JP2024026493A - Transport processing device and transport processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a transport processing device that can prevent tablets from accidentally entering a collection section that collects good tablets. This conveyance processing device includes a second conveyance mechanism, a determination section, a defective product collection mechanism 100, and a non-defective product discharge mechanism 110. The second transport mechanism moves a plurality of suction holes that suction and hold tablets 9 one by one in the transport direction. The determination unit determines whether the processing state of the tablet 9 is good or bad at a determination position on the conveyance path by the second conveyance mechanism. The defective product collection mechanism 100 releases the suction hole in which the tablet 9 determined to be a defective product by the determining unit is sucked and held, and causes the tablet 9 to fall into the defective product collection port. The non-defective product discharge mechanism 110 releases the adsorption of the suction hole in which the tablet 9 determined to be a non-defective product by the determination unit is sucked and held, and causes the tablet 9 to fall to the non-defective product discharge port. The good product discharge port is located above the defective product collection port. The good product outlet is horizontal. Thereby, when the tablet 9 is dropped into the defective product collection port, it is possible to prevent the tablet 9 from accidentally falling into the non-defective product discharge port. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a transport processing device and a transport processing method for transporting tablets and subjecting their surfaces to predetermined treatments.

Characters and codes are printed on the surface of pharmaceutical tablets to identify the product. Such characters and codes may be printed by stamping, but there is a problem in that the visibility of stamping is low. In particular, in recent years, the types of tablets have diversified due to the spread of generic drugs. For this reason, in order to reliably identify tablets, a technology that uses an inkjet method to print clearly on the surface of tablets is attracting attention.

In this type of printing device, a plurality of tablets poured into the device are transported one by one at a predetermined interval in the transport direction, and the surfaces thereof are subjected to predetermined processing such as printing, inspection, and drying. In the tablet manufacturing process using this type of printing device, in addition to printing defects, shape defects such as cracks and chips may occur. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that sorts good products and defective products based on the results of inspecting tablets that have been subjected to printing processing.

The tablet printing device (1) described in Patent Document 1 includes a transport section, a printing section (61, 62), an inspection camera (71, 72), and a control section (3). The conveyance unit conveys a plurality of tablets. The conveyance section includes a conveyance drum (10), a first conveyance belt (20), a second conveyance belt (30), and a third conveyance belt (40). The printing section (61, 62) performs a printing process on the plurality of tablets being transported. The inspection cameras (71, 72) image the results of the printing process. The control unit (3) checks the print processing results for the plurality of tablets based on the image data acquired by the inspection cameras (71, 72). Good tablets with no problems in the test results are put into the good product duct (48) and collected into the good product collection box (58). On the other hand, defective tablets with problematic test results are put into the defective product duct (46) and collected into the defective product box (56).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-223323

However, in the tablet printing device (1) of Patent Document 1, the tablets are transferred from the conveyor drum (10) to the first conveyor belt (20) and from the first conveyor belt (20) to the second conveyor belt (30). A tablet delivery location and a tablet delivery location from the second conveyance belt (30) to the third conveyance belt (40) are formed above the non-defective product duct (48) and the non-defective product collection box (58), respectively. Therefore, if a tablet accidentally falls from these delivery locations, there is a risk that the dropped tablet may enter the non-defective product duct (48) or the non-defective product collection box (58).

The present invention has been developed in view of these circumstances, and even if a tablet is accidentally dropped while being transported and handed over, it is possible to prevent the dropped tablet from entering the collection section where good tablets are collected. The purpose is to provide equipment.

In order to solve the above problems, the first invention of the present application is a conveyance processing device for conveying tablets, which includes a second conveyance mechanism that moves in the conveyance direction a plurality of suction holes that suck and hold tablets one by one; At a determination position on the conveyance path by the second conveyance mechanism, a determination unit determines whether the processing state of the tablet is good or bad; and at a defective product discharge position downstream of the determination position in the conveyance direction, the determination unit a defective product recovery mechanism that applies positive pressure to the suction hole in which the tablet determined to be adsorbed and held, releases the adsorption of the tablet in the suction hole, and drops the tablet to a defective product collection port; and the defective product discharge mechanism. At a non-defective product discharging position downstream of the position in the transport direction, positive pressure is applied to the suction hole in which a tablet determined to be non-defective by the determination unit is suctioned and held, thereby releasing the suction of the tablet in the suction hole. , a non-defective product discharge mechanism for dropping tablets to a non-defective product discharge port, the non-defective product discharge port is located above the defective product recovery port, and the non-defective product discharge port is horizontal.

A second invention of the present application is the transport processing apparatus of the first invention, further comprising a processing section that performs a predetermined processing on the surface of the tablet at a processing position upstream of the determination position in the transport direction.

A third invention of the present application is the transport processing apparatus according to the first invention or the second invention, wherein the second transport mechanism suction-holds a plurality of tablets one by one in the suction hole and the annular shape including a horizontal surface. It has a suction conveyor that transports along a transport path, and the good product discharge port faces the horizontal surface in the vertical direction with a gap therebetween.

