JP2021011379A - Article conveyance system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an article conveyance system that can smoothly transfer an article from a first conveyance conveyor provided inside each unit to a second conveyance conveyor when a first unit U1 and a second unit U2 are provided.SOLUTION: A first conveyance conveyor C1 that conveys an article and a first turn table T1 are provided in a first unit U1, and a second conveyance conveyor C2, a second turn table T2, and a third turn table T3 are provided in a second unit U2. When the first unit U1 and the second unit U2 are provided, the first turn table T1 and the second turn table T2 are provided neighboring each other. And the article is guided by a guide 13 from the first conveyance conveyor to the first turn table and is transferred to the second conveyance conveyor from the first turn table through the second turn table and the third turn table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an article transport system for transporting articles, and more particularly to an article transport system in which articles are delivered from a first conveyor to a second conveyor.

Conventionally, for example, in a freeze-dried preparation manufacturing system, a plurality of aseptic chambers (isolators) are provided in connection with each other, and a filling machine for filling an article such as a container or a syringe or an article is frozen in each aseptic chamber. An article supply / discharge device for supplying / discharging articles to a drying cabinet, a capper for capping articles, and the like are provided (Patent Document 1). Each sterile chamber can be configured as a unit, in which case a conveyor for transporting articles will be provided in each unit.
More specifically, a first conveyor that conveys articles is provided in the first unit on the upstream side, and a second conveyor that conveys articles is provided in the second unit on the downstream side. When the second unit is installed adjacent to the second unit, it is necessary to be able to deliver the article from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-158635

In order to enable the delivery of articles from the first conveyor to the second conveyor when the first unit and the second unit are installed adjacent to each other, the end portion of the first conveyor And the tip of the second conveyor are arranged adjacent to each other, and it is necessary that the article is smoothly delivered from the end of the first conveyor to the tip of the second conveyor.
However, for example, the tip and end of a conveyor belt made of an endless rubber belt are folded back in a semicircular shape from above to below in the vertical plane, respectively, so that the tip and end of the conveyor surface that is the upper surface of the conveyor Since a required gap is generated between the parts and it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing error of each unit, it is difficult to keep the gap small. Further, even if the gap can be kept small, stable and reliable delivery is difficult when the article is a small vial or the like.
In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides an article transport system capable of more reliably delivering articles from a first conveyor to a second conveyor.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a first conveyor provided in a first unit for conveying an article and a second conveyor provided in a second unit for conveying an article, and the first unit and the above-mentioned first unit. In an article transport system in which the second unit is installed adjacent to the second unit and the article is delivered from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.
A first turntable is provided at the end of the first conveyor in the first unit, and the article is guided from the first conveyor to the first turntable by a guide, and the second unit. A second turntable and a third turntable are provided at the tip of the second conveyor, and the article is guided to the second conveyor via the second turntable and the third turntable by a guide. Conveyor belt
When the first unit and the second unit are installed, the first turntable and the second turntable are arranged adjacent to each other, and the guide is moved from the first turntable to the second turntable. It is characterized by guiding the delivery of goods.
The invention of claim 2 includes a first conveyor provided in the first unit for conveying articles and a second conveyor provided in the second unit for conveying articles, and the first unit and the above-mentioned first unit. In an article transport system in which the second unit is installed adjacent to the second unit and the article is delivered from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.
A first turntable and a second turntable are provided at the end of the first conveyor in the first unit, and the article is guided from the first conveyor to the first turntable and the second turntable by a guide. In addition, a third turntable is provided at the tip of the second conveyor in the second unit, and the article is guided from the third turntable to the second conveyor by a guide. ,
When the first unit and the second unit are installed, the second turntable and the third turntable are arranged adjacent to each other, and the guide is moved from the second turntable to the third turntable. It is characterized by guiding the delivery of goods.
The invention of claim 4 includes a first conveyor provided in the first unit for conveying articles and a second conveyor provided in the second unit for conveying articles, and the first unit and the above-mentioned first unit. In an article transport system in which the second unit is installed adjacent to the second unit and the article is delivered from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.
A first turntable is provided at the end of the first conveyor in the first unit, and the article is guided from the first conveyor to the first turntable by a guide, and the second unit. A third turntable is provided at the tip of the second conveyor, and the article is guided to the second conveyor via the third turntable by a guide.
When the first unit and the second unit are installed, the first turntable and the third turntable are arranged adjacent to each other, and the guide is moved from the first turntable to the third turntable. It is characterized by guiding the delivery of goods.

