JP2021116084A - Blister packaging machine and manufacturing method of blister sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

To achieve suppression of various types of cost, while securing favorable production speed.SOLUTION: A predetermined first numerical value is defined to be m, and a second numerical value is defined to be n which is larger than the first numerical value. A printing filling device 21 includes: a conveyance device 52 which conveys tablets 5 in a state of being arrayed in the m row; a printing device 54 for performing printing on the tablets 5 to be conveyed; a filling device 58 for filling the tablets 5 which are to be printed and arrayed in the n row in a pocked part 2 formed in a container film 3; and a row number conversion device 57 which converts the row number of the tablets 5 from m to n between the conveyance device 52 and the filling device 58. Since printing processing of the tablets 5 can be performed with a relatively small number of rows, the printing device 54 can be made to be small, and various types of cost can be suppressed. On the other hand, filling of the tablets 5 can be performed with a relatively large number of rows, the high-speed of filling the tablets 5 can be achieved, and favorable production speed can be secured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a blister wrapping machine for manufacturing a blister sheet containing printed contents and a method for manufacturing the blister sheet.

A PTP (press-through pack) sheet is generally known as a blister sheet used in the fields of pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs. The PTP sheet includes a container film having a pocket portion for accommodating contents such as tablets, and a cover film attached so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion with respect to the container film.

In such a PTP sheet, a step of forming a pocket portion on a container film conveyed in a strip shape, a step of filling the pocket portion with contents, and a cover film on the container film so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion. It is manufactured through a step of attaching, a step of punching a strip-shaped PTP film composed of a container film and a cover film into PTP sheet units, and the like.

Conventionally, some contents have identification information consisting of characters, symbols, etc. printed on the surface thereof, such as a product name and a product number. In addition, a blister wrapping machine equipped with a printing device such as an inkjet method has been proposed in which the printed contents are sequentially filled into the pockets of the container film while printing on the transported contents. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the printing apparatus includes a printing head provided with a plurality of nozzles, and by selecting and controlling nozzles for ejecting ink according to the orientation and position of the contents to be printed, the contents It is possible to print at the proper position of an object.

Further, the printing device is provided with a plurality of printing heads, and when a certain set time elapses or the printing defect rate exceeds a certain level, the printing heads for printing are switched and printing is performed. It is known that the print head on the non-existent side is subjected to a cleaning process (see, for example, Patent Document 2 and the like).

JP-A-2018-143615 Japanese Patent No. 6405114

By the way, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the printing process for the contents and the filling process for the contents in the pocket portion are performed while transporting the contents in a state of arranging them in a plurality of rows. The number of rows of the contents in the above is the same as the number of rows of the contents when the pocket portion is filled with the contents (8 rows each in Patent Document 1 above). Therefore, as the printing apparatus, it is necessary to use an apparatus capable of printing the same number of contents (8 in the case of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1) at one time as the number of rows of the contents at the time of filling the pocket portion. However, since such a printing apparatus is complicated and large (for example, one equipped with a large number or large printing heads), there is a risk of increasing costs related to manufacturing of a packaging machine and maintenance of the printing apparatus. be.

Further, when using an inkjet printing device configured to select and control nozzles for ejecting ink according to the orientation and position of the contents, the number of nozzle control systems corresponding to the number of rows of the contents is used. As a result, there is a possibility that the cost related to the control process will increase.

On the other hand, for example, by setting the number of rows of contents when filling the pocket portion with the contents to be relatively small, as a result, the number of rows of contents when performing the printing process is also compared. It is conceivable to reduce the number of targets. However, in this case, the number of contents filled per unit time may decrease, and the production rate of the blister sheet may decrease.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a blister wrapping machine and a method for manufacturing a blister sheet, which can suppress various costs while ensuring a good production rate. It is in.

Hereinafter, each means suitable for solving the above object will be described in terms of terms. In addition, the action and effect peculiar to the corresponding means will be added as necessary.

Means 1. A blister wrapping machine for producing a blister sheet in which the contents are housed in a pocket portion formed on the container film and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion. ,
When a predetermined first numerical value is m and a second numerical value that is larger than the first numerical value is n,
A transport means for transporting the contents in a row of m and
A printing means for printing the contents conveyed by the conveying means, and
A filling means for filling the pocket portion formed in the strip-shaped container film with the contents printed by the printing means and arranged in n rows.
A blister wrapping machine comprising a row number conversion means for converting the number of rows of the contents from m to n between the transport means and the filling means.

According to the above means 1, the contents at the time of filling the contents in the pocket portion are more than the number of rows (m rows) of the contents at the time of transportation by the transportation means (that is, at the time of printing by the printing means) by the column number conversion means. The number of rows of objects (n rows) can be increased. That is, according to the above means 1, it is possible to print the contents with a relatively small number of columns and fill the contents with a relatively large number of columns. Since the contents can be printed with a relatively small number of columns, the scale of the printing means can be reduced, and various types related to the manufacturing of the packaging machine, the maintenance of the printing means, the control processing of the printing means, and the like. Cost can be suppressed. On the other hand, since the contents can be filled with a relatively large number of rows, the speed of filling the contents can be increased, and a good production speed can be ensured.

Further, according to the above means 1, when the blister wrapping machine is provided with a cleaning device for printing means, the scale of the cleaning device can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively control the cost related to the manufacture of the packaging machine. When the printing means is composed of an inkjet type device including a print head having a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink, the "cleaning device" may be, for example, clogged inside the nozzles. Examples thereof include a device provided with a cleaning mechanism for performing a pressure purge for discharging dust, thickened or solidified ink, and the like, and a wiping mechanism for wiping the print head after purging.

Further, the printing means is composed of the above-mentioned inkjet type apparatus, and the selected and controlled nozzles among the plurality of nozzles eject ink to print at an arbitrary position in the contents. In the case of the above means, the following effects can be obtained by the above means 1. That is, according to the above means 1, as a result, the printing frequency by the printing means can be increased, so that each nozzle can be easily selected as an ink ejection target. Therefore, even a nozzle that is generally difficult to be selected as an ink ejection target (for example, a nozzle that is in charge of the edge of a printable area by a printing means) can easily eject ink. As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress poor nozzle clogging due to solidification of ink, thickening, etc., and more reliably prevent the occurrence of printing defects. Further, since the nozzles are less likely to be clogged, the frequency of cleaning the printing means can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost related to the production of the blister sheet and further improve the production speed.

