JP2022114730A - Blister packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To reliably prevent crushing or the like of a pocket part in an intermittent conveyance roller.SOLUTION: A PTP packaging machine 10 serving as a blister packaging machine comprises: a film receiving roller 20 and a heating roller 25 that sandwich and heat a container film 3 and a cover film 4 and mount both the films 3 and 4 to form a PTP film 6; a first dancer roller 26 provided between a continuous conveyance section and an intermittent conveyance section of the PTP film 6 on the downstream side of both the rollers 20 and 25; an intermittent conveyance roller 35 that intermittently conveys the PTP film 6 by rotating in a state where a pocket part 2 is stored in a storage recess 35a; and a tension separation device 28 that can separate upstream tension applied to the PTP film 6 by the first dancer roller 26 and downstream tension applied to a PTP film downstream of the tension separation device itself. The downstream tension is set smaller than the upstream tension.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a blister packaging machine for manufacturing blister sheets containing contents.

A PTP (Press Through Pack) sheet is known as a blister sheet that is generally used in the fields of pharmaceuticals, food products, and the like. The PTP sheet includes a container film having a pocket portion in which contents such as tablets are stored, and a cover film attached to the container film so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion.

Such a PTP sheet is manufactured using a PTP packaging machine, which is a type of blister packaging machine. A PTP packaging machine includes pocket portion forming means, filling means, sealing means, stamping means, slit forming means, punching means, and the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). The pocket portion forming means forms a pocket portion in the strip-shaped container film. The filling means fills the pocket portion with contents. The sealing means includes a heating roller and a film-receiving roller, and these rollers sandwich and heat the container film and the cover film which are continuously conveyed, thereby attaching the container film and the cover film. The stamping means stamps the belt-shaped PTP film to which the container film and the cover film are attached. The slit forming means forms slits for separation in the PTP film. The punching means punches the PTP film into PTP sheet units.

In addition, the filling means and the sealing means perform their respective operations for the continuously conveyed container film, and the stamping means, the slit forming means and the punching means perform their respective operations for the intermittently conveyed PTP film. . Therefore, a dancer roller (for example, "roller 37" in Patent Document 1) is provided between a continuous transport section in which the PTP film (container film) is continuously transported and an intermittent transport section in which the PTP film is intermittently transported. By applying tension to the PTP film by the dancer roller, it is possible to prevent the PTP film from slackening due to differences in the transport mode.

In addition, the stamping means and the punching means operate independently on the PTP film that is temporarily stopped. It is necessary to prevent the temporary stop position of the PTP film from shifting or fluctuating. Therefore, in the intermittent transport section, there are a plurality of storage recesses capable of storing the pocket portions, and the intermittent transport rollers (for example, "Roller 35 ”) conveys the PTP film. By using such an intermittent conveying roller, the PTP film can be conveyed while the pocket portion is hooked on the outer periphery of the roller, and the PTP film can be temporarily stopped at an appropriate position more reliably.

JP 2012-25482 A

By the way, when the container film and the cover film are attached by the sealing means, the PTP film (container film) may stick to the film receiving roller as the container film and the like are heated. Therefore, it is necessary to apply greater tension from the dancer roller to the PTP film so that the PTP film can be peeled off from the film receiving roller immediately after sealing.

However, when a large tension is applied from the dancer roller to the PTP film, this large tension is applied to the PTP film in the intermittent conveying section, and as a result, a large load may be applied to the pocket section hooked by the intermittent conveying roller. . Therefore, in the intermittent conveying roller, there is a possibility that the pocket portion may be crushed, or the pocket portion may be temporarily dented even if the pocket portion is not crushed. If the pocket portion is temporarily dented, the temporary stop position of the PTP film becomes inappropriate, and there is a risk that deviations or variations may occur in the forming position of the engraving or the like and the punching range of the PTP film.

In addition, the above-mentioned problems become particularly noticeable when attempting to increase the speed of the PTP packaging machine in order to improve productivity. That is, when the PTP film is conveyed at high speed in order to increase the speed of the PTP packaging machine, a greater tension must be applied from the dancer roller to the PTP film in order to separate the PTP film from the film receiving roller. Furthermore, in order to transport the PTP film at high speed, it is necessary to rotate the intermittent transport rollers at a higher speed. Such an increase in tension and high-speed rotation of the intermittent conveying rollers may lead to a significant increase in the load applied to the pocket, which may make the pocket more likely to be crushed or temporarily dented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a blister packaging machine that can more reliably prevent the pockets from collapsing or being temporarily dented in the intermittent conveying rollers.

Each means suitable for solving the above object will be described below by itemizing. It should be noted that actions and effects peculiar to the corresponding means will be added as necessary.