A fourth invention of the present application is the conveyance processing device of the third invention, wherein the tablet has a front surface, a back surface, and an annular side surface, each of the plurality of suction holes suction-holds the back surface of the tablet, and the tablet has a front surface, a back surface, and an annular side surface. The distance in the vertical direction between the horizontal surface and the non-defective product outlet is greater than the thickness of the tablet and less than twice the thickness of the tablet.

A fifth invention of the present application is the transport processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, in which the defective product discharge position is located upstream of the non-defective product discharge position in the transport direction.

A sixth invention of the present application is the conveying and processing device according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein a plurality of tablets that have fallen through the non-defective product discharge port are placed and transported to the outside. The apparatus further includes a discharge conveyor and a cover that covers a part of the upper surface of the good product discharge conveyor.

A seventh invention of the present application is the conveyance processing apparatus according to any one of the first invention to the sixth invention, further comprising a height adjustment means for adjusting the height of the good product discharge port.

According to the first to seventh inventions of the present application, when a tablet determined to be a defective product is dropped from the suction hole of the second conveyance mechanism to the defective product collection port in order to be delivered to the defective product collection mechanism, the tablet is It is possible to prevent tablets from accidentally falling into the good product outlet.

In particular, according to the third and fourth inventions of the present application, even if a tablet accidentally flies from the side or diagonally above the non-defective product outlet, the flying tablet is prevented from falling into the non-defective product outlet. It can be prevented.

In particular, according to the fifth invention of the present application, it is possible to further prevent tablets determined to be defective from accidentally falling into the non-defective product outlet.

In particular, according to the sixth aspect of the present application, when a tablet determined to be a good product is transported outside, it is possible to prevent other tablets from being mixed in by mistake.

In particular, according to the seventh invention of the present application, the distance in the vertical direction of the gap between the second conveyance mechanism and the non-defective product outlet can be adjusted according to the thickness of the tablet.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tablet printing device. FIG. 2 is a top view of the tablet printing device. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the tablet printing device. It is a partial perspective view of a suction conveyor. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the head. FIG. 2 is a diagram of the suction conveyor and reversing mechanism viewed from the direction of the white arrow V1 in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram of a suction conveyor, a defective product collection mechanism, and a non-defective product delivery mechanism as viewed from the direction of an outline arrow V2 in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of a non-defective chute. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing connections between a control section and various sections. It is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the tablet printing device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tablet.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the following description, the direction in which a plurality of tablets are conveyed will be referred to as the "transportation direction", and the direction perpendicular and horizontal to the transportation direction will be referred to as the "width direction".

<1. Overall configuration of tablet printing device>
FIG. 1 is a side view of a tablet printing apparatus 1, which is an example of a conveyance processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of the tablet printing device 1. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the tablet printing device 1.

This tablet printing device 1 is a device that prints images such as a product name, product code, company name, logo mark, etc. on both the front and back surfaces of each tablet 9 while conveying a plurality of tablets 9 that are pharmaceuticals. The tablet 9 may be a plain tablet (naked tablet) or a coated tablet such as a sugar-coated tablet or a film-coated tablet (FC tablet). Moreover, the tablet 9 may be a capsule including a hard capsule and a soft capsule. Moreover, the tablet 9 may be a tablet as a health food or a tablet confectionery such as ramune, other than a tablet as a medicine. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the tablet 9. As shown in FIG. 11, the tablet 9 has circular front and back surfaces and an annular side surface. However, the shape of the tablet 9 is not limited to this.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the tablet printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a feeder 10, a transport conveyor 20, a suction drum 30, a suction conveyor 40, a first camera 50, a printing section 60, a second camera 70, a drying It includes a mechanism 80, a reversing mechanism 90, a defective product collection mechanism 100, a non-defective product discharge mechanism 110, and a control section 120.

The feeder 10 is a mechanism for transporting a plurality of tablets 9 loaded into the tablet printing apparatus 1 to a transport conveyor 20. The feeder 10 includes, for example, an input hopper, a rotary feeder, a vibration feeder, and the like. A plurality of tablets 9 input into the tablet printing device 1 are conveyed to the conveyor 20 while being arranged in a plurality of rows by these mechanisms. Specifically, a plurality of rows (in this embodiment, three rows) of tablets 9 are formed in the width direction (horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction). The plurality of aligned tablets 9 are then supplied to the conveyor 20. Note that in FIG. 1, only one row of tablets 9 is shown.

The conveyor 20 is a mechanism that horizontally conveys the tablets 9 between the feeder 10 and the suction drum 30 while holding them. The conveyor 20 includes a pair of pulleys 21 and an annular conveyor belt 22 stretched between the pair of pulleys 21 . One of the pair of pulleys 21 is rotated by power obtained from the motor M1. As a result, the conveyor belt 22 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The other of the pair of pulleys 21 rotates as the conveyor belt 22 rotates.

