CN112930164B - Granular material conveying device and granular material processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a granular object conveying device, which comprises a conveying mechanism and a reversing mechanism. The reversing mechanism has a conical first inclined roller (71) and a second inclined roller (72). The first inclined roller (71) rotates the granular material (9) conveyed at a first position (W1) in the width direction of the conveying mechanism while being adsorbed to the first adsorption hole (711), and delivers the granular material to the second inclined roller (72). The second inclined roller (72) rotates while adsorbing the particulate matter (9) received from the first adsorption hole (711) to the second adsorption hole (721), and delivers the particulate matter to a second position (W2) in the width direction of the conveyance mechanism. The first adsorption hole (711) and the second adsorption hole (721) are respectively arranged on the convex parts (712, 722). Therefore, the granular material (9) located at a position other than the first position (W1) and the second position (W2) does not contact the inclined rollers (71, 72).

Description

Granular material conveying device and granular material processing device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a granular material conveying device that conveys a plurality of granular materials, and a granular material processing device provided with the granular material conveying device.

Background

Characters and codes for identifying products are printed on the surface of a tablet as a pharmaceutical. Further, tablet candies such as soda candies may be printed with a mark or an illustration. Conventionally, a printing apparatus for printing an image on the surface of such a granular material such as a tablet or a candy tablet by an ink jet method is known. In particular, in recent years, the types of tablets have been diversified due to the spread of pharmaceuticals. Therefore, in order to facilitate recognition of the tablet, a technique of clearly printing on both front and back surfaces of the tablet by an ink jet method has been attracting attention.

The printing apparatus of patent document 1 includes an upstream side conveying unit 3 and a downstream side conveying unit 4. The upstream conveying section 3 prints the tablet 9 by the first printing section 201 while conveying the tablet. The downstream conveying section 4 prints the tablets by the second printing section 202 while receiving and conveying the plurality of tablets from the upstream conveying section 3 in a state where the front and back surfaces are reversed. Thereby, the front and back surfaces of the tablet are printed.

Documents of the prior art

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-200495

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in patent document 1, both the upstream conveying unit 3 and the downstream conveying unit 4 are provided with a printing unit and an imaging unit attached to the printing unit. That is, in patent document 1, a processing unit for printing and imaging one surface of a tablet and a processing unit for printing and imaging the other surface of the tablet are provided. Therefore, in the structure of patent document 1, the number of components of the printing apparatus increases, and it is difficult to downsize the printing apparatus.

In order to print both the front and back surfaces of a tablet by one printing unit, it is conceivable to invert the front and back surfaces of the tablet at a certain position on an endless conveying path while conveying the tablet along the conveying path, and print the tablet at another position on the conveying path. However, in the tablet printing apparatus, many tablets are conveyed at the same time. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent accidental contact of the tablets with each other or with the reversing mechanism from occurring in the vicinity of the reversing mechanism for reversing the tablets.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a granular material conveying apparatus having a reversing mechanism for reversing the front and back surfaces of granular materials conveyed by a conveying mechanism, and capable of suppressing unnecessary contact with other granular materials conveyed by the conveying mechanism and the reversing mechanism.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, a first aspect of the present invention is a particulate matter conveying device including: a conveying mechanism which conveys the plurality of granular objects while maintaining the plurality of granular objects in a state of being arranged in the width direction; and an inverting mechanism that inverts the front and back surfaces of the granular objects at an inverting position on the conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism and moves the position of the granular objects in the width direction, the inverting mechanism including: a first inclined roller having a first side surface of a conical shape or a pyramid shape centered on a first axis inclined with respect to the width direction; and a second inclined roller adjacent to the first inclined roller in the width direction and having a second side surface of a conical shape or a pyramidal shape centered on a second axis inclined with respect to the width direction, the first side surface including: a first convex portion protruding toward the outside; and a first suction hole provided in the first projection, the second side surface having: a second convex portion protruding toward the outside; and a second suction hole provided in the second projection, wherein the first inclined drum rotates about the first axis while sucking and holding the particulate matter, which is conveyed at a first position in the width direction of the conveyance mechanism, to the first suction hole, and delivers the particulate matter to the second suction hole, and the second inclined drum rotates about the second axis while sucking and holding the particulate matter delivered from the first suction hole to the second suction hole, and delivers the particulate matter to a second position in the width direction of the conveyance mechanism.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in the particulate matter conveying device according to the first aspect, the first convex portion is annular around the first axis, and the second convex portion is annular around the second axis.

A third aspect of the present invention is the granular material conveying apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein a relationship of P > a/2+ D/2 is satisfied where D is a dimension in the width direction of the granular material conveyed by the conveying means, P is an interval in the width direction of the plurality of granular materials conveyed by the conveying means, and a width in the generatrix direction of the first side surface of the first convex portion and a width in the generatrix direction of the second side surface of the second convex portion are a.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the particulate matter conveying device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the reversing mechanism includes a third inclined roller and a fourth inclined roller on a downstream side of the conveying path from the first inclined roller and the second inclined roller, the third inclined roller and the fourth inclined roller have a structure equivalent to that of the first inclined roller and the second inclined roller, and the particulate matter conveyed at a third position in the width direction of the conveying mechanism by the third inclined roller and the fourth inclined roller moves to a fourth position in the width direction.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the particulate matter conveying apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first inclined drum has a non-rotating first block member adjacent to the first side surface on a downstream side in a rotational direction from a position facing the second inclined drum, and the second inclined drum has a non-rotating second block member adjacent to the second side surface on a downstream side in the rotational direction from a position facing the conveying means.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides the particulate matter conveying device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the first block member has a first inclined surface configured to sweep the particulate matter rotating together with the first suction holes toward an outer peripheral side of the first inclined drum, and the second block member has a second inclined surface configured to sweep the particulate matter rotating together with the second suction holes toward an outer peripheral side of the second inclined drum.

A seventh aspect of the present invention provides the particulate matter conveying apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the reversing mechanism further includes: an adjusting mechanism which is positioned below the first inclined roller and the second inclined roller and adjusts the interval between the first inclined roller and the second inclined roller in the width direction; and a cover body positioned between the first and second inclined rollers and the adjusting mechanism.

An eighth aspect of the present invention provides the particulate matter conveying apparatus according to the seventh aspect, wherein the cover includes: a first cover fixed in a relative position with respect to the first inclined roller; and a second cover fixed in relative position with respect to the second inclined roller, wherein the first cover and the second cover move relative to each other in the width direction while overlapping each other by the adjustment mechanism.

A ninth aspect of the present invention provides the particulate matter conveying apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the conveying means includes a sensor for detecting the particulate matter on a downstream side of the conveying path from a position facing the first inclined drum.

A tenth aspect of the present invention provides the particulate matter conveying device according to the ninth aspect, further comprising a control unit that stops the conveying mechanism based on a detection signal of the sensor.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention provides the particulate matter conveying apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the particulate matter is a tablet.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is a granular object processing apparatus including the granular object conveyance device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the conveyance mechanism conveys the granular object along an annular conveyance path, and a processing portion that performs a predetermined process on a surface of the granular object is further provided at a processing position on the conveyance path.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention provides the granular object processing apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the processing unit includes a printing unit that performs printing on the surface of the granular object by an inkjet method.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention provides the granular object processing apparatus according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, wherein the processing unit includes a camera that takes an image of a surface of the granular object.

