JP2021153704A - Tablet printing device and tablet printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a tablet printing device and a tablet printing method capable of suppressing deterioration in production efficiency.SOLUTION: A tablet printing device 1 includes: a conveyance part 20 for conveying tablets T; an inkjet head 51 for printing the tablets T conveyed by the conveyance part 20; a processing part 82 for specifying a type of the tablets T conveyed by the conveyance part 20; a storage part 83 for storing a printing pattern of each type of the tablets T; an acquisition part 84 for acquiring a printing pattern according to the type of the tablets T specified by the processing part 82 from the printing pattern of each type of the tablets T stored by the storage part 83; and a control part 81 for controlling the inkjet head 51 so that the inkjet head 51 executes printing by the printing pattern acquired by the acquisition part 84.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a tablet printing apparatus and a tablet printing method.

In order to print identification information (an example of information) such as characters and marks on a tablet, a technique of printing using an inkjet head is known. A tablet printing device using this technology transports tablets by a transport device such as a conveyor, and ejects ink from each nozzle of an inkjet head arranged above the transport device toward tablets passing below the inkjet head. , Print the identification information on the tablet.

As the tablets to be printed, there are various types of tablets having different colors and shapes. When switching between tablet types in a tablet printing device, to prevent different types of tablets from being mixed in the device, tablet the next type of tablet until all the previous type of tablets have been ejected from the tablet printing device. Cannot be loaded into the printing device. Therefore, the operating rate of the tablet printing apparatus is lowered, and a series of production time for obtaining a desired number of printed tablets for each type of tablet is lengthened, so that the production efficiency (= production amount / production time) is lowered.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-081050

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a tablet printing apparatus and a tablet printing method capable of suppressing a decrease in production efficiency.

The tablet printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention
A transport unit that transports tablets and
A printing head that prints on the tablets transported by the transport unit, and
A determination unit that determines the type of the tablet transported by the transport unit, and a determination unit.
A storage unit that stores print patterns for each type of tablet,
An acquisition unit that acquires a print pattern corresponding to the type of the tablet determined by the determination unit from the print pattern for each type of the tablet stored by the storage unit.
A control unit that controls the print head so that the print head performs the printing with the print pattern acquired by the acquisition unit.
To be equipped.

The tablet printing method according to the embodiment of the present invention
The process of determining the type of tablet transported by the transport unit by the determination unit, and
A step of acquiring a print pattern according to the type of the tablet determined by the determination unit from the print pattern for each type of the tablet stored by the storage unit, and a step of acquiring the print pattern according to the type of the tablet determined by the determination unit.
A step of controlling the print head by the control unit so that the print head that prints on the tablet conveyed by the transfer unit performs the printing with the print pattern acquired by the acquisition unit.
Have.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, a decrease in production efficiency can be suppressed.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the tablet printing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a top view which shows a part of the schematic structure of the tablet printing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the regulation table which defines the printing pattern and the box number for each color of the tablet which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the regulation table which defines the printing pattern and the box number for each shape of the tablet which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the printing process which concerns on one Embodiment.

<One embodiment>
An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Basic configuration)
As shown in FIG. 1, the tablet printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes a supply unit 10, a transport unit 20, a detection unit 30, an imaging unit 40, a printing unit 50, an imaging unit 60, and a collection unit. A unit 70 and a control device 80 are provided.

The supply unit 10 has a hopper 11 and a shooter 12. The supply unit 10 is configured to be able to supply the tablet T to the transport unit 20, and is positioned on one end side of the transport unit 20. The hopper 11 accommodates a large number of tablets T, and sequentially supplies the contained tablets T to the shooter 12. The shooter 12 arranges the tablets T supplied from the hopper 11 in a row and supplies the tablets T to the transport unit 20. The supply unit 10 is electrically connected to the control device 80, and its drive is controlled by the control device 80.

The transport unit 20 includes a transport belt 21, a drive pulley 22, a plurality of driven pulleys 23 (three in the example of FIG. 1), a motor (drive unit) 24, a position detector 25, and a suction chamber (suction unit) 26. ing. The transport belt 21 is an endless belt, and is bridged over a drive pulley 22 and each driven pulley 23. The drive pulley 22 and each driven pulley 23 are rotatably provided on the main body of the apparatus, and the drive pulley 22 is connected to the motor 24. The motor 24 is electrically connected to the control device 80, and its drive is controlled by the control device 80. The position detector 25 is a device such as an encoder and is attached to the motor 24. The position detector 25 is electrically connected to the control device 80 and transmits a detection signal to the control device 80. The transport unit 20 rotates the transport belt 21 together with each driven pulley 23 by the rotation of the drive pulley 22 by the motor 24, and transports the tablet T on the transport belt 21 in the rotation direction of the arrow H1 in FIG. 1, that is, in the transport direction H1. do.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transport belt 21 is formed with a plurality of circular suction holes 21a. Each of these suction holes 21a is a through hole for sucking the tablet T, and is arranged in a row along the transport direction H1 so as to form one transport path. Each suction hole 21a is connected to the inside of the suction chamber 26 via a suction path (not shown) formed in the suction chamber 26 (see FIG. 1), and the suction chamber 26 makes it possible to obtain a suction force. It has become. An intake portion such as a pump is connected to the suction chamber 26 via a suction pipe (neither is shown), and the inside of the suction chamber 26 is depressurized by the operation of the intake portion. The suction pipe is connected to substantially the center of the side surface (plane parallel to the transport direction H1) of the suction chamber 26. Further, the intake unit is electrically connected to the control device 80, and its drive is controlled by the control device 80. When the inside of the suction chamber 26 is depressurized, the tablet T placed on each suction hole 21a of the transfer belt 21 is sucked by the suction chamber 26 and held on the transfer belt 21.