The plurality of tablets 9 fed from the feeder 10 are placed on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 22 and move together with the conveyor belt 22 in the conveyance direction. At this time, the tablets 9 have already been arranged in a plurality of rows in the width direction by the feeder 10 described above, but the intervals in the transport direction of the tablets 9 in each row are non-uniform. The plurality of tablets 9 are conveyed in close contact with each other or with slight intervals in the conveyance direction.

The suction drum 30 is a transfer mechanism for transferring the tablets 9 from the transport conveyor 20 to the suction conveyor 40. The suction drum 30 has a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral surface centered on a rotation axis O that extends horizontally in the width direction. Further, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 1, a motor M2 is connected to the suction drum 30. When the motor M2 is driven, the suction drum 30 rotates around the rotation axis O. A plurality of drum suction holes 301 are provided on the outer periphery of the suction drum 30 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each drum suction hole 301 opens horizontally in the width direction.

When the suction drum 30 rotates, the plurality of drum suction holes 301 form an annular shape including a first transfer position P1 close to the upper surface of the conveyor belt 22 and a second transfer position P2 close to the surface of the suction belt 42, which will be described later. move along the route. In this embodiment, the first delivery position P1 is located directly below the rotation axis O of the suction drum 30. The second delivery position P2 is formed at a position higher than the rotation axis O of the suction drum 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first suction mechanism 302 is connected to the suction drum 30. When the first suction mechanism 302 is operated, gas is sucked out from the internal space S of the suction drum 30 located in the angular range between the first delivery position P1 and the second delivery position P2. Thereby, the internal space S becomes a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. The tablets 9 that have been transported by the transport conveyor 20 and have reached the first delivery position P1 are held by suction in the drum suction holes 301 of the suction drum 30 by this negative pressure. A plurality of tablets 9 are sucked and held one by one in each drum suction hole 301. As a result, the intervals between the plurality of tablets 9 in the transport direction become a predetermined interval corresponding to the interval between the drum suction holes 301.

The tablet 9 is sucked and held by the drum suction hole 301 and moves in the transport direction from the first delivery position P1 to the second delivery position P2 by the rotation of the suction drum 30. Then, when the tablet 9 passes through the second delivery position P2, the adsorption of the tablet 9 is released by moving out of the angular range of the internal space S maintained at the above-mentioned negative pressure. Thereby, the tablets 9 are transferred from the suction drum 30 to the suction conveyor 40. In addition, in this embodiment, the delivery angle of the tablet 9 from the suction drum 30 to the suction conveyor 40 is 90 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less. That is, the suction drum 30 is moved from the transport conveyor 20 to the suction conveyor 40 at a delivery position (including a first delivery position P1 and a second delivery position P2) upstream in the transport direction from a printing position by the printing unit 60, which will be described later. Lift up tablet 9 and hand it over.

The suction conveyor 40 is a mechanism that suction-holds a plurality of tablets 9 and conveys them along an annular conveyance path. The suction conveyor 40 includes a pair of pulleys 41 and an annular suction belt 42 spanned between the pair of pulleys 41 . One of the pair of pulleys 41 is rotated by power obtained from the motor M3. As a result, the suction belt 42 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The other of the pair of pulleys 41 rotates as the suction belt 42 rotates.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the suction conveyor 40. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of suction holes 421 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the suction belt 42. The plurality of suction holes 421 are arranged at equal intervals in the transport direction and the width direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the suction conveyor 40 includes a second suction mechanism 43 that sucks out gas from the space inside the suction belt 42. When the second suction mechanism 43 is operated, the space inside the suction belt 42 becomes a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. The plurality of tablets 9 are suction-held one by one in the suction holes 421 by the negative pressure. Each suction hole 421 suction-holds the back surface of the tablet 9.

In this way, the plurality of tablets 9 are held on the surface of the suction belt 42 in a state in which they are aligned in the transport direction and the width direction. The suction conveyor 40 then conveys the plurality of tablets 9 along the annular conveyance path by rotating the suction belt 42 . Note that a part of the annular conveyance path by the suction belt 42 includes a horizontal surface 422 . The plurality of tablets 9 are conveyed in the horizontal direction below the four heads 61, which will be described later, and below the second blow mechanism B2 and third blow mechanism B3, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the adsorption conveyor 40 further includes three first blow mechanisms B1, one second blow mechanism B2, and one third blow mechanism B3.

