Robert Bosch

H. Strunck Gmbh & Co. Maschinenfabrik

Ingbert Pennekamp

Gunter Meyer

Manfred Windsheimer

Klaus Hillebrand

A sterilization tunnel for pharmaceutical containers such as vials has an inlet zone, a sterilization zone, and a cooling zone. A conveyor belt for the vials is disposed inside the sterilization tunnel. An emptying device that can be raised and lowered is disposed in the vicinity of the cooling zone. In order to empty the sterilization tunnel, the frame-shaped emptying device is lowered onto the conveyor belt and then pushes an emptying slider, which is being moved through the sterilization tunnel together with the last vials disposed on the conveyor belt, out from the sterilization tunnel. The emptying device permits a particularly simple operation of the sterilization tunnel.

Sterilization tunnel

In a tunnel-like region of a sterilizing tunnel, containers are advanced by means of a conveyor device. For sterilization, a heated air flow oriented vertically in the region of the containers is used, which is generated by means of a fan and a heater. To prevent particles from being torn out of a sterile filter during the heating phase, there is a provision for adapting the rpm of the fan during the heating phase. According to the invention, this rpm adaptation is done by ascertaining the requisite rotary speeds of the fan beforehand at both room temperature and the sterilization temperature, whereupon a control unit of the sterilizing tunnel, on the basis of a predetermined functional relationship, raises the rpm of the fan as the temperature of the air flow is raised.

Method for controlling air speed in a sterilizing tunnel during the heating of same tunnel

A conveyor apparatus for handling small capsules, ampules, etc. and for transferring them from a continuous stream to a cyclically moving conveyor rack. Segmented pivoting arms hold the capsules in peripheral recesses. The arms are guided in a cam track whereby their pivotal motion takes place at varying speeds which can be adapted to the requirements of the transfer process and of the subsequent machine members.

Apparatus for transport of capsules and the like

A method and apparatus is proposed for cleaning ampules or similar containers which includes the steps of rinsing, spraying, and drying and includes an ultrasonic generator for pre-treating the ampules prior to the aforementioned steps.

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Crailsheim, Germany

Ingbert Pennekamp