JP2020036960A - Tablet conveyance device and tablet printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a tablet conveyance device capable of suppressing decline of conveyance efficiency of a tablet; and to provide a tablet printing device.SOLUTION: A tablet contact maker 30 includes a conveyor belt 51 provided on a conveyance part 21, for conveying a tablet T, a contact member 32 provided on a position out of contact with a tablet in a normal posture on the conveyor belt, and in contact with a tablet in an abnormal posture on the conveyor belt 51, and a support part 31 for supporting the contact member so that the contact member can be shaken by using each fulcrum B1, namely, each fulcrum shaft as a rotation center.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a tablet conveying device and a tablet printing device.

  2. Description of the Related Art In order to print identification information such as characters and symbols on tablets, a technique of performing printing using an inkjet print head is known. Tablet printing apparatuses using this technology transport tablets on a conveyor or the like, and apply ink (for example, edible ink) from a nozzle of an ink jet type print head arranged above the conveyor toward a tablet passing below the print head. ) And print identification information on the tablets.

  Usually, when supplying tablets to the conveyor of the tablet printing apparatus, the tablets are arranged and then supplied. The tablet feeding device for feeding tablets aligns the tablets while transferring them. At this time, the tablets may be in a standing posture or the tablets may overlap. If the tablet in the abnormal posture is transported as it is and supplied to the tablet printing apparatus, a printing failure occurs in the tablet printing apparatus. For this reason, it is desired that a tablet having an abnormal posture be eliminated or its posture corrected in the tablet conveying device. Therefore, for example, a gate member that allows a tablet in a normal posture to pass through but not a tablet in an abnormal posture may be provided. However, in this case, a tablet in an abnormal posture may be clogged at that location, and the tablet transport efficiency will be reduced.

JP-A-7-081050

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a tablet conveying device and a tablet printing device capable of suppressing a decrease in tablet conveying efficiency.

  The tablet conveying device according to the embodiment of the present invention has a conveying belt that conveys tablets, a contact member provided at a position in contact with a tablet in an abnormal posture on the conveying belt, and the contact member swinging about a fulcrum as a rotation center. And a supporting portion for supporting the contact member as possible.

  A tablet printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the tablet transport device according to the above-described embodiment, and a printing device that performs printing on tablets transported by the tablet transport device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to embodiment of this invention, the fall of the conveyance efficiency of a tablet can be suppressed.

It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the tablet conveying device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a top view showing a part of schematic composition of a tablet conveying device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the tablet contact device concerning a 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is a first diagram for explaining a contact operation of the tablet contact device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a second diagram for describing a contact operation of the tablet contact device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a third diagram for describing a contact operation of the tablet contact device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure showing the contact member with which the tablet contact device concerning a 2nd embodiment is provided. It is a top view showing the contact member with which the tablet contact device concerning a 2nd embodiment is provided. It is a figure showing the modification of the contact member with which the tablet contact device concerning a 2nd embodiment is provided. It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the tablet contact device concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a top view showing the schematic structure of the tablet contact device concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a top view showing the modification of the contact member with which the tablet contact device concerning a 3rd embodiment is provided. It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the tablet printing device concerning a 4th embodiment.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Basic configuration)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tablet transport device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a supply device 10, a transport device 20, a tablet contact device 30, and a control device 40. As an example, the tablet transport device 1 is a device that transports the tablets T in a plurality of rows (for example, two rows), and supplies the tablets T to a tablet printing apparatus in a later process.

  The supply device 10 includes a hopper 11 and a shooter 12 (see FIG. 1). The hopper 11 stores a large number of tablets T, and sequentially supplies the stored tablets T to the shooter 12. The shooter 12 supplies the supplied tablet T to the transport device 20. The supply device 10 is electrically connected to the control device 40, and the driving thereof is controlled by the control device 40.

  The transport device 20 includes a plurality of (three in the example of FIG. 2) transport units 21, 22, 23 and a gutter 24, and transports the tablets T supplied from the supply device 10 in two rows. I do.

  First, with respect to a structure common to the transport units 21, 22, and 23, the transport unit 22 will be described as a representative. The transport unit 22 includes a transport belt 51, a drive pulley 52, a driven pulley 53, and a drive unit 54, as shown in FIG. The transport belt 51 is formed in an endless shape, and is stretched over a driving pulley 52 and a driven pulley 53. The driving pulley 52 and the driven pulley 53 are provided so as to be rotatable about an axis, and the driving pulley 52 is connected to a driving unit 54. The drive unit 54 is, for example, a motor or the like, and is electrically connected to the control device 40, and its drive is controlled by the control device 40. The transport unit 22 rotates the transport belt 51 together with the driven pulley 53 by the rotation of the drive pulley 52 by the drive unit 54, and transports the tablets T on the transport belt 51. The other transport units 21 and 23 have the same structure, but in the transport unit 23, the positions of the driving pulley 52 and the driven pulley 53 are opposite to those of the other transport units 21 and 22.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the transport units 21 and 22 is provided so as to sandwich the transport unit 23, and the tablets T supplied from the supply device 10 are aligned in a line, and the tablets T in FIG. 1 and FIG. The sheet is transported in the direction of arrow A1 (transport direction A1).

