# US 10,480,988 B2 · Calibration unit and method for metering a dosage unit

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- Number: US 10,480,988 B2
- Document ID: US10480988B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/666,316
- Filed: 2017-08-01
- Published: 2018-02-01
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2016-08-01
- Assignees: Harro Hoefliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
- Applicants: Harro Hoefliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
- Inventors: Andreas Lux; Jonas Hoepfer; Benedict Kleine-Koenig
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480988B2

## CPC

- G01F 25/0092: {for metering by volume}
- A61J 3/06: into the form of pills, lozenges or dragees
- G01F 1/64: by measuring electrical currents passing through the fluid flow; measuring electrical potential generated by the fluid flow, e.g. by electrochemical, contact or friction effects (G01F1/58 takes precedence)
- G01F 11/003: {for fluent solid material}
- A61J 2200/70: Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means
- G01F 11/284: {combined with electric level detecting means (G01F11/282, G01F11/30 - G01F11/46 take precedence)}
- G01R 27/2605: {Measuring capacitance (capacitive sensors G01D5/24)}
- G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## Abstract

A calibration unit is for a capacitive measuring system in a metering installation, or a metering installation for in particular solid pharmaceutical dosage units, and to an associated method for metering. The calibration unit includes a test body, a drive for the test body, and a guide for the test body. The guide has a first terminal position, a second terminal position, and a guided section that runs between the two terminal positions. The drive is configured for moving the test body along the guided section in a reciprocating manner between the two terminal positions. The capacitive measuring system is calibrated via the calibration unit. The dosage units are then metered via the metering installation and checked for a properly metered mass via the calibrated capacitive measuring system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A metering unit comprising:
a capacitive measuring system;
a calibration unit having a test body, a drive for said test body, and a guide for said test body;
said guide having a first terminal position, a second terminal position, and a guided section running between said first terminal position and said second terminal position;
said drive being configured to move said test body along said guided section in a reciprocating manner between said first terminal position and said second terminal position;
said capacitive measuring system having a measurement duct for dosage units; and,
said guide being configured to be positioned in said measurement duct.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The metering unit of claim 1 further comprising a centering device configured to center said guide in said measurement duct.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The metering unit of claim 1, wherein:
said measurement duct is a continuous measuring duct;
said capacitive measuring system has a main body including said continuous measuring duct;
said calibration unit has a plier-shaped holding element including a first holding arm and a second holding arm;
said first holding arm is disposed below said main body;
said second holding arm is disposed above said main body;
said guide is routed through said measurement duct;
said first holding arm and said second holding arm hold said guide between said first holding arm and said second holding arm; and,
said first holding arm and said second holding arm are each provided with a part of said drive.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The metering unit of claim 1, wherein the metering unit is configured for solid pharmaceutical dosage units.

### Claim 5

A method for metering dosage units via a metering unit having a capacitive measuring system, a calibration unit having a test body, a drive for the test body, and a guide for the test body; the guide having a first terminal position, a second terminal position, and a guided section running between the first terminal position and the second terminal position; and, the drive being configured to move the test body along the guided section in a reciprocating manner between the first terminal position and the second terminal position; the capacitive measuring system having a measurement duct for dosage units; and, the guide being configured to be positioned in said measurement duct; the method comprising the steps of:
calibrating the capacitive measuring system via the calibration unit; and,
metering the dosage units via the metering unit and thereby checking the dosage unit via the calibrated capacitive measuring system for a properly metered mass.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein said test body is moved back and forth between said first terminal position and said second terminal position multiple times.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of:
determining the velocity of the dosage units when passing through a measuring section of the capacitive measuring system; and,
moving said test body at the same velocity as the dosage units.