阅读说明：本技术 借助于辊式配给装置产生单个配给量的方法 (Method for producing individual doses by means of a roller-type dosing device ) 是由 S.布雷希特 B.汉德尔 M.希尔德 于 2019-08-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于借助于辊式配给装置(3)产生粉末状产品(1)的单个配给量(2)的方法。借助于测量装置依次确定多个排出的配给量(2)的单个质量。从中形成质量平均值并将该质量平均值与预设的内部额定质量范围进行比较。如果形成的质量平均值处于预设的内部额定质量范围之内,则在填充位置(I)中作用在配给开口(7)上的负压水平保持不变,并重新开始质量平均值的上述形成过程。如果形成的质量平均值处于预设的内部额定质量范围之外,则适配的负压如此获知：在质量平均值过低时提高负压水平,并且在质量平均值过高时降低负压水平,并且在填充位置中向配给开口(7)施加适配的负压。(The invention relates to a method for producing individual doses (2) of a powdered product (1) by means of a roller-type dosing device (3). The individual masses of the discharged doses (2) are determined in turn by means of a measuring device. From which a mass mean value is formed and compared with a preset internal nominal mass range. If the formed mass average lies within the predetermined internal target mass range, the vacuum level acting on the dispensing opening (7) in the filling position (I) remains constant and the above-described forming of the mass average is resumed. If the resulting mass mean value lies outside the predetermined internal target mass range, the adapted negative pressure is determined in such a way that: when the mass mean value is too low, the vacuum level is increased, and when the mass mean value is too high, the vacuum level is reduced, and in the filling position, a suitable vacuum is applied to the dispensing opening (7).)

1. Method for producing individual doses (2) of a powdered product (1) by means of a roller-type dosing device (3), wherein the roller-type dosing device (3) comprises a product reservoir (4), a dosing roller (5) and a measuring device (6) for determining the mass of the doses (2), wherein the dosing roller (5) is provided on a circumferential side with at least one dosing opening (7), wherein the dosing opening (7) is bounded on the inside by means of a filter element (8) and can be subjected to a negative pressure through the filter element (8), and wherein the method comprises the following steps:

-in a filling position (I), filling the dispensing opening (7) with a partial quantity of the powdered product (1) from the product storage (4);

-in the filling position (I), applying a negative pressure to the dispensing opening (7) through the filter element (8), wherein a dispensing quantity (2) of the powdered product (1) is formed in the dispensing opening (7);

-rotating the dosing roller (5) until the dosing opening (7) filled with the dosing quantity (2) is in a discharge position (III) in which the dosing quantity (2) is discharged from the dosing opening (7);

-continuing to rotate the dispensing roller (5) until the emptied dispensing opening (7) is again in the filling position (II);

-cyclically repeating the above steps several times, wherein the individual masses of a plurality of discharged rations (2) are determined in turn by means of the measuring device;

-forming a mass mean value from the determined individual masses of the plurality of discharged rations (2), comparing said mass mean value with a preset internal nominal mass range, and using for trend adjustment:

-if the formed mass average lies within the preset internal nominal mass range, the level of underpressure acting on the dispensing opening (7) in the filling position (I) remains unchanged and the above-mentioned forming of the mass average is resumed;

-if the resulting mass mean value lies outside the preset internal nominal mass range, the adapted negative pressure is known as such: the negative pressure level is increased when the mass average value is too low and is reduced when the mass average value is too high, and a suitable negative pressure is applied to the dispensing opening (7) in the filling position.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the formed mass mean value is also compared with a preset outer rated mass range, an adapted underpressure is then applied to the dispensing opening (7) in the filling position when the formed mass mean value is outside the inner rated mass range and within the outer rated mass range, and a fault signal is then generated when the formed mass mean value is outside the outer rated mass range.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a positive pressure is applied through the filter element (8) to the dispensing opening (7) in the discharge position (III) and the level of the positive pressure is adapted similarly to the negative pressure adapted to act in the filling position (I).