Means 2. The column number conversion means
A discharge means capable of selectively discharging the contents transported by the transport means, and a discharge means.
A receiving and transporting means that receives the contents discharged by the discharging means and transports the contents to the filling means side.
A discharge control means capable of controlling the discharge position of the contents by the discharge means is provided.
The receiving and transporting means
N receiving units that receive the contents discharged by the discharging means, and
Each has n transport paths corresponding to the receiving section, and the contents delivered to the receiving section in the transport path are transported to the filling means side in an arrangement of n rows. With means,
The blister wrapping machine according to means 1, wherein the receiving portion to be delivered of the contents is changed by changing the discharging position of the contents by the discharging means. In addition, m and n are natural numbers).

According to the above means 2, the number of columns conversion means can be realized by a relatively simple structure, and the cost related to the manufacture and maintenance of the packaging machine can be further effectively reduced.

Means 3. The blister wrapping machine according to means 2, wherein the discharge control means controls the discharge means so that the contents are evenly distributed to each of the receiving units.

In addition, "equal" is not only when it is strictly equal, that is, when the number of contents distributed to each receiving unit is exactly the same, but also when it is almost equal, that is, when each receiving unit is used. It also includes the case where there is almost no difference in the number of contents to be sorted (for example, the difference in the number can be suppressed to several or less).

According to the above means 3, when the contents are arranged in n rows through the column number conversion means, the number of contents in each row can be made substantially equal. Therefore, when filling the pocket portion with the contents, it is possible to more reliably prevent a situation in which the contents in a certain row are insufficient. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects related to the production of the blister sheet, and it is possible to more reliably improve the production speed.

Means 4. An inspection means for inspecting the contents transported by the transport means, and an inspection means for inspecting the contents.
A defective product removing means for removing the contents determined to be defective by the inspection means to the outside of the system is provided.
The blister packaging machine according to means 2 or 3, wherein the discharging means is configured to discharge only the contents determined to be non-defective by the inspection means.

According to the above means 4, only the contents judged to be non-defective (that is, not judged to be defective) by the inspection means are delivered to the receiving unit, and the contents judged to be defective are taken out of the system by themselves. Can be removed. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the blister sheet from containing the contents of the defective product, and by extension, it is possible to more reliably prevent the situation where the entire blister sheet becomes a defective product due to the contents of the defective product of 1. can. As a result, it is possible to more effectively reduce the cost related to the production of the blister sheet.

It is preferable to employ the means 3 together with the means 4. In this case, even if there is a slight difference in the number of non-defective products between the rows of the contents transported by the transport means, the contents of the non-defective products can be evenly distributed to each receiving unit. ..

Means 5. 2. The blister packaging machine described in either.

According to the above means 5, the receiving unit can be realized by a simple configuration. As a result, the size and simplification of the packaging machine can be more reliably achieved, and the cost related to the manufacture of the packaging machine can be more effectively suppressed.

It should be noted that the delivery range of the contents (that is, the total length of the receiving portion along the transport direction of the contents by the transport means) is made smaller, and the simplification of the configuration is more effectively achieved. It is preferable that the receiving portions extend in a direction orthogonal to the transporting direction of the contents by the transporting means.

Means 6. The transporting means includes a suction rotating portion in which a plurality of suction holes capable of sucking and holding the contents are arranged along the transport direction of the contents, and m rows of the suction holes are formed.
The discharging means is provided inside the suction rotating portion, and is provided with a plurality of blow nozzles capable of releasing the suction holding of the contents by blowing the suction holes and discharging the contents. ,
N blow nozzles are arranged in the transport direction so as to correspond to each of the n receiving portions, and m rows of blow nozzles are provided so as to correspond to the rows of suction holes. The blister packaging machine according to any one of means 2 to 5, wherein the blister packaging machine is described.

According to the above means 6, by using the suction rotating portion, the contents can be stably held during transportation by the transportation means, and by extension, printing on the contents can be performed more accurately.

Further, since the suction holding of the contents is released by blowing into the suction holes by the blow nozzle, the contents can be more accurately discharged. Furthermore, when converting the number of columns, the damage to the contents can be made relatively small compared to the method of distributing the contents to each receiving part by contact with the contents, and the printed part and the contents can be reduced. It is possible to make the damage of the object itself less likely to occur. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the cost related to the production of the blister sheet.

Further, according to the above means 6, n blow nozzles are arranged in the transport direction of the contents so as to correspond to n receiving portions, and the row of the blow nozzles corresponds to the row of the suction holes. There are m rows. Therefore, the contents of each row transported by the transport means can be delivered to each of the plurality of receiving units. That is, the contents of a certain column can be delivered not only to a specific receiving part but to all receiving parts. As a result, even if all the contents of a certain column become abnormal due to, for example, a defect in the printing means, and it is not appropriate to deliver the contents of this column to the receiving unit, other cases may occur. The contents of the column can be appropriately distributed to each receiving unit. As a result, the decrease in production speed can be effectively suppressed.

Means 7. A method for producing a blister sheet, wherein the contents are housed in a pocket portion formed on the container film, and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion.
When a predetermined first numerical value is m and a second numerical value that is larger than the first numerical value is n,
A transport process for transporting the contents in a row of m and
A printing process for printing the contents transported in the transport process, and a printing process for printing the contents.
A filling step of filling the pockets formed in the strip-shaped container film with the contents printed in the printing step and arranged in n rows.
A method for producing a blister sheet, which comprises a row number conversion step of converting the number of rows of the contents from m to n between the transfer step and the filling step.

According to the above-mentioned means 7, the same action and effect as the above-mentioned means 1 can be achieved.

It is a perspective view which shows the PTP sheet. It is a partially enlarged sectional view of a PTP sheet. It is a perspective view which shows the tablet. It is a perspective view which shows the PTP film. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the PTP packaging machine. It is a front schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the print filling apparatus. It is a perspective schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the print filling apparatus. It is a partially enlarged perspective schematic diagram which shows a printing apparatus and the like. It is a partially enlarged perspective schematic view which shows the defective product removal apparatus and the like. It is a partially enlarged perspective schematic view which shows a blow nozzle, a receiving part and the like. It is a partially enlarged front schematic view which shows a blow nozzle, a receiving part and the like. It is a partially enlarged perspective schematic view which shows the receiving transfer apparatus. It is a partially enlarged perspective schematic view which shows a filling apparatus and the like. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement of the nozzle array in a print head. It is a perspective schematic diagram which shows the suction hole of the transport device in another embodiment. It is a perspective schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the print filling apparatus in another embodiment. It is a partially enlarged perspective view which shows the receiving part and the like in another embodiment.

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the PTP sheet as the "blister sheet" will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the PTP sheet 1 has a container film 3 having a plurality of pocket portions 2 and a cover film 4 attached to the container film 3 so as to close the pocket portions 2. ing.

The container film 3 in the present embodiment is formed of a transparent thermoplastic resin material such as PP (polypropylene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and has translucency. On the other hand, the cover film 4 is made of an opaque material (for example, aluminum foil) on which a sealant made of polypropylene resin or the like is provided on the surface. Of course, the materials of the films 3 and 4 are not limited to these, and other materials may be adopted.