Effects of the invention

According to the first to fourteenth aspects of the present invention, the first protrusion protruding outward on the first side surface of the first inclined roller is provided with the first suction hole. In addition, a second convex part protruding outwards in the second side surface of the second inclined roller is provided with a second adsorption hole. Therefore, among the plurality of granular objects conveyed by the conveying means, granular objects conveyed at positions other than the first position and the second position in the width direction can be prevented from contacting the first side surface of the first inclined drum and the second side surface of the second inclined drum.

In particular, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the transfer of the particulate matter from the first inclined roller to the second inclined roller fails, the particulate matter remaining in the first suction holes is swept down by the first block member. When the particulate matter fails to be transferred from the second inclined drum to the conveying mechanism, the particulate matter remaining in the second suction hole is scraped off by the second block member. This can prevent the particulate matter that has failed to be delivered from coming into contact with the subsequent particulate matter.

In particular, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the particulate matter scraped off by the first block member can be prevented from coming into contact with the subsequent particulate matter held by the first inclined drum. Further, the particulate matter scraped off by the second block member can be suppressed from coming into contact with the subsequent particulate matter held by the second inclined drum.

In particular, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the mixing of the particulate matter fallen off by the first block member or the second block member into the adjusting mechanism can be suppressed.

In particular, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the particulate matter fails to be transferred from the conveying mechanism to the first inclined drum, the particulate matter remaining in the conveying mechanism can be detected by the sensor.

In particular, according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, both surfaces of the particulate matter can be subjected to predetermined processing at the same processing position on the conveyance path. This reduces the number of parts of the device and enables the device to be miniaturized.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view of a tablet printing apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of the ring conveyance mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a view of the endless conveying mechanism and the reversing mechanism as viewed from the direction of hollow arrow V in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the printhead.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the reversing mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing connections between the control unit and each unit.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of the printing process.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the first inclined roller and the second inclined roller.

Fig. 9 is a side view of a first inclined roller, a second inclined roller, and a mechanism supporting the rollers.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a direction in which a plurality of tablets are conveyed is referred to as a "conveying direction", and a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and along a holding surface of a conveying means is referred to as a "width direction".

<1. Overall Structure of tablet printing apparatus >

Fig. 1 is a side view of a tablet printing apparatus 1 as an example of a particulate matter processing apparatus of the present invention. The tablet printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that prints images such as product names, product codes, company names, logos, and the like on both front and back surfaces of each tablet 9 while conveying a plurality of tablets 9 as granular objects. The tablet 9 may be an uncoated tablet (die agent) or a coated tablet such as a sugar-coated tablet or a film-coated tablet (FC tablet). In addition, the tablet 9 may be a capsule including a hard capsule and a soft capsule. The "granule" of the present invention is not limited to tablets as a pharmaceutical, and may be tablets as a health food or tablet candies such as soda candy.

As shown in fig. 1, the tablet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a carrying-in mechanism 10, an annular conveying mechanism 20, a printing section 30, a first camera 40, a second camera 50, a drying mechanism 60, an inverting mechanism 70, a carrying-out mechanism 80, and a control section 90. In the present embodiment, the annular conveying mechanism 20 and the reversing mechanism 70 constitute a particulate matter conveying device.

The carrying-in mechanism 10 is a mechanism for carrying in the plurality of tablets 9 loaded into the tablet printing apparatus 1 to the ring-shaped conveying mechanism 20. The carrying-in mechanism 10 of the present embodiment includes a feeder 11, a carrying-in conveyor 12, and a carrying-in roller 13. The plurality of tablets 9 loaded into the tablet printing apparatus 1 are supplied to the carry-in conveyor 12 via the feeder 11. At this time, the plurality of tablets 9 are aligned in three rows arranged in the width direction. The tablets 9 conveyed by the carry-in conveyor 12 are sucked and held one by a plurality of suction holes provided in the carry-in drum 13. Thereby, the plurality of tablets 9 in each row are aligned at equal intervals in the conveying direction. Each tablet 9 held by the carry-in drum 13 is conveyed in an arc shape by the rotation of the carry-in drum 13, and is delivered to the endless conveying mechanism 20.

The ring-shaped conveying mechanism 20 is a mechanism that conveys the plurality of tablets 9 along a ring-shaped conveying path while holding the tablets. The endless conveying mechanism 20 includes a pair of pulleys 21 and an endless conveying belt 22 stretched between the pair of pulleys 21. One of the pair of pulleys 21 is rotated by power obtained from a conveying motor 23. Thereby, the conveying belt 22 rotates in the direction of the arrow in fig. 1. At this time, the other of the pair of pulleys 21 is driven to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the conveyor belt 22.

Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of the ring conveyance mechanism 20. As shown in fig. 2, a plurality of suction holes 221 are provided in the holding surface 220, which is the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 22. The plurality of suction holes 221 are arranged at equal intervals in the conveyance direction and the width direction. As shown in fig. 1, the endless conveying mechanism 20 includes a suction mechanism 24 for sucking gas from a space inside the conveying belt 22. When the suction mechanism 24 is operated, the space inside the conveyor belt 22 becomes a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. The plurality of tablets 9 are held by suction through the suction holes 221 by the negative pressure.

In this way, the plurality of tablets 9 are held on the surface of the conveying belt 22 in a state of being aligned in the conveying direction and the width direction. Then, the endless conveying mechanism 20 rotates the conveyor belt 22 to convey the plurality of tablets 9 along the endless conveying path. A plurality of tablets 9 are conveyed in the horizontal direction below the four printing heads 31 described later.

As shown in fig. 1, the ring conveyance mechanism 20 includes three first air blowing mechanisms B1 and one second air blowing mechanism B2. The three first air blowing mechanisms B1 are provided inside the conveyor belt 22 and at positions facing a first inclined roller 71, a third inclined roller 73, and a fifth inclined roller 75, which will be described later, respectively, with the conveyor belt 22 interposed therebetween. The three first air blowing mechanisms B1 blow air only to the adsorption holes 221 facing the first inclined roller 71, the third inclined roller 73, and the fifth inclined roller 75, among the plurality of adsorption holes 221 of the conveyor belt 22. Thus, the adsorption hole 221 has a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. Thereby, the adsorption of the tablets 9 in the adsorption holes 221 is released, and the tablets 9 are transferred from the conveyor belt 22 to the first inclined roller 71, the third inclined roller 73, and the fifth inclined roller 75.

The second air blowing mechanism B2 is provided inside the conveyor belt 22 and at a position facing a discharge chute 81, which will be described later, with the conveyor belt 22 interposed therebetween. The second air blowing mechanism B2 blows air only to the suction holes 221 facing the carry-out chute 81 among the suction holes 221 of the conveyor belt 22. Thus, the adsorption hole 221 has a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. Thereby, the adsorption of the tablet 9 in the adsorption hole 221 is released, and the tablet 9 falls from the conveyor belt 22 to the carrying-out chute 81.

Fig. 3 is a view of the ring-shaped conveyance mechanism 20 and the reversing mechanism 70 as viewed from the direction of the hollow arrow V in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the holding surface 220 of the conveying belt 22 of the present embodiment includes: a first area A1 that holds the tablet 9 before the inversion by the inversion mechanism 70; and a second area A2 holding the inverted tablet 9. The first area A1 and the second area A2 are adjacent in the width direction. In the present embodiment, the plurality of suction holes 221 are provided in three rows in the width direction in the first area A1 and the second area A2. The tablet 9 carried in by the carrying-in mechanism 10 described above is sucked and held by the suction holes 221 in the first region A1. The plurality of tablets 9 printed on both sides are delivered to the carrying-out mechanism 80 from the suction holes 221 in the second area A2.

