EP2110231B1 - Rotary tablet press - Google Patents

Description

Rotary tablet presses are well known. These usually include a rotor which has a die plate with a number of dies arranged on a circumferential line. Each die is assigned an upper and a lower punch, which are guided via guide curves. A material to be pressed can be filled into the dies via at least one filling device. The upper and lower punches are guided over a filling station, a metering station, a pre-printing station and a main printing station.

A generic rotary tablet press is for example from the DE 102004040163 B3 which discloses the preamble of claim 1 is known. As an improvement in relation to the design of tablet presses, the DE 102004040163 B3 in particular to gain space in the drive space by eliminating a rotor shaft.

The US5151280 A discloses a similar rotary tablet press which is intended to enable the pressure roller of a pressure station to be pulled out of a machine to the side without the drive for its height adjustment being pulled out. For this purpose it is proposed to mount the pressure roller in a bearing block, which is held with a receiving flange in a guide of a housing by the drive for the pressure roller in the radial direction to the axis of rotation of the die plate and is releasably connected to the housing of the drive.

In the US 2003/0042639 A1 a tablet press is proposed in which a compression module comprising a rotor can be swiveled out of the pressing chamber onto a carriage in order to enable simplified cleaning.

Rotary tablet presses with which multi-layer tablets, for example two-layer tablets, can be produced are also known. Two filling stations, two metering stations and two pressure stations are arranged around the circumference of the rotor.

Rotary tablet presses are known, in particular for laboratory operation, which can be converted from one-shift operation to two-shift operation. This requires relatively complex conversion work, namely the placement of a second filling shoe, as well as an adaptation of the first printing station, the metering unit and the filling curves.

From the US3063390 A a tablet press is known which provides for a change between single-shift to two-shift operation in connection with rotary tablet presses. This is done by adding or removing an ejector unit between a first and second printing station. As a result, only a semicircle of the rotor is used for tablet production.

Also DE 967 423 discloses a method for the production of single-layer and multi-layer compacts, with the ejector unit being either put into operation or out of operation. The press comprises a plurality of production units, each with a filling, pressing and ejection station. For the production of single-layer tablets, the filling, pressing and ejection stations of all production units can be put into operation in order to maintain a high production rate. For the production of a multi-layer compact from different filling goods, for example, the filling and pressing stations are used in the first production units activated, and the ejection stations is not activated, while in the last production unit all filling, pressing and ejection stations are put into operation.

The invention is based on the object of creating a rotary tablet press of the generic type, which is characterized by a simple and variable structure. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a rotary tablet press with the features mentioned in claim 1. The fact that the rotary tablet press has a modular structure, with individual modules being removable and / or convertible within the rotary tablet press to convert the rotary tablet press from two-shift operation to single-shift operation or vice versa, means that a rotary tablet press is advantageously possible can be converted quickly and variably. The rotary tablet press is therefore versatile, in particular usable as a laboratory press, and can thus be quickly adapted to different desired parameters. This applies to both the replacement of individual components and the ability to quickly convert from one-shift to two-shift operation or vice versa.

According to the invention it is provided that a first filling device and a second filling device are provided, the second filling device being removable. This advantageously makes it possible for the tablet press to be converted from two-shift to one-shift operation very quickly and in particular without tools by removing the second filling device, for example by removing it or pivoting it into a non-use position.

Furthermore, it is provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention that - in single-shift operation with the rotary tablet press - the first filling device can be equipped with an enlarged filling shoe. This advantageously makes it possible to run a higher speed of the rotor during single-shift operation without impairing reliable filling of the dies.

In addition, in a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a lower pressure roller of a second printing station in two-shift operation takes on a metering function for filling the matrices in one-shift operation. This advantageously makes it possible, on the one hand, to effectively support the retrofitting of the tablet press from two-shift to single-shift operation and, at the same time, to use certain components in a multifunctional manner, i.e. both for two-shift operation and for single-shift operation

Furthermore, it is provided according to the invention that the upper punch guide and / or lower punch guide comprises a plurality of segments which are at least partially exchangeable for at least one other segment with a different curve characteristic. Because of this segmentation of the punch guide, the conversion from two-shift operation to one-shift operation or vice versa can be implemented in a simple manner. Depending on which operating mode is to be used, the corresponding segments are used to guide the upper punch. In this way, in particular, the longer filling distance can also be supported in a one-shift operation.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the rotary tablet press comprises drive adapters, which can optionally be equipped with drive shafts for driving Filling devices or parts of filling devices can be effectively connected. In this way, the conversion of the filling line from two-shift operation to single-shift operation or vice versa can be supported in a simple manner. In particular, no complex assembly work needs to be carried out. The available drive adapters are either coupled with the corresponding drive shafts or not.