Means 1. A blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister sheet in which contents are accommodated in a pocket formed in a container film and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket. ,
a film receiving roller and a heating roller for attaching the container film and the cover film to form a strip-shaped blister film by sandwiching and heating the continuously conveyed strip-shaped container film and the strip-shaped cover film;
A tension roller is provided downstream of the film receiving roller and the heating roller and between a continuous transport section in which the blister film is continuously transported and an intermittent transport section in which the blister film is intermittently transported. By adding a dancer roller that can prevent the blister film from loosening due to a difference in the transportation mode,
a processing means provided in the intermittent transport section for performing a predetermined process on the temporarily stopped blister film;
It is provided in the intermittent conveying section and has a plurality of accommodation recesses capable of accommodating the pocket portions of the blister film. an intermittent conveying roller that conveys intermittently;
An upstream tension is provided downstream of the dancer roller and upstream of the processing means and is applied to the blister film upstream of itself, and a downstream tension is tension applied to the blister film downstream of itself. a tension separating means configured to be capable of separating and capable of intermittently sending out the blister film in accordance with the rotation of the intermittent conveying roller;
A blister packaging machine, wherein the downstream tension is set to be smaller than the upstream tension.

Examples of the "processing means" include stamping means for stamping the blister film, slit forming means for forming slits for separation in the blister film, and punching means for punching the blister film into blister sheet units. be able to. Also, "separate" can be replaced with words such as "divide," "separate," and "make different."

According to the means 1, the tension separation means can separate the upstream tension applied to the blister film upstream from itself and the downstream tension applied to the blister film downstream from itself. That is, the upstream tension generated by the dancer rollers can be prevented from being transmitted to the blister film located downstream of the tension separating means and transported by the intermittent transport rollers. In addition, since the downstream tension is set to be smaller than the upstream tension, the load applied to the pocket portion caught by the intermittent conveying roller can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the pockets from collapsing or being temporarily dented in the intermittent conveying roller. Therefore, the blister film can be temporarily stopped at an appropriate position more reliably in the intermittent conveying section, and the processing by the processing means can be appropriately performed.

Moreover, even when the blister film is conveyed at a higher speed in order to increase the speed of the blister packaging machine, it is possible to more reliably prevent the pockets from being crushed or temporarily dented. Therefore, it is possible to increase the speed of the blister packaging machine and improve the productivity while preventing the pocket from being crushed more reliably.

Means 2. The tension separating means is configured to separate the upstream tension and the downstream tension by sandwiching the blister film in a state in which a load along the transport direction of the blister film is not applied to the pocket portion. The blister packaging machine according to means 1, characterized by:

According to the means 2, the upstream tension and the downstream tension can be separated by a simple technique of pinching the blister film. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the tension separation means, and to suppress an increase in costs related to manufacturing, maintenance, and the like.

Further, the tension separating means holds the blister film in a state in which the load along the transport direction of the blister film (the load due to the tension applied to the blister film) is not applied to the pocket portion. Therefore, in the tension separation means, it is possible to more reliably prevent the load from the dancer roller from being applied to the pocket portion. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the pocket from being crushed or temporarily dented.

Means 3. The tension separating means is
a grooved feed roller having an annular groove that continues in the circumferential direction and accommodates the pocket portion;
a grip roller that sandwiches the blister film between the grooved feed roller;
The blister packaging machine according to means 2, wherein the blister film can be fed out intermittently by rotating the grooved feeding roller.

According to the above means 3, the function of the tension separating means, which clamps the blister film and intermittently feeds the blister film in accordance with the rotation of the intermittent conveying roller, can be realized with a very simple structure. As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress an increase in costs related to manufacturing and the like. Moreover, since the structure is simple, the operational stability of the device can be enhanced.

Means 4. a second dancer roller that is provided in the intermittent transport section, applies the downstream tension to the blister film, and changes its position according to the magnitude of the downstream tension;
a position information detection means capable of detecting information relating to the position of the second dancer roller;
Means 1 to 3, wherein the feeding amount of the blister film by the tension separation means is adjustable in accordance with information relating to the position of the second dancer roller detected by the position information detection means. A blister packaging machine according to any one of

According to the means 4, the feeding amount of the blister film can be adjusted according to the information regarding the position of the second dancer roller (that is, the magnitude of the downstream tension). Therefore, the tension (downstream tension) applied to the blister film in the intermittent transport section can be kept substantially constant. As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent the blister film from being displaced or varied in the temporary stop position in the intermittent transport section, and in turn, it is possible to perform the processing by the processing means more appropriately.

Means 5. A blister packaging machine according to means 4, characterized in that said second dancer roller is provided upstream of said processing means.

According to the means 5, it is possible to prevent the second dancer roller from adversely affecting the blister film after being processed by the processing means.