The printing unit 30 is a processing unit that performs printing on the surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the conveyor belt 22 by an inkjet method. As shown in fig. 1, the printing unit 30 of the present embodiment includes four print heads 31. The four print heads 31 are positioned above the conveyor belt 22 and arranged in a line along the conveying direction of the tablets 9. Each print head 31 extends in the width direction across both the first area A1 and the second area A2 of the conveyance belt 22. The four print heads 31 eject ink droplets of different colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors) toward the surface of the tablet 9. In this way, a multicolor image is recorded on the surface of the tablet 9 by superimposing monochromatic images formed by these respective colors. The ink discharged from each print head 31 is edible ink produced from a material approved by the japan pharmacopoeia, food sanitation act, or the like.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of one of the print heads 31. In fig. 4, the conveyor belt 22 and the plurality of tablets 9 held by the conveyor belt 22 are shown by two-dot chain lines. As shown in fig. 4 in an enlarged manner, a plurality of nozzles 311 capable of ejecting ink droplets are provided on the ejection surface 310, which is the lower surface of the print head 31. In the present embodiment, a plurality of nozzles 311 are two-dimensionally arrayed in the conveyance direction and the width direction on the lower surface of the print head 31. The nozzles 311 are arranged in staggered positions in the width direction. When the plurality of nozzles 311 are arranged two-dimensionally in this manner, the positions of the nozzles 311 in the width direction can be made close to each other. However, the plurality of nozzles 311 may be arranged in a row along the width direction.

As a method of discharging ink droplets from the nozzle 311, for example, a so-called piezoelectric method is used, in which ink in the nozzle 311 is pressurized and discharged by applying a voltage to a piezoelectric element (piezoelectric element) to deform the piezoelectric element. However, the ink droplets may be discharged by a so-called thermal method in which the ink in the nozzle 311 is heated and expanded by energizing the heater.

The first camera 40 is a processing unit for imaging the surface of the tablet 9 before printing. The first camera 40 is located on the downstream side of the transport path from the carry-in drum 13 and on the upstream side of the transport path from the four print heads 31. In addition, the first camera 40 extends in the width direction across both the first area A1 and the second area A2. The first camera 40 uses, for example, a line sensor in which image sensors such as CCDs and CMOSs are arrayed in the width direction. The first camera 40 images a plurality of tablets 9 conveyed by the conveyor belt 22. The image obtained by the shooting is sent from the first camera 40 to the control unit 90 described later. The control section 90 detects the presence or absence of the tablet 9, the position of the tablet 9, and the posture of the tablet 9 at each suction hole 221 based on the image obtained from the first camera 40. Further, the control unit 90 also performs inspection of the tablets 9 for defects such as defects based on the image obtained from the first camera 40.

The second camera 50 is a processing section for imaging the surface of the tablet 9 after printing. The second camera 50 is located downstream of the four printing heads 31 and upstream of the drying mechanism 60 in the conveyance path. The second camera 50 extends in the width direction across both the first area A1 and the second area A2. The second camera 50 uses, for example, a line sensor in which image pickup devices such as CCDs and CMOSs are arranged in the width direction. The second camera 50 images the plurality of tablets 9 conveyed by the conveyor belt 22. The image obtained by the shooting is sent from the second camera 50 to the control unit 90 described later. The control section 90 checks the quality of the image printed on the surface of the tablet 9 based on the image obtained from the second camera 50.

The drying mechanism 60 is a mechanism for drying the ink adhering to the surface of the tablet 9. The drying mechanism 60 is located downstream of the second camera 50 and upstream of the reversing mechanism 70 and the delivery chute 81, which will be described later, in the conveyance path. The drying mechanism 60 extends in the width direction across both the first area A1 and the second area A2. The drying means 60 is, for example, a hot air supply means for blowing heated gas (hot air) toward the tablet 9 conveyed by the conveyor belt 22. The ink adhering to the surface of the tablet 9 is dried by hot air and fixed to the surface of the tablet 9.

As described above, the tablet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes four processing units, i.e., the printing unit 30, the first camera 40, the second camera 50, and the drying mechanism 60. Each processing unit performs each process of printing, imaging, and drying the surface of the tablet 9 at each processing position on the conveying path.

The reversing mechanism 70 reverses the front and back surfaces of the tablets 9 conveyed by the conveyor belt 22, and moves the tablets 9 from the first area A1 to the second area A2. The reversing mechanism 70 is located downstream of the drying mechanism 60 and a carrying-out chute 81 described later on the carrying path and upstream of the carrying-in drum 13 on the carrying path.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the reversing mechanism 70. In fig. 5, the conveying path of the tablet 9 is indicated by a broken-line arrow. As shown in fig. 1, 3, and 5, the reversing mechanism 70 of the present embodiment includes a first inclined roller 71, a second inclined roller 72, a third inclined roller 73, a fourth inclined roller 74, a fifth inclined roller 75, and a sixth inclined roller 76.

The first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72 are disposed adjacent to each other in the width direction. The third inclined roller 73 and the fourth inclined roller 74 are disposed adjacent to each other in the width direction on the downstream side of the conveyance path with respect to the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72. The fifth oblique roller 75 and the sixth oblique roller 76 are disposed adjacent to each other in the width direction on the downstream side of the transport path with respect to the third oblique roller 73 and the fourth oblique roller 74. Hereinafter, the position where the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72 are provided on the conveyance path of the endless conveyance mechanism 20 is referred to as a "first inversion position", the position where the third inclined roller 73 and the fourth inclined roller 74 are provided is referred to as a "second inversion position", and the position where the fifth inclined roller 75 and the sixth inclined roller 76 are provided is referred to as a "third inversion position".

The first inclined roller 71 has a conical first side surface 710 centered on a first axis C1 inclined with respect to the width direction. A portion of the first side surface 710 around the first axis C1 faces the first region A1 of the conveyor belt 22 with a slight gap therebetween. In addition, the first tilting roller 71 is fixed to an output shaft of the first motor 71M. When the first motor 71M is driven, the first inclined roller 71 rotates about the first axis C1.

The second inclined roller 72 has a conical second side surface 720 centered on a second axis C2 inclined with respect to the width direction. The first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72 are disposed adjacent to each other in the width direction so that tops of the rollers face each other. A portion of the second side surface 720 around the second axis C2 faces the second region A2 of the conveyor belt 22 with a slight gap therebetween. Further, the other part of the second side surface 720 around the second axis C2 faces the first side surface 710 with a slight gap. In addition, the second tilting roller 72 is fixed to an output shaft of the second motor 72M. When the second motor 72M is driven, the second tilting roller 72 rotates about the second axis C2.

In the present embodiment, the vertical angle of the first inclined roller 71 and the vertical angle of the second inclined roller 72 are both 90 ° when viewed in the conveyance direction. The first axis C1 is inclined at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the holding surface 220. The second axis C2 is inclined at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the holding surface 220. Thus, the first side surface 710 and the second side surface 720 are opposed to each other at a position of 90 ° with respect to the holding surface 220. In this way, if the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72 have the same shape and the same size, the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72 can be shared as a component. This can reduce the manufacturing cost of the tablet printing apparatus 1.

The first side surface 710 is provided with a plurality of first suction holes 711. In the present embodiment, the plurality of first suction holes 711 are provided at equal angular intervals in a ring shape around the first axis C1. Similarly, the second side surface 720 is provided with a plurality of second suction holes 721. In the present embodiment, the plurality of second suction holes 721 are arranged at equal angular intervals in a ring shape around the second axis C2.