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure adaptation is carried out in a fixedly preset pressure step.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure adaptation is carried out around an adaptation value which depends functionally on the degree of difference between the mass mean and the nominal mass.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual masses of a plurality of directly successively discharged doses (2) are determined in succession by means of the measuring device, and a mass mean value is determined from the individual masses of the determined, directly successively discharged doses (2).

7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the case that the known level of adapted underpressure is outside an allowable pressure range, an actually adapted underpressure is applied to the dispensing opening (7) in the filling position, the level of which actually adapted underpressure corresponds to the respective limit value of the allowable pressure range.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the mass mean is formed by at least twenty determined individual masses.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the mass mean value is formed by at least one hundred determined individual masses.

10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the following method steps are additionally carried out:

-calculating a relative standard deviation thereof in addition to a mass mean value from the determined individual masses of the plurality of discharged rations (2) and comparing it with a preset limit deviation;

-if the calculated standard deviation is less than or equal to the limit deviation, the quality mean is used for the trend adjustment;

-generating a fault signal if the calculated standard deviation is greater than the limit deviation.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for producing individual doses of a powdered product by means of a roller-type dispensing device.

Background

For example, in the field of pharmaceuticals, but also in the field of dietary supplements and the like, powders are processed which have to be provided in precisely metered partial quantities or rations for a given dosage form. Target containers, for example in the form of blisters (blisters), plug capsules or the like, are filled with such metered doses of the powdered product, so that the appropriate unit dose is provided to the consumer and can be taken.

In particular, such powdered products are converted into single-measured doses in so-called roll dosing devices, which are then inserted into the respective target containers. Such roller-type dispensing devices comprise a dispensing roller which is provided on the circumferential side with at least one, usually a plurality of dispensing openings, wherein the dispensing openings are bounded on the inside by means of a filter element and through which a negative pressure can be applied. Under the effect of the underpressure, the powder is sucked into the dispensing opening, wherein a dispensing quantity of powder is formed, the volume of which corresponds to the volume of the respective dispensing opening. The resulting dose is then discharged from the dispensing opening and transferred to the target container.

As is clear from the above, the dispensing by means of the roller-type dispensing device is a volumetric dispensing. The aim is usually to provide a measured dose with a specific mass within the permitted tolerance. In practice, it has been found that the dosing quantity provided volumetrically by the roller-type dosing device does not always meet the requirements in terms of the quality of the actual realization.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method by means of which individual masses produced by a roller-type dispensing device can be kept within predetermined tolerances in a simple manner.

This object is achieved by a method for producing individual doses of a powdered product by means of a roller-type dispensing device, wherein the roller-type dispensing device comprises a product reservoir, a dispensing roller and a measuring device for determining the mass of the doses, wherein the dispensing roller is provided on the circumferential side with at least one dispensing opening, wherein the dispensing opening is bounded on the inside by means of a filter element and can be acted upon by a negative pressure through the filter element, and wherein the method comprises the following steps:

in the filling position, the dispensing opening is filled with a partial amount of the powdered product from the product storage;

in the filling position, a negative pressure is applied through the filter element to the dispensing opening, wherein a metered amount of the powdered product is formed in the dispensing opening;

-rotating the dosing roller until the dosing opening filled with the dosed quantity is in a discharge position in which the dosed quantity is discharged from the dosing opening;

-continuing to rotate the dispensing roller until the emptied dispensing opening is again in the filling position;

-cyclically repeating the above steps several times, wherein the individual masses of a plurality of discharged rations are determined in turn by means of a measuring device;

-forming a mass mean value from the determined individual masses of the plurality of discharged doses, comparing the mass mean value with a preset internal nominal mass range, and using the following trend adjustment:

-if the formed mass average lies within a preset internal nominal mass range, the level of underpressure acting on the dispensing opening in the filling position remains unchanged and the above-described forming of the mass average is resumed;

if the resulting mass mean value lies outside a predetermined internal target mass range, the adapted negative pressure is determined in such a way that: if the mass mean value is too low, the vacuum level is increased and if the mass mean value is too high, the vacuum level is reduced and, in the filling position, a suitable vacuum is applied to the dispensing opening.