The PTP sheet 1 is manufactured by punching a strip-shaped PTP film 6 (see FIG. 4) formed from a strip-shaped container film 3 and a strip-shaped cover film 4 into a sheet shape, and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. It is formed in a shape.

In the PTP sheet 1, two rows of pockets composed of five pocket portions 2 arranged along the longitudinal direction thereof are formed in the lateral direction thereof. That is, a total of 10 pocket portions 2 are formed. Each pocket portion 2 contains one tablet 5 as a "content".

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tablet 5 in the present embodiment is a disk-shaped uncoated tablet having a circular shape in a plan view, and has a side surface 5a and a front surface 5b and a back surface 5c sandwiching the side surface 5a. It is composed. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, identification information (characters, symbols, numbers, figures, etc.) indicating product information regarding the tablet 5 is printed on one of the front surface 5b and the back surface 5c of the tablet 5.

Examples of the product information regarding the tablet 5 include "product name", "content", "dosage form", "manufacturer" and "lot number". In the example shown in FIG. 3, the characters "ABC" as the "product name" and the number "20" as the "content" are printed. Hereinafter, the portion on which the characters “ABC” and the number “20” are printed will be referred to as “printing unit 5e”. In the printing unit 5e of the present embodiment, the "ABC" portion and the "20" portion have different colors.

Next, a schematic configuration of the PTP packaging machine 10 for manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 will be described. In this embodiment, the PTP wrapping machine 10 corresponds to a "blister wrapping machine".

As shown in FIG. 5, on the most upstream side of the PTP packaging machine 10, the raw fabric of the strip-shaped container film 3 is wound in a roll shape. The drawer end side of the container film 3 wound in a roll shape is guided by the guide roll 13. The container film 3 is hung on the intermittent feed roll 14 on the downstream side of the guide roll 13. The intermittent feed roll 14 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, and intermittently conveys the container film 3.

A heating device 15 and a pocket portion forming device 16 are sequentially arranged between the guide roll 13 and the intermittent feed roll 14 along the transport path of the container film 3. Then, in a state where the container film 3 is heated by the heating device 15 and the container film 3 becomes relatively flexible, the pocket portion forming device 16 forms a plurality of pocket portions 2 at predetermined positions of the container film 3. The formation of the pocket portion 2 is performed at the interval between the transport operations of the container film 3 by the intermittent feed roll 14.

The container film 3 fed from the intermittent feed roll 14 is hung in the order of the tension roll 18, the guide roll 19, and the film receiving roll 20. Since the film receiving roll 20 is connected to a motor that rotates at a constant speed, the container film 3 is continuously conveyed at a constant speed. The tension roll 18 is in a state in which the container film 3 is pulled toward the tension side by the elastic force, and prevents the container film 3 from loosening due to the difference in the transport operation between the intermittent feed roll 14 and the film receiving roll 20 to prevent the container film 3 from loosening. The film 3 is always kept in a tense state.

A print filling device 21 and an inspection device 22 are sequentially arranged between the guide roll 19 and the film receiving roll 20 along the transport path of the container film 3.

The print filling device 21 has a function of forming the printing portion 5e on the tablet 5 and a function of filling the tablet 5 in the pocket portion 2. The details of the print filling device 21 will be described later.

The inspection device 22 inspects, for example, whether or not the tablet 5 is surely filled in each pocket portion 2, whether or not the tablet 5 is abnormal, and whether or not foreign matter is mixed in the pocket portion 2.

On the other hand, the original fabric of the cover film 4 formed in a strip shape is wound in a roll shape on the most upstream side. The drawer end of the cover film 4 wound in a roll shape is guided toward the heating roll 25 by the guide roll 24.

The heating roll 25 can be pressure-contacted with the film receiving roll 20, and the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are fed between the rolls 20 and 25. Then, the container film 3 and the cover film 4 pass between the rolls 20 and 25 in a heat and pressure contact state, so that the cover film 4 is attached to the container film 3 and the pocket portion 2 is closed by the cover film 4. .. As a result, a strip-shaped PTP film 6 in which the tablet 5 is housed in each pocket portion 2 is manufactured.

The PTP film 6 fed from the film receiving roll 20 is hung in the order of the tension roll 27 and the intermittent feed roll 28. Since the intermittent feed roll 28 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, the PTP film 6 is intermittently conveyed. The tension roll 27 is in a state of pulling the PTP film 6 toward the tension side by the elastic force, and prevents the PTP film 6 from loosening due to the difference in the transport operation between the film receiving roll 20 and the intermittent feed roll 28. The PTP film 6 is always kept in a tense state.

The PTP film 6 fed from the intermittent feed roll 28 is hung in the order of the tension roll 31 and the intermittent feed roll 32. Since the intermittent feed roll 32 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, the PTP film 6 is intermittently conveyed. The tension roll 31 is in a state of pulling the PTP film 6 toward the tension side by the elastic force, and prevents the PTP film 6 from loosening between the intermittent feed rolls 28 and 32.

A slit forming device 33 and a marking device 34 are sequentially arranged between the intermittent feed roll 28 and the tension roll 31 along the transport path of the PTP film 6. The slit forming device 33 has a function of forming a slit for cutting at a predetermined position of the PTP film 6. Further, the marking device 34 has a function of marking a predetermined position (for example, a tag portion) of the PTP film 6. In addition, in FIG. 1 and the like, the illustration of the cutting slit and the marking is omitted.

The PTP film 6 fed from the intermittent feed roll 32 is hung in the order of the tension roll 35 and the continuous feed roll 36 on the downstream side thereof. A sheet punching device 37 is arranged between the intermittent feed roll 32 and the tension roll 35 along the transport path of the PTP film 6. The sheet punching device 37 has a function of punching the outer edge of the PTP film 6 in units of one PTP sheet.

The PTP sheet 1 punched by the sheet punching device 37 is conveyed by the conveyor 39 and temporarily stored in the finished product hopper 40. However, when the defect determination is made by the inspection device 22, the PTP sheet 1 related to the defect determination is not sent to the finished product hopper 40, but is separately discharged by a defective sheet discharging mechanism (not shown).

A cutting device 41 is arranged on the downstream side of the continuous feed roll 36. Then, the unnecessary film portion 42 constituting the residual material portion (scrap portion) remaining in a strip shape after punching by the sheet punching device 37 is guided to the cutting device 41 after being guided by the tension roll 35 and the continuous feed roll 36. .. The cutting device 41 cuts the unnecessary film portion 42 to a predetermined size. The cut unnecessary film portion 42 (scrap) is stored in the scrap hopper 43 and then separately disposed of.