The pressure in the internal space of the first inclined roller 71 is maintained at a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure by a suction mechanism, not shown. The first inclined roller 71 holds one tablet 9 in each of the plurality of first adsorption holes 711 by the negative pressure. Similarly, the pressure in the internal space of the second inclined roller 72 is also maintained at a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure by a suction mechanism, not shown. The second inclined roller 72 holds one tablet 9 at each of the plurality of second adsorption holes 721 by the negative pressure.

In addition, as shown by a dotted line in fig. 3, a third air blowing mechanism B3 is provided inside the first inclined drum 71. The third air-blowing mechanism B3 blows air only to the first adsorption hole 711 opposed to the second inclined drum 72 among the plurality of first adsorption holes 711 of the first inclined drum 71. Thus, the first adsorption hole 711 has a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. Thereby, the adsorption of the tablet 9 in the first adsorption hole 711 is released, and the tablet 9 is transferred from the first adsorption hole 711 of the first inclined drum 71 to the second adsorption hole 721 of the second inclined drum 72.

In addition, as shown by a broken line in fig. 3, a fourth air blowing mechanism B4 is provided inside the second inclined drum 72. The fourth air blowing mechanism B4 blows air only to the second adsorption hole 721 opposed to the second area A2 of the conveyance belt 22 among the plurality of second adsorption holes 721 of the second inclined drum 72. Thus, the second adsorption hole 721 has a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. Thus, the adsorption of the tablet 9 in the second adsorption hole 721 is released, and the tablet 9 is transferred from the second adsorption hole 721 of the second inclined drum 72 to the adsorption hole 221 in the second region A2 of the conveyor belt 22.

The suction force of the plurality of second suction holes 721 of the second inclined drum 72 may be slightly greater than the suction force of the plurality of first suction holes 711 of the first inclined drum 71. Thus, when the tablet 9 is transferred from the first suction hole 711 of the first inclined drum 71 to the second suction hole 721 of the second inclined drum 72, the tablet 9 is less likely to fall off. However, the suction force of the plurality of first suction holes 711 of the first inclined drum 71 and the suction force of the plurality of second suction holes 721 of the second inclined drum 72 may be the same.

The third tilt roller 73 and the fourth tilt roller 74 have the same structure as the first tilt roller 71 and the second tilt roller 72, and are disposed adjacent to each other in the same manner as the first tilt roller 71 and the second tilt roller 72. However, the third inclined roller 73 and the fourth inclined roller 74 are disposed at a second transfer position downstream of the conveyance path from the first transfer position at which the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72 are disposed. The third inclined roller 73 and the fourth inclined roller 74 are disposed at positions shifted in the width direction by an interval corresponding to the arrangement interval in the width direction of the tablets 9 from the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72. The third tilting roller 73 is fixed to an output shaft of the third motor 73M. The fourth tilting roller 74 is fixed to an output shaft of the fourth motor 74M.

The fifth inclined roller 75 and the sixth inclined roller 76 also have the same structure as the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72, and are disposed adjacent to the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72 in the same manner. However, the fifth oblique roller 75 and the sixth oblique roller 76 are disposed at a third transfer position downstream of the conveyance path from the second transfer position at which the third oblique roller 73 and the fourth oblique roller 74 are disposed. The fifth inclined roller 75 and the sixth inclined roller 76 are disposed at positions shifted in the width direction by one interval of the arrangement interval in the width direction of the tablets 9 from the third inclined roller 73 and the fourth inclined roller 74. The fifth tilting roller 75 is fixed to an output shaft of the fifth motor 75M. The sixth tilting roller 76 is fixed to an output shaft of the sixth motor 76M.

As shown in fig. 5, the tablet 9 held in the suction hole 221 at the first position W1 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 22 and conveyed to the first reversing position is delivered to the first inclined drum 71. The first inclined roller 71 rotates while adsorbing and holding the tablets 9 received from the conveyor belt 22 to the first adsorption hole 711 on the first side surface 710, and transfers the tablets to the second inclined roller 72. Then, the second inclined roller 72 rotates while sucking and holding the tablet 9 received from the first inclined roller 71 to the second suction holes 721 on the second side surface 720, and transfers the tablet to the suction holes 221 at the second position W2 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 22. Thereby, the position in the width direction of the tablet 9 moves from the first position W1 belonging to the first area A1 to the second position W2 belonging to the second area A2, and the front and back surfaces of the tablet 9 are reversed.

Similarly, the third inclined roller 73 and the fourth inclined roller 74 move the position of the tablet 9 in the width direction from the third position W3 belonging to the first area A1 to the fourth position W4 belonging to the second area A2, and reverse the front and back surfaces of the tablet 9. Similarly, the fifth inclined roller 75 and the sixth inclined roller 76 move the position of the tablet 9 in the width direction from the fifth position W5 belonging to the first area A1 to the sixth position W6 belonging to the second area A2, and reverse the front and back surfaces of the tablet 9.

The carrying-out mechanism 80 is a mechanism for carrying out the plurality of tablets 9 from the ring-shaped conveying mechanism 20 to the outside of the tablet printing apparatus 1. As shown in fig. 1, the carrying-out mechanism 80 includes a carrying-out chute 81 and a carrying-out conveyor not shown. The carrying-out chute 81 is located downstream of the drying mechanism 60 and upstream of the reversing mechanism 70 in the conveying path. The carry-out chute 81 faces the second area A2 of the conveyor belt 22. When the tablet 9 adsorbed to the adsorption hole 221 of the second area A2 reaches the position of the carrying-out chute 81, the adsorption of the tablet 9 is released by the second air-blowing mechanism B2. Thereby, the tablets 9 fall from the second area A2 of the conveyor belt 22 to the upper surface of the carry-out conveyor through the carry-out chute 81. Then, the dropped tablet 9 is carried out to the outside of the tablet printing apparatus 1 by the carrying-out conveyor.

The control unit 90 is a mechanism for controlling the operation of each unit in the tablet printing apparatus 1. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the connection of the control unit 90 to each unit in the tablet printing apparatus 1. As conceptually shown in fig. 6, the control unit 90 is constituted by a computer having a processor 91 such as a CPU, a memory 92 such as a RAM, and a storage unit 93 such as a hard disk drive. A computer program CP for executing a printing process is installed in the storage unit 93.

As shown in fig. 4, the control unit 90 is communicably connected to the carry-in mechanism 10 (including the feeder 11, the carry-in conveyor 12, and the carry-in drum 13), the loop conveyance mechanism 20 (including the conveyance motor 23, the suction mechanism 24, the first air blowing mechanism B1, and the second air blowing mechanism B2), the printing unit 30 (including the four printing heads 31), the first camera 40, the second camera 50, the drying mechanism 60, the reversing mechanism 70 (including the first motor 71M to the sixth motor 76M, the third air blowing mechanism B3, the fourth air blowing mechanism B4, the suction mechanism), and the carry-out mechanism 80. The control unit 90 is also communicably connected to a sensor 25 described later. In the control unit 90, the processor 91 temporarily reads out the computer program CP and data stored in the storage unit 93 to the memory 92, and performs arithmetic processing based on the computer program CP, thereby controlling the operations of the above-described respective units. Thereby, the conveyance process and the printing process of the plurality of tablets 9 are performed.