The invention is based firstly on the recognition that: the fluctuations to be observed in the actual dosing quality can be divided into two categories. In the first category, there is a short term fluctuation in which the individual quality is different from the subsequent or previous individual quality. In particular in the case of very small target masses of a few milligrams, such fluctuations between individual masses are due in particular to local density fluctuations in the powder, fluctuations in the degree of filling of the individual dosing openings and fluctuations in the degree of emptying when the dosing quantity is discharged. At this time, although it is possible to try to minimize the fluctuation within the first class as a whole, it is inevitable in principle.

The second category differs from this in that the quality changes occur over a longer period of time in a larger number of process cycles. According to the invention, it has been recognized that this is based on a gradual, trending change in the powder density in the metered dose, which in turn is mainly due to two influencing factors. On the one hand, the supplied powder may vary in its own properties. On the other hand, the filter element located at the bottom of the dispensing opening tends to become gradually clogged by the powder particles or the like during numerous process steps, which affects the level of negative pressure acting when sucking the powdered product. It has been observed that, with a constant pressure level maintained at the negative pressure source, the negative pressure actually acting in the dispensing opening is gradually reduced due to the gradually clogged filter element. As the applied negative pressure decreases, the density of the dose also gradually decreases, which leads to a gradual decrease in the mass of the dose, keeping the dose volume constant.

For this purpose, measuring devices for determining the quality of individual doses are now used within the scope of the invention. Preferred in this case are capacitance measuring systems, in particular with so-called AMV sensors (Advanced Mass verification sensor). However, other measuring systems or weighing systems may be used within the scope of the invention, which allow the determination of a single mass of a single dose or of a plurality of cumulative doses.

According to the present invention, it is now not the object to detect and influence the short-term quality fluctuations of the first kind mentioned above. But rather to the knowledge of trends, which is why individual masses of a plurality of dispensed portions are determined in succession by means of a measuring device, from which individual masses a mass mean value is then formed. For this purpose, it is sufficient to detect only every second, third or nth dose and to form an average therefrom. However, it is preferred that individual masses of a plurality of directly successively discharged doses are determined in succession, from which the mass mean is then determined. In any case, the resulting mass mean value is compared with a preset internal nominal mass range.

Depending on the result of this comparison, at least two different basic situations now occur. In the first case, the vacuum level acting on the dispensing opening in the filling position remains constant if the resulting mass mean value lies within a predetermined internal nominal mass range. I.e. no adaptation of the operating parameters is performed. But rather continues the current dosing process unchanged, wherein a new cycle of measuring and forming a mass average is started.

In the second case, however, the adapted negative pressure is determined if the resulting mass mean value lies outside the predetermined internal setpoint mass range: the negative pressure level is increased when the mass mean value is too low and the negative pressure level is decreased when the mass mean value is too high. Now in its filling position, an adapted underpressure is applied to the dispensing opening. The effect of the possibility of causing a change in the quality of the dispensed quantity while keeping the dispensed volume constant by varying the level of negative pressure is utilized here. The actual readjustment of the metering mass by the negative pressure adaptation described above is intended to bring the metering mass back within the predetermined internal target mass range. However, the regulation according to the invention is not a regulation of a single mass, but rather a regulation of the actually realized single mass with its mass mean value determined by a plurality of measurements, which corresponds to a trend regulation and is referred to herein as a trend regulation. Disturbances to the adaptation process caused by individual short-term outliers (ausreissers) or fluctuations of the first kind mentioned above are not taken into account, whereas long-term variations, for example due to product changes or filter element clogging, can be reliably accommodated. This adjustment can be fully automated comfortably and reliably without operator intervention. An increase in the operational life of the machine is achieved in a user-friendly manner. Efficiency is improved by avoiding mis-dosed product. Furthermore, the method according to the invention can be integrated into process monitoring. Deviations in process parameters and product fluctuations can be identified early, so that timely corrections can be achieved.