The detection unit 30 is positioned downstream of the position where the supply unit 10 is provided in the transport direction H1 and is provided above the transport belt 21. The detection unit 30 detects the tablet T on the transport belt 21 by transmitting and receiving laser light, and functions as a trigger sensor for each device located downstream. As the detection unit 30, for example, various laser sensors such as a reflection type laser sensor are used. The detection unit 30 is electrically connected to the control device 80 and transmits a detection signal to the control device 80.

The imaging unit 40 is positioned downstream of the position where the detection unit 30 is provided in the transport direction H1 and is provided above the transport belt 21. Based on the detection signal (for example, the trigger signal) by the detection unit 30, the image pickup unit 40 takes an image at the timing when the tablet T reaches directly under the image pickup unit 40, and acquires a first image including the upper surface of the tablet T. , The acquired first image is transmitted to the control device 80. The first image is used for grasping the position and type (for example, color or shape) of the tablet T, and for grasping the cracked chip (for example, cracked or chipped) and the poor posture of the tablet T (details will be described later). .. As the image pickup unit 40, various cameras having an image pickup device such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) are used. The imaging unit 40 is electrically connected to the control device 80, and its drive is controlled by the control device 80. Lighting for imaging is also provided as needed.

The printing unit 50 has an inkjet head (an example of a printing head) 51, and prints on the tablet T on the transport belt 21 by the inkjet head 51. The inkjet head 51 is positioned downstream of the position where the imaging unit 40 is provided in the transport direction H1 and is provided above the transport belt 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the inkjet head 51 has a plurality of nozzles 51a (for example, hundreds to thousands), and the direction in which the nozzles 51a are lined up in a row (nozzle row) is conveyed in a horizontal plane. It is provided so as to be orthogonal to the direction H1 (an example of intersection). The inkjet head 51 individually ejects ink from each nozzle 51a by driving a piezoelectric element or the like. As the inkjet head 51, various inkjet heads having a driving element such as a piezoelectric element, a heat generating element, or a magnetostrictive element are used. The inkjet head 51 is electrically connected to the control device 80, and its drive is controlled by the control device 80.

The imaging unit 60 is positioned downstream of the position where the printing unit 50 is provided in the transport direction H1 and is provided above the transport belt 21. Based on the detection signal (for example, the trigger signal) by the detection unit 30, the image pickup unit 60 takes an image at the timing when the tablet T reaches directly under the image pickup unit 60, and acquires a second image including the upper surface of the tablet T. , The acquired second image is transmitted to the control device 80. The second image is used to inspect the print pattern printed on the tablet T (more on this later). As the image pickup unit 60, for example, various cameras having an image pickup element such as a CCD or CMOS are used as in the above-mentioned image pickup unit 40. The imaging unit 60 is electrically connected to the control device 80, and its drive is controlled by the control device 80. Lighting for imaging is also provided as needed.

The collection unit 70 is positioned downstream of the position where the image pickup unit 60 is provided in the transport direction H1 and is provided below the transport unit 20. The collection unit 70 collects the printed (after printing) tablet T printed by the inkjet head 51 separately into a defective product and a non-defective product, and further collects the printed non-defective tablet T as a type of tablet T. Collect by dividing (for example, color or shape). The determination of defective or non-defective products of the printed tablet T is executed by the control device 80 based on, for example, the first image obtained by the imaging unit 40 or the second image obtained by the imaging unit 60 ( Details will be described later).

The above-mentioned recovery unit 70 has a gas spraying unit 71 and a storage box 72. The collecting unit 70 blows gas (for example, air) from the gas spraying unit 71 to the tablet T transported by the transport belt 21, drops the tablet T from the transport belt 21, and accommodates the tablet T located below the transport belt 21. Collect by box 72.

The gas spraying unit 71 has a spray nozzle 71a for defective products and a plurality of (three in the example of FIG. 1) spray nozzles 71b for non-defective products. Each of the spray nozzles 71a and 71b is provided in the suction chamber 26, and blows gas toward the inner surface of the transport belt 21 to drop the tablet T from the transport belt 21. At this time, the gas blown out from the spray nozzles 71a and 71b located in the suction chamber 26 passes through the suction hole 21a of the transfer belt 21 and hits the tablet T adsorbed in the suction hole 21a, so that the tablet T is conveyed. It falls from the belt 21. The gas spraying unit 71 has an on-off valve (not shown) for each of the spray nozzles 71a and 71b. These on-off valves are, for example, solenoid valves, and are valves for controlling the blowout of gas from the spray nozzles 71a and 71b. Each on-off valve is electrically connected to the control device 80, and individual drives are controlled by the control device 80. As the spray nozzles 71a and 71b, for example, an air nozzle for blowing air or a gas nozzle for blowing dry gas is used.