<2. Flow of treatment >

Next, a flow of a printing process using the tablet printing apparatus 1 will be described. The following describes the processing performed on any one of the tablets 9 in order. However, the tablet printing apparatus 1 sequentially conveys and processes the plurality of tablets 9. Therefore, a plurality of tablets 9 are simultaneously present inside the tablet printing apparatus 1.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of the printing process in the tablet printing apparatus 1. When the tablet 9 is loaded into the tablet printing apparatus 1, the carrying-in mechanism 10 carries the tablet 9 into the annular conveying mechanism 20 (step S1). The carried-in tablet 9 is sucked and held by the suction holes 221 of the first region A1 of the conveyor belt 22. Then, the tablets 9 are conveyed along the endless conveying path with the rotation of the conveyor belt 22.

Hereinafter, the surface of the tablet 9 facing outward in the state where the tablet 9 is held in the adsorption hole 221 of the first region A1 is referred to as a "first surface". The surface to be adsorbed to the adsorption hole 221 in the state where the tablet 9 is held in the adsorption hole 221 of the first region A1 is referred to as a "second surface". However, the "first surface" and the "second surface" are not related to the original front and back surfaces of the tablet 9. For example, when the tablet 9 is a divided tablet having a dividing line on only one side, the tablet 9 having the dividing line as the first side and the tablet 9 having the non-dividing line as the first side may be mixed in the plurality of tablets 9 held in the first region A1.

When the tablet 9 reaches below the first camera 40, the first camera 40 photographs the first face of the tablet 9. Thereby, image data of the first face of tablet 9 is obtained. The obtained image data is sent from the first camera 40 to the control section 90. Further, the control section 90 performs pre-printing inspection of the first surface based on the image data received from the first camera 40 (step S2). Specifically, the presence or absence of the tablet 9 in the suction hole 221, the front and back surfaces of the tablet 9, the rotational posture of the tablet 9 about the vertical axis, the misalignment of the tablet 9 with respect to the suction hole 221, the presence or absence of the shape defect of the tablet 9, and the like are examined.

Then, when the tablet 9 reaches below the printing portion 30, the four print heads 31 project ink droplets toward the first face of the tablet 9. Thereby, the first side of tablet 9 is printed. As a result, an image is printed on the first surface of the tablet 9 (step S3). At this time, the control unit 90 adjusts the image to be printed on each tablet 9 based on the inspection result of step S2. For example, an appropriate image is selected from the front surface image and the back surface image in accordance with the front and back surfaces of each tablet 9, and the selected image is rotated in accordance with the rotation posture of each tablet 9. Then, based on the adjusted image, a print signal is input to the print head 31. As a result, an appropriate image is printed on the first surface of each tablet 9 in an appropriate posture.

Next, when the tablet 9 reaches below the second camera 50, the second camera 50 photographs the first surface of the tablet 9. Thereby, image data of the first face of tablet 9 is obtained. The obtained image data is sent from the second camera 50 to the control section 90. Further, the control section 90 performs post-printing inspection of the first surface based on the image data received from the second camera 50 (step S4). Specifically, the control unit 90 compares the image data received from the second camera 50 with the data of a normal image prepared in advance, for example, to determine whether or not the image printed on the first surface of each tablet 9 is normal.

Next, when the tablet 9 reaches the position of the drying mechanism 60, the drying mechanism 60 blows hot air toward the first surface of the tablet 9. Thereby, the ink adhering to the first surface of the tablet 9 is dried, and the ink is fixed to the first surface (step S5).

Thereafter, when the tablet 9 reaches the first to third inversion positions, the inversion mechanism 70 moves the position of the tablet 9 in the width direction and inverts the front and back surfaces of the tablet 9 (step S6). Specifically, the tablet 9 conveyed at the first position W1 in the width direction is moved to the second position W2 in the width direction by the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72. The tablet 9 conveyed at the third position W3 in the width direction is moved to the fourth position W4 in the width direction by the third inclined roller 73 and the fourth inclined roller 74. The tablet 9 conveyed at the fifth position W5 in the width direction is moved to the sixth position W6 in the width direction by the fifth inclined roller 75 and the sixth inclined roller 76. Thereby, the plurality of tablets 9 move from the suction holes 221 in the first area A1 to the suction holes 221 in the second area A2 of the ring conveyor mechanism 20. At this time, the tablet 9 is sucked and held in the suction hole 221 of the second area A2 in a posture in which the second surface faces outward.

Next, when the tablet 9 reaches below the first camera 40, the first camera 40 photographs the second face of the tablet 9. Thereby, image data of the second face of tablet 9 is obtained. The obtained image data is sent from the first camera 40 to the control section 90. Further, the control section 90 performs pre-printing inspection of the second surface based on the image data received from the first camera 40 (step S7). Specifically, the presence or absence of tablet 9 in suction hole 221, the front and back surfaces of tablet 9, the rotational posture of tablet 9 about the vertical axis, the misalignment of tablet 9 with respect to suction hole 221, the presence or absence of shape defects in tablet 9, and the like are examined.

When the tablet 9 reaches below the printing section 30, the four print heads 31 eject ink droplets toward the second surface of the tablet 9. Thereby, the second side of the tablet 9 is printed. As a result, an image is printed on the second surface of the tablet 9 (step S8). At this time, the control unit 90 adjusts the image to be printed on each tablet 9 based on the inspection result of step S7. For example, an appropriate image is selected from the front surface image and the back surface image in accordance with the front and back surfaces of each tablet 9, and the selected image is rotated in accordance with the rotation posture of each tablet 9. Then, based on the adjusted image, a print signal is input to the print head 31. As a result, an appropriate image is printed on the second surface of each tablet 9 in an appropriate posture.

Next, when the tablet 9 reaches below the second camera 50, the second camera 50 photographs the second face of the tablet 9. Thereby, image data of the second face of tablet 9 is obtained. The obtained image data is sent from the second camera 50 to the control section 90. The control unit 90 performs post-printing inspection of the second surface based on the image data received from the second camera 50 (step S9). Specifically, the control unit 90 compares the image data received from the second camera 50 with the data of a normal image prepared in advance, for example, to determine whether or not the image printed on the second surface of each tablet 9 is normal.

Next, when the tablet 9 reaches the position of the drying mechanism 60, the drying mechanism 60 blows hot air toward the second surface of the tablet 9. Thereby, the ink adhering to the second surface of the tablet 9 is dried, and the ink is fixed to the second surface (step S10).

When the tablet 9 reaches the position of the carrying-out chute 81, the tablet 9 falls from the conveyor belt 22 to the carrying-out conveyor through the carrying-out chute 81. Then, the tablet 9 is carried out to the outside of the tablet printing apparatus 1 by the carry-out conveyor (step S11).

As described above, the tablet printing apparatus 1 conveys the tablets 9 along the endless conveying path. The conveying path has a reversing mechanism 70 for reversing the front and back surfaces of the tablets 9 and moving the positions of the tablets 9 in the width direction in a part of the conveying path. Therefore, the processes of imaging by the first camera 40, printing by the printing section 30, imaging by the second camera 50, and drying by the drying mechanism 60 can be performed at the same position in the conveying direction on both sides of the tablet 9. Therefore, the number of parts of the tablet printing apparatus 1 can be reduced as compared with a case where these treatments to the first surface and those to the second surface are performed at different positions. In addition, the tablet printing apparatus 1 can be downsized.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the inversion of the front and back surfaces of the tablet 9 and the movement in the width direction are realized by using a pair of inclined rollers. According to this mechanism, the front and back surfaces of the tablet 9 can be reversed and moved in the width direction without changing the position in the conveying direction. Therefore, the length of the reversing mechanism 70 in the conveyance direction can be suppressed. This enables the tablet printing apparatus 1 to be further miniaturized.