Next, the configuration of the print filling device 21 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the print filling device 21 includes a supply device 51, a transfer device 52, a tablet inspection device 53, a printing device 54, a print inspection device 55, a defective product removing device 56, and a column number conversion device 57. It includes a filling device 58 and a control device 59. In the present embodiment, the transport device 52 constitutes the "transport means", similarly, the tablet inspection device 53 and the print inspection device 55 form the "inspection means", the printing device 54 forms the "printing means", and the defective product removing device. 56 constitutes a “defective product removing means”, the row number conversion device 57 constitutes a “row number conversion means”, the filling device 58 constitutes a “filling means”, and the control device 59 constitutes an “emission control means”.

The supply device 51 supplies the tablets 5 to the transfer device 52 from a storage unit (for example, a hopper or the like) (not shown) in which a large number of tablets 5 are stored. The supply device 51 includes a supply chute 511 and a supply drum 512. The tablet 5 stored in the storage unit is one in which the printing unit 5e is not formed.

The supply chute 511 delivers the tablets 5 supplied from the storage unit one by one to the supply drum 512, and is provided in the same number as the number of rows of the tablets 5 transported by the supply drum 512. .. Each supply chute 511 has a tubular shape, and is configured so that the tablets 5 can be loaded in a row in the vertical direction. Further, each supply chute 511 is installed with its lower opening directly above the rotation axis of the supply drum 512 and close to the supply drum 512.

A shutter (not shown) capable of opening and closing the opening is provided in the vicinity of the lower opening of each supply chute 511. By the opening / closing operation of the shutter, the tablets 5 are dropped one by one from the supply chute 511 and supplied to the supply drum 512.

The supply drum 512 receives the tablet 5 supplied from the supply chute 511, and then transfers the tablet 5 to the transfer device 52 side while adsorbing and holding the tablet 5. The supply drum 512 has a cylindrical shape and is rotatably configured by a driving means (not shown).

A large number of adsorption portions 512a for adsorbing and holding the tablet 5 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the supply drum 512. Each suction unit 512a is configured to be in a state of being supplied with negative pressure by a predetermined suction means (not shown) while moving from directly above to near directly below the rotation axis of the supply drum 512. As a result, each suction unit 512a sucks and holds the tablet 5 while moving from directly above to near the bottom of the rotation axis of the supply drum 512. On the other hand, each suction portion 512a is configured to be open to the atmosphere while moving from directly below the rotation axis of the supply drum 512 to near directly above. As a result, the tablet 5 sucked and held by the suction unit 512a is released from suction just below the rotation shaft of the supply drum 512 and is delivered to the transport device 52.

Further, the suction portions 512a are regularly arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the supply drum 512. In the present embodiment, a large number of suction portions 512a are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the supply drum 512. A plurality of rows of suction portions 512a arranged in the circumferential direction are provided at equal intervals along the axial direction of the supply drum 512. The number of rows of the suction unit 512a is the same as the number of rows of the tablets 5 transported by the transport device 52.

The transport device 52 sucks and holds the tablets 5 delivered from the supply device 51, and transports the tablets 5 to the row number conversion device 57 side. The transport device 52 includes a pair of pulleys 521 and 522 and a transport belt 523 spanned on the pulleys 521 and 522. In the present embodiment, the transport belt 523 corresponds to the "suction rotating portion".

The pair of pulleys 521 and 522 are arranged at predetermined intervals, and can be rotated by a driving means (not shown) on a rotating shaft parallel to the rotating shaft of the supply drum 512.

The transport belt 523 rotates and moves as the pulleys 521 and 522 rotate. Further, the transport belt 523 is provided with a suction hole 523a for sucking and holding the tablet 5.

A large number of suction holes 523a are provided side by side at equal intervals along the moving direction of the transport belt 523, that is, the transport direction of the tablet 5. Then, when a predetermined first numerical value (however, a natural number) is m, rows of suction holes 523a arranged along the moving direction of the transport belt 523 (the transport direction of the tablet 5) are formed in m rows. In this embodiment, the first numerical value (that is, m) is "3".

A negative pressure is supplied to the internal space of the transport belt 523, which is surrounded by the transport belt 523, by a suction mechanism (not shown), and the internal space is in a vacuum state. As a result, a negative pressure is supplied to the suction holes 523a, and the transport device 52 sucks and holds the tablets 5 through the suction holes 523a, and is arranged in the m row as the pulleys 521 and 522 rotate. Transport the tablet 5. In the present embodiment, the step of transporting the tablets 5 in a state of being lined up in m rows by the transport device 52 corresponds to the “transport step”. Although FIG. 6 and the like show a state in which the internal space of the transport belt 523 is open to the outside in order to show the defective product removing device 56 and the blow nozzle 571a described later, the internal space is actually sealed. It is in a state of being.

Further, in the present embodiment, the transport device 52 is provided with an encoder (not shown), and a signal relating to the rotation amount (movement amount) of the pulleys 521 and 522 is transmitted from the encoder to the control device 59 at predetermined time intervals. It has become so. As a result, the control device 59 can grasp the position of the tablet 5 transported by the transport device 52.

As shown in FIG. 8, the tablet inspection device 53 is provided along the transport path of the tablet 5 by the transport device 52, and inspects the tablet 5 to be transported. The tablet inspection device 53 includes a camera for capturing an image of the tablet 5 to be transported, and a tablet determination device (not shown) for determining the quality of the tablet 5 based on the captured image obtained by the camera. The captured image of the tablet 5 obtained by the camera and the determination result by the tablet determination device are transmitted to the control device 59.

The printing device 54 is arranged downstream of the tablet inspection device 53 along the transport direction of the tablet 5 by the transport device 52, and is arranged with respect to the tablet 5 transported by a predetermined inkjet method (for example, a piezo method or a thermal method). Print without contact. The printing device 54 includes a first printing mechanism 541 and a second printing mechanism 542.

Each of the printing mechanisms 541 and 542 has m printing heads (not shown) arranged in the width direction corresponding to m suction holes 523a (tablets 5) arranged in the width direction of the transport belt 523. I have. Each print head is responsible for printing a row of tablets 5 arranged in the moving direction of the transport belt 523. Each print head prints on each tablet 5 by ejecting ink toward each tablet 5 passing through the printing device 54 to form the printing portion 5e.

Further, each print head includes two rows of nozzle rows La and Lb in which a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink droplets are arranged at regular intervals (see FIG. 14).
The nozzle row La includes x nozzles Na (Na1, Na2, Na3, Na4, Na5, ..., Nax) at regular intervals in the head width direction, and the nozzle row Lb includes x nozzles Nb (Nb1, Nb1,). Nb2, Nb3, Nb4, Nb5, ..., Nbx) are provided at regular intervals in the head width direction. In the present embodiment, predetermined edible ink is supplied to each nozzle Na and Nb from an ink tank (not shown).