  The transport unit 21 has a pair of alignment members 21a and 21b for aligning the tablets T supplied from the supply device 10 in a line. The alignment member 21a is provided above the transport belt 51 of the transport unit 21 and on the opposite side to the transport unit 23 side, and has a wall surface that extends in the transport direction A1 and curves toward the transport unit 23 side. . The alignment member 21b is provided above the transport belt 51 of the transport unit 21 and on the transport unit 23 side, and has a wall surface extending in the transport direction A1. These alignment members 21a and 21b guide the moving tablets T along the walls of each other, and align the tablets T passing between them in a line.

  Similarly to the transport unit 21, the transport unit 22 includes a pair of alignment members 22a and 22b for aligning the tablets T supplied from the supply device 10 in a line. The alignment member 22a is provided above the transport belt 51 of the transport unit 22 and on the side opposite to the transport unit 23 side, and has a wall surface that extends in the transport direction A1 and curves toward the transport unit 23 side. . Further, the alignment member 22b is provided above the transport belt 51 of the transport unit 22 and on the transport unit 23 side, and has a wall surface extending in the transport direction A1. These alignment members 22a, 22b guide the moving tablets T along the walls of each other, and align the tablets T passing between them in a line.

  The transport unit 23 is located between the transport units 21 and 22, receives the tablets T dropped from the transport units 21 and 22, and transfers the received tablets T in the direction of the arrow A2 in FIG. 2 (the transport direction A1). And return to the transport sections 21 and 22. For this reason, the transport section 23 is arranged so as to be able to receive the tablets T dropped from the transport sections 21 and 22, and is inclined so as to gradually increase along the transport direction A2. The transport unit 23 has a return member 23a at the downstream end in the transport direction A2 for returning the received tablet T to the transport units 21 and 22. The return member 23a guides the tablet T along the outer periphery and returns the tablet T to the transport units 21 and 22.

  The gutter 24 is provided at an end of the transfer device 20 on the downstream side in the transfer direction A1. The gutter 24 is formed so as to receive the tablets T dropped from the downstream ends of the transport units 21 and 22 in the transport direction A1 and return the tablets T to the transport unit 23 located between the transport units 21 and 22. I have. For example, the tablets T on the transport units 21 and 22 are sucked and held by a delivery device (not shown) and transported to another device. At this time, some of the tablets T on the transport belt 51 in each of the transport units 21 and 22 include tablets T that are not sucked by the delivery device. The tablets T fall from the downstream ends of the transport units 21 and 22 in the transport direction A1, are received by the gutter 24, and are returned to the transport unit 23.

  The tablet contact device 30 is provided for each of the transport units 21 and 22, as shown in FIG. The tablet contact device 30 allows the tablets T in the normal posture to pass through the conveyance units 21 and 22 without contacting the tablets T in the normal posture on the conveyance belt 51, while the tablets in the abnormal posture on the conveyance belt 51 The abnormal posture of the tablet T is corrected to the normal posture by contacting the tablet T, or the tablet T in the abnormal posture is removed to the transport unit 23 (details will be described later).

  Here, the normal posture is, for example, a flat posture when the tablet T is flat (for example, a flat posture is a posture suitable for printing in a later process, and a posture in which print quality does not deteriorate). is there). On the other hand, the abnormal posture is, for example, a posture when the tablet T is not in a flat posture, for example, a standing posture when the tablet T is standing or an inclined posture when the tablet T overlaps with another tablet T. is there.

  The control device 40 includes a microcomputer that centrally controls each unit, and a storage unit (neither is shown) that stores processing information, various programs, and the like. The control device 40 controls the supply device 10 and the transport device 20 based on various information and various programs. The storage unit stores the moving speed information of the individual transport belts 51 of the transport units 21, 22, and 23.

(Tablet contact device)
Next, the tablet contact device 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tablet contact device 30 includes a support portion 31 and a contact member 32. Although two tablet contact devices 30 are provided as described above (see FIG. 2), since their structures are basically the same, the tablet contact device 30 corresponding to the transport unit 21 will be described.

  The support portion 31 includes a column 31a, a first support member 31b, and a plurality (two in the example of FIG. 3) of second support members 31c. The support 31a is formed, for example, in a columnar shape, and is provided on the alignment member 21a. The first support member 31b is formed, for example, in a columnar shape, and is horizontally supported by the columns 31a. Each second support member 31c is formed in, for example, an elongated shape such as a string shape, and is vertically supported by the first support member 31b. One end of each of the second support members 31c is arranged in the direction in which the first support member 31b extends, and is connected to the first support member 31b, respectively, and functions as a fulcrum B1. The other end of each second support member 31c is arranged in the direction in which the contact member 32 extends, and is connected to the contact member 32 so that the contact member 32 is horizontal. Each second support member 31c is formed of, for example, a non-stretchable and non-elastic material.

