechanical friction of the product on the inner surface. However, because the material is not electrically conductive or, in particular, even insulating, triboelectric electrical effects or electrostatic charging can occur. This is reduced or even prevented by the extension after the entry area described.

The use of non-electrically conductive material for the measuring channel sleeve is particularly advantageous for monitoring the dosage using the electrical measuring device. A measuring channel sleeve made of electrically conductive material would act like a Faraday cage around the product. This would make monitoring the dosage using the measuring channel sleeve more difficult. Preferably, there is no electrically conductive and in particular no metallic material within a measuring chamber of the measuring device (in which the measuring channel sleeve is arranged).

Surprisingly, it has been found that a collar or a narrowing/tapering at the top or at the inlet area of the measuring channel sleeve can provide sufficient guidance or masking. An extension of the measuring channel sleeve behind the beginning is not a problem. Nevertheless, the product is guided sufficiently into the container.

The extension can be in the form of a step or conical. In the case of a step-like extension, the taper is preferably designed in the form of an inward-facing collar.

The extension prevents or reduces contact between the product or pellets and the surface of the measuring channel sleeve. If contact is not avoided or only partially avoided and reduced, there is at least a reduction in the forces acting when the product or pellets come into contact with the surface of the measuring channel sleeve. This alone reduces frictional forces and reduces or minimizes the formation of static electricity (electrostatic charge / triboelectric effect).

It is particularly advantageous if the electrical measuring device has at least one electrical component which spans a measuring space, wherein the measuring channel sleeve is arranged within the measuring space in such a way that the conveying path runs through the measuring space.

The electrical measuring device is in particular a capacitor and the measuring space is in particular a capacitor volume. Electrical properties of the product that cause a change in the electrical properties in the measuring space can be monitored with the electrical measuring device.

In design variants, the constriction at the inlet area of the measuring channel sleeve is arranged at least partially outside the measuring chamber.

The effect of the constriction at the inlet area of the measuring channel sleeve may cause product deposits to form. By arranging the inlet area outside the measuring chamber, the electrical effects of such deposits on the measurement can be reduced or even prevented.

If necessary, the measuring channel sleeve can also have an inlet slope in front of the constriction in the inlet area. An inlet slope can be designed as a type of bevel. In the area of the inlet slope, the measuring channel sleeve preferably narrows from the top towards the taper.

In particular, such a taper on the inlet side of the measuring channel sleeve results in an alignment of the particles of the product so that the particles of the product do not scatter strongly in the measuring channel sleeve.

It has been found that the constriction has a positive effect on the accuracy of the measurement with the measuring device, in particular because the constriction achieves a concentration or centering of the product within the measuring channel sleeve, which reduces contact of the product or the particles of the product with the inner surface of the measuring channel sleeve.

An inlet slope helps to concentrate or center the product. As the product moves downwards through the inlet slope, the inlet slope guides the product towards the central area.

It is particularly advantageous if there is a step-like transition between the constriction at the inlet area and the cylindrical inner volume.

Through a step-like transition, the inner surface suddenly or immediately expands starting from the entry area on the way of the product through the measuring channel sleeve. Through a step-like transition, contact of the product with the inner surface is reduced immediately after the entry area.

It is also advantageous if there is an expanding transition between the constriction at the inlet area and a cylindrical inner volume.

In design variants, this transition can be continuous from a diameter the constriction to a diameter of the cylindrical inner volume. The transition preferably extends over a certain proportion of the length of the measuring channel sleeve.

If necessary, the entire internal volume does not have to be cylindrical. If necessary, an internal volume that opens/expands conically downwards can also be realized. If necessary, the conical expansion can extend over (almost, or at least 80 percent of) the length of the measuring channel sleeve. As already explained, the narrowing at the inlet area achieves a concentration or centering of the product within the measuring channel sleeve. This concentration or centering of the product decreases as the product moves from the inlet area to the outlet area of the measuring channel sleeve. Preferably, the measuring channel sleeve expands over its length from the inlet area to the outlet area in such a way that as the concentration or centering of the product decreases along this length, the inner surface continues to recede.