Further, each nozzle Nb of the nozzle row Lb is displaced in the head width direction with respect to each nozzle Na of the nozzle row La, and is located between the nozzles Na. That is, the nozzles Na and Nb of both nozzle rows La and Lb are arranged in a staggered pattern as a whole, and are arranged at regular intervals in the head width direction.

In addition, each print head has a cleaning mechanism that performs a pressure purge that discharges dust, thickened or solidified ink, etc. stuck inside the nozzles Na and Nb to the outside, and a wiping mechanism that wipes the print head after purging. A cleaning device (not shown) equipped with such equipment is provided.

In the present embodiment, the first printing mechanism 541 forms a certain color portion (for example, the “ABC” portion) of the printing unit 5e on the tablet 5, and the second printing mechanism 542 forms the tablet 5 in the printing unit 5e. A portion having a color different from the above color (for example, the portion of "20") is formed on the tablet 5. In the present embodiment, since the printing unit 5e is composed of two colors, a first printing mechanism 541 in charge of one color and a second printing mechanism 542 in charge of other colors are provided.

In addition, the printing position of the printing device 54 is controlled by the control device 59. As a result, the printing portion 5e is formed at an appropriate position of each tablet 5 even if the state (position in the present embodiment) of each tablet 5 being conveyed is different. In the present embodiment, the step of printing the tablets 5 transported by the transport device 52 by the printing device 54 corresponds to the “printing step”.

The print inspection device 55 inspects the printing unit 5e formed by the printing device 54. The print inspection device 55 determines the quality of the printing unit 5e based on the camera for capturing the image of the tablet 5 to be conveyed and the captured image obtained by the camera, and eventually determines the quality of the tablet 5. (Not shown). The determination result by the print determination device is transmitted to the control device 59.

The defective product removing device 56 is a device for removing the tablet 5 determined to be a defective product by the tablet inspection device 53 or the print inspection device 55 to the outside of the system (that is, outside the transport path by the transport device 52). The defective product removing device 56 is provided downstream of the print inspection device 55 along the transport direction of the tablet 5 by the transport device 52. Further, the defective product removing device 56 is arranged in the internal space of the transport belt 523 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the defective product removing device 56 is for defective products capable of releasing the suction holding of the tablet 5 by blowing the suction hole 523a and discharging the tablet 5 to the outside of the system. A plurality of blow nozzles 561 are provided. Each defective blow nozzle 561 is provided in a row of m along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the tablets 5, and is in charge of removing a row of tablets 5 arranged along the transport direction. It is configured. Thereby, only the defective tablet 5 can be selectively removed from the system. The tablet 5 removed by the blow operation of the defective product blow nozzle 561 is put into a predetermined defective product accommodating portion 61.

The column number conversion device 57 is for increasing the number of rows of the tablets 5 at the time of filling by the filling device 58 to be larger than the number of rows of the tablets 5 at the time of being conveyed by the conveying device 52 between the conveying device 52 and the filling device 58. Is. That is, when the second numerical value, which is larger than the first numerical value, is n (where n is a natural number), the column number conversion device 57 determines the number of rows of the tablets 5 between the transfer device 52 and the filling device 58. It has a function of converting from m to n. In this embodiment, the second numerical value (that is, n) is "5".

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the column number conversion device 57 includes a discharge device 571 and a receipt / transfer device 572. In the present embodiment, a part of the function of the control device 59 (particularly the function related to the discharge of the tablet 5 by the discharge device 571) also constitutes a part of the column number conversion device 57. In the present embodiment, the discharge device 571 corresponds to the "discharge means", and the receiving and transporting device 572 corresponds to the "receipt and transporting means".

The discharging device 571 selectively discharges the tablets 5 transported by the transporting device 52 to the receiving and transporting device 572 side. The discharge device 571 includes a plurality of blow nozzles 571a arranged inside the transport belt 523.

Each blow nozzle 571a releases the suction holding of the tablet 5 by blowing the suction hole 523a, and discharges the tablet 5. N of the blow nozzles 571a are lined up along the transport direction of the tablets 5 by the transport device 52, and the rows of the blow nozzles 571a correspond to the number of rows of the suction holes 523a lined up along the transport direction. In this way, m rows are provided. Therefore, m × n (15 in this embodiment) blow nozzles 571a are provided.

Further, the spacing between the blow nozzles 571a along the transport direction is the same as the spacing between the suction holes 523a along the transport direction, and the spacing between the blow nozzles 571a along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction is the same. The interval is the same as the interval of each suction hole 523a along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. As a result, all of the blow ports [gas (for example, air) outlets] in each blow nozzle 571a overlap with the suction holes 523a at regular timing intervals.

The receiving / transporting device 572 receives the tablet 5 discharged and dropped by the discharging device 571, and transports the tablet 5 to the filling device 58 side. The receiving and transporting device 572 includes a receiving unit 572a and an intermediate transporting device 572b. In the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer device 572b corresponds to the "intermediate transfer means". In FIG. 10 and the like, the illustration of the tablet 5 transported by the receiving and transporting device 572 is omitted.

The receiving unit 572a is for receiving the tablet 5 that has been discharged and dropped by the discharging device 571. N receiving portions 572a are provided, and each receiving portion 572a is composed of a bottom wall having at least an inclined upper surface and a partition wall standing on the bottom wall to form a transport path for the tablet 5. ing. In the present embodiment, by erection of a plurality of partition walls on the bottom wall of 1, n receiving portions 572a are integrally formed, but each receiving portion 572a is in a separated state. It may be configured as follows.

Each receiving unit 572a extends in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the tablet 5 by the transport device 52, and is provided in a state of being arranged side by side along the transport direction. Each receiving unit 572a is arranged vertically below the row of blow nozzles 571a arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Therefore, the tablets 5 discharged by any of the m blow nozzles 571a arranged in a row fall into the receiving portion 572a of 1 corresponding to the row of the blow nozzles 571a. The tablet 5 that has fallen to the receiving portion 572a is conveyed to the intermediate transfer device 572b along the upper surface of the bottom wall, which is an inclined surface.

Each of the intermediate transport devices 572b has n transport paths corresponding to the receiving section 572a, and the tablets 5 delivered to the receiving section 572a in the transport paths are arranged in n rows and sent to the filling device 58 side. And transport. The intermediate transfer device 572b includes a self-weight drop transfer unit 572c and a straight-ahead feeder 572d.