In addition, it is expedient to compare the resulting mass mean value with a predetermined external nominal mass range. If the resulting mass mean value lies outside the inner nominal mass range, an adapted underpressure is still applied to the dispensing opening in its filling position if this condition is additionally met within the outer nominal mass range. However, if the resulting mass mean value lies outside the outer nominal mass range, it is concluded therefrom that there is an excessively large and therefore problematic deviation. In which case a fault signal is generated. Depending on the fault signal, the process can be interrupted, for example, while the adaptation of the negative pressure is stopped.

In a suitable embodiment of the roller-type dispensing device, a positive pressure is applied to the dispensing opening in its discharge position through the filter element, in order to thereby blow or discharge the metered quantity out of the dispensing opening. In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the level of the positive pressure acting on the filling site is adapted in a similar manner to the negative pressure acting on the filling site. For this purpose, it is possible, for example, to take into account the fact that, for a reproducible quality determination, for example by means of a capacitance measuring system, this depends on repeated, constant discharge conditions. By adapting the positive pressure level as described above, the influence of the gradually clogged filter element can be compensated, so that the blow-out conditions can be kept constant in a desired manner.

In a first advantageous variant, the pressure adaptation is expediently carried out in a fixedly predefined pressure step. For this purpose, a low adjustment cost is required, which helps to simplify the process. In an alternative variant, the pressure adaptation takes place around an adaptation value which depends functionally (fully) on the degree of difference between the mass mean value and the target mass. In such a functional (e.g. proportional) adaptation, a very precise readjustment is possible. The described pressure adaptation variants can equally be used for negative pressure adaptation and/or also for positive pressure adaptation.

The possibilities of pressure adaptation inside the roller-type dispensing device are limited. In particular, only a limited range of available negative pressures can be provided. In the case of a known adapted underpressure level outside the permissible pressure range, an actually adapted underpressure is applied to the dispensing opening in the filling position, the level of which corresponds to the respective limit value of the permissible pressure range. Although this is not an exactly desired adaptation of the negative pressure. The less significant adaptation that accompanies this is sufficient for the mass average actually achieved thereby to remain within the permitted range, so that production can continue. Only when a mass average value no longer within the permissible range is detected is a fault signal generated, on the basis of which a production interruption can be carried out.

In order to reliably determine the mass mean value and to determine the trend of the mass change exhibited thereby, it is desirable to further eliminate the effect of unavoidable short-term mass fluctuations. This can already be achieved by deriving such a mass average from only a few individual masses. Preferably, however, the mass mean is formed from at least 20, in particular at least 100, individual masses determined. In particular, it is expedient to start with determining the mass average value with a smaller number of individual masses first, and then to use a larger number of individual masses to determine the mass average value as the process reliability develops.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the following method steps are additionally carried out: in addition to the calculation of the mass mean value from the determined individual masses of the plurality of dispensed quantities, the relative standard deviation thereof is also calculated and compared with a preset limit deviation. If the calculated standard deviation is less than or equal to the limit deviation, the mass mean is used for trend adjustment. If the calculated standard deviation is greater than the limit deviation, a fault signal is generated. This ensures that the trend adjustment according to the invention is only used on the basis of sufficiently reliable measurement data.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a roller-type dispensing device having a product storage device, a dispensing roller and a measuring device for determining the mass of individual doses when carrying out the method according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a roller-type dispensing device 3, which is in the production of individual doses 2 of a powdered product 1 and is used to transfer such individual doses 2 into a target container 21. The powdered product is here a pharmaceutical powder. But it may also be a powdered dietary supplement, etc. The target container 21 is here a blister, schematically shown, which is also sealed with a cover sheet after filling. However, a plug capsule or other container is also conceivable as target container 21.