<3. Structure for preventing unnecessary contact of tablets >

As described above, in the tablet printing apparatus 1, the annular conveying mechanism 20 conveys the plurality of tablets 9 in a plurality of rows, and the positions of the tablets 9 in the width direction are changed from the first inversion position to the third inversion position while inverting the front and back surfaces of the tablets 9. At this time, it is necessary to prevent unnecessary contact of the tablets 9 with each other or the tablets 9 with the reversing mechanism 70. Various structures for preventing the unnecessary contact of the tablets 9 with each other or the tablets 9 and the reversing mechanism 70 in the vicinity of the reversing mechanism 70 will be described below.

<3-1. Convex part of inclined roller >

Fig. 8 is a side view of the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72. As shown in fig. 8, the first side surface 710 of the first inclined roller 71 has a first protrusion 712 protruding toward the outside. The first convex portion 712 is provided with a first suction hole 711. The first convex portion 712 is provided only in a part of the conical first side surface 710 in the generatrix direction. The first convex portion 712 may be a single annular protrusion centered on the first axis C1. Alternatively, the plurality of first protrusions 712 may be arranged in a circular ring shape around the first axis C1.

Likewise, the second side surface 720 of the second inclined roller 72 has a second protrusion 722 protruding toward the outside. The second projection 722 is provided with a second suction hole 721. The second projection 722 is provided only in a part of the conical second side surface 720 in the generatrix direction. The second projection 722 may be one annular projection centered on the second axis C2. Alternatively, the plurality of second protrusions 722 may be arranged in a circular ring shape around the second axis C2.

As shown in fig. 8, the first convex portion 712 is close to the holding surface 220 of the conveying belt 22 so as to receive the tablet 9 conveyed at the first position W1 in the width direction of the annular conveying mechanism 20. The second projection 722 is close to the holding surface 220 of the conveying belt 22 so as to be able to deliver the tablet 9 to the second position W2 in the width direction of the endless conveying mechanism 20. However, the other portions of the side surfaces of the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72 do not protrude. Therefore, the tablets 9 conveyed at the other positions W3 to W6 in the width direction of the ring conveyor mechanism 20 do not contact the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72. Therefore, the tablet 9 that does not need to be transferred between the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72 can pass through the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72.

As shown in fig. 8, the dimension of the tablet 9 to be conveyed in the width direction is D, the arrangement interval of the plurality of tablets 9 in the width direction is P, and the width of the first side surface 710 of the first projection 712 in the generatrix direction and the width of the second side surface 720 of the second projection 722 in the generatrix direction are a. In this case, the first convex portion 712 and the second convex portion 722 preferably satisfy the dimensional relationship of the following expression (1).

P>A/2+D/2(1)

If the relationship of expression (1) is satisfied, the tablets 9 conveyed in the row adjacent in the width direction can be prevented from contacting the first convex portion 712 or the second convex portion 722. Therefore, the tablet 9 that does not need to be transferred between the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 can be conveyed downstream of the conveyance path without contact with the first convex portion 712 and the second convex portion 722.

The same convex portions are also provided on the third inclined roller 73, the fourth inclined roller 74, the fifth inclined roller 75, and the sixth inclined roller 76. This prevents unnecessary contact between the tablets 9 conveyed by the endless conveying mechanism 20 and the inclined rollers 73 to 76.

<3-2. Block Member >

As shown in fig. 3, 5, and 8, the first tilting roller 71 has a first block member 714. The first block 714 is disposed near the first side surface 710 on a downstream side (for example, on a 90 ° downstream side) in the rotational direction from a position facing the second inclined roller 72 around the first inclined roller 71. The first block member 714 is fixed relative to the non-rotating shaft of the first tilting roller 71 and the housing of the first motor 71M. Therefore, when the first tilting roller 71 rotates, the first block part 714 also remains non-rotating.

When the transfer of the tablet 9 from the first inclined roller 71 to the second inclined roller 72 fails, the tablet 9 is further rotated while being held in the first suction hole 711 by suction. However, the tablet 9 comes into contact with the first block 714 before it approaches the holding surface 220 of the ring conveyor 20 again. Then, the tablet 9 in contact with the first block member 714 is separated from the first suction hole 711 and is swept downward of the first inclined drum 71. This prevents the tablet 9 that has failed to be transferred from the first inclined drum 71 to the second inclined drum 72 from approaching the holding surface 220 of the annular conveying mechanism 20 again and coming into contact with the subsequent tablet 9.

In particular, the first block member 714 of the present embodiment has a cylindrical side surface. The cylindrical side surface includes an inclined surface 714a inclined with respect to the rotation direction of the first inclined drum 71. The tablet 9 that has failed to pass contacts the inclined surface 714a of the first block 714, and is thereby flicked toward the outer peripheral side of the first inclined drum 71. This can prevent the tablet 9 flicked off by the first block member 714 from coming into contact with the subsequent tablet 9 held by the first inclined drum 71.

As shown in fig. 3, 5, and 8, the second tilting roller 72 includes a second block member 724. The second block member 724 is disposed close to the second side surface 720 at a position on the downstream side (for example, on the 90 ° downstream side) in the rotation direction of the position facing the conveyance belt 22 around the second inclined roller 72. The second block member 724 is fixed with respect to the housing of the second motor 72M and the non-rotating shaft of the second tilting roller 72. Therefore, when the second tilting roller 72 rotates, the second block 724 also remains non-rotating.

When the delivery of the tablet 9 from the second inclined roller 72 to the endless conveying mechanism 20 fails, the tablet 9 further rotates while being held by the second suction holes 721. However, the tablet 9 comes into contact with the second block 724 before coming close to the first inclined drum 71 again. Then, the tablet 9 in contact with the second block member 724 is separated from the second suction hole 721 and is swept down below the second inclined drum 72. This prevents the tablet 9 that has failed to be transferred from the second inclined drum 72 to the endless conveying mechanism 20 from approaching the first inclined drum 71 again and coming into contact with the subsequent tablet 9.

In particular, the second block 724 of the present embodiment has a cylindrical side surface. The cylindrical side surface includes an inclined surface 724a inclined with respect to the rotation direction of the second inclined drum 72. The tablet 9 that has failed the transfer comes into contact with the inclined surface 724a of the second block member 724, and is thereby swung down toward the outer peripheral side of the second inclined drum 72. This can prevent the tablet 9 falling off by the second block member 724 from contacting the subsequent tablet 9 held by the second inclined drum 72.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the first inclined roller 71, the second inclined roller 72, and a mechanism supporting these rollers. As shown by broken lines in fig. 9, the reversing mechanism 70 of the present embodiment includes an adjusting mechanism 77 that adjusts the distance in the width direction between the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72. The adjustment mechanism 77 is located below the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72. The adjusting mechanism 77 is, for example, a mechanism having a ball screw extending in the width direction and a nut that moves in the width direction by rotation of the ball screw. When the interval in the width direction of the tablets 9 in the annular conveying mechanism 20 is changed according to the type of the tablet 9 to be processed, the administrator of the tablet printing apparatus 1 operates the adjustment mechanism 77 to adjust the interval in the width direction between the first inclined cylinder 71 and the second inclined cylinder 72.