It is particularly preferred if a first cross-sectional area of the constriction is between 70 percent and 95 percent of a second cross-sectional area of the cylindrical inner volume.

For an internal volume that widens conically from the inlet area to the outlet area, similar values preferably apply. A first cross-sectional area at the inlet area is preferably between 70 and 95 percent of a second cross-sectional area at the outlet area.

In the case of round or circular cross-sectional areas, this corresponds to a difference in the diameter of the cross-sectional areas of 5% to 15%. For example, a measuring channel sleeve can have a diameter of approx. 5 mm [millimeters] in the area of the constriction and a cross-sectional area of approx. 5.6 mm in the area of the cylindrical inner volume or the outlet area.

The narrowing at the inlet area or the widening behind the narrowing at the inlet area reduces pressure forces on the product or lateral forces from the inner surface on the product during transport through the measuring channel sleeve. It has been found that this can be achieved with relatively small narrowings at the inlet area.

It is particularly advantageous if the dosing device has at least one dosing roller with at least one dosing chamber, wherein a quantity of the product to be dosed can be provided in each of the at least one dosing chambers.

A dosing roller is a cylindrical body with an outer roller surface and a roller axis. The dosing roller is rotated around its axis in one direction during the dosing process. Dosing chambers are arranged evenly distributed in circumferential ring-shaped areas. The dosing roller uses the dosing chambers to convey defined partial quantities from a product supply with the product into a target container. A receiving position and a delivery position indicate locations relative to the dosing roller. The product is preferably conveyed into the dosing chambers of the dosing roller at the receiving position with a negative pressure and conveyed out of the dosing chambers into the measuring channel sleeve at the delivery position with a positive pressure.

The size or volume of the dosing chambers in the dosing roller defines the amount of product to be dosed. With a dosing roller in the dosing device, the amounts to be dosed can be precisely adjusted. For this reason, it is particularly advantageous to use the device described here (which enables precise monitoring of the amounts) with a dosing roller in the dosing device.

In embodiment variants, the dosing device can be designed with at least one dosing slide with at least one movable dosing chamber, wherein a quantity of the product to be dosed can be provided by moving the dosing slide.

It is also advantageous if the product is provided in a storage unit and, in a first position of the at least one dosing slide, a first passage from the storage unit into the at least one dosing chamber is opened and the dosing chamber is filled with product from the storage unit and, in a second position of the at least one dosing slide, a second passage from the dosing chamber into the inlet region of the measuring channel sleeve is opened and the product contained in the dosing chamber can pass into the measuring channel sleeve.

In this design variant, the size or volume of the dosing chambers in the dosing slide also defines the amount of product to be dosed.

It is particularly preferred if the product is a medicinal product.

The device is particularly preferably part of a capsule filling machine for filling medicinal products drug capsules with a drug product that is free-flowing and/or compacted. In particular, expensive drug products and drug products where the dosage is particularly critical are regularly provided in capsules. The device described here is particularly suitable in connection with such drug products, because monitoring the dosed quantities is particularly critical when dosing such drug products.

It is also advantageous if the product comprises granulate particles and/or pellets.

Granulate particles and/or pellets can in particular be pressed from a powdered starting product. When dosing granulate particles and/or pellets, it is also preferable to dose a large number of individual particles, each of which has an average diameter in the range of micrometers (e.g. between 50 µm and 500 µm).

The size distribution of such granulate particles and/or pellets around a mean diameter is preferably narrow. The size and in particular the shape of the granulate particles and/or pellets is particularly preferably uniform. This enables high dosing accuracy.

The friction of such granulate particles and/or pellets on the inner surface of the measuring channel sleeve can lead to the electrical effects described. By concentrating the granulate particles and/or pellets in the central area of the measuring channel sleeve, the friction on the inner surface can be reduced.