The roller-type dispensing device 3 comprises a product storage device 4, a dispensing roller 5 and a measuring device 6. The powder product 1 to be measured is supplied in a funnel-shaped product storage 4. A partial quantity of powdered product 1 is removed from the product reservoir 4 by means of a dispensing roller, and a volumetrically precisely defined dispensing quantity 2 is formed as a result. The mass of the individual, in particular all, doses 2 is then determined by means of the measuring device 6.

The dispensing roller 5 extends along a longitudinal axis and is substantially cylindrical in shape in relation to this longitudinal axis. Which has at least one dispensing opening 7 on the peripheral side. In the preferred embodiment shown, the dispensing roller 5 is provided with a plurality of dispensing openings 7. Although not visible in the cross-sectional views shown here, every third to twelve dispensing openings 7 form an opening row which extends axially parallel to the axis of rotation 19. Four such rows of openings are positioned at equal angular intervals, i.e. at 90 ° to each other, in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation 19. In the mentioned rows of openings, one dispensing opening 7 per row, i.e. a total of four dispensing openings, can be seen here. However, a different number of dispensing openings 7 may also be suitable in the axial direction and/or in the circumferential direction.

The dispensing roller 5 has a central tension core 10 and roller sleeves 9 which surround the tension core 10 at radial intervals. The dispensing opening 7 is configured as a bore with a circular plan view, which penetrates the roller shell 9 in the radial direction. But other planar pattern shapes may be suitable. For example, the planar pattern shape may be only partially circular, elliptical, polygonal, rectangular, or square. Radially outwards, i.e. on the outside 22 of the roller shell 9, the dispensing opening 7 is open. Radially inward, i.e. on the inner side 23 of the roller shell 9, these dispensing openings are each delimited by a filter element 8, which corresponds in terms of size and shape to the cross section of the respective dispensing opening 7 and which forms the bottom of the dispensing opening.

The tensioning core 10 has a number of receiving grooves, which extend axially parallel to the axis of rotation 19 and in which the filter strips 11 are held in each case, corresponding to the number of rows of openings described above. An optional seal 13 is mounted between the filter rod 11 and the inner side 23 of the roller sleeve 9.

In the filter strips 11, branched pressure channels 14 are formed in each case, which open out through the filter element 8 into the corresponding dispensing opening 7. The pressure channel 14 comprises a main channel 28 and at least one branch 29. In this embodiment, the pressure channel 14 comprises twelve branches 29 corresponding to the respective number of dispensing openings 7 in one of the axially parallel rows of openings. The main channel 28 extends along the longitudinal axis 25 of the pressure channel 14. The longitudinal axis 25 extends parallel to the axis of rotation 19 of the dispensing roller 5. The branch 29 of the pressure channel 14 extends from the main channel 28 radially with respect to the axis of rotation 19 to the dispensing opening 7.

The filter elements 8 are jointly formed by a sheet of suitable filter material which is wound around the tension core 10 as a filter rod 11. Bonded filter elements 8 may also be used. The filter rods 11 are tensioned radially outwards against the inside of the roller shell 9 by means of a tensioning cone (spannkous), not shown, with filter material between them. Here, on the one hand, the seal 13 presses the filter material against the inside of the roller material and, on the other hand, the seal surrounds the respective filter element 8 in a ring-like manner, sealing the associated branch 29 of the pressure channel 14 and the respective dispensing opening 7 from the surroundings. This ensures that the pressure equalization between the dispensing opening and the pressure channel 14 takes place only through the associated filter element 8, and that is to say through the respective filter element 8, a specific desired pressure can be applied to the dispensing opening via the corresponding pressure channel 11.