The storage box 72 has a box 72a for defective products and a plurality of boxes 72b for non-defective products (three in the example of FIG. 1), and is provided below the transport belt 21. The box 72a is formed in a box shape having an open upper portion, and is provided at a position facing the spray nozzle 71a with the transport belt 21 sandwiched between them. The box 72a collects defective tablets T that have fallen from the transport belt 21. Each box 72b is formed in a box shape in which the upper portion opens, is on the downstream side of the transport direction H1 from the position where the box 72a is provided, and sandwiches the transport belt 21 with respect to each spray nozzle 71b. It is provided at a position opposite to each other. These boxes 72b collect the non-defective tablets T that have fallen from the transport belt 21 for each type of tablet T.

The control device 80 includes a control unit 81, a processing unit 82, a storage unit 83, and an acquisition unit 84. Each part is composed of either one or both of hardware (for example, an electric circuit) and software. The control unit 81 is, for example, a microcomputer, and centrally controls each unit. The processing unit 82 processes an image using a known image processing technique. The storage unit 83 stores processing information, various programs, and the like. The control unit 81 controls the supply unit 10, the transport unit 20, the imaging unit 40, the printing unit 50, the imaging unit 60, the collection unit 70, and the like based on various information stored by the storage unit 83 and various programs. Further, the control unit 81 receives detection information (for example, a detection signal) transmitted from the position detector 25 and the detection unit 30, and the processing unit 82 receives image information and the like transmitted from the image pickup units 40 and 60. do.

The control unit 81 acquires information such as the movement amount (rotation amount) and the speed of the transport belt 21 based on the detection information transmitted from the position detector 25. Further, the control unit 81 determines the position of the tablet T in the transport direction H1 (X direction) on the transport belt 21 based on the detection information transmitted from the detection unit 30, that is, the timing at which the tablet T on the transport belt 21 is detected. The tablet is grasped, and the first position information (for example, trigger information) indicating the tablet position is generated and stored in the storage unit 83.

The processing unit 82 analyzes the image information transmitted from the imaging unit 40, that is, the first image included in the image information, and positions the tablets T on the transport belt 21 in the X, Y, and θ directions (FIG. 2). (See) is grasped, and the second position information indicating the tablet position is generated and stored in the storage unit 83. Further, the processing unit 82 determines whether or not the tablet T has cracking or poor posture (presence or absence of cracking or poor posture) at the time of analyzing the first image described above, and the target tablet T is cracked or chipped. Alternatively, the first inspection information indicating whether or not the patient has poor posture is generated and stored in the storage unit 83. Further, the processing unit 82 analyzes the image information transmitted from the imaging unit 60, that is, the second image included in the image information, and prints the print position and shape of the print pattern (for example, characters and marks) printed on the tablet T. , The size is acquired, and the second inspection information indicating the print position, shape, and size of this print pattern is generated and stored in the storage unit 83.

Here, the above-mentioned positions in the X and Y directions are, for example, positions in the XY coordinate system with respect to the center (reference position) of the imaging field of view of the imaging unit 40. The position in the θ direction is, for example, a position indicating the degree of rotation of the tablet T with respect to the center line in the Y direction of the imaging field of view of the imaging unit 40. This position in the θ direction is detected when the tablet T is in a directional form, such as when the tablet T is provided with a secant line or when the tablet T is molded into an ellipse, an oval, a quadrangle, or the like. Will be done. The posture of the tablet T is, for example, the inclination of the tablet T with respect to the suction surface of the transport belt 21.

The storage unit 83 stores specified information (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 4) indicating a print pattern and a box number for each type of tablet T (for example, the color or shape of the tablet T). This regulation information is generated for each type of tablet T in which a print pattern and a box number are associated with the type of tablet T. As shown in FIG. 1, the box numbers are set to, for example, "0", "1", "2", and "3" from the upstream side of the transport direction H1 on the transport belt 21.

For example, as the above-mentioned regulation information, as shown in FIG. 3, a regulation table showing the print pattern and the box number for each color of the tablet T is used. In FIG. 3, when the color of the tablet T is white (which is also actually white), the print pattern is "ABCD" and the box number is "1". When the color of the tablet T is light gray (actually light blue), the print pattern is "abc" and the box number is "2". When the color of the tablet T is dark gray (actually pink), the print pattern is "1234" and the box number is "3".