According to the above configuration, the article is delivered between the conveyor and the turntable, and between the turntable and the turntable, so that the article is delivered between the end and the tip of the conventional conveyor. It becomes possible to deliver the goods more reliably.
That is, whether the article is delivered between the conveyor and the turntable or the article between the turntable and the turntable, between the tip and the end on the conveyor surface of the conventional conveyor. Since the required gap does not occur as in the above, the delivery of the goods can be ensured accordingly.

Top view of the freeze-dried preparation manufacturing system 1 in this example Enlarged plan view of the main part of FIG. Sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. An enlarged plan view similar to FIG. 2 showing another embodiment of the present invention.

Explaining the present invention with respect to the illustrated examples below, in FIG. 1, the freeze-dried preparation manufacturing system 1 includes a process of filling a vial 2 as an article (see FIG. 3) with a chemical and a process of freeze-drying the chemical. , The process of sealing the vial 2 is performed.
The lyophilized preparation manufacturing system 1 is installed in an equipment installation room 3 provided in a chemical processing factory, and the lyophilized preparation manufacturing system 1 has a feeder M1 that supplies an empty vial 2 according to the processing order, and the above. A filling / plugging machine M2 that fills the vial 2 with a chemical and plugs a rubber stopper into the vial 2, a freeze-dryer 4 that freeze-drys the vial 2 filled with the chemical, and the freeze-drying machine 4. It is equipped with a vial transfer machine M3 that carries in and out the vial 2 between the vials, a winding machine M4 that attaches an aluminum cap to the vial 2, and a washing machine M5 that cleans the outer surface of the vial 2. It is possible to perform batch control by a control device that does not.
The equipment installation room 3 is divided into two work rooms 3A and 3B by a partition wall 3a, and the freeze-dryer 4 of the freeze-drying preparation manufacturing system 1 is installed in the work room 3B, but other than that. The thing is installed in the work room 3A.

The feeder M1, the filling / plugging machine M2, the vial transfer machine M3, the winding machine M4, and the washing machine M5 each constitute a processing device, and these are provided in series in the left-right direction shown in the drawing. The processing devices M1 to M5 are provided with conveyors C1 to C5 as transport means for transporting the vials 2, and the vials 2 processed by the processing devices M are downstream by the transport conveyors C1 to C5. The processing is performed while being sequentially delivered to the processing device M adjacent to the side. Further, a carry-out conveyor 6 is provided at the right end of the transport conveyor C5 in the drawing.
In order to fill the vial 2 with the chemical in a sterile environment, each processing device M is provided in each of the sterile chambers R1 to R5 whose inside is maintained in a sterile state, and the conveyors C1 to C5 are also sterile. It is provided in chambers R1 to R5. Then, in order to perform maintenance and inspection of the processing devices M1 to M5 provided in the sterile chambers R1 to R5, clean rooms CR1 to CR5 are provided adjacent to each of the sterile chambers R1 to R5.

