US 11,987,414 B2
Capsule filling machine for filling two-piece capsules, and method for filling two-piece capsules
Andreas Lux, Allmersbach im Tal (DE); and Benedict Kleine-Koenig, Allmersbach im Tal (DE)
Assigned to Harro Hoefliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH, Allmersbach im Tal (DE)
Filed by Harro Hoefliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH, Allmersbach im Tal (DE)
Filed on Dec. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/068,317.
Claims priority of application No. 21216624 (EP), filed on Dec. 21, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0192339 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. B65B 43/00 (2006.01); A61J 3/07 (2006.01); B65B 1/04 (2006.01); B65B 3/00 (2006.01); B65B 3/04 (2006.01); B65B 43/50 (2006.01); B65B 57/14 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 43/50 (2013.01) [A61J 3/074 (2013.01); B65B 1/04 (2013.01); B65B 3/003 (2013.01); B65B 3/04 (2013.01); B65B 57/145 (2013.01); A61J 2200/70 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A capsule filling machine for filling two-piece capsules, the two-piece capsules each having a capsule upper part and a capsule lower part, the capsule filling machine comprising:
at least one capsule holder having a plurality of receivers and being configured to convey the capsules, wherein said at least one capsule holder has a holder lower part configured to receive the capsule lower part and a holder upper part configured to receive the capsule upper part;
an insertion station for delivering unfilled capsules into said plurality of receivers of said at least one capsule segment;
a dosing station for filling the capsule lower part with a fill product;
a closing station for closing the filled capsule lower part and the capsule upper part;
a measuring device having a capacitive measuring system, said measuring device being downstream of said closing station, said capacitive measuring system having a measuring section, along which a mass of the filled, closed capsule can be measured via said capacitive measuring system;
said capacitive measuring system including a capacitive sensor arranged at said measuring section;
said measuring device including a guide for the closed capsule;
said guide being configured to convey the filled, closed capsule from said capsule holder to said measuring section of said capacitive measuring system; and,
a plurality of processing tracks, wherein said capacitive measuring system includes a separate one of said measuring sections for each of said plurality of processing tracks.