Alternatively, as the above-mentioned regulation information, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a regulation table showing a print pattern and a box number for each shape of the tablet T is used. In FIG. 4, when the shape of the tablet T is a round shape in a plan view, the print pattern is “ABCD” and the box number is “1”. When the shape of the tablet T is triangular in a plan view, the print pattern is "abc" and the box number is "2". When the shape of the tablet T is elliptical in a plan view, the print pattern is "1234" and the box number is "3".

The processing unit 82 identifies the type of the tablet T from the image information transmitted from the imaging unit 40, that is, the first image included in the image information. Specifically, the processing unit 82 specifies the type of tablet T (for example, the color or shape of tablet T) in the image at the time of analyzing the first image described above, and generates type information indicating the type of the specified tablet T. And store it in the storage unit 83. The processing unit 82 and the imaging unit 40 function as determination units for determining the type of tablet T transported by the transport unit 20.

The acquisition unit 84 corresponds to the type of tablet T (for example, the color or shape of the tablet T) specified by the processing unit 82 from the specified information (see FIG. 3 or 4) and the type information stored by the storage unit 83. The print pattern and the box number are acquired, and the acquired information indicating the acquired print pattern and the box number is generated and stored in the storage unit 83.

For example, when the regulation information is the regulation table shown in FIG. 3 (the regulation table based on the color of the tablet T) and the color of the tablet T included in the type information stored by the storage unit 83 is white, the acquisition unit 84 Acquire the print pattern "ABCD" and the box number "1". Further, when the color of the tablet T included in the type information stored by the storage unit 83 is light gray, the print pattern “abc” and the box number “2” are acquired from the specified table shown in FIG. When the color of the tablet T included in the type information stored by the storage unit 83 is dark gray, the print pattern “1234” and the box number “3” are acquired from the specified table shown in FIG. Even when the specified information is the specified table shown in FIG. 4 (specified table based on the shape of the tablet T), the same processing as described above is performed based on the shape of the tablet T.

The control unit 81 determines whether or not to set the printing conditions for the tablet T based on the first inspection information stored in the storage unit 83, and if it is determined to set the printing conditions, the control unit 81 stores the printing conditions in the storage unit 83. The printing conditions for the tablet T are set based on the acquired information and the second position information. For example, when the control unit 81 determines that the first inspection information indicates that the target tablet T has cracks or a poor posture, the control unit 81 does not set the printing conditions for the target tablet T and does not set the printing conditions for the target tablet T. Prohibit printing on. Further, when the control unit 81 determines that the content of the first inspection information is that the target tablet T does not have cracks and chips and poor posture, the print pattern and the second position information included in the acquired information The range of the nozzle 51a used for printing the target tablet T in the inkjet head 51 (used nozzle range) is determined based on the position information of the tablet T contained in the above in the Y direction, and is also included in the second position information. By determining the timing at which printing is started on the tablet T based on the position information of the tablet T in the X direction, the printing conditions are set and stored in the storage unit 83. For example, when the print pattern included in the acquired information is "ABCD" (see FIG. 3 or 4), the print pattern "ABCD" is used. When the tablet T has a directional shape, the control unit 81 also uses the position information of the tablet T in the θ direction included in the second position information and prints in correspondence with the position of the tablet T in the θ direction. Set the conditions.

Further, the control unit 81 determines whether or not the print pattern is printed in a predetermined position of the tablet T in a predetermined shape and a predetermined size based on the second inspection information stored in the storage unit 83, that is, the print pattern is the tablet T. It is determined whether or not the tablet T has been normally printed (printing state inspection), and printing quality information indicating the printing quality of the tablet T is generated and stored in the storage unit 83. For example, the control unit 81 registers the print pattern used for printing in the storage unit 83 as a print pattern for inspection in determining the print position, shape, and size of the print pattern, and the print pattern for inspection and the actual print pattern for inspection are registered in the storage unit 83. By comparing with the print pattern on the printed tablet T (the print pattern printed on the tablet T), it is determined whether or not the print pattern is normally printed on the printed tablet T printed by the inkjet head 51. to decide.

Further, the control unit 81 uses the defective tablet T transported by the transport unit 20 for the defective product based on the first inspection information, the print quality information, and the first position information stored in the storage unit 83. The gas spraying unit 71 is controlled so as to be put in the box 72a. For example, the control unit 81 indicates that the first inspection information is that the target tablet T has cracks or a poor posture, or that the print quality information is that the print is defective, that is, the tablet. When T is a defective product (for example, unprinted tablet with cracks, unprinted lock without cracks, defective print), the defective tablet T is based on the first position information stored in the storage unit 83. , Control is performed to blow out gas from the spray nozzle 71a at the timing when the box 72a of the box number “0” (see FIG. 1) reaches directly below the spray nozzle 71a facing the box 72a with the transport belt 21 sandwiched between them.