In addition, it is provided according to the invention that the rotor can be pivoted out of a press interior of the rotary tablet press. This advantageously makes it possible either to exchange the entire rotor or, for example, to exchange the segments of the punch guides on the rotor itself or to adapt the upper and / or lower punches according to the desired parameters of the tablets to be pressed. In addition, maintenance and / or cleaning work on the rotor or on the interior of the press can be carried out in a simple manner.

In addition, a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the rotor comprises a receptacle for a support arm, the support arm being pivotably arranged with a guide column of the rotary tablet press, with a lifting device for lowering or lifting the rotor preferably being integrated into the support arm . This advantageously enables the motor to be removed or installed without additional external equipment or tools.

The present invention thus relates to a universally applicable rotary tablet press, in particular a laboratory press, which is modular and which allows the replacement of a complete rotor or the conversion of the rotor and the necessary peripheral devices from a two-shift operation to a single-shift operation and vice versa in just a few steps.

What is essential here is, on the one hand, the simple and uncomplicated conversion option from two-shift operation to one-shift operation. For this purpose, it is only necessary to remove the upper pressure roller for pressing the first layer - in two-shift operation - and the curve segments of the upper punch adjacent to the upper pressure roller in two-shift operation. These curve segments are exchanged for a curve segment with a straight guide for the upper punch. Furthermore, the filling devices for the first layer and the second layer are removed or converted. In this way, the dosing unit of the filling station for the first shift in two-shift operation can be used at the same time to fill the matrices in one-shift operation - here the filling distance can be easily lengthened by lengthening the filling curve for this dosage in one-shift operation. It is not necessary to replace the dosing unit. The lower pressure roller for pressing the first layer takes on the function of a dosing unit and therefore does not need to be removed or converted. Likewise, by arranging an additional agitator of a filling shoe for single-shift operation, a longer filling distance of the dies is possible, so that the drive speed / working speed of the rotor can be increased. Depending on requirements, the laboratory press can be converted from two-shift to one-shift operation or vice versa within a very short time. Complex dismantling or dismantling and assembly work are not required. The few interchangeable parts that are matched to one another can be positioned in a simple manner, predominantly without tools.

Another aspect of the invention is the interchangeability of the complete rotor of the rotary tablet press without costly dismantling work. For this purpose, it is provided that the rotor is pivoted laterally out of its operating position. This means that the rotor is not lifted, but remains in its height position. This makes it possible to dispense with pivoting the pressure rollers and dismantling the guide cams for the stamps and the stamps themselves. It is only necessary to remove the filling curve, since in this area the lower punches engaging in it would stand in the way of a lateral pivoting out.

In its operating position, the rotor is positively connected to the drive or the counter bearing at its frontal drive shaft ends by mechanically acting connecting elements, for example pneumatically or hydraulically actuated connecting elements, so that an exact, reproducible positioning of the rotor is possible. For dismantling, the rotor is connected to a support arm and swiveled outwards around a column of the laboratory press that is fixed to the frame, as I said, without its height being changed. After pivoting out, the rotor can then be placed on a rotor carriage or the like via a lowering device, for example mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically. An exchange of the rotor, for example for repair and / or maintenance purposes, or cleaning purposes or the like, is thus easily possible in a simple manner.

Figur 1

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Rundläufer-Tablettenpresse im Zweischichtbetrieb;

Figur 2

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Rundläufer-Tablettenpresse im Einschichtbetrieb;

Figur 3

eine schematische Perspektivansicht der Tablettenpresse im Zweischichtbetrieb;

Figur 4

eine schematische Perspektivansicht der Tablettenpresse im Einschichtbetrieb;

Figur 5

einen Vergleich der Kurvenläufe bei Zweischichtbetrieb und Einschichtbetrieb und

Figuren 6 bis 8

schematische Perspektivansichten der Tablettenpresse mit den gekennzeichneten zu demontierenden beziehungsweise zu verschwenkenden Peripheriegeräten;

The basic principle of the invention is illustrated by the following figures. Show it:

Figure 1

a schematic plan view of a rotary tablet press in two-shift operation;

Figure 2

a schematic plan view of a rotary tablet press in single-shift operation;

Figure 3

a schematic perspective view of the tablet press in two-shift operation;

Figure 4

a schematic perspective view of the tablet press in single shift operation;

Figure 5

a comparison of the curves in two-shift operation and one-shift operation and

Figures 6 to 8

schematic perspective views of the tablet press with the identified peripheral devices to be dismantled or pivoted;

Figure 1 shows a highly schematic plan view of a rotary tablet press for the production of two-layer tablets. The tablet press is denoted by 10 as a whole. The tablet press 10 comprises a rotor 12 which has a die table 14 with dies - not shown here - arranged on a circumferential line. Upper and lower punches - also not shown - are assigned to the matrices. The tablet press 10 comprises - seen in the circumferential direction - in succession a first filling device 16, a first printing station 18, a second filling device 20, a second printing station 22 and a main printing station 24 as well as an ejector 26. A medium to be pressed, in particular powder, supplied for a first layer of a tablet to be pressed. This first layer is pre-pressed via the first printing station 18. The medium to be pressed, in particular again a powder, is then introduced onto the pre-pressed first layer via the second filling device 20. The then two-layer tablet is then pressed via the second pre-pressure station 22. The main pressure station 24 carries out the final compression of the two-layer tablet and the fully pressed two-layer tablets are fed to a collecting container or the like via the ejectors 26.