  The contact member 32 is formed, for example, in a columnar shape, and does not contact the tablet T in the normal posture on the transport belt 51, but at a position where the contact member 32 contacts the tablet T in an abnormal posture on the transport belt 51. Supported horizontally. Further, the contact member 32 is positioned such that its extending direction intersects (for example, intersects) the transport direction A1 in the horizontal plane. The contact member 32 is horizontally supported by the support portion 31 as described above, and can swing along the transport direction A1 about each fulcrum B1, that is, the fulcrum axis. Therefore, the contact member 32 functions as a pendulum supported by the support portion 31. The mass of the contact member 32 and the length from the fulcrum (the length of the pendulum) are appropriately determined depending on the type, size, and weight of the tablet T. Note that the swing direction of the contact member 32 is a direction along the transport direction A1, and does not completely coincide with the transport direction A1.

  Here, the lower end C1 of the contact member 32 is set at least higher than the upper end C2 of the tablet T in a normal posture (for example, a flat posture) on the transport belt 51, and an abnormal posture (for example, a vertical posture) on the transport belt 51. (Posture) lower than the upper end C3 of the tablet T. However, when various abnormal postures exist as described above, the lower end C1 of the contact member 32 is set lower than the minimum height in those abnormal postures. Therefore, when the normal posture is the flat posture and the abnormal postures are the standing posture and the inclined posture, the lower end C1 of the contact member 32 is higher than the upper end C2 of the tablet T in the flat posture, and the tablet T in the inclined posture is higher. Is set lower than the upper end of.

(Transportation process)
Next, a transport process performed by the above-described tablet transport device 1 will be described.

  First, various information such as transport data required for transport is stored in the storage unit of the control device 40. Further, a large number of tablets T to be transported are put into the hopper 11 of the supply device 10. When the tablet transport device 1 is driven, the individual transport belts 51 of the transport units 21 and 22 rotate in the transport direction A1 with the rotation of the drive pulley 52 and the driven pulley 53 by the drive unit 54, and The transport belt 51 of the unit 23 rotates in the transport direction A2 with the rotation of the driving pulley 52 and the driven pulley 53 by the driving unit 54. While the individual transport belts 51 of the transport units 21, 22, and 23 are rotating, the tablets T are randomly and sequentially supplied from the supply device 10 onto the individual transport belts 51 of the transport units 21 and 22.

  The tablets T supplied onto the conveyor belts 51 of the conveyors 21 and 22 are sequentially conveyed at a predetermined moving speed, contact the alignment members 21a and 22a, and move along their wall surfaces. Then, they pass between the alignment members 21a and 21b or between the alignment members 22a and 22b and are aligned in a line (see FIG. 2). At this time, the extra tablets T before alignment fall from the transport belts 51 of the transport units 21 and 22 and are received by the transport belt 51 of the transport unit 23. Some of the tablets T after the alignment fall from the transport belts 51 of the transport units 21 and 22 and are received by the transport belt 51 of the transport unit 23 via the gutter 24. Thereafter, the received tablet T is transported in the transport direction A2 by the transport belt 51 of the transport unit 23, and comes into contact with the return member 23a located at the downstream end of the transport belt 51 to form an outer periphery of the return member 23a. , And is returned onto the transport belt 51 of each of the transport units 21 and 22.

  In the transport belts 51 of the transport sections 21 and 22, the tablets T in the flat position pass below the contact member 32 as shown in FIG. 4, but the tablets T in the upright position are shown in FIG. As described above, the contact member 32 comes into contact with the contact member 32. The tablet T in the upright position further moves in the transport direction A1 in a state of being in contact with the contact member 32, so that the contact member 32 is pushed by the tablet T. Due to the pressing force of the tablet T, the contact member 32 rotates downstream about the fulcrum (fulcrum axis) B1 in the transport direction A1. The tablet T in the upright posture falls down to the flat posture by the first contact with the contact member 32, or falls down to the flat posture while pushing the contact member 32. When the tablet T in the upright posture falls down and the pressing force of the tablet T against the contact member 32 is eliminated, the contact member 32 rotates around the fulcrum B1 toward the upstream side in the transport direction A1 and swings, as shown in FIG. After that, it stops within a few seconds and returns to the initial state (see FIG. 4). In this way, the tablet T in the upright position is corrected to a flat position in the middle of conveyance, and only the tablet T in the flat position is aligned and supplied to the tablet printing device in the subsequent process.

  For example, as described above, the tablet T in the upright position may fall while pushing the contact member 32. When the tablet T presses the contact member 32, the pressing force causes the contact member 32 to rotate around the fulcrum B1 in the downstream direction in the transport direction A1, and the potential energy of the contact member 32 gradually increases. (See FIG. 5). This increases the resistance of the contact member 32 to the tablet T in the upright position that moves in the transport direction A1, so that the tablet T in the upright position usually falls down.