The three first blow mechanisms B1 are located inside the suction belt 42 and at positions facing a first tilted drum 91, a third tilted drum 93, and a fifth tilted drum 95, which will be described later, via the suction belt 42, respectively. It is provided. The three first blow mechanisms B1 supply gas only to the suction holes 421 facing the first inclined drum 91, the third inclined drum 93, and the fifth inclined drum 95 among the plurality of adsorption holes 421 of the adsorption belt 42. Spray. Then, the suction hole 421 has a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. As a result, the suction of the tablet 9 in the suction hole 421 is released, and the tablet 9 is transferred from the suction belt 42 to the first inclined drum 91, the third inclined drum 93, and the fifth inclined drum 95.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holding surface 420 of the adsorption belt 42 of the present embodiment includes a first area A1 that holds the tablet 9 before being turned over by a turning mechanism 90, which will be described later, and a first area A1 that holds the tablet 9 after being turned over. and a second area A2 for holding. The first area A1 and the second area A2 are adjacent to each other in the width direction. In this embodiment, a plurality of suction holes 421 are provided in three rows in the width direction in the first area A1 and the second area A2. The tablets 9 delivered from the suction drum 30 described above are suction-held in the suction holes 421 in the first area A1. Further, the plurality of tablets 9 with printing on both sides are transferred from the suction holes 421 in the second area A2 to a defective product collection mechanism 100 or a non-defective product discharge mechanism 110, which will be described later.

The second blow mechanism B2 is provided inside the suction belt 42 and at a position facing a defective product collection port 102, which will be described later, via the suction belt 42. The second blow mechanism B2 blows gas vertically downward to only the suction holes 421 facing the defective product collection port 102 among the plurality of suction holes 421 of the suction belt 42. Then, the suction hole 421 has a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. As a result, the suction of the tablet 9 in the suction hole 421 is released, and the tablet 9 falls from the suction belt 42 to the defective product collection port 102.

The third blow mechanism B3 is provided inside the suction belt 42 and at a position facing a non-defective product outlet 114, which will be described later, via the suction belt 42. The third blow mechanism B3 blows gas vertically downward to only the suction holes 421 facing the non-defective product outlet 114 among the plurality of suction holes 421 of the suction belt 42. Then, the suction hole 421 has a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. As a result, the suction of the tablet 9 in the suction hole 421 is released, and the tablet 9 falls from the suction belt 42 to the non-defective product outlet 114.

The first camera 50 is a processing unit for photographing the tablet 9 before printing. The first camera 50 is located downstream of the above-described second delivery position P2 on the conveyance path and upstream of the printing section 60 on the conveyance path. Further, the first camera 50 extends in the width direction across both the first area A1 and the second area A2. The first camera 50 uses, for example, a line sensor in which imaging elements such as CCD and CMOS are arranged in the width direction. The first camera 50 photographs the plurality of tablets 9 being conveyed by the suction belt 42 . The image acquired by photography is transmitted from the first camera 50 to the control unit 120, which will be described later. The control unit 120 detects the presence or absence of the tablet 9 in each suction hole 421, the position of the tablet 9, and the posture of the tablet 9 based on the image obtained from the first camera 50. The control unit 120 also inspects each tablet 9 for defects such as chips, based on the image obtained from the first camera 50.

The printing unit 60 is a processing unit that prints on the surface of the tablet 9 using an inkjet method at a printing position on the conveyance path by the suction conveyor 40. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing section 60 of this embodiment has four heads 61. The four heads 61 are located above the suction belt 42 and arranged in a line along the conveyance direction of the tablets 9. Each head 61 extends in the width direction across both the first area A1 and the second area A2 of the suction belt 42. The four heads 61 eject ink droplets of different colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) toward the tablet 9. Then, a multicolor image is recorded on the surface of the tablet 9 by superimposing the monochrome images formed by these colors. Note that the ink ejected from each head 61 is an edible ink manufactured from raw materials approved by the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, the Food Sanitation Law, etc.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of one head 61. In FIG. 5, the suction belt 42 and the plurality of tablets 9 held by the suction belt 42 are shown by two-dot chain lines. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 5, a plurality of nozzles 611 capable of ejecting ink droplets are provided on the lower surface of the head 61. In this embodiment, a plurality of nozzles 611 are two-dimensionally arranged on the lower surface of the head 61 in the transport direction and the width direction. The nozzles 611 are arranged with their positions shifted in the width direction. In this way, by arranging the plurality of nozzles 611 two-dimensionally, the positions of the nozzles 611 in the width direction can be made close to each other. However, the plurality of nozzles 611 may be arranged in a line along the width direction.

As a method for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle 611, for example, a so-called piezo method is used in which ink in the nozzle 611 is pressurized and ejected by applying a voltage to a piezo element to deform it. However, the ink droplet ejection method may be a so-called thermal method in which the ink droplets are ejected by energizing a heater to heat and expand the ink in the nozzle 611.

The second camera 70 is a processing unit for photographing the tablet 9 after printing. The second camera 70 is located downstream of the printing unit 60 in the conveyance path and upstream of the drying mechanism 80 in the conveyance path. Further, the second camera 70 extends in the width direction across both the first area A1 and the second area A2. The second camera 70 uses, for example, a line sensor in which imaging elements such as CCD and CMOS are arranged in the width direction. The second camera 70 photographs the plurality of tablets 9 being conveyed by the suction belt 42 at a determination position downstream in the conveyance direction from the above-described printing position. The image acquired by photography is transmitted from the second camera 70 to the control unit 120, which will be described later. The control unit 120 inspects the printing state of the tablet 9 based on the image obtained from the second camera 70.