In Figure 2 the tablet press 10 is also shown in a highly schematic view in the conversion variant for single-shift operation. Same parts as in Figure 1 are provided with the same reference symbols and are not explained again.

It is clear that here the second filling device 20 is removed or moved out of the active area of the rotor 12. The upper pressure roller of the first printing station 18 is also removed. The first feed device 16 'is either retained or, as shown, equipped with a larger filling shoe. This enables the dies to be filled on a larger circumferential piece of the pitch circle of the die plate 14. The lower pressure roller of the first printing station 18 takes on the dosing function for the control of the lower punches for the metered introduction of a certain amount into the dies, as is generally known per se.

Based on the schematic representations in Figure 1 and 2 it becomes clear that the tablet press 10 can be converted from a two-shift operation (in Figure 1 shown) in a one-shift operation (in Figure 2 shown) can be converted. This conversion can be carried out very quickly without complex assembly work.

Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the tablet press 10 in the functional state "two-shift operation". The first feed device 16 ′, the upper pressure roller 28 and the lower pressure roller 30 of the first printing station 18 and the second filling device 20 can be seen.

Furthermore, the rotor 12 with the die table 14 is visible. The rotor 12 further comprises a lower punch guide 32 and an upper punch guide 34. The lower punches and the upper punches are displaced in their position relative to the die table 12 by guide cams in a manner known per se. This allows the dosing, pressing and ejection of the tablets to be controlled. In Figure 3 the upper punch curve 36 is shown schematically, which consists of different segments. A segment 38, a segment 40 and a segment 42 can be seen. The segment 38 is arranged above the feed device 16 ', there the upper punches are essentially guided in a specific starting position. In front of the pressure roller 28, the segment 40 is arranged, via which the upper punches are guided into the pre-printing position. The segment 42 guides the upper punch following the pressure roller 28 from the pre-pressure position into the filling position in accordance with the arrangement of the second filling device 20. This is known per se.

Figure 4 shows the tablet press 10 in a schematic perspective view in its "single-shift operation" operating state. Identical parts are again provided with the same reference numerals and are not explained again. It is clear that the upper pressure roller 28 and the segments 40 and 42 of the upper punch guide 36 have been removed. The segments 40 and 42 are replaced by a new segment 44 so that the upper punches are also guided in a filling position in the area of the current segment 44, that is to say above the dies.

Figure 4 also shows that the second filling device 20 is dismantled. A drive shaft 46 of the second filling device 20 ( Figure 3 ) has become vacant and is being relocated to like it Figure 4 made clear. The first feed device 16 is exchanged for a feed device 16 ', of which only the agitator blades 48 of a corresponding filling shoe are shown here for the sake of clarity. The drive shaft 46 is now used to drive the second agitator blade 48 'while the drive shaft 46' of the first feed device 16 ( Figure 3 ) remains and is now used to drive the first agitator blade 48. The first feed device 16 is virtually retained and is supplemented by the second agitator blade 48 '. Corresponding drive adapters 47 and 47 'are provided in a base plate 11, which are operatively connected or can be operatively connected to the drive shafts 46 and 46'. The pressure roller 30 of the first printing station 18 ( Figure 1 respectively Figure 3 ) now takes on a metering function for controlling the lower ram via the pitch circle of the feed device 16 '. It becomes clear that this creates a longer filling distance in a simple manner during one-shift operation, so that reliable filling of all matrices is possible even at high speeds.

Old other components of the tablet press 10 remain unchanged and are in function both in two-shift operation and in one-shift operation.

Figure 5 shows schematically the development of the rotor 12 of the tablet press 10. The main pressure station 24 with upper main pressure roller 50 and lower main pressure roller 52 can be seen. Furthermore, the first pre-pressure or pressure station 18 and the second pre-pressure or pressure station 22 are shown. The first prepress station 18 has. the upper pressure roller 28 and the lower pressure roller 30. The second pre-printing station 22 has the upper pressure roller 54 and the lower pressure roller 56. Furthermore, the development of the upper punch curve 60 and the lower punch curve 62 is shown.

