Vacuum position sensing device

Abstract

An apparatus and method of controlling a machine for filling pharmaceutical syringes with fluid. The apparatus consists of a vacuum source, a vacuum adapter, a vacuum switch, a filling needle housing and a filling needle that are to be located over a syringe. In the event of misalignment of the filling needle over the syringe and the needle contacts the top of the syringe or the syringe tray, the housing rises and uncovers the connecting pipe causing loss of vacuum. This loss of vacuum at the vacuum switch shuts down the machine.

1 ) A machine having an apparatus that monitors the location of a piston within a cylinder, the apparatus comprising: 
 a) a conduit connected to the side of the cylinder;    b) a vacuum switch connected to the conduit in communication with the space within the cylinder;    c) a vacuum source connected to the conduit;    d) an upper and lower seal on the circumference of the piston wherein movement of the piston such that the lower seal is above the conduit connection, a corresponding loss of vacuum in the conduit and pressure switch affects operation of the machine.    
   
   
       2 . The machine and apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the machine is a pharmaceutical syringe filling machine.  
   
   
       3 . The machine and apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the piston is a filling needle housing having a filling needle attached at a lower portion.  
   
   
       4 . The machine and apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the cylinder is a vacuum adapter.  
   
   
       5 . The machine and apparatus of  claim 3  wherein movement of the filling needle housing lower seal above the conduit connection causes loss of vacuum and machine shutdown.  
   
   
       6 . A machine and apparatus for filling pharmaceutical syringes, the apparatus comprising: 
 a) a vacuum adapter having a connecting holding vacuum conduit;    b) a tee connection on the vacuum conduit connected to a vacuum switch;    c) a cylindrical needle housing within the vacuum adapter;    d) a filling needle attached at a lower end of the needle housing;    e) an upper and lower seal attached to the circumference of the housing;    f) a vacuum source connected to the vacuum conduit wherein needle contact with any object raises the needle and housing thereby moving the lower seal above the vacuum conduit causing loss of vacuum and shutdown of the machine by the vacuum switch.    
   
   
       7 . A method of controlling a machine for filling pharmaceutical syringes, the machine comprising a vacuum adapter containing a needle housing and fill needle, a holding vacuum conduit connected to the vacuum adapter, a vacuum switch connected to the vacuum conduit, a vacuum source connected to the vacuum conduit and an upper and lower seal on the circumference of the needle housing, the method comprising: 
 a) maintaining a vacuum on the holding vacuum conduit and space between the seals to hold the needle housing in position; and    b) moving and lowering the conduit, vacuum adapter, needle housing and needle over a syringe wherein an inadvertent misalignment of the needle housing, needle and vacuum adapter causes the needle and housing to raise relative to the lower seal creating a loss of vacuum thereby activating the vacuum switch to shutdown the machine.