Machine for filling a plurality of containers, system including such a machine, and related manufacture method

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine ( 1 ) for filling a plurality of containers ( 2 ) that are arranged in a display ( 3 ), said machine ( 1 ) including a rotatable dispensing member ( 4 ) that is designed for transferring a filling substance into the containers ( 2 ). Said machine is also characterized in that it includes a means ( 10 ) for rotating a display ( 3 ) so that the combination of the rotational movements of the dispensing member ( 4 ) and the display ( 3 ) makes it possible to correlate the dispensing member ( 4 ) with each container ( 2 ), with a view to filling the latter. The invention also relates to filling machines.

1 . A machine ( 1 ) for filling a plurality of containers ( 2 ) arranged in a rack ( 3 ), said machine ( 1 ) comprising a dispensing unit ( 4 ) rotatable about a first axis of rotation (X-X′), designed for transferring a filling substance into the containers ( 2 ), said dispensing unit ( 4 ) comprising a filling stylet ( 6 ), said machine ( 1 ) comprising a means ( 10 ) for driving the rack ( 3 ) in rotation about a second axis of rotation (Y-Y′) so that the combination of the rotational movements of the dispensing unit ( 4 ) and the rack ( 3 ) makes possible the placement of the dispensing unit ( 4 ) in correspondence with each of the containers ( 2 ) in order to fill these latter, said machine being characterized in that the trajectory of the filling stylet ( 6 ) imparted by the rotation of the dispensing unit ( 4 ) substantially crosses said second axis of rotation (Y-Y′). 
     
     
         2 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the rotatable dispensing unit ( 4 ) is also designed so as to be movable in translation, in order to be able to move closer to or away from each container ( 2 ) with which it is placed in correspondence. 
     
     
         3 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the filling stylet ( 6 ) is designed for filling one container ( 2 ) at a time. 
     
     
         4 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , characterized in that it comprises a frame ( 5 ) on which said dispensing unit ( 4 ) and a means for driving the rack are mounted, the dispensing unit ( 4 ) comprising a filling arm ( 7 ) that extends between a first end ( 7 A) toward which said filling arm ( 7 ) is pivotably mounted on the frame ( 5 ) and a second end ( 7 B) toward which the filling stylet ( 6 ) is mounted on the filling arm ( 7 ). 
     
     
         5 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said frame comprises a first column ( 8 ) on which said filling arm ( 7 ) is mounted through a sliding pivot connection. 
     
     
         6 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the first column ( 8 ) extends predominantly vertically whereas the filling arm ( 7 ) extends predominantly horizontally. 
     
     
         7 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the driving means ( 10 ) of the rack ( 3 ) comprises a first rotatable table ( 11 ), on which the rack ( 3 ) is intended to rest. 
     
     
         8 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said first and second axes of rotation (X-X′, Y-Y′) are substantially collinear to each other. 
     
     
         9 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , characterized in that said first column ( 8 ) extends substantially about the first axis of rotation (X-X′), whereas the first table ( 11 ) comprises a substantially planar surface ( 11 A) for receiving the rack ( 3 ), which extends substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation (Y-Y′). 
     
     
         10 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the filling arm ( 7 ) is of invariable length. 
     
     
         11 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a device ( 12 ) for plugging the containers ( 2 ), once these latter have been filled, by means of a plurality of plugs ( 13 ) arranged on a tray ( 14 ), said plugging device ( 12 ) comprising a rotatable unit ( 15 ) for handling the plugs ( 13 ) and a means ( 16 ) for rotational driving of the tray ( 14 ), so that, on the one hand, the combination of the rotational movements of the handling unit ( 15 ) and the tray ( 14 ) allows the placement of the handling unit ( 15 ) in correspondence with each of the plugs ( 13 ) in order for them to be gripped by the handling unit ( 15 ), and on the other hand, the combination of the rotational movements of the handling unit ( 15 ) and the rack ( 3 ) allows the placement of the handling unit ( 15 ) in correspondence with each of the containers ( 2 ) in order for them to be plugged. 
     
     
         12 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it is designed for filling a plurality of containers ( 2 ) arranged into rows in a rack ( 3 ) of the nest type. 
     
     
         13 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said containers ( 2 ) are tubular containers ( 2 ), formed preferably by syringe bodies. 
     
     
         14 . A system comprising:
 a machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 ,   a rack ( 3 ) of the nest type,   a plurality of containers ( 2 ), such as syringe bodies, arranged into rows in said rack ( 3 ).   
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a first container ( 20 ) containing a filling substance, said method comprising a step of filling said first container ( 20 ), which belongs to a plurality of containers ( 2 ) arranged in a rack ( 3 ), said filling step comprising a transfer of the filling substance into the first container ( 20 ) by means of a dispensing unit ( 4 ) comprising a filling stylet ( 6 ), the filling step including, before said transfer of the filling substance into the first container, a placement of the dispensing unit ( 4 ) and the first container ( 20 ) in correspondence with each other by rotating the dispensing unit ( 4 ) and the rack ( 3 ) about a first and a second axis of rotation (X-X′, Y-Y′), respectively, said method being characterized in that the trajectory of the filling stylet ( 6 ) imparted by the rotation of the dispensing unit ( 4 ) substantially crosses said second axis of rotation (Y-Y′). 
     
     
         16 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the filling stylet ( 6 ) is designed for filling one container ( 2 ) at a time. 
     
     
         17 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , characterized in that said frame comprises a first column ( 8 ) on which said filling arm ( 7 ) is mounted through a sliding pivot connection. 
     
     
         18 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 17 , characterized in that the first column ( 8 ) extends predominantly vertically whereas the filling arm ( 7 ) extends predominantly horizontally. 
     
     
         19 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the driving means ( 10 ) of the rack ( 3 ) comprises a first rotatable table ( 11 ), on which the rack ( 3 ) is intended to rest. 
     
     
         20 . A machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the driving means ( 10 ) of the rack ( 3 ) comprises a first rotatable table ( 11 ), on which the rack ( 3 ) is intended to rest.