The drying mechanism 80 is a mechanism that dries the ink adhering to the surface of the tablet 9. The drying mechanism 80 is located downstream of the second camera 70 in the transport path and upstream of the reversing mechanism 90, defective product collection mechanism 100, and non-defective product discharge mechanism 110, which will be described later. Further, the drying mechanism 80 extends in the width direction across both the first area A1 and the second area A2. The drying mechanism 80 includes, for example, a hot air supply mechanism that blows heated gas (hot air) toward the tablets 9 conveyed by the suction belt 42 . The ink attached to the tablet 9 is dried by hot air and fixed on the surface of the tablet 9.

The reversing mechanism 90 is a transfer mechanism that reverses the front and back of the tablet 9 conveyed by the suction belt 42 and transfers the tablet 9 from the first area A1 to the second area A2. The reversing mechanism 90 is located downstream of a defective product collection mechanism 100 and non-defective product discharge mechanism 110, which will be described later, in the transport path, and upstream of the suction drum 30 in the transport path.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the suction conveyor 40 and the reversing mechanism 90 viewed from the direction of the outlined arrow V1 in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the reversing mechanism 90 of this embodiment includes a first inclined drum 91, a second inclined drum 92, a third inclined drum 93, a fourth inclined drum 94, and a fifth inclined drum 94. It has a drum 95 and a sixth inclined drum 96.

The first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum 92 are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction. The third inclined drum 93 and the fourth inclined drum 94 are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction on the downstream side of the conveyance path than the first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum 92. The fifth inclined drum 95 and the sixth inclined drum 96 are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction on the downstream side of the conveyance path than the third inclined drum 93 and the fourth inclined drum 94. Below, the position where the first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum 92 are provided on the conveyance path of the suction conveyor 40 will be referred to as the "third delivery (reversal) position P3", the third inclined drum 93 and the fourth inclined drum 94 The position where is provided is referred to as a "fourth delivery (reversal) position P4", and the position where the fifth tilted drum 95 and the sixth tilted drum 96 are provided is referred to as a "fifth delivery (reversal) position P5".

The first inclined drum 91 has a conical first side surface 910 centered on a first axis C1 inclined with respect to the width direction. A portion of the first side surface 910 faces the first region A1 of the suction belt 42 with a slight gap therebetween. Further, the first inclined drum 91 is fixed to the output shaft of a motor 91M. When the motor 91M is driven, the first inclined drum 91 rotates about the first axis C1.

The second inclined drum 92 has a conical second side surface 920 centered on a second axis C2 inclined with respect to the width direction. The first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum 92 are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction so that their tops face each other. A portion of the second side surface 920 faces the second region A2 of the suction belt 42 with a slight gap therebetween. Another part of the second side surface 920 faces the first side surface 910 with a slight gap therebetween. Further, the second inclined drum 92 is fixed to the output shaft of a motor 92M. When the motor 92M is driven, the second inclined drum 92 rotates about the second axis C2.

In this embodiment, the apex angle of the first inclined drum 91 and the apex angle of the second inclined drum 92 are both 90° when viewed in the conveyance direction of the suction conveyor 40. Further, the inclination angle of the first axis C1 with respect to the holding surface 420 is 45°. Further, the inclination angle of the second axis C2 with respect to the holding surface 420 is 45°. Therefore, the first side surface 910 and the second side surface 920 face each other at a position of 90 degrees with respect to the holding surface 420. Further, the first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum 92 have the same shape, structure, and size. Therefore, the first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum 92 can be made common as parts. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the tablet printing device 1 can be reduced.

A plurality of suction holes 911 are provided in the first side surface 910 . The plurality of suction holes 911 are provided in an annular shape centered on the first axis C1 at equal angular intervals. Similarly, the second side surface 920 is also provided with a plurality of suction holes 921. The plurality of suction holes 921 are provided in an annular shape centered on the second axis C2 at equal angular intervals.

The pressure in the internal space of the first inclined drum 91 is maintained at a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure by a suction mechanism (not shown). The first inclined drum 91 holds the plurality of tablets 9 one by one in the plurality of suction holes 911 by this negative pressure. Similarly, the pressure in the internal space of the second inclined drum 92 is also maintained at a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure by a suction mechanism (not shown). The second inclined drum 92 holds the plurality of tablets 9 one by one in the plurality of suction holes 921 by this negative pressure.

As shown by the broken line in FIG. 6, a fourth blow mechanism B4 is provided inside the first inclined drum 91. The fourth blow mechanism B4 blows gas only to the suction holes 911 facing the second inclined drum 92 among the plurality of suction holes 911 of the first inclined drum 91. Then, the suction hole 911 has a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. As a result, the suction of the tablet 9 in the suction hole 911 is released, and the tablet 9 is transferred from the suction hole 911 of the first inclined drum 91 to the suction hole 921 of the second inclined drum 92.

