EP2180993B1 - Star distributor - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for distributing tablet blanks on the matrices of a tablet press according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system consisting of the device according to the invention and a tablet press. Also described is a method of forming tablets from tablet blanks.

It is known to form tablets at least partially from blanks. This happens, for example, in a tablet press. For this, the tablet blanks must be fed to the tablet press.

For supplying the tablet blanks to the tablet press, various devices are known in the art.

The EP 0 349 777 A discloses a transfer device for transferring tablet blanks to a jacket press, which has a rotatable rotor, on the circumference of which a plurality of radial arms are arranged. At the free ends of the radial arms are transfer heads in which tablet blanks can be added.

From the DE 10 95 462 B Another tablet feeder is known which comprises a rotor with radial arms, at the free ends of which tablet blanks can be conveyed into a tablet press.

Another tablet feeder which has a rotor with radially extending arms is known from US 5,478,074 US 2 963 993 A known.

The DE 918 374 C discloses a device for distributing tablet blanks on the matrices of a tablet press with a rotating disc, on the circumference indentations are arranged, in which the tablet blanks can be partially positively received.

Another device for the distribution of tablet blanks on the matrices of a tablet press with a rotating disc is in EP 0 458 764 A2 disclosed. The disc of this device also has recesses on its circumference, in which the tablet blanks can be partially positively received.

Also in the US 2,879,724 A discloses a distribution device for tablet blanks, which has a disc with recesses provided in the peripheral region of the disc.

Another device for distribution of tablet blanks are the publications JP 59 120 399 A . JP 59 144 599 A and JP 59 144 598 A refer to.

In the publication US Pat. No. 3,836,299 A a tablet press is proposed for wrapping seeds. The seeds are separated and transported by means of a rotating disc to the mold, where they are embedded in powder and pressed into tablets.

The document US Pat. No. 3,836,299 A discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1. The known from the prior art devices have the disadvantage that when filling the indentations with the tablet blanks often fails to fill all indents with tablet blanks, so that the capacity of the tablet press can not be fully used.

It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for distributing tablet blanks on the matrices of a tablet press, in which the existing capacity of the tablet press is better utilized.

The object is achieved with a device for distributing tablet blanks on the matrices of a tablet press with the features of claim 1. It was extremely surprising for the expert and not expected that it succeeds with the inventive device to separate tablet blanks and the To supply matrices of a tablet press targeted. The device according to the invention is simple in construction and to operate.

The device according to the invention is part of a tablet manufacturing process in which a tablet blank is pressed into a very specific shape in a tablet press. Accordingly, the tablet must be so composed that it is deformable and subsequently maintains that shape. This may be cold forming or deformation at an elevated temperature. Preferably, the shape and size of the blank is already adapted to the desired shape and size of the tablet. After shaping in the tablet press, the shaped blank can be further treated, for example, provided with a coating.

The tablet to be produced may have any active ingredients and additives. Preferably, they are drugs that are abuse-protected and, for example, in the DE 103 36 400.5 . DE 103 61 596.2 . DE 10 2004 020 220.6 . DE 10 2004 032 049.7 . DE 10 2004 032 103.5 . DE 10 2004 032 051.9 . DE 10 2005 005 446.3 . DE 10 2005 005 449.8 and DE 10 2007 011 485.2 are disclosed.

According to the invention, the device has a rotating disc which has indentations on its circumference. These indentations take the

Tablet blanks at least partially positive fit, i. the blank lies with its surface at least partially on the indentation. Preferably, the indentation is designed so that the tablet blank does not protrude beyond the edge of the disc. Preferably, the indentation on an inlet region, which simplifies a recording of the blank in the recess during the rotation of the disc.

In order to avoid that the tablet blank is again ejected out of the recess by centrifugal forces, the device according to the invention preferably has an outer blank guide in the peripheral region of the disc. This blank guide particularly preferably extends from the area in which the Tablet blank is passed to the disc, up to the area in which the tablet blank from the indentation passes into the mold of the tablet press.

The device preferably has an ejector above each indentation. This ejector particularly preferably pushes the blank out of the indentation so that the blank falls into the die and / or is pressed into the die. Particularly preferably, the ejector is arranged at a distance from the indentation, for example biased away from the indentation. Particularly preferably, the device has an actuator, for example a ramp or a rotating means, in particular a cylinder, which presses the actuator in the direction of the indentation and thereby the tablet blank from the indentation. Thereafter, the actuator moves back to its original position, in particular by a spring force.