Further, the control unit 81 is a printed good tablet T transported by the transport unit 20 based on the first inspection information, the print quality information, the first position information, and the acquisition information stored in the storage unit 83. Is controlled by the gas spraying unit 71 so as to be put in the box 72b of the box number included in the acquired information stored in the storage unit 83. For example, in the control unit 81, when the first inspection information is that the target tablet T does not have cracks and chips and the posture is poor, and the print quality information is that the printing is acceptable, that is, the tablet T. When is a non-defective product, the printed non-defective tablet T printed with the print pattern included in the acquired information stored in the storage unit 83 based on the first position information stored in the storage unit 83 is Control is performed to blow out gas from the spray nozzle 71b at the timing when the transfer belt 21 is sandwiched between the box 72b of the box number included in the acquired information stored in the storage unit 83 and immediately below the spray nozzle 71b facing the box 72b. For example, when the box number included in the acquired information is "1" (see FIG. 1), the printed good tablet T faces the box 72b of the box number "1" with the transport belt 21 sandwiched between them. At the timing when the spray nozzle 71b reaches directly below the spray nozzle 71b, the gas is blown out from the spray nozzle 71b.

Here, the various information described above (for example, first position information, second position information, first inspection information, second inspection information, type information, acquisition information, print quality information, etc.) is provided on the transport belt 21. It is generated for each tablet T transported by and stored in the storage unit 83, but when the target tablet T is collected by the collection unit 70, for example, when the gas spraying operation by the gas spraying unit 71 is performed. It is deleted from the storage unit 83. However, if it is necessary in a post-process or the like, it is possible to leave various information for each tablet T without erasing it.

(Printing process)
Next, the printing process (printing process) performed by the tablet printing apparatus 1 described above will be described with reference to FIG. Various information such as data required for printing (for example, print data including the print pattern and the print position of the print pattern on the tablet T, moving speed data of the transport belt 21, etc.) is stored in the storage unit 83 of the control device 80. It is stored in advance. When the tablet printing apparatus 1 starts the printing process, the transport belt 21 is driven and rotates in the transport direction H1 as the drive pulley 22 and the driven pulley 23 are rotated by the motor 24.

As shown in FIG. 5, in step S1, the tablets T are sequentially supplied from the hopper 11 to the shooter 12 in a state where the transport belt 21 is rotating in the transport direction H1, and are arranged in a line by the shooter 12 to be arranged in a row. The tablets T, which are randomly supplied to the top at regular intervals and are supplied on the transport belt 21, are lined up in a row on the transport belt 21 and are transported at a predetermined moving speed.

In step S2, the tablet T on the transport belt 21 is detected by the detection unit 30. Specifically, the tablet T on the transport belt 21 is detected by the detection unit 30, and the position of the tablet T in the transport direction H1 (X direction) on the transport belt 21 is determined by the control unit 81 based on the timing at which the tablet T is detected. Be grasped. Then, the first position information indicating the tablet position is generated by the control unit 81 and stored in the storage unit 83.

In step S3, the tablet T on the transport belt 21 is imaged by the imaging unit 40. Specifically, the tablet T on the transport belt 21 is imaged by the image pickup unit 40 at the timing when it reaches directly under the image pickup unit 40 based on the above-mentioned first position information stored in the storage unit 83, and the image pickup unit 40 thereof. The first image obtained by imaging by is transmitted to the control device 80.

In step S4, the position, cracking, posture, and type of the tablet T on the transport belt 21 are grasped by the processing unit 82. Specifically, the first image transmitted from the imaging unit 40 is analyzed by the processing unit 82, the second position information of the tablet T (for example, the position information in the X direction, the Y direction, and the θ direction) is generated, and the storage unit. It is stored in 83. Further, by the above-mentioned image analysis, the processing unit 82 also determines whether or not the tablet T has cracks or poor posture, and the first inspection information indicating whether or not the target tablet T has cracks or poor posture. Is stored in the storage unit 83. Further, the type of the tablet T (for example, the color or shape of the tablet T) is also grasped by the above-mentioned image analysis, and the type information indicating the type of the tablet T is generated and stored in the storage unit 83.

In step S5, the control unit 81 determines from the first inspection information stored in the storage unit 83 whether or not the first inspection information is that the target tablet T has cracks or a poor posture. NS. If it is determined that the first inspection information is that the target tablet T does not have cracks or chipping or poor posture (NO), the process proceeds to step S6, and printing on the target tablet T is permitted. .. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first inspection information is that the target tablet T has a crack or a poor posture (YES), the process proceeds to step S12, and printing on the target tablet T is prohibited. ..

In step S6, the printing pattern and the box number corresponding to the type of the tablet T are acquired by the acquisition unit 84. Specifically, the print pattern according to the type of tablet T (for example, the color or shape of the tablet T) specified by the processing unit 82 from the specified table (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 4) and the type information stored by the storage unit 83. And the box number is acquired by the acquisition unit 84. For example, when the specified table stored by the storage unit 83 is the specified table shown in FIG. 3 and the color of the tablet T included in the type information stored by the storage unit 83 is white, the print pattern “ABCD” And the box number “1” is acquired, and the acquired information indicating the acquired print pattern “ABCD” and the box number “1” is generated and stored in the storage unit 83.