  As described above, when the tablet T in the upright position comes into contact with the contact member 32, the posture of the tablet T in the upright position is basically corrected to the flat position, but the tablet T is maintained in the upright position without falling down. However, the tablet T in the upright position is removed from the conveyor belt 51 by the contact member 32 and falls to the conveyor 23. When the tablet T having the abnormal posture is positively removed, the contact member 32 is moved so that the end of the contact member 32 on the side of the transport section 23 is located downstream of the opposite end in the transport direction A1. It is desirable that the contact member 32 guide the tablet T in an abnormal posture on the conveyor belt 51 toward the conveyor 23. Conversely, when the posture correction of the tablet T in the abnormal posture is positively performed instead of the removal of the tablet T in the abnormal posture, the end of the contact member 32 on the side of the transport unit 23 is larger than the end of the opposite side. It is preferable that the contact member 32 is provided so as to be on the upstream side in the transport direction A1, and the tablet T in the abnormal posture on the transport belt 51 is guided toward the alignment member 21a by the contact member 32.

  In this transport step, the tablets T are supplied onto the transport belt 51, and then the tablets T in the abnormal posture on the conveyor belt 51 are applied to the contact member 32, and the posture of the tablets T in the abnormal posture is corrected to the normal posture or the abnormal posture is corrected. Eliminate tablet T in posture. In particular, in correcting the posture of the tablet T or removing the tablet T, the tablet T in the abnormal posture is moved by the pressing force of the tablet T in contact with the contact member 32 and pressing the contact member 32 to move the tablet T in the abnormal posture. Let go. That is, since the contact member 32 functions as a pendulum and moves even when pressed by the tablet T in an abnormal posture, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of clogging of the tablet T due to the tablet T being stopped by the contact member 32. is there. In addition, the tablet T in an abnormal posture, in which the contact member 32 passes below the contact member 32, is not excessively pressed against the transport belt 51, and thus it is possible to more reliably prevent the tablet T from being jammed.

  For example, if the contact member 32 is fixed so as not to move, the tablet T in the upright position may stop without falling down by the contact member 32, and may stay on the contact member 32 in the upright position. In this case, the tablet T transported after the tablet T in the upright position is stopped by the tablet T in the upright position. As a result, clogging of the tablets T occurs, and the transport efficiency of the tablets T decreases. Further, for example, when the posture of the tablet T is corrected by bringing a member having elasticity or elasticity into contact with the upper end side of the tablet T in the upright posture, the tablet T is transferred to the transport belt 51 by the elasticity or elasticity of the member. Sometimes impressed and unable to move, staying in place. Also in this case, clogging of the tablets T occurs, and the transport efficiency of the tablets T is reduced.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the contact member 32 is provided at a position where the contact member 32 does not contact the tablet T in the normal posture on the conveyor belt 51 but contacts the tablet T in the abnormal posture on the conveyor belt 51. The contact member 32 is formed so as to be able to swing about each fulcrum B1 (fulcrum axis) as a center of rotation. As a result, the tablet T in the abnormal posture on the conveyor belt 51 hits the contact member 32, so that the posture of the tablet T in the abnormal posture can be corrected or the tablet T in the abnormal posture can be eliminated. . In addition, since the contact member 32 moves and escapes from the tablet T due to the pressing force of the tablet T in an abnormal posture contacting the contact member 32 and pressing the contact member 32, it is possible to suppress the tablet T from being clogged by the contact member 32. It becomes possible. In this manner, a decrease in the transport efficiency of the tablet T can be suppressed. Further, the impact on the tablet T can be reduced as compared with the case where the tablet T hits the contact member in the fixed state, and the tablet T is not subjected to an excessive pressing force by the contact member made of an elastic body such as rubber. Damage can be suppressed.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, a difference from the first embodiment, that is, a contact member 32 will be described, and other description will be omitted. Note that in FIG. 7, the transport direction A1 is a direction from the near side of the paper to the far side of the paper, and in FIG. 8, the transport direction A1 is a direction from the bottom of the paper to the top of the paper.

  As shown in FIG. 7, on the surface of the contact member 32 according to the second embodiment on the side of the conveyor belt 51, a triangular wave-shaped uneven portion 32a is formed in a direction intersecting with the conveyance direction A1 (for example, a direction orthogonal to). ing. The contact member 32 tilts, for example, the tablet T in the upright position in a direction intersecting the transport direction A1 by the triangular wave-shaped uneven portion 32a. Accordingly, the tablet T in the upright position easily falls down in the direction intersecting with the transport direction A1, so that the abnormal position of the tablet T can be reliably corrected to the normal position. The contact member 32 has a plurality of slopes M1 that are inclined along a direction that intersects the transport direction A1.

  As shown in FIG. 8, two convex portions 32b are formed on the upstream surface of the contact member 32 according to the second embodiment. These convex portions 32b are provided at both ends orthogonal to the transport direction A1 on the upstream surface of the contact member 32. Each projection 32b has a slope M2 that is gradually inclined toward the inside of the contact member 32. The contact member 32 guides, for example, the tablet T in the upright position toward the inside of the contact member 32 by the respective convex portions 32b. Thereby, the tablet T in the upright position is guided to the inside of the contact member 32, that is, to the triangular uneven portion 32a, so that the tablet T can be reliably knocked down by the uneven portion 32a.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, by providing the triangular uneven portion 32a on the surface of the contact member 32 on the side of the transport belt 51, for example, the tablet T in the upright position can easily fall down, so that the abnormal position of the tablet T is reliably corrected to the normal position. be able to. Further, by providing each of the protrusions 32b at both ends of the upstream surface of the contact member 32, for example, the tablet T in the upright position is guided to the triangular uneven portion 32a located inside the contact member 32, The irregularities 32a allow the tablet T to be reliably turned down, and the abnormal posture of the tablet T can be reliably corrected to the normal posture. Note that both the concave and convex portions 32a and the convex portions 32b are not essential, and only one of them may be used.