Each of the sterile chambers R1 to R5 and each of the clean rooms CR1 to CR5 are provided in units U1 to U5 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and are conveyed to the above-mentioned processing devices M1 to M5 in each of the sterile chambers R1 to R5. Conveyors C1 to C5 are provided, respectively.
The units U1 to U5 and the freeze-dryer 4 are manufactured in a manufacturing factory different from the equipment installation room 3 of the chemical processing factory, and the freeze-dryer 4 is carried into the work room 3A of the equipment installation room 3. The units U1 to U5 are installed, and the units U1 to U5 are carried into the work room 3B and installed. When the units U1 to U5 are installed at predetermined positions in the work room 3B, the units U1 to U5 are connected to each other by an appropriate connecting means 10 as shown in FIG. There is.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, small openings 11 are formed in the right end of the aseptic chamber R1 containing the feeder M1 and the left end of the aseptic chamber R2 in which the filling / plugging machine M2 is housed. , Each opening 11 is communicated and connected to each other by a sealing member 12 provided around the opening 11 in a state of being sterile with each other. Similarly, the other sterile chambers R3 to R5 also communicate with each other, whereby the sterile chambers R1 to R5 maintain a sterile state and communicate with each other.
Further, the clean rooms CR1 to CR5 in the units U1 to U5 are connected to each other in an airtight manner between adjacent clean rooms by a sealing means (not shown), and an operator moves back and forth in the clean rooms CR1 to CR5. You can do it.

As shown in FIG. 1, the left end of the sterile chamber R1 containing the feeder M1 is closed, and the conveyor C1 is not formed up to the left end of the feeder M1. ..
Further, the sterile chamber R3 accommodating the vial transfer machine M3 is connected to the freeze-dryer 4 in a state where the back surface on the upper side shown in FIG. 1 is kept airtight, and the inside of the sterile chamber R3. The vial transfer machine M3 provided in the above can carry out the loading and unloading of the vial 2 between the transport conveyor C3 and the freeze dryer 4 under a sterile condition.
Further, the opening formed at the right end of the sterile chamber R5 containing the washing machine M5 can be opened and closed by an opening / closing means (not shown) as described in detail later.

Next, each of the above units U1 to U5 will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the unit U2 accommodating the filling / plugging machine M2 has an upper space A1 formed in the upper portion thereof and 2 in the lower portion thereof. Two lower spaces are partitioned. One lower space is formed as a clean room CR2 that an operator can enter, and the other lower space is formed as a machine room A2. Further, the inside of the machine room A2 is further divided into a plurality of rooms, one of the plurality of rooms is formed as the sterile room R2 constituting an isolator, and the other room is used as a space for piping. The sterile chamber R2 is provided with a filling / plugging machine M2 and a conveyor C2 as described above.
In the upper space A1, a sterile air supply means 18 for supplying sterile air into the sterile chamber R2 and an air discharging means 19 for discharging the air in the sterile chamber R2 are provided, and the sterile air supply means 18 is described above. It is connected to the inside of the machine room A2 above the aseptic chamber R2 and the top surface of the aseptic chamber R2 via a HEPA filter 20 so that sterile air can be supplied to the space above the aseptic chamber R2.
On the other hand, the air discharging means 19 is connected to the inside of the machine room A2 on the side of the aseptic chamber R2 and the lower part of the aseptic chamber R2 via the HEPA filter 21, and the aseptic air is sent from the lower part of the aseptic chamber R2 via the HEPA filter 21. It can be discharged to the outside of the sterile chamber R2.
Further, an air supply duct 25 for a clean room is provided in the upper space A1, and the air supply duct 25 is connected to the CR2 via a filter 26.

The sterile chamber R2 is arranged adjacent to the clean room CR2, and a transparent acrylic plate provided in front of the sterile chamber R2 is provided so as to face the CR2. Further, the acrylic plate is provided with gloves (not shown).
With such a configuration, an operator who has entered the CR2 can observe the treatment in the sterile chamber R2 through the acrylic plate, and if necessary, use the gloves in the sterile chamber R2. It is possible to work.
Further, although not shown, the upper space A1 is provided with a sterilization means (not shown) used when sterilizing the sterilization chamber R2.