According to the invention, the device has an input region and an output region, wherein the tablet blanks are transferred to the disc in the input region and to the matrices in the output region. Preferably, the input and / or the output region are arranged on the circumference of the disc. Preferably, the input and output regions are offset by ≥ 90 °, more preferably ≥ 180 °, and most preferably ≥ 270 ° to each other.

Preferably, the actuator is arranged in the output region, which cooperates in each case with an ejector and thus presses the respective tablet blank from the respective indentation in the direction of the respective die.

In order to ensure that each indentation is filled with a tablet blank, the device according to the invention has an accelerating means in the entry area, which presses the tablet blank into the indentation. According to the invention, this is a rotation means which briefly engages in the respective tablet blank and transports, presses and / or accelerates it in the direction of the indentations. Preferably, the means is a rotation means, which is particularly preferably provided on its periphery with a rubbery substance by which the kinetic energy of the rotation means is transferred particularly well to the tablet blanks.

According to the invention, a gutter is present in the entrance area, which leads the tablet blanks in the direction of the pane. In this groove, the blanks are preferably guided on impact and are preferably at least in the last region of the guide under pressure so that they are pressed into the respective indentation. -This channel has, at least in a partial region, a slot through which the above-described acceleration means engages in the channel and presses the tablet blanks in the direction of the disk with the indentations.

The disclosure made below regarding the system according to the invention and the method according to the invention apply equally to the device according to the invention.

Another object of the present invention is a system comprising the device according to the invention and a tablet press with dies.

The above disclosure and the disclosure made below for the method according to the invention apply equally to the system according to the invention.

According to the invention, the system comprises the device described above and a tablet press. This tablet press can be any tablet press familiar to the person skilled in the art, in which the active ingredients and additives are pressed into a tablet. In general, these tablet presses on a variety of matrices, which are completed at the top and bottom of a stamp. These punches preferably compress the tablet blank under adjustable pressure so that it assumes the positive shape of the respective die. The lower punch also serves as an ejector to eject the pressed tablet from the die. The matrices are preferably arranged in a rotating body. The two stamps that are assigned to a die rotate with this.

According to the invention, the device described above inserts the tablet blanks into the respective matrix. During one revolution of the die in the tablet press, the tablet blank is pressed into the desired shape and then ejected from the die.

Preferably, the disk of the device according to the invention, which separates the tablet blanks and inserts them into the die, and the component in which the dies are arranged rotate synchronously. This synchronization can be achieved by appropriate electronics. Preferably, however, the rotational movement of the disc is mechanically derived from the rotational movement of the tablet press. This forced synchronization ensures that the respective indentation of the disc and the respective die are aligned when transferring the tablet blank. Most preferably, the punches that deform the tablet blank will drive the disc. For this purpose, a component with fingers is preferably arranged below the disc, which engage between the punches of the tablet press and thus mesh with the punches of the tablet press and are driven by them.

Preferably, the number of indentations corresponds to the number of matrices.

1. a. Fördern der Rohlinge in Richtung einer sich drehenden Scheibe,
2. b. Aufnahme der Rohlinge in Einbuchtungen in der Scheibe in einem Eingangsbereich,
3. c. Rotieren der Rohlinge vom Eingangsbereich zum Ausgangsbereich und
4. d. Übergabe der Rohlinge an eine Matrize einer Tablettenpresse,
5. e. Formen der Rohlinge in einer Tablettenpresse.

A further subject of the present invention is a method for molding tablets from tablet blanks, comprising the following steps:

1. a. Conveying the blanks in the direction of a rotating disk,
2. b. Picking up the blanks in indentations in the pane in an entrance area,
3. c. Rotate the blanks from the entrance to the exit area and
4. d. Transfer of the blanks to a die of a tablet press,
5. e. Shapes of the blanks in a tablet press.

The statements made above about the device and the system apply equally to the method according to the invention.

Preferably, the blanks are pressed into the recesses. This is particularly preferred and causes the blank sufficiently far and quickly enough in the indentation and not too far out of this, which could lead to damage of the tablet blank. The pressing of the tablet is carried out as described above, for example with an accelerator.

Preferably, the blanks are pressed in the exit region by an ejector from the indentations in the mold of the tablet press.

Preferably, the rotation of the disc and the dies is synchronized. For this purpose, the rotation of the disc is particularly preferably derived mechanically from the rotational movement of the tablet press.

Figur 1

zeigt das erfindungsgemäße System.