Pellets and/or granulate particles that are dosed with the device described here can also be wetted with talc or magnesium stearate, for example.

It is further preferred if the product comprises a powder.

A powder consists in particular of finer particles than granules or pellets. In addition, the particle size distribution is preferably broader. In particular, a powder also contains very fine (possibly dust-like) particles.

With powdered products, there is an increased risk that finer powder particles in particular will stick to the inner surface of the measuring channel sleeve.

If necessary, the narrowing at the inlet side can also cause so-called "free" product to be deposited on top of the measuring channel sleeve, and not in the wider area below inside the measuring channel sleeve. The term "free product" describes in particular finer product particles that occur with powdered products and that may surround a large amount of the product like a kind of mist. Such "free product" can be deposited on top of the measuring channel sleeve by the narrowing in order to no longer distort the influence on the measurement with the measuring device regarding the product that is moved through the measuring channel sleeve.

Products or pellets that were difficult or impossible to dose or measure without the measuring channel sleeve described here due to electrostatic charging/deposition of the product in the measuring channel sleeve can be dosed much better using the method and device described here. In particular, the measurability of the dosed quantities/portions is significantly improved.

The device is particularly preferred if the electrical measuring device comprises a capacitor with two electrodes, wherein the measuring channel sleeve is arranged within a capacitor volume between the two electrodes and wherein dielectric properties of the product cause a measurable change in the capacitance of the capacitor.

The capacitor or the two electrodes form electrical components of the electrical measuring device.

It is also advantageous if the evaluation circuit is designed to record a time integral and/or maximum value and/or difference start/end of the capacity of the electrical measuring device as an electrical signal and to evaluate it for determining the amount of the dosed product.

As the product moves through the measuring channel sleeve, the capacitance of the measuring device, which is designed as a capacitor, increases due to the dielectric properties of the product. This increase in capacitance can be measured using a suitable evaluation circuit.

Alternatively or in addition to capacitive effects that are detected with a measuring device designed as a capacitor, the measuring device can also measure other effects, such as inductive effects caused by the permeability of the product. In this context, the electrical measuring device can be designed as a coil that surrounds the measuring channel sleeve. The inductance of this Coil can be temporarily influenced by the movement of the product through the measuring channel sleeve.

• 1: eine beschriebene Anlage zum Abfüllen eines rieselförmigen und/oder kompaktierten Produktes in Kapseln;
• 2: eine Vorrichtung gemäß Stand der Technik mit einer Dosiervorrichtung mit einer Dosierwalze;
• 3: eine Vorrichtung gemäß Stand der Technik mit einer Dosiervorrichtung mit einem Dosierschieber;
• 4 eine hier beschriebene Vorrichtung mit einer Dosiervorrichtung mit einer Dosierwalze;
• 5 eine hier beschriebene Vorrichtung mit einer Dosiervorrichtung mit einem Dosierschieber;
• 6 eine erste Ausführungsvariante einer Messkanalhülse für eine beschriebene Vorrichtung;
• 7 eine zweite Ausführungsvariante einer Messkanalhülse für eine beschriebene Vorrichtung;
• 8 eine dritte Ausführungsvariante einer Messkanalhülse für eine beschriebene Vorrichtung; und
• 9 eine vierte Ausführungsvariante einer Messkanalhülse für eine beschriebene Vorrichtung.

The invention and the technical environment of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show preferred embodiments to which the invention is not limited. It should be noted in particular that the figures and in particular the proportions shown in the figures are only schematic. They show:

• 1 : a described plant for filling a free-flowing and/or compacted product into capsules;
• 2 : a device according to the prior art with a dosing device with a dosing roller;
• 3 : a device according to the prior art with a dosing device with a dosing slide;
• 4 a device described here with a dosing device with a dosing roller;
• 5 a device described here with a dosing device with a dosing slide;
• 6 a first embodiment of a measuring channel sleeve for a described device;
• 7 a second embodiment of a measuring channel sleeve for a described device;
• 8 a third embodiment of a measuring channel sleeve for a described device; and
• 9 a fourth embodiment of a measuring channel sleeve for a described device.