Further, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 6, a fifth blow mechanism B5 is provided inside the second inclined drum 92. The fifth blow mechanism B5 blows gas to only the suction holes 921 facing the second area A2 of the suction belt 42 among the plurality of suction holes 921 of the second inclined drum 92. Then, the suction hole 921 has a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. As a result, the suction of the tablet 9 in the suction hole 921 is released, and the tablet 9 is transferred from the suction hole 921 of the second inclined drum 92 to the suction hole 421 of the second area A2 of the suction belt 42.

The third inclined drum 93 and the fourth inclined drum 94 have the same structure as the first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum 92, and are arranged adjacent to each other similarly to the first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum 92. has been done. However, the third inclined drum 93 and the fourth inclined drum 94 are arranged at a fourth delivery position P4 on the downstream side of the conveyance path than the third delivery position P3 where the first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum 92 are arranged. be done. Further, the third inclined drum 93 and the fourth inclined drum 94 are at positions shifted in the width direction from the first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum 92 by one widthwise arrangement interval of the tablets 9. It is located. The third inclined drum 93 is fixed to the output shaft of a motor 93M. The fourth inclined drum 94 is fixed to the output shaft of a motor 94M.

The fifth tilted drum 95 and the sixth tilted drum 96 also have the same structure as the first tilted drum 91 and the second tilted drum 92, and are arranged adjacently like the first tilted drum 91 and the second tilted drum 92. has been done. However, the fifth inclined drum 95 and the sixth inclined drum 96 are arranged at a fifth delivery position P5 downstream of the conveyance path from the fourth delivery position P4 where the third inclined drum 93 and the fourth inclined drum 94 are arranged. be done. Further, the fifth inclined drum 95 and the sixth inclined drum 96 are located at positions shifted in the width direction from the third inclined drum 93 and the fourth inclined drum 94 by one widthwise arrangement interval of the tablets 9. It is located. The fifth inclined drum 95 is fixed to the output shaft of a motor 95M. The sixth inclined drum 96 is fixed to the output shaft of a motor 96M.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tablets 9 held in the suction holes 421 at the first position W1 in the width direction of the suction belt 42 and conveyed to the third delivery position P3 in the conveyance direction are received by the first inclined drum 91. passed on. The first inclined drum 91 rotates while adsorbing and holding the tablets 9 received from the suction belt 42 in the suction holes 911 of the first side surface 910, and delivers them to the second inclined drum 92. Thereafter, the second inclined drum 92 rotates while sucking and holding the tablet 9 received from the first inclined drum 91 in the suction hole 921 of the second side surface 920, and moves the tablet 9 to the second position W2 in the width direction of the suction belt 42. It is delivered to the suction hole 421. As a result, the position of the tablet 9 in the width direction on the transport path moves from the first position W1 belonging to the first area A1 to the second position W2 belonging to the second area A2, and the tablet 9 is turned over.

Similarly, the third inclined drum 93 and the fourth inclined drum 94 move from the third position W3 belonging to the first area A1 to the fourth position W4 belonging to the second area A2 at the fourth delivery position P4 in the transport direction. The position of the tablet 9 in the width direction on the conveyance path is moved, and the tablet 9 is turned over. Similarly, the fifth inclined drum 95 and the sixth inclined drum 96 move from the fifth position W5 belonging to the first area A1 to the sixth position W6 belonging to the second area A2 at the fifth delivery position P5 in the conveyance direction. , the position of the tablet 9 in the width direction on the conveyance path is moved, and the tablet 9 is turned over.

Defective product collection mechanism 100 is a mechanism for collecting tablets 9 determined to be defective from suction conveyor 40 . FIG. 7 is a diagram of the suction conveyor 40, the defective product collection mechanism 100 (partially shown), and the non-defective product discharge mechanism 110, viewed from the direction of the outlined arrow V2 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the defective product collection mechanism 100 includes a defective product chute 101 and a collection box (not shown). The defective product chute 101 is located downstream of the drying mechanism 80 in the transport path and upstream of the non-defective product discharge mechanism 110 described later in the transport path. Defective product chute 101 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

The defective product collection port 102, which is an opening at the upper end of the defective product chute 101, faces the second region A2 of the horizontal surface 422 of the suction conveyor 40 in the vertical direction with a gap D1 in between. When the tablet 9 determined to be a defective product reaches a position facing the defective product chute 101 (defective product discharge position P6) downstream of the above-mentioned determination position in the conveying direction, the tablet 9 is removed by the second blow mechanism B2. The adsorption of is released. As a result, the tablet 9 falls from the suction hole 421 of the suction belt 42 through the inside of the defective product collection port 102 and the defective product chute 101 and into the above-mentioned collection box. The tablets 9 that have fallen into the collection box are collected by an operator or the like and disposed of outside the tablet printing apparatus 1.