Means 6. Between the tension separating means and the intermittent conveying roller, a guide roller on which the blister film is hung,
6. The blister packaging machine according to any one of means 1 to 5, wherein the guide roller has an annular groove that continues in the circumferential direction and accommodates the pocket portion.

According to the means 6, application of load from the guide roller to the pocket portion can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the pocket portion from collapsing or from being temporarily dented.

Means 7. The blister packaging machine according to any one of means 1 to 6, wherein the container film is formed of an aluminum laminate film.

A container film may be formed from an aluminum laminate film. Here, due to the nature of the aluminum laminate film, it is difficult to form a pocket portion with sharp corners. For this reason, when the container film is formed of an aluminum laminate film, the pocket portion is generally rounded and protruded with no corners. However, when the pocket portion has such a shape, only a portion (one point) of the pocket portion is caught by the intermittent conveying roller, and a large load is likely to be locally applied to that portion. In addition, the pocket portion made of aluminum laminate film tends to have low strength in the first place. Therefore, when the container film is made of the aluminum laminate film, there is a greater concern that the pocket portion of the intermittent conveying roller may be crushed or temporarily dented.

In this respect, by adopting the above means 1 and the like, even if the container film is formed of an aluminum laminate film as in the above means 7, the occurrence of pocket collapse and temporary dents can be more reliably prevented. can do. In other words, the means 1 and the like are particularly effective when the container film is made of an aluminum laminate film.

It is a perspective view showing a PTP sheet. It is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a PTP sheet. It is a perspective view showing a PTP film. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a PTP packaging machine; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a downstream intermittent conveying roller; It is a perspective schematic diagram of a first guide roller. It is a perspective schematic diagram of a tension separating device. FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway schematic perspective view of the tension separation device taken along line JJ of FIG. 7; FIG. 8 is a partially broken perspective view of the tension separation device taken along line KK of FIG. 7; In another embodiment, it is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structures, such as a chuck apparatus. It is a perspective schematic diagram of a chuck device. It is a partially broken perspective view of a chuck device.

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of a PTP sheet as a "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 pockets 2 and a cover film 4 attached to the container film 3 so as to cover the pocket portions 2. ing.

The container film 3 is made of a transparent thermoplastic resin material such as PP (polypropylene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). On the other hand, the cover film 4 is made of an opaque material (for example, aluminum foil or the like) having a surface coated with a sealant made of, for example, polypropylene resin.

The PTP sheet 1 is manufactured by punching a strip-shaped PTP film 6 (see FIG. 3) formed from a strip-shaped container film 3 and a strip-shaped cover film 4, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. It is In this embodiment, the PTP film 6 corresponds to a "blister film".

In the PTP sheet 1, two rows of pocket rows each including five pocket portions 2 arranged along the longitudinal direction are formed in the transverse direction. Each pocket portion 2 accommodates one tablet 5 as a "content".

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

As shown in FIG. 4, on the most upstream side of the PTP packaging machine 10, the raw web of the strip-shaped container film 3 is wound in a roller shape. The lead-out end side of the wound container film 3 is guided by rollers 13 . The container film 3 is hung on the upstream intermittent conveying roller 14 on the downstream side of the roller 13 . The upstream intermittent conveying roller 14 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, and conveys the container film 3 intermittently.

A preheating device 15 and a pocket portion forming device 16 are arranged along the conveying path of the container film 3 between the rollers 13 and 14 . The pocket portion forming device 16 has a lower mold 16 a provided with a plurality of molding recesses 16 b for forming the pocket portion 2 . Then, in a state in which the container film 3 is preheated by the preheating device 15 and the container film 3 is relatively soft, the container film 3 is deformed along the molding concave portion 16b, so that the container film A plurality of pocket portions 2 are formed at predetermined positions of 3 . Formation of the pocket portion 2 is performed during an interval between conveying operations of the container film 3 by the upstream intermittent conveying roller 14 .

The container film 3 fed from the upstream intermittent conveying roller 14 is placed on the tension roller 18, the roller 19 and the film receiving roller 20 in this order. The film receiving roller 20 is connected to a motor that rotates at a constant speed, and conveys the container film 3 continuously at a constant speed. The tension roller 18 is in a state in which the container film 3 is pulled to the tension side by elastic force, and prevents the container film 3 from slack due to the difference in the conveying operation between the upstream intermittent conveying roller 14 and the film receiving roller 20. The container film 3 is always held in tension.

Between the tension roller 18 and a first dancer roller 26 described later is a continuous transport section in which the container film 3 (PTP film 6) is continuously transported by the film receiving roller 20 . A filling device 21, an inspection device 22 and a sealing device 23 are provided in this order in this continuous transport section.

The filling device 21 and the inspection device 22 are arranged along the conveying path of the container film 3 between the roller 19 and the film receiving roller 20 .