Figur 2

zeigt die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung.

Figur 3

zeigt einen Schnitt durch die Scheibe der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 2.

Figur 4

zeigt Details der Scheibe.

Figur 5

zeigt eine weitere Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

Figur 6

zeigt schematisch eine Tablettenpresse.

In the following, the invention is based on the FIGS. 1 to 6 explained. These explanations are merely exemplary and do not limit the general inventive concept. The explanations apply equally to all articles of the invention.

FIG. 1

shows the system according to the invention.

FIG. 2

shows the device according to the invention.

FIG. 3

shows a section through the disc of the device according to FIG. 2 ,

FIG. 4

shows details of the disc.

FIG. 5

shows a further view of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 6

schematically shows a tablet press.

In FIG. 1 the system according to the invention is shown. This has the device 1 according to the invention and only partially shown Tablet press 4 on. About a groove 15 tablet blanks 2, which are substantially cylindrical in the present case, transported in shock in the direction of the disc 5 and separated there. In order to obtain a continuous flow of tablet blanks 2 and to ensure that they are conveyed with a certain pressure in the direction of the disc 5, the device 1 according to the invention comprises an accelerating means 14, in the present case a driven disc, which holds the blanks in Direction of the disc 5 presses. The disc 5 rotates clockwise and has at its periphery 6, in particular in FIG. 4 clearly visible, indentations 7 on. In these indentations 7, the tablet blanks 2 are individually picked up and transported in a clockwise direction to the tablet press 4, which has a plurality of dies 3 and rotates counterclockwise. In these matrices 3, the tablet blanks are inserted. For this, the device according to the invention on a plurality of ejectors 9, which are located above the indentation and rotate synchronously with them in a clockwise direction. In the area of the dies 3, these ejectors 9 press the tablet blanks 2 downwards from the indentations 7, so that they are pressed into the dies 3 and / or fall into them by gravity. In order to prevent the tablet blanks 2 from being ejected out of the indentations 7 by the centrifugal force, the device according to the invention has an outer blank guide 8, to which a pressure segment 13 adjoins. This pressure segment 13 is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation 18 perpendicular to the plane of the paper on the outer blank guide 8 and biased in the direction of the disc 5. By this variable pressure segment 13 ensures that the tablets, during the transfer of the indentation 7 in the die 3, is pressed into the recess 3 and thereby particularly well aligned with the underlying die 3.

In FIG. 2 the device according to the invention is shown again in detail. As already described, the tablet blanks (not shown in the present case) are conveyed from right to left along a groove and conveyed in the direction of the disc 5 by the accelerator means 14 constructed as a disc, which projects from above through a slot into the groove pressed. The acceleration means 14 is driven by a motor and has on its periphery a rubber coating, which is a particularly good Friction between the tablet blanks and the disc causes and prevents the blanks from being damaged. The disc 5 rotates, as shown by the arrow, in a clockwise direction. As soon as an indentation 7 rotates past the input region 10, a blank is pressed into a recess due to the pressure generated by the disc and transported further by the disc. In order to avoid that the blank is pushed out of the recess 7 during transport by the occurrence of centrifugal forces, the device 1 according to the invention has an outer blank guide 8, which at its end into the already in FIG. 1 described variable pressure segment 13 opens. This pressure segment 13 is located in the exit region 11 of the device according to the invention, in which the tablet blanks 2 are transferred to the respective die 3. The thus emptied indentation 7 then rotates again into the input area 10 and is again equipped with a tablet blank 2.

FIG. 3 shows the device according to the FIGS. 1 and 2 on average. Clearly visible is the disc 5 with the recesses 7 arranged on the circumference. Disposed below the disc 5 is a distribution disc 10 which extends from the entry area 10 to just before the exit area 11 and prevents the tablet blanks from falling out of the disc 5 , In the exit region, this distribution disc 10 is not present, so that the tablet blank can be pressed down into the die 3 as described below. Above each indentation 7, an ejector 9 is arranged, which is suspended with two flexible metal strips 16 on a rotation axis. In the exit region 11 is a stationary actuator, in the present case, a ball bearing, arranged, which presses the ejector 9, as soon as it rotates past the stationary ball bearing 17 down. As a result, the projection on the ejector is likewise pressed downwards and pushes the tablet blank out of the recess 7 in the direction of the die 3 and / or into the die 3. As soon as the ejector 9 is rotated past the actuator 17, it springs back to its original position due to the tension of the suspension 16.