Although the above description is for the unit U2, the other units U1 and U3 to U5 are similarly configured, and as described above, the units U1 to U5 are installed at predetermined positions in the work room B. At that time, the units U1 to U5 are connected to each other by an appropriate connecting means 10. At that time, the sterile chambers R1 to R5 and the clean rooms CR1 to CR5 are connected to each other while maintaining airtightness, and a sterilization means (not shown) provided in the upper space A1 and a drainage pipe provided in the machine room A2 are provided. Etc. will also be connected to each other between the units U1 to U5 as needed.
In particular, in this embodiment, the conveyors C1 to C5 provided in the units U1 to U5 are arranged so as to be positioned in a straight line when the units U1 to U5 are connected to each other, and further, the discharge conveyors are arranged. 6 is also arranged so as to be positioned in line with each of the conveyors C1 to C5.
In the illustrated embodiment, one first turntable T1 is provided at the right end of the conveyor C1 of the feeder M1, and two second turntables T2 are provided at the left end of the conveyor C2 of the filling / plugging machine M2. And a third turntable T3 are provided, and the vial 2 conveyed by the transfer conveyor C1 is guided from the first transfer conveyor C1 to the first turntable T1 by the guide 13 for guiding the vial. It can be guided to the transfer conveyor C2 via the two turntables T2 and the third turntable T3.

The other conveyors C2 to C5 are also provided with one first turntable T1 at the right end thereof, and two second turntables T2 and third at the left end of the conveyors C3 to C5 and the discharge conveyor 6. A turntable T3 is provided so that the vial 2 can be delivered from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor via the guide 13 in the same manner as described above.
The two second turntables T2 and the third turntable T3 provided at the left end of the discharge conveyor 6 are integrally provided so as to be movable in the transport direction of the discharge conveyor 6, and are provided in a sterile chamber. When sterilizing R1 to R5, both turntables T2 and T3 are moved in a direction away from the first turntable T1 to form a space between them and the unit U5, and in that state, opening and closing means such as a shutter (not shown). Allows the opening 11 to be closed.
More specifically, the drive shaft of the second turntable T2 and the drive shaft of the third turntable T3 are rotatably supported by the same moving block, and both drive shafts are reversed by a servomotor provided in the moving block. It suffices if it can be driven to rotate in the direction. Then, the moving block may be provided so as to be movable in the transport direction of the discharge conveyor 6.

If necessary, the first turntable T1 provided in the sterile chamber R5 is also provided so as to be movable along the transport direction of the transport conveyor C5 in the same manner as described above, and when the opening 11 is closed by the opening / closing means, the opening / closing means is provided. It may be moved to a position that does not hinder the opening / closing operation of the.
Further, the other turntables T1 to T3 may be provided so as to be movable in the transport direction of the transport conveyors C1 to C5 in the same manner as described above, and if they are configured in this way, when the units U1 to U5 are installed. In particular, the gap between the first turntable T1 and the second turntable T2 can be fine-tuned so as to be the optimum gap for passing the vial 2, and the opening between the sterile chambers R1 to R5. It is possible to provide opening / closing means for closing the portion 11. If an opening / closing means is provided between the sterile chambers R1 to R5, the guide 13 needs to be attached / detached each time, but each of the sterile chambers R1 to R5 can be separately sealed and sterilized.
When it becomes necessary to provide an opening / closing means between the sterile chambers R1 to R5, at least one of the turntable T1 and the turntable T2 may be detachable from the drive shaft. This also makes it possible to prevent the turntable from interfering with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing means by removing the turntable.

In the above configuration, when the units U1 to U5 are carried into the work room 3B of the equipment installation room 3 and installed, the units U1 to U5 are connected to each other by the connecting means 10. As described above, the sterile chambers R1 to R5 and the clean rooms CR1 to CR5 are kept airtight and communicate with each other.
When the units U1 to U5 are connected to each other by the connecting means 10, the first turntable T1 provided on the downstream side of the conveyors C1 to C5 and the second turntable T1 provided on the upstream side of the conveyors C2 to C5. The turntable T2 and the second turntable T2 provided on the upstream side of the discharge conveyor 6 are arranged in a state of being adjacent to each other.
If the guide 13 is attached in this state, the vial 2 can be delivered from the conveyor on the upstream side to the first turntable T1 via the guide 13, and the second turntable T2 and the second turntable T2 and the second turntable T2 are sequentially transferred from the first turntable T1. The vial 2 can be delivered to the conveyor on the downstream side via the third turntable T3.
At this time, a gap is likely to occur between the first turntable T1 and the second turntable T2 due to manufacturing errors of the units U1 to U5, etc., but from the first turntable T1 to the second turntable T2. The transfer of the vial 2 is performed on a flat surface, and the influence of error is small compared to the transfer via the arcuate folded portion of the conveyor as in the transfer between the end and the tip of the conventional transfer conveyor. Therefore, the vial 2 can be delivered smoothly.
In particular, in the case where at least one of the first turntable T1, the second turntable T2 and the third turntable T3 is provided so as to be movable in the transport direction of the conveyor, even if there is a manufacturing error, the above Since the gap can be adjusted to the optimum amount, more reliable delivery can be performed.

