Capsule filling machine

Abstract

A capsule filling machine for filling capsules includes a machine housing, a machine table, and a conveyor wheel whose perimeter includes capsule holders, each of which has capsule receivers for capsules. A conveyor wheel drive is configured to be rotated incrementally so that the capsule holders move incrementally along a conveyor track. A plurality of process stations are arranged along the conveyor track at or on the machine table and include at least one feeding station, at least one opening station, at least one filling station, at least one closing station, and at least one ejection station. The process stations have process drives for their operation, which are controllable independently of the conveyor wheel drive. A cabinet includes a computer machine for operating the capsule filling machine and controlling the conveyor wheel drive as well as the process drives is connected to the conveyor drive and the process drives.

1 . A capsule filling machine for filling capsules made up of a capsule top part and a capsule bottom part, the capsule filling machine comprising a machine housing;
 a machine table arranged in the machine housing;   a conveyor wheel arranged in the machine housing, wherein a perimeter of the conveyor wheel comprises a plurality of capsule holders, each of which has a plurality of capsule receivers for one capsule;   a conveyor wheel drive arranged in the machine housing, wherein the conveyor wheel is configured to be rotated incrementally so that the capsule holders move incrementally along a conveyor track; and   a plurality of process stations arranged along the conveyor track at or on the machine table and also arranged in the machine housing,   wherein the process stations comprise at least one feeding station for feeding capsules to be filled into the capsule receivers, at least one opening station for opening the capsules to be filled by separating the capsule top parts from the capsule bottom parts, at least one filling station for filling the capsule bottom parts with material to be filled, at least one closing station for closing the filled capsules by connecting the capsule top parts with the capsule bottom parts, and at least one ejection station for ejecting the filled capsules; and   wherein the process stations have process drives for their operation, which are controllable independently of the conveyor wheel drive; and   a cabinet arranged in the machine housing, the cabinet comprising a computer machine for operating the capsule filling machine and controlling the conveyor wheel drive as well as the process drives and connected at least with the conveyor drive and the process drives via lines arranged within the machine housing.   
     
     
         2 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor wheel drive is a servo drive, comprising a servo motor driving the conveyor wheel in a rotary manner via a gearbox. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor wheel drive is a direct drive. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the direct drive is a torque drive. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the process drives are drives selected from the group consisting of servo drives, direct drives, torque drives, and linear drives. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the cabinet is arranged in a free space below the machine table on a floor plate of the machine housing. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the machine table is arranged on a carrier plate below which the free space accommodating the cabinet is located. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a removal device with which the cabinet can be removed from the machine housing. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the removal device comprises rails arranged on the floor plate of the machine housing, on which the cabinet is arranged. 
     
     
         10 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the rails are telescopic rails, so that the cabinet can be moved out of the machine housing by extending the telescopic rails. 
     
     
         11 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 1 , wherein a control unit for controlling the computer machine by an operator is provided outside the machine housing. 
     
     
         12 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the control unit is arranged next to the machine housing and separately from it and communicates with the computer machine wirelessly or via a wired connection. 
     
     
         13 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the control unit is arranged on a holder fastened on the machine housing and communicates with the computer machine wirelessly or via a wired connection fed through or on the holder.