1 shows a system 28 for filling a free-flowing, powdery and/or compacted product, which is designed here by way of example with a dosing roller 20 as the dosing device 4. The structure of the system 28 is only an example here in order to clarify the context. The system 28 has a carousel 31 which is rotated in a direction of rotation 34 and in this way travels to various stations 32 at which processing steps of containers 3 (in particular capsules that are to be filled) take place. Shown here by way of example are a filling station 29 at which the device 1 described here is implemented, a capsule loading 30 and a capsule removal 33. The filling station 29 or the device 1 is shown here by way of example with a dosing roller 20 which fills the product 2 into the containers 3. However, the filling station 29 or the device 1 can also be designed in any other way, for example with the dosing slide 22 described below.

2 shows a device 1 of the prior art with a dosing roller 20 as dosing device 4. The dosing roller 20 has dosing chambers 21, which are filled with products 2 from a reservoir 23 at the top and are transferred to the measuring channel sleeve 5 at the bottom for dosing in the container 3. The dosing roller 20 rotates during dosing in a direction of rotation 34 in order to dose one amount of product after the other. At the top position, the product 2 is sucked into the dosing chamber 21 with a negative pressure from a compressed air system 35. The size of the dosing chamber 21 defines the amount of product 2. At the bottom position, the product 2 is transferred to the measuring channel sleeve 5 with an overpressure from a compressed air system 35.

The measuring channel sleeve 5 is surrounded by an electrical measuring device 11, shown schematically here, which is connected to an evaluation circuit 13 and can be monitored and evaluated with the electrical properties of the product 2 as it moves through the measuring channel sleeve 5 in order to determine the quantity of the product 2 moved through the measuring channel sleeve 5.

3 shows a device 1 of the prior art with a dosing device 4 designed as a dosing slide 22. In a first position 24, a first passage 25 for product 2 from a reservoir 23 into a dosing chamber 21 in the dosing slide 22 is opened, so that product 2 passes from the reservoir 23 into the dosing chamber 21. By moving the dosing slide 22, the passage 25 is closed and a defined amount of the product 2, which is defined by the size of the dosing chamber 21, is separated from the reservoir 23. In a second position 26, a second passage 27 from the dosing chamber 21 to the measuring channel sleeve 5 is opened, so that the defined amount of the product 2 passes through the measuring channel sleeve 5 into the container 3.

Also shown here are the electrical measuring device 11 and the evaluation circuit 13, which are arranged in accordance with the illustration in 2 are executed.

The 4 and 5 now show the embodiments of the device 1 described here with a modified measuring channel sleeve 5, which has an inlet area 8 for the product 2 to be dosed and an outlet area 10 for transferring the product 2 to be dosed into a container 3 and an internal volume 9 arranged therebetween, through which the product 2 or the defined amount of the product 2 is moved along a conveying path 7 during dosing.

Regarding the details of the dosing device 4, 4 on the 2 and regarding the 5 on the 3 and the corresponding explanations.

The measuring channel sleeve 5 has been supplemented with a constriction 12 directed towards the inlet area 8. This constriction 12 reduces contact between the product 2 and the inner surface 6 of the measuring channel sleeve 5 and reduces the pressure between the inner surface 6 and the product 2 when the product 2 moves through the measuring channel sleeve 5. This improves the possibility of measuring the product quantity using the electrical measuring device 11 and the evaluation circuit 13. The electrical measuring device 11 spans a measuring space 15 in which the measuring channel sleeve 5 and the inner volume 9 are located in whole or in part. The constriction 12 reduces the occurrence of disruptive effects of the product 2 within this measuring space 15, which distort the measurement.