The reversing mechanism 70 of the present embodiment includes a cover 78 that covers the upper portion of the adjustment mechanism 77, and a collection tank 79. The cover 78 is located between the first and second inclined rollers 71 and 72 and the adjustment mechanism 77. The recovery tank 79 is located below the adjustment mechanism 77. The tablets 9 brushed off by the first block 714 or the second block 724 are recovered to the recovery tank 79 directly or after contacting the cover 78. Since the upper part of the adjustment mechanism 77 is covered with the cover 78, the tablet 9 does not intrude into the adjustment mechanism 77. Therefore, the mixing of the tablet 9 into the gaps between the members in the adjustment mechanism 77 can be suppressed.

As shown in fig. 9, cover 78 of the present embodiment includes first cover 781 and second cover 782. The first cover 781 is fixed with respect to the first inclined roller 71. The second cover 782 is fixed with respect to the second tilting roller 72. The first cover 781 and the second cover 782 are each a chevron-shaped plate extending in the width direction, and partially overlap each other. When the adjustment mechanism 77 is operated, the first cover 781 and the second cover 782 move relative to each other in the width direction while maintaining a partially overlapped state. Therefore, regardless of the distance in the width direction between first oblique roller 71 and second oblique roller 72, first cover 781 and second cover 782 form a continuous cover 78 without a gap in the width direction as a whole. Therefore, regardless of the distance in the width direction between the first inclined roller 71 and the second inclined roller 72, the fallen tablets 9 can be prevented from being mixed into the adjustment mechanism 77.

The third tilting roller 73, the fourth tilting roller 74, the fifth tilting roller 75 and the sixth tilting roller 76 are also provided with the same block members as the first block member 714 and the second block member 724. Therefore, the tablet 9 that failed in the delivery can be flicked off also in these inclined rollers 73 to 76. As a result, the tablet 9 that failed the transfer and the subsequent tablet 9 can be prevented from coming into contact with each other.

Further, an adjusting mechanism, a cover, and a collection box similar to the adjusting mechanism 77, the cover 78, and the collection box 79 described above are also provided below the third inclined roller 73 and the fourth inclined roller 74, and below the fifth inclined roller 75 and the sixth inclined roller 76. Thus, the width-directional interval between the third inclined roller 73 and the fourth inclined roller 74 and the width-directional interval between the fifth inclined roller 75 and the sixth inclined roller 76 can be adjusted according to the situation. Further, while the tablet 9 flicked off by the block member is prevented from being mixed into the adjustment mechanism 77, the tablet 9 can be collected into the collection box 79.

<3-3. Sensor >

As shown in fig. 1, the endless conveying mechanism 20 of the present embodiment includes a sensor 25, and the sensor 25 detects the tablet 9 that has failed to be delivered to the reversing mechanism 70. The sensor 25 is located downstream of the reversing mechanism 70 and upstream of the carrying-in drum 13 in the carrying path. The sensor 25 is provided at a position facing the first region A1 of the conveyor belt 22. At this position, if there is a tablet 9 that is being conveyed while being held by the suction holes 221 of the first area A1 of the conveyor belt 22, the sensor 25 detects this and sends a detection signal to the control unit 90.

When the tablet 9 fails to be transferred from the first area A1 of the conveying belt 22 to the first inclined roller 71, the third inclined roller 73, or the fifth inclined roller 75, the tablet 9 is conveyed to the downstream side of the conveying path while being held by the suction holes 221 of the conveying belt 22. However, the tablet 9 is detected by the sensor 25 before it approaches the carry-in roller 13 again. When detecting the tablet 9, the sensor 25 sends a detection signal to the control section 90. Upon receiving the detection signal from the sensor 25, the control section 90 stops the conveying motor 23, thereby stopping the conveyance of the tablets 9 by the annular conveying mechanism 20.

This prevents the tablet 9 that has failed to be transferred from the conveyor belt 22 to the first inclined roller 71, the third inclined roller 73, or the fifth inclined roller 75 from approaching the carry-in roller 13 again and coming into contact with the subsequent tablet 9.

Further, a mechanism for sweeping off the sheet 9 may be provided downstream of the sensor 25 and upstream of the carry-in roller 13 in the transport path. When receiving the detection signal from the sensor 25, the control unit 90 may operate the mechanism to wipe off the tablet 9 that has failed to be delivered. The mechanism for sweeping off the sheet 9 may be the same as the first blowing mechanism B1 or the second blowing mechanism B2, for example.

<4. Variation example >

The main embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

In the above-described embodiment, each of the first to sixth inclined rollers 71 to 76 has a conical side surface. However, the side surfaces of the first to sixth inclined rollers 71 to 76 may have a polygonal pyramid shape such as a rectangular pyramid, a hexagonal pyramid, or an octagonal pyramid.

In the above embodiment, the printing unit 30 is provided with four print heads 31. However, the number of the printing heads 31 included in the printing unit 30 may be one to three, or five or more.

The tablet printing apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment includes the printing unit 30, the first camera 40, the second camera 50, and the drying unit 60 as a processing unit for processing the tablets 9 on the conveying path of the ring-shaped conveying unit 20. However, the tablet printing apparatus 1 may be provided with only some of these processing units. The tablet printing apparatus 1 may include another processing unit.

In the above embodiment, the case where the tablets 9 are conveyed along the endless conveying path is described. However, the granular material conveying apparatus of the present invention may convey the granular material along a conveying path that is not annular, and may move the position of the granular material in the width direction while reversing the granular material in a part of the conveying path.

The structure of the detailed portion in the apparatus may be different from those in the drawings of the present application. In addition, the respective elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined within a range in which no contradiction occurs.

<5 > invention of other aspects (one of the invention)

In addition, if "suppressing contact between the particulate matter that has failed in the transfer and the subsequent particulate matter" is set as the first problem, the "first convex portion" and the "second convex portion" do not need to be the essential requirement, and an invention in which "first block member" and "second block member" are the essential requirement can be extracted from the above-described embodiment instead.

The invention comprises the following steps: "a granular object conveying apparatus, comprising: a conveying mechanism that conveys a plurality of granular objects while holding the granular objects in a state of being arranged in a width direction; and a reversing mechanism that reverses the front and back surfaces of the granular objects at a reversing position on a conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism and moves the position of the granular objects in the width direction, the reversing mechanism including: a first inclined roller having a first side surface of a conical shape or a pyramid shape centered on a first axis inclined with respect to the width direction; and a second inclined drum adjacent to the first inclined drum in the width direction, the second inclined drum having a second side surface in a conical shape or a pyramidal shape centered on a second axis inclined with respect to the width direction, the first side surface having a first suction hole, the second side surface having a second suction hole, the first inclined drum rotating about the first axis while sucking and holding the conveyed granular material to the first suction hole at a first position in the width direction of the conveyance mechanism, and transferring the granular material to the second suction hole, the second inclined drum rotating about the second axis while sucking and holding the granular material transferred from the first suction hole to the second suction hole, and transferring the granular material to a second position in the width direction of the conveyance mechanism, the first inclined drum further having a first block member close to the first side surface on a downstream side in the rotation direction from a position facing the second inclined drum, the second inclined drum further having a second block member close to the second side surface on a downstream side in the rotation direction from a position facing the second inclined drum.

According to the present invention, when the transfer of the particulate matter from the first inclined drum to the second inclined drum fails, the particulate matter remaining in the first suction hole is flicked off by the first block member. When the particulate matter fails to be transferred from the second inclined drum to the conveying mechanism, the particulate matter remaining in the second suction hole is scraped off by the second block member. This can prevent the particulate matter that has failed to be delivered from coming into contact with the subsequent particulate matter. In addition, the elements appearing in the above embodiments and the modifications may be combined in the present invention.