In step S7, the printing conditions are set by the control unit 81 based on the second position information and the acquisition information stored in the storage unit 83. Specifically, the printing conditions for the tablet T are set by the control unit 81 based on the second position information and the acquired information stored in the storage unit 83, and are stored in the storage unit 83. For example, the range of the nozzle 51a used for printing the target tablet T in the inkjet head 51 is determined based on the position information in the Y direction of the tablet T included in the second position information and the printing pattern included in the acquired information. Further, based on the position information of the tablet T in the X direction included in the second position information, the timing to start printing on the tablet T is determined, the printing conditions are set, and the printing conditions are stored in the storage unit 83. .. At this time, for example, when the print pattern included in the acquired information is "ABCD" (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 4), the print pattern "ABCD" is used.

In step S8, printing is executed based on the printing conditions stored in the storage unit 83. That is, the control unit 81 controls the inkjet head 51 to print with the print pattern acquired by the acquisition unit 84. Specifically, the tablet T on the transport belt 21 that has passed below the imaging unit 40 reaches directly under the inkjet head 51 based on the first position information stored in the storage unit 83, and the above-mentioned printing conditions. Is printed by the inkjet head 51. In the inkjet head 51, ink is appropriately ejected from each nozzle 51a, and a printing pattern (for example, alphabet, single pseudonym, number, symbol, figure) included in the acquired information is printed on the surface to be printed, which is the upper surface of the tablet T. The ink applied to the tablet T dries rapidly. The ink may be dried by a drying portion (not shown) that dries with gas or heat.

In step S9, the printed tablet T on the transport belt 21 is imaged by the imaging unit 60. Specifically, the printed tablet T on the transport belt 21 is imaged by the image pickup unit 60 at the timing when it reaches directly under the image pickup unit 60 based on the first position information stored in the storage unit 83, and the image pickup unit 60 thereof. The second image obtained by imaging by 60 is transmitted to the control device 80.

In step S10, the processing unit 82 acquires information on the printed print pattern printed on the tablet T, that is, the print position, shape, and size of the printed print pattern. Specifically, the second image transmitted from the imaging unit 60 is analyzed by the processing unit 82, and second inspection information indicating the print position, shape, and size of the printed pattern printed on the tablet T is generated, and the storage unit. It is stored in 83.

In step S11, the print state inspection is executed based on the second inspection information stored in the storage unit 83. Specifically, based on the above-mentioned second inspection information related to the print position, shape, and size stored in the storage unit 83, the control unit 81 determines whether or not the print pattern is normally printed on the tablet T, and the tablet. The print quality information indicating the print quality of T is generated and stored in the storage unit 83. For example, in the print state inspection, the print pattern used for printing is stored in the storage unit 83 as a print pattern for inspection, and good product information regarding a predetermined print position, shape, and size of the print pattern for inspection is stored in the storage unit 83. The second inspection information regarding the print position, shape, and size of the saved actual printed print pattern is compared with each other, and it is determined whether or not the print pattern is normally printed on the tablet T.

In step S12, the tablet T is collected by the collection unit 70. When the tablet T is a defective product (for example, an unprinted tablet with cracks, an unprinted lock without cracks, a defective print lock), the defective tablet T on the transport belt 21 is collected by the defective box 72a. NS. Specifically, the timing at which the defective tablet T on the transport belt 21 reaches directly below the spray nozzle 71a facing the box 72a with the transport belt 21 sandwiched between them, based on the first position information stored in the storage unit 83. Then, the gas is blown out from the spray nozzle 71a. At this time, the gas blown out from the spray nozzle 71a passes through the suction hole 21a of the transport belt 21 and hits the defective tablet T adsorbed in the suction hole 21a. As a result, the defective tablet T falls from the transport belt 21 and enters the box 72a to be collected.

On the other hand, when the tablet T is a non-defective product, the non-defective tablet T on the transport belt 21 is collected by each box 72b for the non-defective product according to the type of the tablet T. Specifically, the non-defective tablet T on the transport belt 21 faces the box 72b of the box number included in the acquisition information with the transport belt 21 in between, based on the first position information and the acquisition information stored in the storage unit 83. Gas is blown out from the spray nozzle 71b at the timing when it reaches directly below the spray nozzle 71b. At this time, the gas blown out from the spray nozzle 71b passes through the suction hole 21a of the transport belt 21 and hits the non-defective tablet T adsorbed in the suction hole 21a. As a result, the non-defective tablet T falls from the transport belt 21 and is collected in the box 72b of the box number included in the acquired information. For example, when the box number included in the acquired information is "1" (see FIG. 1), the printed good tablet T faces the box 72b of the box number "1" with the transport belt 21 sandwiched between them. Gas is blown out from the spray nozzle 71b at the timing when it reaches directly below the spray nozzle 71b.