(Modification)
A modification of the contact member 32 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, the transport direction A1 is a direction from the near side to the far side of the paper.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in a modified example of the contact member 32 according to the second embodiment, the contact member 32 is configured by a plurality of rotating bodies 32c. These rotating bodies 32c are formed, for example, in a biconical shape, and are rotatably attached to the support shaft 32d. The support shaft 32d is supported by each second support member 31c. A through hole 32c1 is formed in the central axis portion of the rotating body 32c, and the support shaft 32d passes through the through hole 32c1. The through hole 32c1 is formed such that its diameter is larger than the diameter (thickness) of the support shaft 32d. The contact member 32 has a plurality of slopes M1 that are inclined along a direction that intersects the transport direction A1. Note that the shape of the rotating body 32c is not limited to the biconical shape.

  Also in this modified example, the contact member 32 is inclined by, for example, the tablet T in the upright posture in the direction intersecting with the transport direction A1 by the rotating bodies 32c. Accordingly, the tablet T in the upright position easily falls down in the direction intersecting with the transport direction A1, so that the abnormal position of the tablet T can be reliably corrected to the normal position. In addition, it is possible to reduce the impact given to the tablet T by rotating the contact point, and it is possible to suppress the breakage of the tablet T.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment, that is, the tablet contact device 60 will be described, and other descriptions will be omitted. In FIG. 10, the transport direction A1 is a direction from the near side of the paper to the far side of the paper, and in FIG. 11, the transport direction A1 is a direction from the bottom of the paper to the top of the paper.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the tablet contact device 60 according to the third embodiment includes a support portion 61 and a contact member 62.

  The support portion 61 includes a support column 61a, a support member 61b, and a counterweight 61c. The support column 61a is formed, for example, in a column shape having a fulcrum B2, and is provided on the bottom surface of the groove 21a1 of the alignment member 21a. The groove 21a1 is formed on the upper surface of the alignment member 21a so that its extending direction is orthogonal to the transport direction A1 in a horizontal plane. The support member 61b is formed in, for example, a prism shape, and is supported by the support column 61a. A contact member 62 is provided at an end of the support member 61b on the transport path side of the tablet T, and a counterweight 61c is provided at an opposite end thereof. The counterweight 61c is balanced with the contact member 62, and keeps the support member 61b horizontal.

  The contact member 62 is supported by the support portion 61 at a position where the contact member 62 does not contact the tablet T in the normal posture on the transport belt 51 but contacts the tablet T in the abnormal posture on the transport belt 51. The contact member 62 has, for example, a slope M3 that extends in the transport direction A1 and curves to the opposite side to the alignment member 21a, as shown in FIG. The contact member 62 is horizontally supported by the support portion 61 as described above, and can swing up and down around the fulcrum B2 as a rotation center. Note that the swing direction of the contact member 62 is a direction along the up-down direction, and does not completely match the up-down direction.

  The end of the contact member 62 on the alignment member 21a side is located in the groove 21a1 of the alignment member 21a. Accordingly, even if the tablet T in an abnormal posture abuts on the contact member 62, the end of the contact member 62 on the alignment member 21a side abuts on the inner side surface of the groove 21a1, so that the contact member 62 rotates about the fulcrum B2 as the rotation center. Rotation to the downstream side in the transport direction A1 is restricted. Similarly, rotation of the contact member 62 to the upstream side in the transport direction A1 about the fulcrum B2 is also limited. Therefore, the contact member 62 can rotate only in the up-down direction about the fulcrum B2.

  Note that the contact member 62 does not necessarily have to be horizontally supported, and it is sufficient that the contact member 62 is supported at least at a position in contact with the tablet T in an abnormal posture on the transport belt 51 so as to balance the counterweight 61c. When the contact member 62 and the counterweight 61c are balanced, the center of gravity is located below the fulcrum B2.

  According to such a tablet contact device 60, the tablet T in an abnormal posture on the transport belt 51, for example, the tablet T in a standing posture, comes into contact with the contact member 62 as shown in FIG. The tablet T in the upright position moves along the contact member 62 while pressing the contact member 62 in a state of contact with the contact member 62. For this reason, the contact member 62 is pushed by the tablet T. Due to the pressing force of the tablet T, the contact member 62 rotates upward about the fulcrum B2.

  The tablet T in the upright posture falls down to the flat posture by the first contact with the contact member 62, or falls down to the flat posture while pushing the contact member 62. When the tablet T in the upright posture falls down and the pressing force of the tablet T against the contact member 62 is lost, the contact member 62 rotates downward around the fulcrum B2 and swings, and then stops in a few seconds and returns to the initial state (FIG. 10). In this way, the tablet T in the upright position is corrected to a flat position in the middle of conveyance, and only the tablet T in the flat position is aligned and supplied to the tablet printing device in the subsequent process.

