초록 ▼

The invention relates to a weighing device for a packaging machine. Empty capsules that are still closed are removed from a capsule holder, weighed on a gravimetric scale, placed back into an empty capsule holder, and then taken apart. The device makes it possible to remove empty capsules and replac

The invention relates to a weighing device for a packaging machine. Empty capsules that are still closed are removed from a capsule holder, weighed on a gravimetric scale, placed back into an empty capsule holder, and then taken apart. The device makes it possible to remove empty capsules and replace them at full machine speed, without a loss of any consequence in output. It is possible to use a gravimetric measurement method to carry out a tare weighing of the capsules. An additional weighing device for filled capsules is integrated into a capsule transport device to determine the net weight based on the tare weight and the weight of the full capsules. Such a combination of a gravimetric tare weighing and a gross weighing to statistically determine the net weight is particularly well-suited to an intermediate capsule filling device.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for transferring a plurality of capsules, comprising the following steps: preparing the plurality of capsules to be removed simultaneously from a filled capsule holder, the capsule holder being composed of a plurality of vertically disposed openings into which the plurality of capsules t

1. A method for transferring a plurality of capsules, comprising the following steps: preparing the plurality of capsules to be removed simultaneously from a filled capsule holder, the capsule holder being composed of a plurality of vertically disposed openings into which the plurality of capsules to be transferred have been each placed vertically into one of the openings; positioning a transfer device vertically above the capsule holder filled with the plurality of capsules, the transfer device having a plurality of vacuum bores which align with the plurality of openings in the capsule holder for removal thereof; simultaneously applying a vacuum through the vacuum bores to the tops of the plurality of capsules in the capsule holder; exerting a force on a bottom of all the capsules by means of a plurality of transport pins which are aligned with and situated underneath the openings in the capsule holder and which are able to move vertically toward an underside of the capsules and through the openings for reinforcement on the bottom of the capsules; and lifting the capsules from the capsule holder while maintaining the vacuum on the top of the capsules and while exerting the force on the bottom of the capsules, thereby completely removing all the capsules from the capsule holder simultaneously. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of positioning the transfer device vertically above the capsule holder filled with the plurality of capsules includes the step of pivoting the transfer device from a remote position to a position when the plurality of vacuum bores in the transfer device align with the plurality of openings in the capsule holder. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an additional step of depositing the plurality of capsules from the transfer device into a weighing dish of a weighing device by deactivating the vacuum, the weighing dish having corresponding vertically disposed openings for receiving the plurality of capsules from the transfer device. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein after the step of depositing the plurality of capsules from the transfer device into the weighing dish, further comprising an additional step of depositing the plurality of capsules from the transfer device back into the plurality of openings in the capsule holder simultaneously. 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of depositing the plurality of capsules from the transfer device into the weighing dish, includes the step of pivoting the transfer device from a position when the plurality of vacuum bores in the transfer device align with the plurality of openings in the capsule holder to a position when the vacuum bores in the transfer device align with the corresponding vertically disposed openings in the weighing dish. 6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of depositing the plurality of capsules from the transfer device into the weighing dish has steps further comprising: lowering all the plurality of capsules simultaneously into the openings of the weighing dish by vertically lowering the transfer device,switching off the vacuum supplied to a first capsule thereby releasing the first capsule from the transfer device and depositing the first capsule into its corresponding opening in the weighing dish while continuing to supply vacuum to all remaining capsules,raising all remaining capsules from the weighing dish by vertically raising the transfer device, andweighing said first capsule. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein after the step of depositing the plurality of capsules from the transfer device into the weighing dish, further comprising an additional step of depositing the plurality of capsules from the transfer device back into the plurality of openings in the capsule holder simultaneously. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of depositing the plurality of capsules from the transfer device into the weighing dish, includes the step of pivoting the transfer device from a position when the plurality of vacuum bores in the transfer device align with the plurality of openings in the capsule holder to a position when the vacuum bores in the transfer device align with the corresponding vertically disposed openings in the weighing dish. 9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: lowering the remaining capsules into the openings of the weighing dish,switching off the vacuum supplied to a second capsule thereby releasing the second capsule from the transfer device and depositing the second capsule into its corresponding opening in the weighing dish while continuing to supply vacuum to all other capsules except the first capsule and the second capsule,raising all of the other capsules except the first capsule and the second capsule from the weighing dish by vertically raising the transfer device,weighing said first and second capsules, anddetermining the weight of the second capsule by subtracting the weight of the first capsule from the total weight of the two capsules. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of depositing the plurality of capsules from the transfer device into the weighing dish, includes the step of pivoting the transfer device from a position when the plurality of vacuum bores in the transfer device align with the plurality of openings in the capsule holder to a position when the vacuum bores in the transfer device align with the corresponding vertically disposed openings in the weighing dish. 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein after the step of depositing the plurality of capsules from the transfer device into the weighing dish, further comprising an additional step of depositing the plurality of capsules from the transfer device back into the plurality of openings in the capsule holder simultaneously. 12. The method according to claim 11, depositing the plurality of capsules from the transfer device back into the plurality of openings in the capsule holder simultaneously, includes the step of pivoting the transfer device from a position when the vacuum bores in the transfer device align with the corresponding vertically disposed openings in the weighing dish to a position when the plurality of vacuum bores in the transfer device align with the plurality of openings in the capsule holder. 13. An apparatus which operates according to the method of claim 1, comprising the transfer device which transfers the capsules to a weighing device. 14. The apparatus according claim 13, further comprising the transfer device including vacuum bores through which the vacuum can be applied to the capsules, and transport pins supporting the capsules while the capsules are being removed from the capsule holder. 15. The apparatus according claim 13, wherein the transfer device includes vacuum bores through which the vacuum can be applied to the capsules. 16. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising the capsule holder for transporting the capsules. 17. The apparatus according claim 16, wherein the transfer device includes vacuum bores through which the vacuum can be applied to the capsules. 18. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising the transport pins supporting the capsules while the capsules are removed from the capsule holder. 19. The apparatus according claim 18, wherein the transfer device includes vacuum bores through which the vacuum can be applied to the capsules. 20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the transport pins are movable in a capsule removal direction or in a capsule depositing direction relative to the capsule holder. 21. The apparatus according claim 20, wherein the transfer device includes vacuum bores through which the vacuum can be applied to the capsules.