It is desirable that the opening / closing means provided between the sterile chambers R1 to R5 is provided between the sterile chambers R2 and R3 and between the sterile chambers R3 and R4. By doing so, when the vial 2 is filled with chemicals and freeze-dried by the freeze-dryer 4, the sterile chambers R3 and R4 are closed by opening and closing means, and only the sterile chambers R1 to R3 are operated. When the freeze-dried vial 2 is carried out by the freeze-dryer 4, the sterile chambers R2 and R3 can be closed by an opening / closing means so that only the sterile chambers R3 to R5 can be operated.
More specifically, when the vial 2 is filled with chemicals and freeze-dried in the freeze-dryer 4, only the sterile chambers R1 to R3 are operated to supply the empty vial 2 from the feeder M1 in the sterile chamber R1. Then, the vial 2 is filled with the chemicals by the filling / plugging machine M2 of the sterile chamber R2, the rubber stopper is plugged into the vial 2, and the vial 2 is filled with the chemicals by the vial transfer machine M3 of the sterile chamber R3. Can be carried into the freeze-dryer 4 and the vial 2 can be freeze-dried by the freeze-dryer 4. During this period, the winding machine M4 in the aseptic chamber R4 and the washing machine M5 in the aseptic chamber R5 are stopped, and the insides of the aseptic chambers R4 and R5 need not be maintained in a sterile state.
On the other hand, when the lyophilized vial 2 is carried out by the freeze-dryer 4, the space between the sterile chambers R2 and R3 is closed by an opening / closing means to operate only the sterile chambers R3 to R5, and the inside of the freeze-dryer 4 is operated. The vial 2 is carried out from the freeze-dryer 4 by the vial transfer machine M3 in the sterile chamber R3, then an aluminum cap is attached to the vial 2 by the winding machine M4 in the sterile chamber R4, and further by the washing machine M5 in the sterile chamber R5. The outer surface of the vial 2 can be washed, and the washed vial 2 can be carried out through the discharge conveyor 6. During this period, the supply machine M1 in the aseptic chamber R1 and the filling / tapping machine M2 in the aseptic chamber R2 are stopped, and the insides of the aseptic chambers R1 and R2 need not be maintained in a sterile state.
When operating the freeze-dried preparation manufacturing system 1, it is desirable to maintain the pressure in the sterile chamber R2 containing the filling / plugging machine M2 higher than the pressure in the other sterile chamber.

By the way, in the above embodiment, one first turntable T1 is provided on the downstream side of the conveyors C1 to C5, and two second turntables T2 and a third turntable T3 are provided on the upstream side of the conveyors C2 to C5. However, this relationship may be reversed.
That is, although not shown, in the second embodiment, two first turntables T1 and a second turntable T2 are provided on the downstream side of the conveyor belts C1 to C5, and one on the upstream side of the conveyor belts C2 and C5. A third turntable T3 is provided, and the vial 2 is delivered from the conveyor on the upstream side to the first turntable T1 and the second turntable T2 by the guide 13, and further, the second turntable T2 to the third turntable are passed by the guide 13. It may be delivered to the transport conveyor via T3.
Even with such a configuration of the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the three turntables of the first turntable T1 to the third turntable T3 are arranged, but the second turn is as shown in the third embodiment shown in FIG. It is also possible to directly connect the first turntable T1 and the third turntable T3 without arranging the table T2.
That is, in the third embodiment, when the vial 2 is delivered from the first conveyor C1 to the second conveyor C2, the vial 2 conveyed by the first conveyor C1 is transferred to the first turntable by the guide 13. In addition to being delivered to T1, the guide 13 is used to deliver from the first turntable T1 to the second conveyor C2 via the third turntable T3.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.
In such a third embodiment, the conveyors arranged upstream and the conveyors arranged downstream are not in a straight line with each other, but the vial 2 is placed in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments. It can be delivered reliably.