The filling device 21 includes a cylindrical chute for accommodating the tablets 5 in a row and a shutter (not shown) capable of opening and closing the outlet of the chute. By opening the pocket portion 2, the tablet 5 is filled. The filling device 21 may include a suction drum (not shown) capable of sucking the tablets 5 and fill the pockets 2 with the tablets 5 by releasing the suction.

The inspection device 22 inspects, for example, whether the tablets 5 are surely filled in the respective pocket portions 2, the presence or absence of an abnormality (such as breakage) in the tablets 5, and the presence or absence of contamination of the pocket portions 2 with foreign matter. .

The sealing device 23 is a device for attaching the container film 3 and the cover film 4, and in addition to the film receiving roller 20, it is equipped with a heating roller 25 capable of generating heat. The cover film 4 is wound in a roller shape, and the lead end of the wound cover film 4 is guided toward the sealing device 23 via the roller 24 .

The heating roller 25 can be brought into pressure contact with the film receiving roller 20, and the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are fed between the two rollers 20,25. The two films 3 and 4 that are continuously conveyed are sandwiched between the two rollers 20 and 25 and heated. be As a result, strip-shaped PTP film 6 in which tablet 5 is accommodated in each pocket 2 is manufactured.

A first dancer roller 26 is provided downstream of the film receiving roller 20 and the heating roller 25 . The first dancer roller 26 is provided between the continuous transport section and a downstream section where the PTP film 6 is intermittently transported (intermittent transport section). By applying tension to the PTP film 6, the first dancer roller 26 prevents the PTP film 6 from becoming slack due to differences in the transport modes of the PTP film 6 between the two transport sections. In this embodiment, the first dancer roller 26 corresponds to the "dancer roller".

Also, the tension applied from the first dancer roller 26 to the PTP film 6 is set to be relatively large. This is because, even if the PTP film 6 (container film 3) is about to stick to the outer peripheral surface of the film receiving roller 20, the PTP film 6 will not stick to the film receiving roller 20 immediately after the both films 3 and 4 are attached (sealed). This is so that it can be peeled off from the

Downstream of the first dancer roller 26, the PTP film 6 is hung on downstream intermittent transport rollers 35 via a grooved feed roller 281 and guide rollers 30 and 33, which will be described later. A plurality of concave housing recesses 35a capable of housing the pocket portion 2 are formed on the outer periphery of the downstream intermittent conveying roller 35 (see FIG. 5). The downstream intermittent conveying roller 35 is connected to a predetermined downstream servomotor 35b, and intermittently rotates with the pocket portion 2 accommodated in the accommodating recess 35a in accordance with the driving of the downstream servomotor 35b. is intermittently conveyed. At this time, the PTP film 6 is transported in a state in which the pocket portion 2 accommodated in the accommodation recess 35 a is hooked on the downstream intermittent transport roller 35 . In this embodiment, the downstream intermittent conveying roller 35 constitutes an "intermittent conveying roller".

A section between the first dancer roller 26 and a tension roller 38 to be described later is an intermittent conveying section in which the PTP film 6 is intermittently conveyed by the downstream intermittent conveying roller 35 . A tension separation device 28, a second dancer roller 29, a first guide roller 30, a slit forming device 31, a stamping device 32, a second guide roller 33 and a sheet punching device 37 are provided in this order in this intermittent conveying section. there is In this embodiment, the tension separation device 28 constitutes "tension separation means", and the first guide roller 30 and the second guide roller 33 each constitute "guide rollers". Further, the slit forming device 31, the stamping device 32 and the sheet punching device 37 each constitute "processing means".

A tension separating device 28 is provided downstream of the first dancer roller 26 and upstream of the devices 31 , 32 , 37 . The tension separation device 28 separates the upstream tension applied to the PTP film 6 upstream from itself and the downstream tension applied to the PTP film 6 downstream from itself. In other words, the tension separation device 28 prevents upstream tension from being applied to the PTP film 6 downstream of itself. Note that the upstream tension corresponds to the tension applied to the PTP film 6 from the first dancer roller 26 .

In addition, the tension separation device 28 has a function of intermittently sending out the PTP film 6 downstream in accordance with the rotation of the downstream intermittent conveying roller 35 . A more detailed configuration of the tension separating device 28 will be described later.

The second dancer roller 29 applies downstream tension to the PTP film 6 by means of a biasing force applied from a biasing means such as a spring or its own weight. By applying a downstream tension to the PTP film 6, the PTP film 6 is prevented from being slackened. However, the downstream tension applied from the second dancer roller 29 to the PTP film 6 (more precisely, the target downstream tension) is set to be relatively small, and as a result, the downstream tension ( More precisely, the actual downstream tension) is assumed to be small. Further, the position of the second dancer roller 29 moves up and down according to the magnitude of the actual downstream tension.