In the tablet printing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present embodiment, printing is performed on a certain type of tablet T to produce a desired number of printed tablets. Even if the tablet T of the above type remains in the tablet printing apparatus 1, the tablet T of the next type (a type different from the previous type) can be charged. For example, as the number of printed tablets produced approaches the desired number (for example, tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands), the number of tablets in the hopper 11 of the supply unit 10 decreases, but the number of tablets in the hopper 11 decreases below the predetermined number. At that time, even if the previous type of tablet T remains in the hopper 11, the next type of tablet T can be put into the hopper 11. It is also possible to simultaneously charge several types of tablets T into the hopper 11 from the beginning. That is, in the tablet printing device 1, even if several types of tablets T are mixed in the tablet printing device 1, the corresponding printing patterns can be printed on the tablets T and collected for each type. Therefore, when switching the type of the tablet T in the tablet printing device 1, the next type of tablet T is charged into the tablet printing device 1 until all the tablets T of the previous type are discharged from the tablet printing device 1. There is no need to wait (time loss). As a result, a decrease in the operating rate of the tablet printing apparatus 1 is suppressed, and a series of production times for obtaining a desired number of printed tablets for each type of tablet T is shortened, so that a decrease in production efficiency can be suppressed. .. For example, it is possible to put a tablet T of a certain type A into the tablet printing apparatus 1 and put a tablet T of the next type B, which is another type, before all the put tablets T of the type A are discharged. become. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time when there is no print target in the tablet printing device 1 or the time when there are few print objects in the tablet printing device 1, so that the operating rate of the tablet printing device 1 increases. , Production efficiency can be improved.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the type of tablet T transported by the transport unit 20 is determined, and the determined tablet T is determined from the print pattern for each type of tablet T stored by the storage unit 83. In this case, several types of tablets T are mixed in the tablet printing apparatus 1 by acquiring a printing pattern corresponding to the type of the above and controlling the inkjet head 51 so that the inkjet head 51 prints with the acquired printing pattern. However, the printing pattern corresponding to each type of tablet T can be printed on the tablet T. Therefore, when switching the type of the tablet T in the tablet printing device 1, the next type of tablet T is charged into the tablet printing device 1 until all the tablets T of the previous type are discharged from the tablet printing device 1. You don't have to wait. As a result, a decrease in the operating rate of the tablet printing apparatus 1 is suppressed, and a series of production times for obtaining a desired number of printed tablets for each type of tablet T is shortened, so that a decrease in production efficiency can be suppressed. ..

Here, although the tablet itself had no defects such as cracks and chips, the defective product (unprinted tablet without cracks and chips) that was not printed because it was adsorbed and transported due to poor posture was replaced with another defective product (cracked). It is also possible to collect the tablets in a new box, that is, an unprinted box, separately from the unprinted lock with a chip and the defective print lock. In such a case, conventionally, in order to avoid mixing different types of tablets T, the unprinted tablets without cracks and chips are collected or supplied from the unprinted box every time the printing of one type of tablet T is completed. Need to re-populate and empty the unprinted box. On the other hand, according to the above-described embodiment, when switching the type of the tablet T, the tablet T in the unprinted box can be left as it is without being collected or re-injected. After that, when a certain amount of the tablet T is accumulated in the unprinted box or at the end of the day's operation, the tablet T in the unprinted box in which a plurality of types of the tablet T are mixed may be re-injected into the supply unit 10.

<Other embodiments>
In the above description, the tablet T is printed using the tablet printing apparatus 1 (tablet printing method) according to the above-described embodiment. This can be rephrased as producing a printed tablet T by printing on the tablet T using the tablet printing device 1 (tablet printing method) according to the above-described embodiment.

Further, in the above description, it has been exemplified that the printing pattern and the box 72b (for example, the box number) to be used are selected as the type of the tablet T according only to the color of the tablet T or only the shape of the tablet T. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the print pattern or the box 72b to be used may be selected according to the combination of color and shape. That is, the type of tablet T is classified according to either one or both of the shape and the color. Further, a plurality of inkjet heads 51 having different colors of the supplied inks are provided side by side along the transport direction H1, and the inkjet head 51 to be used is selected from the inkjet heads 51 according to the shape or color of the tablet T. You may try to do it.

Further, in the above description, it has been illustrated that the second image obtained by the image pickup unit 60 after printing is used by the collection unit 70, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the image pickup unit 40 before printing is used. The obtained first image may be used in the collection unit 70, or a new image pickup unit may be provided in the collection unit 70 and the image obtained by the new image pickup unit provided in the collection unit 70 may be collected. It may be used in 70.

Further, in the above description, it has been illustrated that the storage box 72 is composed of the box 72a for defective products and the box 72b for non-defective products for each type of tablet T, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a defective product. A storage room for each type of tablet T and a storage room for non-defective products for each type of tablet T may be provided in the storage box 72. Further, although the example of collecting the tablet T in the box 72b for each type of the tablet T is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this, and the tablet T may be collected by mixing the types of the tablet T in one box 72b. good.

