Needle holder

Abstract

The invention relates to a needle holder ( 5 ) for use in a filling machine, the needle holder serving for accommodating a plurality of needles ( 6 ) for filling vials, ampoules or the like, and the respective needle having a tubular needle section ( 7 ) and a needle attachment ( 8 ) which can be connected to a filling tube or the like, and with means for fastening the needles on the needle holder. It is an object of the invention to ensure, in the case of such a needle holder, that needles can be changed simply and within a short period of time under optimal sterility conditions. This is achieved by a retaining element ( 11 ) which is provided on one side with a plurality of mutually parallel grooves ( 13 ) for accommodating the needle sections of the needles, and also by clamping elements ( 16 ) which can be connected to the retaining element and are intended for fixing the needles in the grooves.

1 . A needle holder ( 5 ) for use in a filling machine ( 1 ), the needle holder ( 5 ) serving to accommodate a plurality of needles ( 6 ) for filling vials, ampoules ( 3 ) or the like, and the respective needle ( 6 ) having a tubular needle section ( 7 ) and a needle attachment ( 8 ) which can be connected to a filling tube or the like, and with means for fastening the needles ( 6 ) on the needle holder ( 5 ), which comprises a retaining element ( 11 ) which is provided on one side with a plurality of mutually parallel grooves ( 13 ) for accommodating the needle sections ( 7 ) of the needles ( 6 ), and also comprises clamping elements ( 16 ) which can be connected to the retaining element ( 11 ) and are intended for fixing the needles ( 6 ) in the grooves ( 13 ).  
     
     
         2 . The needle holder as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element ( 11 ): is designed as a retaining plate which is provided with the grooves ( 13 ) in the region of one main surface ( 12 ).  
     
     
         3 . The needle holder as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the retaining plate ( 11 ) in the region of the other main surface, can be connected to a bearing element ( 9 ) of the filling machine ( 1 ).  
     
     
         4 . The needle holder as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein centering means ( 23 ,  25 ) are provided for the defined positioning of the retaining plates ( 11 ) and bearing element ( 9 ).  
     
     
         5 . The needle holder as claimed in one of  claims 2  to  4 , wherein the retaining plate ( 11 ) is of cuboidal design.  
     
     
         6 . The needle holder as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the needle attachments ( 8 ) come into contact with the retaining element ( 11 ).  
     
     
         7 . The needle holder as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  6 , wherein the clamping elements ( 16 ) are designed as clamping plates.  
     
     
         8 . The needle holder as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein each groove ( 13 ) is assigned a clamping plate ( 16 ).  
     
     
         9 . The needle holder as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein centering means ( 17 ,  19 ) are provided for the defined positioning of the retaining plate ( 11 ) and clamping plate ( 16 ).  
     
     
         10 . The needle holder as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  9 , wherein the respective groove ( 13 ) is of V-shaped design.