The self-weight drop transport unit 572c is composed of a bottom wall whose upper surface is slanted at least and a partition wall which is erected on the bottom wall and forms a transport path for the tablet 5, and is substantially at right angles when viewed in a plan view. It is said to have a curved shape. The self-weight drop transport unit 572c is connected to the receiving unit 572a, and is configured such that the transport path of the tablet 5 itself is continuous with the transport path of the tablet 5 in the receiving unit 572a. The tablet 5 that has reached the self-weight drop transport unit 572c from the receiving portion 572a is transported to the straight feeder 572d while changing the transport direction by about 90 degrees due to its own weight.

The straight-ahead feeder 572d includes a transport path for n tablets 5, and is connected to the self-weight drop transport section 572c so that these transport paths are continuous with the transport path of the self-weight drop transport section 572c. The straight-ahead feeder 572d gradually conveys the tablet 5 to the filling device 58 side by applying a predetermined vibration. The tablet 5 conveyed to the most downstream of the straight feeder 572d is supplied to the filling chute 581 described later of the filling device 58.

As described above, according to the row number conversion device 57, the number of rows of the tablet 5 is converted from m to n. In the present embodiment, the step of converting the number of rows of the tablet 5 from m to n by the row number conversion device 57 corresponds to the “row number conversion step”.

The filling device 58 fills the tablets 5 transported in the n-row arrangement into the pocket portion 2 formed in the strip-shaped container film 3. As shown in FIG. 13, the filling device 58 includes a filling chute 581 and a filling drum 582.

The filling chute 581 delivers the tablets 5 supplied via the intermediate transfer device 572b to the filling drum 582 one by one, and has the same number as the number of pockets 2 along the width direction of the container film 3 (the number of pockets 2 along the width direction of the container film 3). In this embodiment, n) are provided. Each filling chute 581 basically has the same function as the supply chute 511, and by opening and closing a predetermined shutter, the tablets 5 are dropped one by one to the filling drum 582. Supply.

The filling drum 582 adsorbs and holds the tablet 5 supplied from the filling chute 581, and fills the pocket portion 2 of the container film 3 to be conveyed with the tablet 5. The filling drum 582 has a cylindrical shape and is rotatably configured by a driving means (not shown).

Further, a large number of suction portions 582a for sucking and holding the tablet 5 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the filling drum 582. Each suction unit 582a basically has the same function as the supply drum 512, and while moving from directly above to near the bottom of the rotation axis of the filling drum 582, the tablet 5 is sucked and held while being filled. The adsorption of the tablet 5 is released just below the rotation axis of the drum 582, and the tablet 5 is put into the pocket portion 2.

Further, the suction portions 582a are regularly arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the filling drum 582. In the present embodiment, a large number of suction portions 582a are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the filling drum 582. Then, the rows of the suction portions 582a arranged in the circumferential direction correspond to the number of rows of the pocket portions 2 along the width direction of the container film 3, and n rows at equal intervals along the axial direction of the filling drum 582. It is provided. As a result, the filling device 58 sequentially fills the tablets 5 adsorbed and held by the suction portion 582a and arranged in n rows into the pocket portions 2 in which n tablets are arranged in the width direction of the container film 3. In the present embodiment, the step of filling the pocket portion 2 with the printed tablets 5 arranged in n rows by the filling device 58 corresponds to the “filling step”.

The control device 59 includes a CPU as a calculation means, a ROM for storing various programs, a RAM for temporarily storing various data, a storage medium for long-term storage of information (for example, a hard disk, etc.) and the like. The control device 59 executes control processing for each device of the print filling device 21 by the CPU executing a predetermined program.

Further, the control device 59 stores the print data related to the printing unit 5e in advance. Then, when the printing unit 5e is formed on the tablet 5, the control device 59 operates as follows. That is, the control device 59 grasps the state (position in the present embodiment) of the tablet 5 based on the image captured by the camera of the tablet inspection device 53. Then, the control device 59 selects appropriate nozzles Na and Nb as ink ejection targets based on the grasped state of the tablet 5, and controls the printing device 54 so as to eject ink from the selected nozzles Na and Nb. .. At this time, the control device 59 controls the printing timing (ink ejection timing) by the printing device 54 based on the signal from the encoder of the transport device 52. As a result, the printing portion 5e is formed at an appropriate position according to the state of the tablet 5.

Further, the control device 59 can identify the defective tablet 5 based on the determination results of the tablet inspection device 53 and the print inspection device 55. Then, the control device 59 calculates the timing at which the defective tablet 5 reaches the defective product removing device 56 based on the signal from the encoder of the transport device 52, and at the calculated timing, the tablet 5 is adsorbed. The blow nozzle 561 for defective products is controlled so as to perform a blow for releasing the above. As a result, the defective tablet 5 is discharged to the outside of the system and put into the defective storage unit 61.

In addition, the control device 59 controls the discharge position of the tablet 5 by the discharge device 571 by selectively blowing each blow nozzle 571a of the discharge device 571. By changing the discharge position, the receiving unit 572a to which the tablet 5 is delivered changes.

Further, the control device 59 controls the operation of each blow nozzle 571a so that the tablet 5 is evenly distributed to each of the receiving units 572a. In the present embodiment, the control device 59 basically reaches the timing (discharge timing) at which the m tablets 5 arranged in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction reach the arrangement position of the blow nozzle 571a located at the uppermost stream. ), One tablet 5 is discharged to each of the m receiving units 572a, and finally, the operation of each blow nozzle 571a so that the same number of tablets 5 are delivered to each receiving unit 572a. To control.

For example, when the plurality of receiving units 572a are numbered (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) in order from the upstream side along the transport direction of the tablet 5, the control device 59 At one discharge timing, to the receiving unit 572a of (1), (2), (3), at the next discharge timing, to the receiving unit 572a of (1), (4), (5), and at the next discharge timing. (2), (3), (4) to the receiving unit 572a, at the next discharge timing (1), (2), (5) to the receiving unit 572a, at the next discharge timing (3), (4) ), (5), the operation of each blow nozzle 571a is controlled so that the tablet 5 is delivered one by one to the receiving unit 572a.

However, when the defective tablet 5 is removed by the defective product removing device 56, each blow is such that the control device 59 discharges only the tablet 5 determined to be a non-defective product by the tablet inspection device 53 and the print inspection device 55. Controls the operation of nozzle 571a. At this time, the control device 59 selects the blow nozzle 571a to be operated so that the tablets 5 delivered to each receiving unit 572a are evenly affected by the defective tablet 5 as much as possible. Here, the control device 59 is configured to store the number of tablets 5 delivered to each receiving unit 572a, and selects the blow nozzle 571a to be operated by using the stored number. .. The above "equal" means not only when the tablets 5 are strictly equal, that is, when the number of tablets 5 distributed to each receiving unit 572a is exactly the same, but also when the tablets 5 distributed to each receiving unit 572a. It also includes the case where there is almost no difference in the number (for example, the difference in the number can be suppressed to several or less).