The dispensing roller 5 is mounted so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow 20 about a rotational axis 19 and is provided with an associated rotary drive, not shown here. In operation, the dispensing roller rotates periodically, wherein each dispensing opening 7 is cyclically in at least two cycles in an upper filling position 41 in the direction of gravity and a lower discharge position 43 in the direction of gravity. Suitably, continuous rotation may be used instead of periodic movement. In the embodiment shown, each dispensing opening 7 cycles through four different positions in four cycles, starting from an upper filling position 41, followed by a first intermediate position 42. Then, the lower discharge position 43 and the second intermediate position 44 follow before the cycle starts again at the upper filling position 41. In the upper filling position 41, the respective dispensing opening 7 is filled with the powdered product 1 from the product reservoir 4, with the dose 2 being formed. In a subsequent first intermediate position 42, a filling level control can optionally be carried out. In the lower discharge position 43, the dosed quantities 2 are discharged from the dosing opening 7 and supplied to the target container 21. The now emptied dispensing opening 7 continues to move into the second intermediate position 44 and can optionally be cleaned there, for example by blowing.

If necessary, a negative pressure can be applied to the dispensing opening 7 on the inside and through the respective filter element 8. For this purpose, a connection for transmitting the negative pressure is established between the pressure channel 14 and the negative pressure source 15 at least in the filling position 41. The negative pressure level provided by the negative pressure source 15 is adjusted by means of a schematically shown controller 18, which can be done by suitable control, but also by regulation if necessary. In any case, when the dispensing opening is in the upper filling position 41, the negative pressure adjusted in this way is transmitted through the pressure channel 14 and the filter element 8 into the dispensing opening 7. The negative pressure draws the powdered product 1 from the product reservoir 4 into the dispensing opening 7. The filter element 8 is dimensioned in terms of its permeability and is matched to the product 1 in such a way that it is permeable to air and therefore also to pressure, but blocks the powder product 1 and prevents it from passing through. This results in a dosed quantity 2 of powdered product 1 which completely fills the dosing opening 7 and whose volume corresponds to the volume of the dosing opening 7. Optionally, the filling process may also be supported by a stirrer (not shown) in the product storage device 4. In any case, depending on the level of underpressure present and the nature of the product 1, a specific degree of compression of the product 1 occurs in the dispensing opening 7, so that a specific mass of the dispensed quantity 2 is also derived from the preset volume of the dispensing opening 7.

The applied underpressure can also be kept at the same level or at a reduced level until the discharge position 43 is reached to prevent the dose 2 from prematurely falling out of the dispensing opening 7. However, at the latest when the lower discharge position 43 is reached, the application of the negative pressure is terminated, so that the dosed quantities 2 are discharged from the dosing opening 7 and transferred into the target container 21. This can be achieved by simply cutting off the application of negative pressure, so that the dose 2 drops out of the dispensing opening 7 due to its own mass. In the preferred embodiment shown, however, instead of a negative pressure, a positive pressure is now applied to the dispensing opening 7 in the discharge position 43 through the filter element 8. To this end, a connection for transmitting positive pressure is established between the pressure channel 14 and the positive pressure source 16. As in the case of the negative pressure source described above, the positive pressure level provided by the positive pressure source 16 is adapted by means of a schematically illustrated controller 18, which can again be performed by suitable control, but if necessary also by regulation.

In any case, when the dispensing opening is in the lower discharge position 43, the positive pressure adjusted in this way is transmitted through the pressure channel 14 and the filter element 8 into the dispensing opening 7. The positive pressure blows the dosed quantity out of the dosing opening 7. In addition, the application of positive pressure can also be used in a subsequent second intermediate position 44 for performing a cleaning process for the emptied dispensing opening 7 there.