Furthermore, a position information detection device 46 is provided corresponding to the second dancer roller 29 . The position information detection device 46 is composed of, for example, a non-contact position detection sensor, and detects information regarding the position of the second dancer roller 29 . In this embodiment, the position information detection device 46 detects the position of the second dancer roller 29 itself as the information relating to the position of the second dancer roller 29 . Of course, as the information on the position of the second dancer roller 29, position information on an object (for example, the PTP film 6) that is displaced in conjunction with the position of the second dancer roller 29 may be detected. Information detected by the position information detection device 46 is sent to the control device 51, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the position information detection device 46 constitutes "position information detection means".

The first guide roller 30 is composed of a freely rotatable roller and is provided immediately downstream of the second dancer roller 29 . The first guide roller 30 prevents fluctuations in the transport path of the PTP film 6 supplied to the slit forming device 31 and the stamping device 32 due to the influence of the second dancer roller 29, and keeps the transport path constant. A plurality of annular grooves 30a continuous in the circumferential direction are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the first guide roller 30 (see FIG. 6). Then, the PTP film 6, which is put on the outer peripheral portion of the first guide roller 30, is conveyed with the pocket portions 2 accommodated in the grooves 30a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the load along the transport direction of the PTP film 6 from being applied to the pocket portion 2 from the first guide roller 30 .

A slit forming device 31 forms a slit for separation at a predetermined position of the PTP film 6 . More specifically, the slit forming device 31 includes a slit forming blade 31a and a receiving mold 31b which are arranged to sandwich the PTP film 6. A slit for separation is formed at a predetermined position.

The stamping device 32 stamps identification information such as a lot number at a predetermined position on the PTP film 6 . More specifically, the stamping device 32 includes a stamp forming blade 32a and a receiving mold 32b that are arranged so as to sandwich the PTP film 6. By sandwiching the temporarily stopped PTP film 6 therebetween, the stamping device 32 is provided with a predetermined amount of the PTP film 6. The location is stamped with identifying information. In addition, in FIG. 1 and the like, illustration of a slit for separation and a stamp is omitted.

The second guide roller 33 is composed of a freely rotatable roller and guides the PTP film 6 to the downstream intermittent transport roller 35 side. Like the first guide roller 30, the outer peripheral portion of the second guide roller 33 is formed with a plurality of annular grooves 33a continuous in the circumferential direction. Then, the PTP film 6, which is put on the outer peripheral portion of the second guide roller 33, is conveyed with the pocket portions 2 accommodated in the grooves 33a.

The sheet punching device 37 has a function of punching the outer edge of the PTP film 6 into individual PTP sheets, that is, separating the PTP sheet 1 from the PTP film 6 . The sheet punching device 37 has a predetermined punching blade 37a, and punches the PTP film 6 by moving the punching blade 37a when the PTP film 6 is temporarily stopped. Thereby, the PTP sheet 1 is obtained.

In the present embodiment, the process of forming the separation slit and the stamp, and the process of punching the PTP film 6, which are performed by the slit forming device 31, the stamping device 32, and the sheet punching device 37, respectively, correspond to "predetermined processing". do.

The PTP sheet 1 obtained by the sheet punching device 37 is conveyed by the conveyor 40 and temporarily stored in the hopper 41 for finished products. However, if the inspection device 22 determines that the PTP sheet 1 is defective, the defective PTP sheet 1 is not sent to the finished product hopper 41 but is discharged separately by a defective sheet discharge mechanism (not shown).

Further, the unnecessary film portion 43 remaining in a band after punching by the sheet punching device 37 is guided by the tension roller 38 and the continuous feeding roller 39 and then guided to the cutting device 42 . A cutting device 42 cuts the unnecessary film portion 43 to a predetermined size. The cut unnecessary film portion 43 (scrap) is stored in a scrap hopper 44 and then discarded.

Next, a more detailed configuration of the tension separating device 28 will be described. The tension separating device 28 comprises a grooved feed roller 281, a gripping roller 282 and an upstream servomotor 283, as shown in FIGS. 8 is a partially broken perspective view of the tension separating device 28 taken along the line JJ in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the tension separating device 28 taken along the line KK in FIG. 1 is a partially broken perspective schematic view of FIG.

The grooved feed roller 281 has a plurality of annular grooves 281a which are continuous in the circumferential direction and in which the pocket portions 2 are accommodated. The PTP film 6, which is placed on the outer peripheral portion of the grooved feed roller 281, is transported with the pocket portions 2 accommodated in the grooves 281a. As a result, the load along the conveying direction of the PTP film 6 (the load due to the tension applied to the PTP film 6 ) is not applied from the grooved feed roller 281 to the pocket portion 2 .

The grip roller 282 is a rotatable roller that is pressed against the grooved feed roller 281 . The grip roller 282 pinches the PTP film 6 with the grooved feed roller 281 . By sandwiching the PTP film 6 between the two rollers 281 and 282, the upstream tension and the downstream tension are separated, that is, the upstream tension is not transmitted to the PTP film 6 downstream of the tension separation device 28. .