  Further, when the tablet T in the upright position contacts the contact member 62, basically, the posture of the tablet T in the upright position is corrected to the flat position, but even if the tablet T in the upright position contacts the contact member 62. May not fall. Even in this case, the tablet T that does not fall down moves along the slope M3 of the contact member 62 while pressing the contact member 62. As a result, the tablet T in the upright position is removed from the transport belt 51 by the contact member 62, and falls into the transport unit 23.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, the contact member 62 is provided at a position where the contact member 62 does not contact the tablet T in the normal posture on the conveyor belt 51 but contacts the tablet T in the abnormal posture on the conveyor belt 51, and the contact member 62 is rotated about the fulcrum B2 as a rotation center. It is formed so that it can swing. As a result, since the tablet T in the abnormal posture on the conveyor belt 51 hits the contact member 62, the posture of the tablet T in the abnormal posture can be corrected or the tablet T in the abnormal posture can be eliminated. . In addition, since the contact member 62 moves and escapes from the tablet T due to the pressing force of the tablet T in an abnormal posture coming into contact with the contact member 62 and pressing the contact member 62, it is possible to suppress the tablet T from being clogged by the contact member 62. It becomes possible. In this manner, a decrease in the transport efficiency of the tablet T can be suppressed.

  Note that the contact member 62 and the counterweight 61c do not necessarily have to be balanced. By changing the position (distance from the fulcrum) of the counterweight 61c according to the weight of the tablet T, the resistance to the tablet T can be adjusted. Accordingly, even if the weight of the tablet T changes due to a change in product type or the like, appropriate resistance can be obtained. Further, even if the size of the tablet T changes, the resistance can be adjusted by providing a stopper below the end of the support member 61b on the contact member 62 side and adjusting the height position of the contact member 62. Further, it is also possible to replace the whole tablet contacting device 60 in accordance with a type change or the like.

(Modification)
A modification of the contact member 62 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 12, the transport direction A1 is a direction from below the paper to above the paper.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in a modification of the contact member 62 according to the third embodiment, the contact member 62 is formed in a symmetrical shape such as a conical shape, and the end of the contact member 62 on the vertex side is formed. It is fixed to the support member 61b. Therefore, the contact member 62 has a slope M4 that is inclined toward the support member 61b. Thereby, the tablet T in the abnormal posture can be guided to the alignment member 21a side by the contact member 62.

  Also in this modified example, the same operation and effect as in the third embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the force in the sideways direction is applied to the tablet T by the contact member 62, it is easier to correct the posture of the tablet T, and the tablet T in the abnormal posture is guided by the contact member 62 to the alignment member 21a side. Therefore, the supply rate of the tablets T can be increased.

  The contact member 62 has, for example, a slope M3 that extends in the transport direction A1 and curves to the opposite side to the alignment member 21a as illustrated in FIG. A combination having such a slope is also possible.

  Further, a conical contact member 62 can be provided at the end of the support member 61b, contrary to the above. In this case, since the tablet T in the abnormal posture is guided to the transport unit 23 side by the contact member 32, the tablet T in the abnormal posture can be positively excluded. Further, the shape of the contact member 62 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a biconical shape. In this case, the tablets T in the abnormal posture can be eliminated and aligned in a well-balanced manner.

(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, a tablet printing apparatus 1A including the tablet transport device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described, and a description of a portion overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. Note that, other than the first embodiment, the tablet transport device 1 according to the second or third embodiment can be applied to the tablet printing device 1A.

(Basic configuration)
As shown in FIG. 13, a tablet printing apparatus 1A according to the fourth embodiment includes a tablet transport apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, a delivery apparatus 71, two transport apparatuses 72, and two printing apparatuses 73. , A storage device 74, and a control device 75.

  Here, the two transport devices 72 have basically the same structure, and the two printing devices 73 also have basically the same structure. Since the two transfer devices 72 have a vertical positional relationship, the upper transfer device 72 is referred to as a first transfer device 72, and the lower transfer device 72 is referred to as a second transfer device 72. Similarly, the upper printing device 73 corresponding to the first transport device 72 is referred to as a first printing device 73, and the lower printing device 73 corresponding to the second transport device 72 is referred to as a second printing device 73. . In addition, as for the two transporting devices 72 and the two printing devices 73, only the first transporting device 72 and the first printing device 73 will be described for simplification of description.

  The delivery device 71 suctions and receives the tablets T that are aligned and transported by the tablet transport device 1 as in the first embodiment, transports the tablets T while maintaining the rows of tablets T, and performs the first Transfer to the transfer device 72. As the transfer device 71, for example, a belt transport mechanism or the like can be used.

  The first transport device 72 has a transport belt 72a, a driving pulley 72b, and a driven pulley 72c. The transport belt 72a is formed in an endless shape, and is stretched over a driving pulley 72b and a driven pulley 72c. The driving pulley 72b is connected to a motor (not shown) serving as a driving source. The first transport device 72 receives the tablets T supplied from the delivery device 71 onto the transport belt 72a, and sucks and holds the tablets T on the transport belt 72a. The first transport device 72 rotates the transport belt 72a together with the driven pulley 72c by the rotation of the drive pulley 72b, and transports the tablets T on the transport belt 72a in the direction of the thick black arrow in FIG. The second transfer device 72 has the same structure as the first transfer device 72.