The 6 , 7 , 8 and 9 each show different measuring channel sleeves 5 that can be used for the described device 1. Also shown schematically in each case is the electrical measuring device 11, which here in particular has an electrical component 14, which for example comprises a capacitor that spans a measuring space 15 within which the measuring channel sleeve 5 and in particular the inner volume 9 of the measuring channel sleeve 5 is located. The spatial arrangement of the electrical measuring device 11 and the measuring channel sleeve 5 relative to one another is shown in such a way as such a spatial arrangement exists when the measuring channel sleeve 5 is arranged in its intended position within a described device 1.

As already mentioned above in connection with the 5 and 6 As described, the measuring channel sleeve 5 has an inlet region 8 and an outlet region 10 as well as an internal volume 9 arranged between them, through which the product is conveyed on the way from the inlet region 8 to the outlet region 10 along the conveying path 7. The measuring channel sleeve 5 also has an inner surface 6. The interaction of the product 2 with this inner surface 6 is reduced by the design of the measuring channel sleeve 5 with a constriction 12 directed towards the inlet region 8 or with a constriction 12 arranged on the inlet region 8.

In 6 a constriction 12 designed as a shoulder with a step-shaped transition 16 towards the inner volume 9 is shown, with which the product 2 can be compacted in order to reduce contact of the product 2 with the inner surface 6.

In 7 a constriction 12 with a widening transition 17 is shown, which extends over an extension length 39. The extension length 39 is short in relation to the total length 40 of the measuring channel sleeve 5. And it amounts to, for example, less than 10 percent of the total length 40.

In the 6 and 7 it is shown in each case that the measuring channel sleeve 5 extends beyond the measuring chamber 15 and in particular that a distance 36 exists between the constriction 12 and the measuring chamber 15. This makes it possible for deposits in the region of the constriction 12 to remain outside the measuring chamber 15 and the measurement with the electrical measuring device 11 is therefore not impaired by deposits located here.

8 shows a variant of the constriction, as it is in 6 is shown, wherein this constriction 12 here additionally has an inlet slope 38, with which the constriction 12 tapers from the inlet side 8. The inlet slope 38 preferably concentrates or centers product 2 in the constriction 12, which enters the measuring channel sleeve 5 from above. In addition, a compaction of the product 2 is supported by the constriction 12.

In 9 a further design variant is shown in which the inner volume 9 widens conically and forms a conically widening inner volume 37. Starting from the constriction 12 on the inlet side, an extension length 39 preferably extends over a large proportion of the total length 40 of the measuring channel sleeve 5, for example over more than 80 percent. With such a design variant, it can be achieved that the measuring channel sleeve 5 continues to widen downwards - in particular to the extent that is coordinated with the reduction of the compaction or centering of the product 2 achieved by the constriction 12. The compaction or centering of the product 2 normally decreases along the conveying path 7. The conically expanding inner volume 37 preferably increases in its cross-sectional area (or in the case of a circular interior, in its diameter) along the conveying path 7 in such a way that contact or pressure between the product 2 and the inner surface 6 is uniform along the entire conveying path 7 and is not reduced by a decrease in compaction or centering. of the product 2 in the lower area of the measuring channel sleeve 5 (close to the outlet area 10).

In all 6 to 9 The first cross-sectional area 18 of the constriction 12 and the second cross-sectional area 19 up to which the inner volume 6 of the measuring channel sleeve 5 expands are shown. In the preferred embodiments, the measuring channel sleeve 5 is rotationally symmetrical and the cross-sectional areas 18, 19 are each circular.

list of reference symbols

1

device

2

product

3

container

4

dosing device

5

measuring channel sleeve

6

inner surface

7

conveyor belt

8

entrance area

9

internal volume

10

exit area

11

electrical measuring device

12

constriction

13

evaluation circuit

14

electrical component

15

measuring room

16

gradual transition

17

expanding transition

18

first cross-sectional area

19

second cross-sectional area

20

dosing roller

21

dosing chamber

22

dosing slide

23

memory

24

first position

25

first round

26

second position

27

second round

28

Attachment

29

filling station

30

capsule assembly

31

carousel

32

station

33

capsule removal

34

direction of rotation

35

compressed air system

36

Distance

37

conically expanding internal volume

38

inlet slope

39

extension length

40

total length

Claims (14)