The non-defective product discharge mechanism 110 is a mechanism for transporting the tablets 9 determined to be non-defective products from the suction conveyor 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the non-defective product discharge mechanism 110 includes a non-defective product chute 111, a non-defective product discharge conveyor 112, and a cover 113. A chute body 131 of the non-defective chute 111, which will be described later, is fixed to the housing of the tablet printing apparatus 1. Moreover, the non-defective chute 111 has a cylindrical shape and a partially curved structure.

A good product discharge port 114, which is an opening at the upper end of the good product chute 111, faces the second area A2 of the horizontal surface 422 of the suction conveyor 40 in the vertical direction with a gap D2 in between. When the tablet 9 determined to be a good product reaches the position facing the good product chute 111 (defective product discharge position P7) downstream of the above-mentioned determination position in the conveying direction, the tablet 9 is adsorbed by the third blow mechanism B3. It will be canceled. As a result, the tablets 9 fall from the suction holes 421 of the suction belt 42 through the non-defective product discharge port 114 and the non-defective product chute 111 to the non-defective product discharge conveyor 112. The non-defective product discharge conveyor 112 has the same configuration as the above-described transport conveyor 20. When the pulley 115 of the good product discharge conveyor 112 is rotated by the power obtained from the motor M4, the conveyor belt 116 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The plurality of tablets 9 that have fallen onto the non-defective product discharge conveyor 112 are carried out to the outside of the tablet printing apparatus 1 while being placed on the conveyor belt 116.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, there is a first transfer position P1 where the suction drum 30 suction-holds the tablet 9 from the conveyor 20, a second transfer position P2 where the suction drum 30 transfers the tablet 9 to the suction conveyor 40, and The reversing mechanism 90 transfers the tablets 9 from the first area A1 to the second area A2 of the suction belt 42 while inverting the third transfer position P3, the fourth transfer position P4, and the fifth transfer position P5, and the suction conveyor 40 The outer periphery of the pulley 41, where the inclination of the tablet 9 to be suctioned and held changes greatly, is located away from above the good product outlet 114. Thereby, even if the tablet 9 accidentally falls when the tablet 9 is delivered or the inclination of the tablet 9 changes greatly at these locations, it is possible to prevent the fallen tablet 9 from entering the non-defective product outlet 114. . As a result, it is possible to prevent other tablets 9 from being erroneously mixed into the tablet 9 that has been determined to be a good product.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the good product discharge port 114 is horizontal and faces the horizontal surface 422 of the adsorption conveyor 40 in the vertical direction with a gap D2 in between. Further, the distance between the horizontal surface 422 and the non-defective product outlet 114 in the vertical direction is larger than the thickness d of the tablet 9 (see FIG. 11) and smaller than twice the thickness d of the tablet 9. will be placed. Thereby, even if a tablet 9 accidentally flies from the side or diagonally above the good product outlet 114, the flying tablet 9 can be prevented from falling into the good product outlet 114.

Furthermore, as described above, the defective product discharge position P6 is located upstream in the transport direction from the non-defective product discharge position P7. Thereby, the tablets 9 determined to be defective can be collected before the tablets 9 reach the upper part of the non-defective product outlet 114. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the good product discharge port 114 is located above the defective product collection port 102. As a result, even if the tablet 9 determined to be a defective product collides with the defective product collection port 102 and rebounds when suction from the suction hole 421 is released at the defective product discharge position P6, the tablet 9 is 114 can be further prevented from falling accidentally.

Furthermore, in the non-defective product discharge mechanism 110 of this embodiment, a cover 113 is provided that covers a part of the upper surface of the non-defective product discharge conveyor 112 (outside of the non-defective product chute 111) without any gap. Thereby, it is possible to further prevent other tablets 9 from being accidentally mixed in when the tablet 9 determined to be a good product is transported outside.

FIG. 8 is an exploded side view of the non-defective chute 111. As shown in FIG. 8, the non-defective chute 111 includes a chute body 131, a thickness adjusting member 132, a pressing member 133, and a plurality of (in this embodiment, two) screws 134. Through holes 135b, 135m, and 135u are formed inside each of the chute body 131, the thickness adjusting member 132, and the pressing member 133 to allow the tablet 9 to pass therethrough.

A plurality of (in this embodiment, two) screw holes 136 are formed on the upper surface of the flange portion at the upper end of the chute body 131. A plurality of (in this embodiment, two) through holes 137 are formed in the peripheral portion of the thickness adjusting member 132 . The through hole 137 passes through the thickness adjusting member 132 in the vertical direction. A plurality (in this embodiment, two) of through holes 138 are formed in the flange portion at the lower end of the holding member 133 . The through hole 138 passes through the flange portion of the holding member 133 in the vertical direction.

The two screws 134 are screwed into the screw holes 136 of the chute body 131 while passing through the through holes 138 of the holding member 133 and the through holes 137 of the thickness adjusting member 132, respectively. Thereby, the thickness adjusting member 132 is fixed while being held between the chute main body 131 and the pressing member 133. That is, the thickness adjustment member 132 is removable from the chute body 131. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to the thickness adjusting members 132 already used in the non-defective product chute 111, a plurality of thickness adjusting members 132 that have different thicknesses and are replaceable are prepared. .