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, the number of rows (m rows) of the tablets 5 at the time of transportation by the transfer device 52 (that is, at the time of printing by the printing device 54) is increased by the column number conversion device 57. The number of rows (n rows) of the tablets 5 when the tablets 5 are filled in the pocket portion 2 can be increased. That is, the tablet 5 can be filled with a relatively large number of rows while the tablet 5 can be printed with a relatively small number of rows. Since the tablet 5 can be printed with a relatively small number of rows, the scale of the printing device 54 can be reduced, and the manufacturing of the PTP packaging machine 10, the maintenance of the printing device 54, and the control of the printing device 54 can be performed. Various costs related to processing can be suppressed. On the other hand, since the tablets 5 can be filled with a relatively large number of rows, the speed of filling the tablets 5 can be increased, and a good production rate can be ensured.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the scale of the cleaning device in the printing device 54 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively suppress the cost related to the manufacture of the PTP packaging machine 10.

Further, as a result, the printing frequency by the printing apparatus 54 can be increased, so that each nozzle Na and Nb can be easily selected as an ink ejection target. Therefore, even nozzles Na and Nb (for example, nozzles in charge of the edge of the printable region by the printing apparatus 54), which are generally difficult to be selected as ink ejection targets, can easily eject ink. As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress clogging defects of nozzles Na and Nb due to solidification of ink, thickening, etc., and more reliably prevent the occurrence of printing defects. Further, since the nozzles are less likely to be clogged, the cleaning frequency of the printing apparatus 54 can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost related to the production of the PTP sheet 1 and further improve the production speed.

Further, the row number conversion device 57 includes a discharge device 571 and a receiving / transporting device 572, and changes the discharging position of the tablet 5 by the discharging device 571 to change the receiving unit 572a to which the tablet 5 is delivered. Then, the number of rows of the tablet 5 is converted. Therefore, the column number conversion device 57 can be realized by a relatively simple structure, and the cost related to the manufacture and maintenance of the PTP packaging machine 10 can be further effectively reduced.

Further, when the tablets 5 are arranged in n rows, the number of tablets 5 in each row can be made substantially equal. Therefore, when filling the pocket portion 2 with the tablet 5, it is possible to more reliably prevent a situation in which a certain row of tablets 5 is insufficient. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects related to the production of the PTP sheet 1, and it is possible to more reliably improve the production speed. In the present embodiment, even if there is a slight difference in the number of non-defective products between the rows of the tablets 5 transported by the transport device 52, the non-defective tablets 5 are evenly distributed to each receiving unit 572a. Can be done.

In addition, only the tablet 5 determined to be a non-defective product can be delivered to the receiving unit 572a, and the tablet 5 determined to be a defective product can be removed out of the system by itself. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the PTP sheet 1 from containing the defective tablet 5, and further more reliably prevent the situation where the entire PTP sheet 1 becomes a defective product due to the defective tablet 5 of 1. be able to. As a result, it is possible to more effectively reduce the cost related to the production of the PTP sheet 1.

At the same time, the n receiving portions 572a are provided so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the transporting direction of the tablet 5 by the transporting device 52 and to be arranged in a line along the transporting direction. Therefore, the receiving unit 572a can be realized with a very simple configuration. As a result, the size and simplification of the PTP packaging machine 10 can be more reliably achieved, and the cost related to the manufacture of the PTP packaging machine 10 can be more effectively suppressed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, by using the transport belt 523, the tablet 5 can be stably held during transport, and by extension, printing on the tablet 5 can be performed more accurately.

Further, since the suction holding of the tablet 5 is released by blowing the tablet 5 into the suction hole 523a by the blow nozzle 571a, the tablet 5 can be more accurately discharged. In addition, when converting the number of columns, the damage given to the tablet 5 can be made relatively small as compared with the method of distributing the tablet 5 to each receiving unit 572a by contact with the tablet 5, and the printing unit can be used. Damage to the 5e or the tablet 5 itself can be made less likely to occur. As a result, the cost related to the production of the PTP sheet 1 can be further reduced.

In addition, n blow nozzles 571a are arranged in the transport direction of the tablet 5 so as to correspond to n receiving portions 572a, and the rows of the blow nozzles 571a correspond to the number of rows of the suction holes 523a. There are m rows. Therefore, the tablets 5 in each row to be transported can be delivered to each of the plurality of receiving units 572a. That is, the tablets 5 in a certain row can be delivered not only to a specific receiving unit 572a but to all receiving units 572a. As a result, even if an abnormality occurs in all the tablets 5 in a certain row due to a defect of the printing device 54, for example, and the tablets 5 in this row are removed from the system and are not delivered to the receiving unit 572a. , The tablets 5 in the other rows can be appropriately distributed to each receiving unit 572a. As a result, the decrease in production speed can be effectively suppressed.

The content is not limited to the description of the above embodiment, and may be implemented as follows, for example. Of course, other application examples and modification examples not illustrated below are also possible.

(A) In the above embodiment, the discharge device 571 is configured to discharge the tablet 5 by blowing the blow nozzle 571a, but the tablet 5 can be discharged out of the transport path by the transport device 52. However, the configuration of the discharge device may be changed as appropriate.

(B) In the above embodiment, the suction holes 523a in the transport device 52 are provided at intervals along the moving direction of the transport belt 523, but as shown in FIG. 15, the suction holes 523a are provided in the moving direction. The suction holes 523b may be continuous along the structure. That is, the transport device 52 may have a slit-shaped suction hole 523b. In this case, the distance between the tablets 5 along the transport direction may not be constant, but by grasping the position of the tablets 5 based on a signal from the encoder or the like, the printing process or inspection on the tablets 5 can be performed. The treatment, the discharge treatment of the tablet 5 to the receiving unit 572a side, and the like can be appropriately performed.

Further, a transport device not provided with the transport belt 523 may be used. For example, a suction drum or the like may be used as the transport device.

(C) In the above embodiment, the number of rows of the tablet 5 is changed from "3" to "5" by the row number conversion device 57, but the number of rows of the tablet 5 after conversion is before conversion. As long as the number of rows of tablets 5 is larger than the number of rows of tablets 5, the number of rows of tablets 5 before and after conversion may be appropriately changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the number of rows of the tablet 5 may be changed from “2” to “5” by the row number conversion device 57.

(D) In the above embodiment, tablet 5 is mentioned as the content, but the content is not limited to the tablet.

Further, in the above embodiment, as the tablet 5, a disk-shaped uncoated tablet (disk-shaped flat tablet) having a circular shape in a plan view is exemplified, but the type and shape of the tablet are limited to the above-described embodiment. It is not something that is done. For example, tablets include not only pharmaceuticals but also tablets used for eating and drinking. In addition, tablets include not only uncoated tablets but also sugar-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, enteric-coated tablets, gelatin-encapsulated tablets, and various other capsules such as hard capsules and soft capsules. Also includes tablets.