The upstream servomotor 283 is connected to the grooved feed roller 281 . The grooved feed roller 281 is intermittently rotated by driving the upstream servomotor 283 , thereby intermittently feeding the PTP film 6 downstream of the tension separation device 28 .

Next, the control device 51 (see FIG. 4) for controlling each device constituting the PTP packaging machine 10 described above will be described mainly regarding the transportation of the PTP film 6 in the intermittent transportation section. The control device 51 includes a CPU as a computing means, a ROM that stores various programs, a RAM that temporarily stores various data, and a storage medium (for example, memory, HDD, SSD, etc.) for long-term storage of information. It consists of a computer system with

The control device 51 can control the upstream servomotor 283 and the downstream servomotor 35b, and by synchronously driving both the motors 283 and 35b, the tension separating device 28 (grooved feeding device) is adjusted in accordance with the rotation of the downstream intermittent conveying roller 35. The PTP film 6 is intermittently sent out from the roller 281). As a result, the PTP film 6 is intermittently transported in the intermittent transport section.

In addition, the control device 51 basically controls the amount (length) of the PTP film 6 fed from the tension separating device 28 (grooved feed roller 281) and the amount of PTP film 6 fed from the downstream intermittent transport roller 35. Both motors 283 and 35b are controlled so that the amount (length) is the same as the preset reference feed amount.

However, the control device 51 controls the rotation angle of the upstream servomotor 283 according to the information detected by the position information detection device 46 (information relating to the position of the second dancer roller 29), so that the tension separation device 28 ( The feed amount of the PTP film 6 by the grooved feed roller 281) is finely adjusted. For example, if the height of the second dancer roller 29 is slightly higher than the predetermined reference position, that is, if the actual downstream tension is slightly higher than the target downstream tension, the controller 51 will: The rotation angle of the upstream servomotor 283 is controlled so that the feed amount of the PTP film 6 is slightly larger than the reference feed amount. On the other hand, when the height of the second dancer roller 29 is slightly lower than the reference position, that is, when the actual downstream tension is slightly lower than the target downstream tension, the controller 51 controls the PTP The driving of the upstream servo motor 283 is controlled so that the feeding amount of the film 6 is slightly smaller than the reference feeding amount.

As described in detail above, according to this embodiment, the tension separating device 28 can separate the upstream tension and the downstream tension. That is, the upstream tension generated by the first dancer roller 26 can be prevented from being transmitted to the PTP film 6 located downstream of the tension separation device 28 and transported by the downstream intermittent transport roller 35 . In addition, since the downstream tension is set to be smaller than the upstream tension, the load applied to the pocket portion 2 caught by the downstream intermittent conveying roller 35 can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the pockets 2 from collapsing or being temporarily dented in the downstream intermittent conveying rollers 35 . Therefore, the PTP film 6 can be more reliably temporarily stopped at an appropriate position in the intermittent transport section, and the processing by the slit forming device 31, the sheet punching device 37, etc. can be performed appropriately.

Moreover, even when the PTP film 6 is conveyed at a higher speed in order to increase the speed of the PTP packaging machine 10, it is possible to more reliably prevent the pockets 2 from being crushed or temporarily dented. Therefore, it is possible to increase the speed of the PTP packaging machine 10 while preventing the pocket portion 2 from collapsing and the like more reliably, thereby improving the productivity.

In addition, the tension separating device 28 can separate the upstream tension and the downstream tension by a simple technique of pinching the PTP film 6 . Therefore, the tension separating device 28 can be simplified, and an increase in costs related to manufacturing and maintenance of the PTP packaging machine 10 can be suppressed.

Further, particularly in the present embodiment, the function of the tension separation device 28, which sandwiches the PTP film 6 and intermittently feeds the PTP film 6 in accordance with the rotation of the downstream intermittent conveying roller 35, is performed by the grooved feed roller 281 and the grip. It is realized by a very simple structure using rollers 282 . As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress an increase in costs related to manufacturing and the like. Moreover, since the structure is simple, the operational stability of the tension separation device 28 can be enhanced.

Furthermore, the tension separating device 28 holds the PTP film 6 in a state in which a load along the transport direction of the PTP film 6 is not applied to the pocket portion 2 . Therefore, in the tension separation device 28, it is possible to more reliably prevent the load from the first dancer roller 26 from being applied to the pocket portion 2. FIG. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the pocket portion 2 from being crushed or temporarily dented.