<6. Invention from other viewpoints (second invention) >

In addition, if "detect the particulate matter that fails to be delivered" is set as the first problem, the invention having "sensor" as an essential requirement can be extracted from the above embodiment instead of having "first convex portion" and "second convex portion" as essential requirements.

The invention is, for example: "a particulate matter conveying device, comprising: a conveying mechanism that conveys a plurality of granular objects while maintaining the granular objects aligned in the width direction; and a reversing mechanism that reverses the front and back surfaces of the granular objects at a reversing position on a conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism and moves the position of the granular objects in the width direction, the reversing mechanism including: a first inclined roller having a first side surface of a conical shape or a pyramid shape centered on a first axis inclined with respect to the width direction; and a second inclined drum adjacent to the first inclined drum in the width direction and having a second side surface in a conical or pyramidal shape centered on a second axis inclined with respect to the width direction, the first side surface having a first suction hole, the second side surface having a second suction hole, the first inclined drum being configured to rotate about the first axis while sucking and holding the granular objects conveyed at a first position in the width direction of the conveyance mechanism, and to transfer the granular objects to the second suction hole, the second inclined drum being configured to rotate about the second axis while sucking and holding the granular objects transferred from the first suction hole, and to transfer the granular objects to a second position in the width direction of the conveyance mechanism, the conveyance mechanism being configured to include a sensor for detecting the granular objects at a downstream side in the conveyance direction from a position facing the first inclined drum. ".

According to the present invention, when the transfer of the particulate matter from the conveying mechanism to the first inclined drum fails, the sensor can detect the particulate matter remaining in the conveying mechanism. In addition, the elements described in the above embodiments and the modifications may be combined in the present invention.

Description of the symbols

1-tablet printing apparatus, 9-tablet, 10-carry-in mechanism, 11-feeder, 12-carry-in conveyor, 13-carry-in roller, 20-endless conveying mechanism, 21-pulley, 22-conveying belt, 23-conveying motor, 24-suction mechanism, 25-sensor, 30-printing section, 31-print head, 40-first camera, 50-second camera, 60-drying mechanism, 70-reversing mechanism, 71-first tilting roller, 71M-first motor, 72-second tilting roller, 72M-second motor, 73-third tilting roller, 73M-third motor, 74-fourth tilting roller, 74M-fourth motor, 75-fifth tilting roller, 75M-fifth motor, 76-a sixth inclined roller, 76M-a sixth motor, 77-an adjustment mechanism, 78-a cover, 79-a recovery box, 80-a carry-out mechanism, 81-a carry-out chute, 90-a control section, 220-a holding surface, 221-an adsorption hole, 710-a first side surface, 711-a first adsorption hole, 712-a first convex portion, 714-a first block member, 714 a-an inclined surface, 720-a second side surface, 721-a second adsorption hole, 722-a second convex portion, 724-a second block member, 724 a-an inclined surface, 781-a first cover, 782-a second cover, A1-a first region, A2-a second region, B1-a first air blowing mechanism, B2-a second air blowing mechanism, B3-a third air blowing mechanism, B4-a fourth air blowing mechanism.

Claims (14)

1. A granular object conveying device is characterized by comprising:

a conveying mechanism that conveys a plurality of granular objects while maintaining the granular objects aligned in the width direction; and

a reversing mechanism that reverses the front and back surfaces of the granular objects at a reversing position on the conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism and moves the position of the granular objects in the width direction,

the reversing mechanism includes:

a first inclined roller having a first side surface of a conical shape or a pyramid shape centered on a first axis inclined with respect to the width direction; and

a second inclined roller adjacent to the first inclined roller in the width direction and having a second side surface of a conical shape or a pyramidal shape centered on a second axis inclined with respect to the width direction,

the first side surface includes:

a first convex portion protruding toward the outside; and

a first suction hole provided in the first convex portion,

the second side surface has:

a second convex portion protruding toward the outside; and

a second suction hole provided in the second projection,

the first inclined drum rotates about the first axis while adsorbing and holding the particulate matter conveyed at a first position in the width direction of the conveying mechanism to the first adsorption hole, and delivers the particulate matter to the second adsorption hole,

the second inclined drum rotates about the second axis while adsorbing and holding the particulate matter, which has been transferred from the first adsorption hole, to the second adsorption hole, and transfers the particulate matter to a second position in the width direction of the conveyance mechanism.

2. The particulate matter conveying apparatus according to claim 1,

the first convex portion is annular with the first axis as the center,

the second projection is annular with the second axis as a center.

3. The particulate matter conveying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

d represents the dimension of the granular material conveyed by the conveying means in the width direction,

The interval in the width direction of the plurality of granular objects conveyed by the conveying mechanism is P, and

assuming that a width of the first convex portion in a generatrix direction of the first side surface and a width of the second convex portion in the generatrix direction of the second side surface are defined as a,

satisfy the relationship of P > A/2+ D/2.

4. The particulate matter conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the reversing mechanism includes a third inclined roller and a fourth inclined roller on a downstream side of the first inclined roller and the second inclined roller in the conveying path, the third inclined roller and the fourth inclined roller having a structure equivalent to that of the first inclined roller and the second inclined roller,

the granular material conveyed at the third position in the width direction of the conveying means moves to the fourth position in the width direction by the third inclined roller and the fourth inclined roller.

5. The particulate matter conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the first inclined roller has a non-rotating first block member adjacent to the first side surface on a downstream side in a rotation direction from a position facing the second inclined roller,

the second inclined roller has a non-rotating second block member adjacent to the second side surface on a downstream side in a rotation direction of a position facing the conveying mechanism.

6. The particulate matter conveying apparatus according to claim 5,

the first block member has a first inclined surface for sweeping the particulate matter rotating together with the first suction holes toward the outer peripheral side of the first inclined drum,

the second block member has a second inclined surface for sweeping the particulate matter rotating together with the second suction holes toward the outer peripheral side of the second inclined drum.

7. The particulate matter conveying apparatus according to claim 5 or 6,

the reversing mechanism further includes:

an adjusting mechanism which is positioned below the first inclined roller and the second inclined roller and adjusts the interval between the first inclined roller and the second inclined roller in the width direction; and

and a cover body positioned between the first and second inclined rollers and the adjusting mechanism.

8. The particulate matter conveying apparatus according to claim 7,

the cover body has:

a first cover fixed in a relative position with respect to the first inclined roller; and

a second cover fixed relative to the second inclined roller,

the first cover and the second cover are relatively moved in the width direction while being overlapped with each other by the adjustment mechanism.

9. The particulate matter conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

the conveying mechanism has a sensor for detecting the particulate matter on a downstream side of the conveying path from a position facing the first inclined drum.

10. The particulate matter conveying apparatus according to claim 9,

the conveyance device further includes a control unit that stops the conveyance mechanism based on a detection signal of the sensor.

11. The particulate matter conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

the granules are tablets.

12. A granular object processing apparatus comprising the granular object conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

the conveying mechanism conveys the granular objects along an annular conveying path,

the processing position on the conveying path further includes a processing unit for performing a predetermined process on the surface of the particulate matter.

13. The pellet handling apparatus according to claim 12,

the processing unit includes a printing unit that prints on the surface of the particulate matter by an inkjet method.

14. The particulate matter processing apparatus according to claim 12 or 13,

the processing unit includes a camera that captures an image of the surface of the granular object.

Images