Further, the shape of the content may be, for example, not only a circular shape in a plan view, but also a polygonal shape in a plan view, an elliptical shape in a plan view, an oval shape in a plan view, and the like.

(E) In the above embodiment, the printing unit 5e is provided on one of the front surface 5b and the back surface 5c of the tablet 5, but the printing unit 5e may be provided on both the front surface 5b and the back surface 5c.

(F) The structure of the manufactured PTP sheet is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the arrangement and number of pocket portions 2 of one PTP sheet unit are not limited to the above embodiment.

Further, in the above embodiment, the PTP film 6 has a configuration in which a number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to one sheet is arranged along the width direction thereof, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example. , The number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to a plurality of sheets may be arranged along the width direction thereof. In this case, the second numerical value (n) is the same as the number of the pocket portions 2 [For example, in the above example, if there are two sheets, the second numerical value (n) is set to "10". ].

Further, in the above embodiment, the PTP sheet 1 is mentioned as the blister sheet, but the technical idea of the present invention may be applied to the blister sheet other than the PTP sheet 1.

(G) The configuration of the printing device 54 is not limited to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus 54 includes a first printing mechanism 541 that is in charge of one color and a second printing mechanism 542 that is in charge of other colors. The number of printing mechanisms may be changed as appropriate. Further, in the above embodiment, both the printing mechanisms 541 and 542 are provided with a plurality of printing heads arranged in the width direction of the transport belt 523, but the configuration is such that only one printing head is provided, and the printing head is used. A plurality of tablets 5 arranged in the width direction may be printed at one time.

In addition, the configuration of the print head is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be a configuration including one row or three or more rows of nozzles.

Further, the cleaning mechanism related to the print head of the above embodiment has a configuration in which dust, ink and the like are removed by a pressure purge, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which dust and the like are removed by a suction purge may be used.

Further, a printing apparatus using a method other than the inkjet method may be used. For example, as the printing apparatus, one that prints by directly contacting the tablet 5 or one that prints by irradiating the tablet 5 with a laser may be used.

(H) In the above embodiment, the receiving unit 572a is configured to extend in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the tablet 5 by the transport device 52. It may be configured so as to extend in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the tablet 5 according to 52 and not orthogonal to the transport direction. This configuration is effective, for example, when there is a situation in which it is desired to match the transport directions of the tablets 5 in the PTP packaging machine 10 as much as possible. In the case of the above configuration, the configuration of the discharge device 571 (for example, the arrangement position of the blow nozzle 571a) and the control timing of the blow nozzle 571a may be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the receiving unit 572a. .. In the example shown in FIG. 17, each row of blow nozzles 571a in which n blow nozzles 571a are arranged so as to match the configuration of the receiving portion 572a has one pitch (interval of suction holes 523a along the transport direction). ) They are arranged so that they are offset by a minute.

1 ... PTP sheet (blister sheet), 2 ... pocket part, 3 ... container film, 4 ... cover film, 5 ... tablet (contents), 10 ... PTP packaging machine (blister packaging machine), 52 ... transport device (transport means) ), 53 ... Tablet inspection device (inspection means), 54 ... Printing device (printing means), 55 ... Printing inspection device (inspection means), 56 ... Defective product removing device (defective product removing means), 57 ... Column number conversion device (Number of rows conversion means), 58 ... Filling device (filling means), 59 ... Control device (discharge control means), 523 ... Conveyance belt (suction rotating part), 523a ... Suction hole, 571 ... Discharge device (discharge means), 5571a ... Blow nozzle, 572 ... Receiving and transporting device (receiving and transporting means), 572a ... Receiving unit, 572b ... Intermediate transporting device (intermediate transporting means).

Claims (7)

A blister wrapping machine for producing a blister sheet in which the contents are housed in a pocket portion formed on the container film and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion. ,
When a predetermined first numerical value is m and a second numerical value that is larger than the first numerical value is n,
A transport means for transporting the contents in a row of m and
A printing means for printing the contents conveyed by the conveying means, and
A filling means for filling the pocket portion formed in the strip-shaped container film with the contents printed by the printing means and arranged in n rows.
A blister wrapping machine comprising a row number conversion means for converting the number of rows of the contents from m to n between the transport means and the filling means. The column number conversion means
A discharge means capable of selectively discharging the contents transported by the transport means, and a discharge means.
A receiving and transporting means that receives the contents discharged by the discharging means and transports the contents to the filling means side.
A discharge control means capable of controlling the discharge position of the contents by the discharge means is provided.
The receiving and transporting means
N receiving units that receive the contents discharged by the discharging means, and
Each has n transport paths corresponding to the receiving section, and the contents delivered to the receiving section in the transport path are transported to the filling means side in an arrangement of n rows. With means,
The blister packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion to be delivered of the contents is changed by changing the discharging position of the contents by the discharging means. .. The blister wrapping machine according to claim 2, wherein the discharge control means controls the discharge means so that the contents are evenly distributed to each of the receiving units. An inspection means for inspecting the contents transported by the transport means, and an inspection means for inspecting the contents.
A defective product removing means for removing the contents determined to be defective by the inspection means to the outside of the system is provided.
The blister packaging machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the discharging means is configured to discharge only the contents determined to be non-defective by the inspection means. Claims 2 to 4 are characterized in that the n receiving portions extend in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the contents by the transport means and are provided in a state of being arranged side by side along the transport direction. The blister packaging machine according to any one of the above. The transporting means includes a suction rotating portion in which a plurality of suction holes capable of sucking and holding the contents are arranged along the transport direction of the contents, and m rows of the suction holes are formed.
The discharging means is provided inside the suction rotating portion, and is provided with a plurality of blow nozzles capable of releasing the suction holding of the contents by blowing the suction holes and discharging the contents. ,
N blow nozzles are arranged in the transport direction so as to correspond to each of the n receiving portions, and m rows of blow nozzles are provided so as to correspond to the rows of suction holes. The blister packaging machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the blister packaging machine is characterized in that. A method for producing a blister sheet, wherein the contents are housed in a pocket portion formed on the container film, and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion.
When a predetermined first numerical value is m and a second numerical value that is larger than the first numerical value is n,
A transport process for transporting the contents in a row of m and
A printing process for printing the contents transported in the transport process, and a printing process for printing the contents.
A filling step of filling the pockets formed in the strip-shaped container film with the contents printed in the printing step and arranged in n rows.
A method for producing a blister sheet, which comprises a row number conversion step of converting the number of rows of the contents from m to n between the transfer step and the filling step.

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