Device (1) for the monitored dosing of a free-flowing or compressed product (2) into a container (3), comprising a dosing device (4) with which a defined amount of the product (2) can be provided, and with a measuring channel sleeve (5) with an inner surface (6) made of non-electrically conductive material, which encloses a conveying path (7) of the defined amount of the product (2) from the dosing device (4) into the container (3), so that the product (2) on the way from the dosing device (4) into the container (3) enters an inner volume (9) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) through an inlet region (8) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) and is then guided into the container (3) at an outlet region (10) of the measuring channel sleeve (5), wherein the measuring channel sleeve (5) is arranged within an electrical measuring device (11) and the electrical measuring device (11) is designed to measure electrical properties of the free-flowing or compressed product (2) as it moves along the conveying path (7), - wherein the measuring channel sleeve (5) has a constriction (12) in the inlet region (8) which is tapered compared to the inner volume (9) and which causes the product (2) to be centered in the cylindrical inner volume (9), so that contact of the product (2) with the inner surface (6) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) is reduced on the conveying path (7); - and wherein the electrical measuring device (11) is connected to an evaluation circuit (13), wherein the evaluation circuit (13) is set up to evaluate an electrical signal which is generated when the product (2) moves along the conveying path (7) in such a way that a quantity of the dosed product (2) can be determined from this electrical signal. Device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical measuring device (11) has at least one electrical component (14) which spans a measuring space (15), wherein the measuring channel sleeve (5) is arranged within the measuring space (15) is arranged such that the conveying path (7) runs through the measuring chamber (15). Device (1) according to claim 2 , wherein the constriction (12) at the inlet region of the measuring channel sleeve (5) is arranged at least partially outside the measuring space (15). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a step-shaped transition (16) exists between the constriction (12) at the inlet region (8) and the cylindrical inner volume (9). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an expanding transition (17) exists between the constriction (12) at the inlet region (8) and a cylindrical inner volume (9). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first cross-sectional area (18) of the constriction is between 70 percent and 95 percent of a second cross-sectional area (19) of the cylindrical internal volume (9). Device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the dosing device (4) has at least one dosing roller (20) with at least one dosing chamber (21), wherein a quantity of the product (2) to be dosed can be provided in each of the at least one dosing chamber (21). Device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the dosing device (4) has at least one dosing slide (22) with at least one displaceable dosing chamber (21), wherein a quantity of the product (2) to be dosed can be provided by a displacement of the dosing slide (22). Device (1) according to claim 8 , wherein the product (2) is provided in a reservoir (23) and, in a first position (24) of the at least one dosing slide (22), a first passage (25) from the reservoir (23) into the at least one dosing chamber (21) is opened, and the dosing chamber (21) is filled with product (2) from the reservoir (23), and, in a second position (26) of the at least one dosing slide (22), a second passage (27) from the dosing chamber (21) into the inlet region (8) of the measuring channel sleeve (5) is opened and the product (2) contained in the dosing chamber (21) can pass into the measuring channel sleeve (5). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the product (2) is a pharmaceutical product. Device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , wherein the product (2) comprises granulate particles and/or pellets. Device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , wherein the product (2) comprises a powder. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical measuring device (11) comprises a capacitor with two electrodes (14), wherein the measuring channel sleeve (5) is arranged within a measuring space (15) which forms a capacitor volume (15) between the two electrodes (14), and wherein dielectric properties of the product (2) cause a measurable change in the capacitance of the capacitor. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation circuit (13) is designed to detect a time integral of the capacitance of the electrical measuring device (11) as an electrical signal and to evaluate it for determining the amount of the dosed product (2).

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