Part of the measuring device 6 already mentioned above for determining the mass of the individual doses 2 is a capacitive sensor 17, which is likewise connected to the controller 18. In the controller 18, the measurement data of the capacitive sensor 17 are detected and evaluated, which together result in the formation of the measuring device 6. However, instead of the capacitance measuring device 6, another suitable measuring device can be used for determining the individual mass of the measured quantity 2. In any case, the dosage 2 discharged from the dispensing opening 7 in the lower discharge position 43 falls through the sensor, here the capacitive sensor 17, into the target container 21. From the field changes occurring in the capacitive sensor 17 here, the Mass of the passing metered dose 2 is determined according to the AMV System (Advance Mass Verification System). To implement the method according to the invention, it is not absolutely necessary to determine the mass of each individual dose 2 discharged. Instead, the measurement of a single mass is sufficient after several dosing cycles have been repeated. But mass is determined with a dose 2 preferably measured at 100%. Another possibility is not to determine the individual mass of each individual dose 2 separately. Conversely, it may also be sufficient to determine the sum of the masses of a plurality of doses 2 cumulatively, wherein the average individual mass of an individual dose 2 is then determined by dividing the cumulative mass sum by the number of the plurality of doses 2. The latter also includes within the scope of the invention the possibility of omitting the determination of the average individual masses and thus establishing the trend adjustment according to the invention, i.e. using the cumulative mass sum directly as the individual masses and then forming the mass average therefrom.

In any case, in the control unit 18, a mass mean value is formed from the individual masses determined in succession of the discharged doses 2 and compared with a preset internal setpoint mass range. For purposes of illustration, several exemplary numbers are given herein, but should be construed as non-limiting. The target mass to be achieved for the individual dose 2 is 20mg, for example, for which purpose an exemplary internal target mass range is provided, which is 19mg to 21 mg. The individual masses of the individual metering quantities 2 and the measured values of the measuring devices 6 derived therefrom result in individual masses which are determined with varying values. It is not essential to the method according to the invention that these determined individual masses lie within or outside the predetermined internal nominal mass range. Rather, a mass mean value, here for example 20.5mg, is formed from preferably at least 20 and in particular from at least 100 individual masses determined. Now, if the mass mean value 20.5mg formed as in the present example is within the preset internal nominal mass range (here, for example, 19mg to 21 mg), the level of the negative pressure acting on the dispensing opening 7 in the filling position 41 remains unchanged. The above-described dosing process is continued, wherein in addition to the respective dosing amounts, the quality determination of these dosing amounts is continued. But now the above formation of a mass average is restarted on the basis of a new set of measured values.

However, it may be the case that, in particular, subsequently, during a gradual, slow change in the conditions, a mass average value outside the preset internal setpoint mass range is determined. This may be due to varying product properties and/or slowly clogging filter elements 8. Such a mass average value detected thereafter may be, for example, 18mg, and thus below an exemplary internal nominal mass range of 19mg to 21 mg. In this case, the adapted negative pressure is known as follows: when the mass average is too low, the negative pressure level is increased, and when the mass average is too high, the negative pressure level is decreased. The control device 18 accordingly acts on the negative pressure source 15, as a result of which an adapted negative pressure is applied to the dispensing opening in the filling position. In the preceding example, the adapted negative pressure is increased compared to the previous value, i.e. with a larger difference value with respect to the ambient pressure. From then on, a higher compression of the powdered product 1 occurs in the dispensing opening 7, which results in an increased dispensing mass with the chamber volume remaining unchanged.

From this point on as well, the process of dosing and measuring continues, wherein a new cycle of determining the single mass and forming the mean value now begins. If this new mean value is now again within the internal nominal mass range already mentioned above, the previously adapted negative pressure is now held constant. Otherwise, a further adaptation is carried out according to the previously described mode until the known mass average is now within the preset internal setpoint mass range in a manner to be expected.