Although the above-mentioned examples show an example in which the present invention is applied to the freeze-dried preparation manufacturing system 1, the present invention is not limited to the freeze-dried preparation manufacturing system 1, and various other unitized manufacturing systems. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the article transport system in.

1 Lyophilized formulation manufacturing system 2 Vials (articles)
4 Freezing and drying machine 6 Discharge conveyor 10 Connecting means 11 Opening 13 Guide C1 to C5 Conveying conveyor M1 Feeder M2 Filling and tapping machine M3 Vial transfer machine M4 Rolling machine M5 Washing machine R1 to R5 Sterile chamber T1 to T3 Turn Table U1-U5 unit

Claims (9)

A first conveyor is provided in the first unit to convey articles, and a second conveyor is provided in the second unit to convey articles, and the first unit and the second unit are adjacent to each other. In the article transport system in which the article is delivered from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.
A first turntable is provided at the end of the first conveyor in the first unit, and the article is guided from the first conveyor to the first turntable by a guide, and the second unit. A second turntable and a third turntable are provided at the tip of the second conveyor, and the article is guided to the second conveyor via the second turntable and the third turntable by a guide. Conveyor belt
When the first unit and the second unit are installed, the first turntable and the second turntable are arranged adjacent to each other, and the guide is moved from the first turntable to the second turntable. An article transportation system characterized in guiding the delivery of articles. A first conveyor is provided in the first unit to convey articles, and a second conveyor is provided in the second unit to convey articles, and the first unit and the second unit are adjacent to each other. In the article transport system in which the article is delivered from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.
A first turntable and a second turntable are provided at the end of the first conveyor in the first unit, and the article is guided from the first conveyor to the first turntable and the second turntable by a guide. In addition, a third turntable is provided at the tip of the second conveyor in the second unit, and the article is guided from the third turntable to the second conveyor by a guide. ,
When the first unit and the second unit are installed, the second turntable and the third turntable are arranged adjacent to each other, and the guide is moved from the second turntable to the third turntable. An article transportation system characterized in guiding the delivery of articles. A claim characterized in that the first transfer conveyor and the second transfer conveyor are arranged in each unit so as to be in a straight line with each other when the first unit and the second unit are installed. The article transport system according to any one of items 1 or 2. A first conveyor is provided in the first unit to convey articles, and a second conveyor is provided in the second unit to convey articles, and the first unit and the second unit are adjacent to each other. In the article transport system in which the article is delivered from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.
A first turntable is provided at the end of the first conveyor in the first unit, and the article is guided from the first conveyor to the first turntable by a guide, and the second unit. A third turntable is provided at the tip of the second conveyor, and the article is guided to the second conveyor via the third turntable by a guide.
When the first unit and the second unit are installed, the first turntable and the third turntable are arranged adjacent to each other, and the guide is moved from the first turntable to the third turntable. An article transportation system characterized in guiding the delivery of articles. The article transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the turntable is provided so as to be adjustable in position in the longitudinal direction of the transfer conveyor. The article transport system according to claim 1, wherein the turntable is detachably provided on a drive shaft for driving the turntable. Aseptic chambers are formed in each of the above units, and the transfer conveyor and the turntable are provided in each of the aseptic chambers, and each aseptic chamber is communicated with each other while maintaining an aseptic state when each unit is installed. The article transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that. The article transport system according to claim 7, wherein an opening / closing means capable of separately sealing each of the sterile chambers is provided between the sterile chambers. In each of the above sterile chambers, a filling / plugging machine that fills the article with a filling liquid and plugs the article, a transfer machine that feeds / discharges the article to the freeze-drying chamber, a winding machine that caps the article, or an article is washed. The article transport system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein any of the cleaning devices is provided.

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