Further, the feeding amount of the PTP film 6 from the tension separating device 28 can be adjusted according to the information regarding the position of the second dancer roller 29 (that is, the actual magnitude of the downstream tension). Therefore, the tension (actual downstream tension) applied to the PTP film 6 in the intermittent transport section can be kept substantially constant. As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent the PTP film 6 from shifting or varying in the temporary stop position in the intermittent transport section, and furthermore to ensure that the processing by the slit forming device 31 or the like is performed more appropriately.

Furthermore, the second dancer roller 29 is provided upstream of the devices 31,32,37. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second dancer roller 29 from adversely affecting the PTP film 6 after being processed by these devices 31 , 32 and 37 .

In addition, since the guide rollers 30 and 33 have the grooves 30a and 33a in which the pocket portion 2 is accommodated, application of load from the guide rollers 30 and 33 to the pocket portion 2 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the pocket portion 2 from collapsing or from being temporarily dented.

In addition, it is not limited to the description content of the said embodiment, For example, you may implement as follows. Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are naturally possible.

(a) The materials of the container film 3 and the cover film 4 mentioned in the above embodiment are only examples, and these materials may be changed as appropriate. Therefore, for example, the container film 3 may be made of an aluminum laminate film.

Here, when the container film 3 is made of an aluminum laminate film, the strength of the pocket portion 2 tends to be low. Moreover, when forming the pocket portion 2, it is difficult to deform the container film 3 along the molding recess 16b as in the above-described embodiment. It has a curved protrusion. Due to these circumstances, when the container film 3 is formed of an aluminum laminate film, there is a greater concern that the pocket portion 2 may be crushed or temporarily dented in the downstream intermittent conveying roller 35 .

However, the PTP packaging machine 10 in the above embodiment separates the upstream tension and the downstream tension, and the downstream tension is set smaller than the upstream tension. , crushing of the pocket portion 2 in the downstream intermittent conveying roller 35 can be prevented more reliably. In other words, the PTP packaging machine 10 in the above embodiment is particularly effective when the container film 3 is made of aluminum laminate film.

(b) In the above embodiment, the tension separating device 28 as the "tension separating means" has the grooved feed roller 281, the grip roller 282, etc., but the "tension separating means" is configured in this way. It is not limited.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a chuck device 61 capable of sandwiching the PTP film 6 and intermittently feeding out the PTP film 6 by moving along the transport direction of the PTP film 6 " "Tension Separating Means" may be configured. Note that FIG. 10 shows an example in which a freely rotatable guide roller 62 is provided instead of the tension separating device 28 .

The chuck device 61 is provided downstream of the first dancer roller 26 and upstream of the slit forming device 31 and the like. For example, as shown in FIGS. and a second chuck mechanism 612 located at the Both chuck mechanisms 611 and 612 are configured to be able to hold the PTP film 6, and have grooves 611a and 612a that extend along the transport direction of the PTP film 6 and accommodate the pocket portion 2 therein. Also, the first chuck mechanism 611 is reciprocally movable along the transport direction of the PTP film 6 .

The chuck device 61 operates as follows. That is, in a state in which the PTP film 6 is not clamped by the second chuck mechanism 612 and the PTP film 6 is clamped by the first chuck mechanism 611, the first chuck mechanism 611 moves downstream in accordance with the rotation of the downstream intermittent transport roller 35. move to As a result, the PTP film 6 is intermittently sent out from the chuck device 61 . After the feeding, the pinching of the PTP film 6 by the first chuck mechanism 611 is released, and then the first chuck mechanism 611 is returned to its original position. When the PTP film 6 is not clamped by the first chuck mechanism 611, the PTP film 6 is clamped by the second chuck mechanism 612, thereby maintaining the separated state of the upstream tension and the downstream tension. After that, the PTP film 6 is clamped by the first chuck mechanism 611, and the clamping of the PTP film 6 by the second chuck mechanism 612 is released. Thereafter, by repeating the above operation, the PTP film 6 can be intermittently fed out repeatedly.

According to the chuck device 61 , by holding the PTP film 6 with at least one of the two chuck mechanisms 611 and 612 , upstream tension and downstream tension can be separated similarly to the tension separation device 28 . Further, since the pocket portion 2 is accommodated in the grooves 611a and 612a, the load along the transport direction of the PTP film 6 can be prevented from being applied from the chuck device 61 to the pocket portion 2. FIG.

As another example of the tension separating means, for example, a suction hole for sucking the PTP film 6 (container film 3) is provided on the outer circumference, and the suction device can intermittently send out the PTP film 6 by rotating itself. Rollers can be mentioned. According to such a suction roller, the upstream tension and the downstream tension can be separated by sucking the PTP film 6 and restricting the movement of the PTP film 6 .