  Note that the first transfer device 72 and the second transfer device 72 are arranged vertically so that a part thereof overlaps. Therefore, the second transport device 72 transports the tablets T supplied from the first transport device 72, that is, the tablets T that are released from being held by the transport belt 72a and fall after being printed by the first printing device 73. Received by belt 72a. The first transport device 72 releases the holding of the tablet T when the tablet T on the transport belt 72a reaches a desired position, for example, near the end of the first transport device 72 on the driven pulley 72c side. I do.

  The first printing device 73 grasps the position of the tablet T on the conveyor belt 72a by a detector (not shown) such as a sensor or a camera, and identifies the tablet T on the basis of the position information and the printing information (for example, Print letters and symbols). The first printing device 73 includes, for example, an inkjet print head (not shown) that ejects ink such as edible ink, and prints on the tablet T using the print head. As the print head, for example, various ink jet print heads having a driving element such as a piezoelectric element, a heating element, or a magnetostrictive element can be used. The second printing device 73 has the same structure as the first printing device 73.

  The storage device 74 is provided at an end of the second transfer device 72, for example, at an end of the second transfer device 72 on the driven pulley 72c side. The storage device 74 is configured to be able to receive and collect the tablets T that are released from being held by the transport belt 72a and fall after printing by the second printing device 73. Note that the second transport device 72 releases the holding of the tablet T when the tablet T on the transport belt 72a reaches a desired position, for example, near the end of the second transport device 72 on the driven pulley 72c side. I do.

  The control device 75 includes a microcomputer for centrally controlling each unit, and a storage unit (neither is shown) for storing processing information, various programs, and the like. The control device 75 also includes the control device 40 according to the first embodiment. The control device 75 controls the tablet transport device 1, the delivery device 71, each transport device 72, and each printing device 73 based on various information and various programs. The storage unit stores a print pattern including characters and symbols to be printed on the tablet T, print data including a print position of the characters and symbols on the tablet T and the like, belt movement speed information, and the like.

(Printing process)
Next, a printing process (printing process) performed by the tablet printing apparatus 1A will be briefly described.

  First, various information such as print data required for printing is stored in the storage unit of the control device 75. In addition, many tablets T to be printed are put into the hopper 11 of the supply device 10 of the tablet transport device 1. Then, when the tablet printing apparatus 1A is driven, the tablet transport apparatus 1 transports and aligns the tablets T as in the first embodiment. The tablets T aligned by the tablet transport device 1 are received by the transfer device 71, transported while maintaining the aligned state, and supplied to the first transport device 72. The tablets T supplied to the first transport device 72 are transported by the first transport device 72, and are printed by the first printing device 73. Thereafter, the printed tablet T is transported by the first transport device 72, and is supplied from the first transport device 72 to the second transport device 72 at a desired position. The tablets T supplied to the second transport device 72 are transported by the second transport device 72, and are printed by the second printing device 73. Thereafter, the printed tablet T is transported by the second transport device 72, and is collected by the storage device 74 at a desired position.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, by using the tablet transport device 1, it is possible to align only the tablets T in a normal posture and supply the tablets T to the first transport device 72, thereby suppressing the occurrence of printing defects in the tablet printing device 1A. be able to.

(Other embodiments)
In each of the embodiments described above, the tablets T are transported in two rows. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of rows may be one row, three rows, or four or more rows. Not something. Further, the number of the conveyor belts 51 is not particularly limited.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the number and shape of each of the contact members 32 and 62 are illustrated, but the number and shape of the contact members 32 and 62 are not particularly limited. For example, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of contact members 32 in a direction intersecting the transport direction A1 (for example, a direction orthogonal to the direction). Can be used. By providing a plurality of contact members 32 and 62, chances of correcting and removing the posture of the tablet T (chance) are increased, and the tablet T in a normal posture can be reliably transported.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, when the contact members 32 and 62 are arranged obliquely with respect to the transport direction A1, the force in the sideways direction is applied to the tablet T by the contact members 32 and 62, so that the posture is more easily corrected. Become. Furthermore, when the contact members 32 and 62 are tilted so that the tablets T in the abnormal posture on the transport belt 51 are guided toward the transport unit 23 by the contact members 32 and 62, the tablets T in the abnormal posture can be easily removed. Conversely, when the tablets T in the abnormal posture on the conveyor belt 51 are inclined to be guided toward the alignment members 21a and 22a by the contact members 32 and 62, the supply rate of the tablets T can be easily increased. Therefore, if the upstream contact members 32 and 62 are slanted for alignment and the downstream contact members 32 and 62 are slanted for elimination, the posture is not corrected by the first contact members 32 and 62, and the tablet T can be adjusted. Even if it remains, it can be removed by the downstream contact members 32 and 62. It is needless to say that a plurality of contact members 32 and 62 may be arranged in the same direction, or the contact members 32 and 62 may be alternately inclined, and the combination is free.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the contact members 32 and 62 are illustrated as being arranged horizontally. However, the arrangement is not limited to this, and the contact members 32 and 62 may be arranged in a state other than horizontal. In this case, the same effect as in the above-described second embodiment can be obtained. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to incline the contact members 32 and 62 both in the transport direction A1 of the tablet T and in the vertical direction with respect to the transport belt 51, or to provide an inclined slope. They may be combined. In other words, it has a slope that intersects the transport direction A1 of the tablet T, for example, a slope that inclines along the transport direction A1 of the tablet T and a slope that inclines in a direction perpendicular to the transport belt 51.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the contact members 32 and 62 are provided at positions on the transport belt 51 that do not come into contact with the tablets T in the normal posture, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It is preferable that the contact members 32 and 62 do not contact the tablet T in order to prevent the tablet T from being damaged. However, when the tablet T is not seriously damaged, the tablet T may be brought into contact with the tablet T in a normal posture. In the case of the tablet T in the normal posture, even if the contact members 32 and 62 come into contact with the tablet T in the normal posture, the tablet T is not unstable like the abnormal posture, so that the normal posture is changed to the abnormal posture. In addition, the contact members 32 and 62 do not hinder the conveyance due to the escape.

  Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the swing direction of the contact member 32 is exemplified as a direction along the transport direction A1, and in the above-described third embodiment, the swing direction of the contact member 62 is along the vertical direction. Although illustrated as the direction, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be any other direction, for example, a direction along a direction intersecting the transport direction A1 (for example, a direction orthogonal to).

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the contact member 32 is exemplified as a single pendulum, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a physical pendulum (substantial pendulum). Further, the contact member 32 may be rotated around an axis. For example, the contact member 32 may be rotated around a central axis extending in the extending direction of the contact member 32 as a rotation axis. Similarly, the contact member 62 may be rotated around the axis. For example, the contact member 62 may be rotated with the center axis extending in the extending direction of the support member 61b as the rotation axis. By making the contact members 32 and 62 rotatable in this way, it is possible to reduce the impact given to the tablet T by rotating the contact point, and it is possible to suppress breakage of the tablet T.

  Further, a stopper may be provided so that the contact member 32 does not swing upstream of the transport direction A1 from a vertical position with respect to the transport belt 51. By suppressing the swinging movement of the contact member 32 to the upstream side, it is possible to quickly return the contact member 32 to the initial position. Further, when the contact member 32 swings to the upstream side, the tablet T is not pinched between the transport belt 51 and bitten. With such a stopper, the initial position of the contact member 32 may be shifted downstream in the transport direction A1. The height at which the tablet T in the normal posture passes may be adjusted by this shift amount.

  Further, the second support member 31c may be a string or a chain having flexibility, or may be a wire having a certain degree of rigidity. When the second support member 31c is a member having rigidity, the first support member 31b may be rotatably supported so as to be a fulcrum of the swing of the contact member 32.

  Here, the above-mentioned tablets may include tablets used for medicine, eating and drinking, washing, industrial use, or for aroma. Examples of tablets include plain tablets (uncoated tablets), sugar-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, enteric coated tablets, gelatin-encapsulated tablets, multilayer tablets, and dry coated tablets. Furthermore, various capsule tablets such as hard capsules and soft capsules can be included in the tablets. In addition, the tablet has various shapes such as a disk shape, a lens shape, a triangle shape, and an oval shape.

  In addition, when the tablet to be printed is for medicine or food, edible ink is suitable as the ink to be used. As the edible ink, any of synthetic dye ink, natural dye ink, dye ink, and pigment ink may be used.

  While some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 tablet transport device 1A tablet printing device 31 support portion 32 contact member 51 transport belt 61 support portion 62 contact member 73 printing device B1 fulcrum B2 fulcrum M1 slope M2 slope M3 slope M4 slope T tablet

Tablet transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
A conveyor belt for conveying the tablets,
A contact member provided at a position that contacts the tablet in an abnormal posture on the transport belt,
A support portion that supports the contact member such that the contact member can swing about a fulcrum as a rotation center , and a direction in which the contact member extends is a direction that intersects a transport direction of the tablet by the transport belt in a horizontal plane. and,
Has,
The surface of the contact member on the side of the transport belt is provided with a plurality of triangular wave-shaped irregularities.

Claims (5)

A conveyor belt for conveying the tablets,
A contact member provided at a position that contacts the tablet in an abnormal posture on the transport belt,
A support portion that supports the contact member so that the contact member can swing about a fulcrum as a center of rotation,
A tablet conveying device comprising:   The tablet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the contact member is supported by the support portion so as to swing along the conveying direction of the tablet about the fulcrum as a rotation center.   2. The tablet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the contact member is supported by the support portion so as to swing vertically about the fulcrum as a rotation center. 3.   The tablet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the contact member has a slope inclined along a direction intersecting with a conveying direction of the tablet. A tablet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A printing device that performs printing on tablets transported by the tablet transport device,
A tablet printing apparatus comprising:

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