FIG. 4 shows details of the disc 5, which has at its periphery 6 a plurality of indentations 7, in which the tablet blanks can be inserted. It can be clearly seen that the indentations 7 of the shape of the blanks. 2 are adapted so that they rest in the indentation so that their location is clearly defined. Preferably, the tablet blank rests against the foot and at least on a side wall of the indentation. The indentation 7 is designed so that only a tablet blank can fit into it. Furthermore, it can be seen that the indentations 7, relative to the direction of rotation represented by the case, each have an inlet region 7 'in front of the indentations. This inlet region 7 'facilitates the insertion of the tablet blanks 2 into the indentations 7.

FIG. 5 shows again a representation of the device 1 according to the invention. This representation essentially corresponds to the representation according to FIG FIG. 2 , Wherein the ejector 9 are still shown above the indentations 7 in the present case. It can be seen that each indentation 7 is associated with an ejector 9. Furthermore, the input area 10 is shown relative to the output area 11. It can be seen that the tablet blanks 2 essentially make a rotation of 270 ° from the entrance area to the exit area. In the present case, the clockwise rotation of the disk is derived from a rotation of the dies 3 counterclockwise from the tablet press. It is therefore advantageous if the number of recesses 7 on the circumference 6 of the disc 5 with the number of matrices in the tablet press, matches.

FIG. 6 schematically shows the tablet press 4. This has a plurality of dies 3, which rotate in the present case counterclockwise and into which a tablet blank 2 is inserted. Above and below each die 3 each a punch 19 is arranged vertically displaceable, which is in each case variable by a curve or by rotating wheels in position. By a change in position in the direction of the tablet blank this is pressed into the desired shape. Once this is done, the upper punch is moved back up and at the same time raises the lower punch by an upward movement of the completed tablet from the die 3, which is then removed from the tablet press 4, so that the whole process again can start. The direction of movement of the dies or the stamp is indicated by the two arrows in FIG. 6 shown. The inventive device sets the Tablet blanks 2 in the matrices 3 a.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

tablet blank

3

matrices

4

tablet press

5

disc

6

Circumference of the wheel

7

indentation

7 '

Inlet area of the indentation

8th

Outer blank guide

9

ejector

10

entrance area

11

output range

12

distribution disc

13

Means for pushing the tablet blanks into the recess, pressure segment

14

Accelerating means for accelerating the blanks in the direction of the indentation

15

gutter

16

Suspension of the ejector

17

Actuator, ball bearing

18

axis of rotation

19

stamp

Claims (12)

1. A device (1) for distributing tablet blanks (2) onto the dies (3) of a tablet press (4), wherein the device comprises a rotating disc (5) on the circumference (6) of which indentations (7) are disposed, which receive the tablet blanks (2) at least partially in a form-locking manner, and the device comprises an inlet area (10) and an outlet area (11), wherein the tablet blanks are transferred to the disc (5) in the inlet area (10) and to the dies (3) in the outlet area (11), characterized in that the device comprises an acceleration means (14) in the inlet area (10), which accelerates the tablet blank (2) in the direction of the indentation (7) and presses it into the indentation (7), wherein a chute (15) is provided in the inlet area (10) which guides the tablet blanks (2) in the direction of the disc (5), wherein the chute (15), at least in a partial portion thereof, comprises a slot through which the acceleration means (14) engages in the chute (15) and presses the tablet blanks (2) in the direction of the disc (5) with the indentation (7).
2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the acceleration means (14) is a rotation means which is equipped with a rubber-like substance on its circumference.
3. The device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotation means is a driven disc which presses the tablet blanks (2) in the direction of the disc (5).
4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outer blank guide (8) is disposed in the circumferential area of the disc (5).
5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises an ejector (9) above each indentation (7).
6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actuator (17) is disposed in the outlet area (11), which actuator cooperates with a respective ejector (9) and thus presses the respective tablet blank (2) from the respective indentation (7) in the direction of the respective die (3).
7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a guide which guides the tablet blanks in the direction of the disc (5) is provided in the inlet area.
8. A system comprising a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a tablet press (4) with dies (3).
9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that the disc (5) and the dies (4) rotate synchronously.
10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that the rotational movement of the disc (5) is derived from the rotational movement of the tablet press (4).
11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that punches (19) which deform the tablet blank (2) drive the disc (5).
12. The system according to any one of claims 8 - 11, characterized in that the number of indentations (7) corresponds to the number of dies (3).

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