However, the adaptation or trend adjustment of the negative pressure described above has certain additional limitations. A preset outer rated mass range may be used as such an additional limit. The outer nominal mass range may, for example, correspond to a tolerance range within which the metered dose is still acceptable, and outside which the dose must be discarded. Alternatively or additionally, it can be determined by means of an external nominal mass range that the average mass value outside the nominal mass range is too far from the desired value and therefore the sought trend adjustment must be assumed not to lead to the desired result. In any case, it is an alternative according to the invention to also compare the formed mass mean value with the external nominal mass range. Only when the resulting mass mean value lies outside the inner nominal mass range and within the outer nominal mass range, the dispensing opening is subjected to an adapted underpressure in the filling position according to the above-described pattern. However, if the resulting mass mean value lies outside the outer nominal mass range, a fault signal is generated, which can be used, for example, to terminate the dosing process.

The additional comparisons described above should also be explained here by way of example. An exemplary external nominal mass range is determined to be 17mg to 23 mg. The average mass value already mentioned above, which is known as a value of 18mg, lies outside the exemplary internal nominal mass range of 19mg to 21mg, but within the exemplary external nominal mass range of 17mg to 23 mg. The adaptation of the negative pressure is thus performed as described above. However, when a mass mean value of, for example, 16mg is determined, this mass mean value lies outside the exemplary external nominal mass range of 17mg to 23mg, which leads to an error report. In this case, it is assumed that the trend adjustment limit is exceeded, i.e. the trend adjustment according to the invention may not lead to the desired result and a corresponding countermeasure has to be initiated.

Another limitation to be taken into account may for example be the limit of the available negative pressure. It may be the case that, by means of the trend adjustment according to the invention, a suitable vacuum is known, which is completely impossible to provide from the system side. If the level of the known adapted negative pressure is outside the allowed or available pressure range, this can be recognized and the process can be aborted. In this case, however, the process does not necessarily have to be aborted. Rather, it is expedient to apply a virtually adapted underpressure to the dispensing opening in the filling position, the level of which corresponds to the respective limit value of the permissible pressure range. If the above-mentioned trend regulation then for example results in that a relative underpressure of-800 mbar should first be applied and subsequently a relative underpressure of-900 mbar should be applied in the upper filling position 41, while a relative underpressure exceeding-850 mbar cannot actually be provided, so that this-850 mbar is now used as the corresponding limit value for the permissible pressure range.

As already mentioned above, in addition to the negative pressure source 15, the positive pressure source 16 is connected to the controller 18, so that the positive pressure level of the positive pressure source 16 can be determined or controlled by means of the controller 18. In the preferred embodiment of the method described here, in the discharge position 43 of the dispensing opening, a positive pressure provided by the positive pressure source 16 is applied to the dispensing opening 7 through the filter element 8, wherein the positive pressure level is adapted analogously to the negative pressure acting in the filling position 41. It has been described above, by way of example, that the negative pressure or its difference with respect to the ambient pressure increases. It is logical that the positive blowing pressure or its difference with respect to the ambient pressure also increases in order to cause a reliable blowing also in conditions in which the filter element 8 may become partially clogged.

Depending on the application, it is expedient to carry out the above-described pressure adaptation in a fixedly preset step, either at 100mbar or 50mbar, for example. Alternatively, the pressure adaptation is carried out with an adaptation value which depends functionally on the degree of difference between the mass mean value and the target mass.

Alternatively, the relative standard deviation of the mass mean is calculated in addition to the mass mean from the determined individual masses of the plurality of dispensed doses 2 and compared with a preset limit deviation. If the calculated standard deviation is less than or equal to the limit deviation, the measurement column is considered to be process technically correct and statistically usable. Therefore, the mass average is used for trend adjustment. However, if the calculated standard deviation is greater than the limit deviation, the measurement column is considered as being technologically unusable or statistically unusable. A fault signal is then generated, which is used by the borrower to take appropriate countermeasures. It is particularly expedient then to discard the resulting mass average, i.e. not to use it for further trend adaptation.

All of the above measures contribute to a reliable process trend regulation (trendelegelung) or trend regulation (trendezzregelung). However, this applies only to the course of trend adjustment and has no direct effect on the classification or good/bad separation of the individual portions 2. For the latter, the individual mass of the individual measurements of the individual doses 2 should be taken into account.