As already explained with reference to the preceding figures, the dies are first filled before the first printing station 18, the first layer is pre-pressed in the printing station 18, filled before the second printing station 22, the second layer is pre-pressed in the printing station 22 and main pressing in the main printing station 24. After the main printing station 24, the finished pressed tablet was ejected, here indicated by an arrow 64.

In single-shift operation, the upper pressure roller 28 of the first printing station 18 is removed and the segments 40 and 42 of the upper punch guide 60 are exchanged for segment 44. The lower pressure roller 30 now takes on the function of a metering roller.

Figure 6 shows a schematic view of the tablet press 10, it being made clear here that the rotor 12 can be pivoted completely out of a press interior 70. The rotor 12 is held by a support arm 72 which is articulated on a guide column 74 of the tablet press 10. The rotor 12 is simply pivoted pivoted in its horizontal plane out of the press interior 70 into the position shown. This can be done without dismantling work on the rotor 12. On the rotor 12, the pressure rollers (here the first upper pre-pressure roller, which is visible here as an example) as well as the punch guides, the individual curve segments and the punch themselves can be pivoted out without having to be dismantled beforehand. The pivoted-out rotor 12 can be set down on a rotor carriage (not shown) or the like via a lifting device integrated in the support arm 72, for example pneumatically. It is important that the rotor 12 is swiveled out of the press interior 70 without raising or lowering it. This means that it remains essentially in its horizontal plane. A drive coupling with a drive machine of the tablet press 10 or a counter bearing takes place via the respective end faces 76 and 78 of the rotor 12 to corresponding counterparts for a force-fit assembly.

In the Figures 7 and 8th the tablet press 10 is again shown schematically, here it is made clear which of the parts must be removed or pivoted so that the rotor 12 - as in FIG Figure 6 shown - can be pivoted horizontally out of the press interior.

Figure 7 shows that the first feed device 16 'and the second filling device 20 as well as the drive shaft 46' are removed here. The filling curve is also removed.

These parts can be removed without tools by loosening the corresponding quick-release connections or the like.

Figure 8 shows that the parts remaining on the tablet press 10, namely the guide or holding elements for the feed device 16 ′ or filling device 20, (do not have to be pivoted) are pivoted out of the area of the rotor 12. Through the, as in Figure 7 shown, dismantled parts and the, as in Figure 8 shown, pivoted parts is a pivoting of the rotor 12 from the press interior 70, as shown in FIG Figure 6 made clear is easily possible. This allows simple handling of the tablet press 10, in particular for cleaning purposes, repair purposes or exchanging the punch curves or matrices on the rotor 12. Complicated dismantling work is not necessary.

List of reference symbols

10

Tablet press

11

Base plate

12th

rotor

14th

Matrix table

16

first filling device

16 '

Feeding device

18th

first printing station

20th

second filling device

22nd

second printing station

24

Main printing station

26th

Ejector

28

upper pressure roller

30th

lower pressure roller

32

Lower punch guide

34

Upper punch guide

36

Upper punch curve

38

segment

40

segment

42

segment

44

segment

46

drive shaft

46 '

drive shaft

47

Drive adapter

47 '

Drive adapter

48

Impeller

50

upper main pressure roller

52

lower main pressure roller

54

upper pressure roller

56

lower pressure roller

60

Upper punch curve

62

Lower punch curve

70

Press interior

72

Beam

74

Guide pillar

76

Front side

78

Front side

Claims (6)

1. A rotary tablet press which comprises a rotor, at least one filling station and at least one pressing station as well as lower punch and upper punch guides,
   wherein
   the rotary tablet press (10) has a modular design, wherein individual modules are arranged in such a manner that they can be removed and/or relocated within the rotary tablet press (10), for converting the rotary tablet press (10) from two-layer operation to single-layer operation or vice versa, characterized in that
   the rotor (12) can be pivoted out of a press interior (70) of the rotary tablet press (10),
   a first filling device (16) and a second filling device (20) are provided, wherein the second filling device (20) can be removed, and
   the upper punch guide (34) and/or lower punch guide (32) comprises multiple segments (38, 40, 42) which can be replaced at least partially with at least one other segment (44) with another curve characteristic.
2. The rotary tablet press according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the first filling device (16) can be equipped with an enlarged filling shoe.
3. The rotary tablet press according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   a lower pressing roller (30) of a second pressing station (18) in two-layer operation assumes a dosing function for filling the dies in the single-layer operation.
4. The rotary tablet press according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the rotary tablet press (10) comprises drive adapters (47, 47') which can be operatively connected either to drive shafts (46, 46') for driving filling devices or to parts of filling devices.
5. The rotary tablet press according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the rotor (12) comprises a recess for a support arm (72), wherein the support arm (72) is arranged so it that can be pivoted on a guide column (74) of the rotary tablet press (10).
6. The rotary tablet press according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   a lifting device for covering or lifting the rotor (12) is integrated in the support arm (72).

Images