Further, in the above description, the use of the imaging unit 40 and the processing unit 82 as the determination unit has been illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a sensor such as a line sensor and the processing unit 82 may be used as the determination unit. Alternatively, it is also possible to use an input unit such as a keyboard or a button and a processing unit 82 as a determination unit. When a sensor is used, the sensor generates a signal for determining the type of the tablet T (for example, the color or shape of the tablet T), and transmits signal information regarding the generated signal to the processing unit 82. The processing unit 82 identifies the type of tablet T based on the signal information transmitted from the sensor. When using the input unit, the operator operates the input unit to input the type of tablet T (for example, the color or shape of tablet T). The input unit transmits input information indicating the type of the input tablet T to the processing unit 82. The processing unit 82 identifies the type of tablet T based on the input information transmitted from the input unit.

Further, in the above description, it has been illustrated that the tablets T are transported in one row, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of rows may be two rows, three rows or four or more rows, and is particularly limited. The number of the transport belts 21 may be two or more, and is not particularly limited. Further, the number of inkjet heads 51 may be two or more, and is not particularly limited.

Further, in the above description, as the inkjet head 51, a print head in which the nozzles 51a are arranged in a row is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a print head in which the nozzles 51a are arranged in a plurality of rows may be used. good. Further, a plurality of inkjet heads 51 may be used side by side in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction H1 in the horizontal plane.

Further, in the above description, it has been illustrated that the inkjet head 51 is provided so that the direction in which the nozzles 51a are lined up is orthogonal to the transport direction H1 in the horizontal plane, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the nozzle 51a is provided. May be provided so that the direction in which the nozzles are lined up intersects the transport direction H1 in the horizontal plane.

Further, in the above description, printing on one side of the tablet T has been illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the transport unit 20, the detection unit 30, the imaging unit 40, the printing unit 50, and the imaging unit 60 may be used. Even if one unit is arranged so that the units are stacked one on top of the other, the tablet T printed by the upper transport unit 20 is inverted and delivered to the lower transport unit 20, and both sides of the tablet T are printed. good.

Further, in the above description, the tablets T are randomly supplied on the transport belt 21 instead of at regular intervals, but the present invention is not limited to this, and tablets T may be supplied at regular intervals. Further, in the above description, the tablet T is suction-held by the suction hole 21a formed on the transport belt 21, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the tablet T may be accommodated, held and transported in a pocket or the like. Alternatively, it may be held and transported on the transport belt 21 by its own weight.

Further, in the above description, one hopper 11 is provided as the supply unit 10, but a hopper 11 is provided for each type of tablet T, and the tablet T is supplied from each hopper 11 to the transport belt 21. good.

Here, the above-mentioned tablets may include tablets used for pharmaceutical purposes, food and drink, cleaning, industrial use, or aromatic use. In addition, as tablets, there are naked tablets (bare tablets), sugar-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, enteric coated tablets, gelatin-encapsulated tablets, multi-layer tablets, nucleated tablets, etc., and various capsule tablets such as hard capsules and soft capsules are also tablets. Can be included in. Further, as the shape of the tablet, there are various shapes such as a disk shape, a lens shape, a triangle shape, and an ellipse shape. When the tablet to be printed is for pharmaceutical use or food and drink, edible ink is suitable as the ink to be used. As the edible ink, any of synthetic dye ink, natural dye ink, dye ink, and pigment ink may be used.

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

1 Tablet printing device 20 Conveying unit 40 Imaging unit 51 Inkjet head 70 Recovery unit 71 Gas spraying unit 72 Storage box 80 Control device 81 Control unit 82 Processing unit 83 Storage unit 84 Acquisition unit T Tablet

Claims (6)

A transport unit that transports tablets and
A printing head that prints on the tablets transported by the transport unit, and
A determination unit that determines the type of the tablet transported by the transport unit, and a determination unit.
A storage unit that stores print patterns for each type of tablet,
An acquisition unit that acquires a print pattern corresponding to the type of the tablet determined by the determination unit from the print pattern for each type of the tablet stored by the storage unit.
A control unit that controls the print head so that the print head performs the printing with the print pattern acquired by the acquisition unit.
A tablet printing device comprising. The determination unit
An image pickup unit that captures an image of the tablet before printing printed by the print head,
From the image obtained by the imaging by the imaging unit, the processing unit that identifies the type of the tablet and the processing unit.
The tablet printing apparatus according to claim 1. The tablet printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the type of the tablet is classified by either one or both of the color and the shape. The tablet printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a collection unit for collecting the printed tablets printed by the print head for each type of tablet. The recovery unit
A storage box for storing the printed tablets transported by the transport unit for each type of tablet, and a storage box.
A gas spraying unit that blows gas onto the printed tablets transported by the transport unit so that the printed tablets transported by the transport unit are placed in the storage box for each type of tablet.
The tablet printing apparatus according to claim 4. The process of determining the type of tablet transported by the transport unit by the determination unit, and
A step of acquiring a print pattern according to the type of the tablet determined by the determination unit from the print pattern for each type of the tablet stored by the storage unit, and a step of acquiring the print pattern according to the type of the tablet determined by the determination unit.
A step of controlling the print head by the control unit so that the print head that prints on the tablet conveyed by the transfer unit performs the printing with the print pattern acquired by the acquisition unit.
Tablet printing method having.

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