(c) The PTP sheet 1 of the above-described embodiment is provided with a separation slit, but instead of the separation slit, a separation perforation, which is a perforated through cut line, may be provided. . In this case, instead of the slit forming device 31, a perforation forming device for forming separation perforations on the PTP film 6 that is temporarily stopped may be provided. The perforation forming device includes, for example, a perforation forming blade (for example, a serrated blade or the like) for penetrating the PTP film 6 and forming perforations for separation. When a perforation forming device is provided, the perforation forming device constitutes "processing means".

(d) In the above embodiment, the second dancer roller 29 is provided upstream of each device 31, 32, 37, but the second dancer roller 29 may be provided between these devices 31, 32, 37. . For example, a second dancer roller 29 may be provided between the stamping device 32 and the sheet punching device 37 .

(e) In the above embodiment, the contents are tablets 5, but the contents are not limited to tablets.

Further, the type, shape, etc. of the tablet are not limited to those of the above embodiments. For example, tablets include not only medicines but also tablets used for eating and drinking. Furthermore, tablets include not only uncoated tablets, sugar-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, enteric-coated tablets and gelatin-coated tablets, but also various capsules such as hard capsules and soft capsules. In addition, regarding the shape of the tablet, not only a circular shape in plan view but also a polygonal shape in plan view, an elliptical shape in plan view, an oval shape in plan view, and the like may be used.

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

Also, the PTP sheet 1 may not have at least one of the separation slit and the stamp. Note that the slit forming device 31 may be omitted when the separation slit is not provided. Also, if no marking is provided, the marking device 32 may be omitted.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the PTP film 6 has a configuration in which a number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to one sheet are arranged along the width direction. A configuration in which the number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to the minute is arranged may also be used.

(g) In the above embodiment, the PTP sheet 1 is used as the blister sheet, but the technical concept of the present invention may be applied to a blister sheet other than the PTP sheet 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... PTP sheet (blister sheet), 2... Pocket part, 3... Container film, 4... Cover film, 5... Tablet (contents), 10... PTP packaging machine (blister packaging machine), 20... Film receiving roller, 25 Heating roller 26 First dancer roller (dancer roller) 28 Tension separating device (tension separating means) 29 Second dancer roller 30 First guide roller (guide roller) 31 Slit forming device (processing means) , 32... Marking device (processing means), 33... Second guide roller (guide roller), 35... Downstream intermittent conveying roller (intermittent conveying roller), 35a... Receiving recess, 37... Sheet punching device (processing means), 46 ... Position information detection device (position information detection means), 281 ... Grooved feed roller, 282 ... Grip roller.

Claims (7)

A blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister sheet in which contents are accommodated in a pocket formed in a container film and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket. ,
a film receiving roller and a heating roller for attaching the container film and the cover film to form a strip-shaped blister film by sandwiching and heating the continuously conveyed strip-shaped container film and the strip-shaped cover film;
A tension roller is provided downstream of the film receiving roller and the heating roller and between a continuous transport section in which the blister film is continuously transported and an intermittent transport section in which the blister film is intermittently transported. By adding a dancer roller that can prevent the blister film from loosening due to a difference in the transportation mode,
a processing means provided in the intermittent transport section for performing a predetermined process on the temporarily stopped blister film;
It is provided in the intermittent conveying section and has a plurality of accommodation recesses capable of accommodating the pocket portions of the blister film. an intermittent conveying roller that conveys intermittently;
An upstream tension is provided downstream of the dancer roller and upstream of the processing means and is applied to the blister film upstream of itself, and a downstream tension is tension applied to the blister film downstream of itself. a tension separating means configured to be capable of separating and capable of intermittently sending out the blister film in accordance with the rotation of the intermittent conveying roller;
A blister packaging machine, wherein the downstream tension is set to be smaller than the upstream tension. The tension separating means is configured to separate the upstream tension and the downstream tension by sandwiching the blister film in a state in which a load along the transport direction of the blister film is not applied to the pocket portion. The blister packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tension separating means is
a grooved feed roller having an annular groove that continues in the circumferential direction and accommodates the pocket portion;
a grip roller that sandwiches the blister film between the grooved feed roller;
3. The blister packaging machine according to claim 2, wherein the blister film can be fed out intermittently by rotating the grooved feed roller. a second dancer roller that is provided in the intermittent transport section, applies the downstream tension to the blister film, and changes its position according to the magnitude of the downstream tension;
a position information detection means capable of detecting information relating to the position of the second dancer roller;
1 to 4, characterized in that the feeding amount of the blister film by the tension separation means is adjustable in accordance with information relating to the position of the second dancer roller detected by the position information detection means. 4. The blister packaging machine according to any one of 3. 5. A blister packaging machine according to claim 4, wherein said second dancer roller is provided upstream from said processing means. Between the tension separating means and the intermittent conveying roller, a guide roller on which the blister film is hung,
6. The blister packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide roller has an annular groove that continues in the circumferential direction and accommodates the pocket portion. The blister packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the container film is formed of an aluminum laminate film.

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