As a result, even when changing the tablet 9 to be processed to another type of tablet 9 with a different thickness or diameter, the optimal thickness adjustment member 132 that matches the thickness, diameter, etc. of the changed tablet 9 can be selected. However, by attaching it to the chute body 131, the vertical distance of the gap D2 between the horizontal surface 422 of the suction conveyor 40 and the good product discharge port 114 can be easily adjusted to an appropriate size. That is, the good product chute 111 of this embodiment has a height adjustment means for easily adjusting the height of the good product outlet 114. However, the configuration of the height adjustment means is not limited to this.

The control section 120 is a means for controlling the operation of each section within the tablet printing apparatus 1. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing connections between the control section 120 and each section within the tablet printing apparatus 1. As conceptually shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 120 is constituted by a computer having a processor 121 such as a CPU, a memory 122 such as a RAM, and a storage unit 123 such as a hard disk drive. A computer program CP for executing print processing is installed in the storage unit 123.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 120 controls the feeder 10 described above, the transport conveyor 20 (including the motor M1), the suction drum 30 (including the motor M2 and the first suction mechanism 302), the suction conveyor 40 (the motor M3, second suction mechanism 43, and blow mechanisms B1, B2, B3), first camera 50, printing section 60 (including head 61), second camera 70, drying mechanism 80, reversing mechanism 90 (motor 91M - motor 96M, blow mechanisms B4, B5, and suction mechanism) and non-defective product discharge mechanism 110 (including motor M4), respectively, so as to be communicable by wire or wirelessly. The control unit 120 temporarily reads the computer program CP and data stored in the storage unit 123 into the memory 122, and the processor 121 performs arithmetic processing based on the computer program CP, thereby controlling the operation of each of the above units. do. As a result, the transportation of the plurality of tablets 9 and the printing process for each tablet 9 proceed.

<2. About the process flow＞
Next, the flow of conveyance processing and printing processing using the above-mentioned tablet printing apparatus 1 will be explained. Below, the processing performed on one tablet 9 will be explained in order. However, this tablet printing apparatus 1 performs predetermined processing while sequentially transporting a plurality of tablets 9 along a transport path. Therefore, a plurality of tablets 9 are present inside the tablet printing device 1 at the same time.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the tablet printing apparatus 1. When a plurality of tablets 9 are input into the tablet printing device 1 (step S1), the feeder 10 first supplies the plurality of tablets 9 to the conveyor 20. The plurality of tablets 9 supplied to the conveyor 20 are placed on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 22, and as the conveyor belt 22 rotates, they move approximately horizontally in the conveyance direction to the first delivery position P1 (step S2). .

Next, the tablet 9 is suction-held in the drum suction hole 301 of the suction drum 30 at the first delivery position P1, and is moved in the transport direction to the second delivery position P2 in the upper part by the rotation of the suction drum 30. At this time, the plurality of tablets 9 are arranged so that the intervals in the transport direction become a predetermined interval corresponding to the interval between the drum suction holes 301. When the tablet 9 reaches the second delivery position P2, the suction of the tablet 9 in the drum suction hole 301 is released. As a result, the tablets 9 are transferred from the suction drum 30 to the suction conveyor 40 (step S3).

Subsequently, the tablet 9 is suction-held in the suction hole 421 in the first area A1 of the suction belt 42. As the suction belt 42 rotates, the tablet 9 is conveyed along the annular conveyance path. Hereinafter, the surface of the tablet 9 facing outward when held in the suction hole 421 of the first region A1 will be referred to as the "first surface." Further, in this state, the surface that is sucked by the suction holes 421 is referred to as a "second surface." In FIGS. 2 and 3, the first side of the tablet 9 is shaded in order to distinguish between the first side and the second side. However, the "first side" and the "second side" are unrelated to the original front and back sides of the tablet 9. For example, when the tablet 9 is a scored tablet having a score line 130 (see FIG. 11) on only one side, the surface having the score line 130 is the first side of the plurality of tablets 9 held in the first area A1. A mixture of tablets 9 and tablets 9 whose first side is the side without the score line 130 may be present.

When the tablet 9 reaches below the first camera 50, the first camera 50 photographs the first surface of the tablet 9. As a result, image data of the first side of the tablet 9 is obtained. The acquired image data is transmitted from the first camera 50 to the control unit 120. The control unit 120 performs a pre-print inspection of the first side based on the image data received from the first camera 50 (step S4). Specifically, the presence or absence of the tablet 9 in the suction hole 421, the front and back sides of the tablet 9, the rotational posture of the tablet 9 around the vertical axis, the positional deviation of the tablet 9 with respect to the suction hole 421, the presence or absence of shape defects in the tablet 9, etc. are inspected. be done.

Next, when the tablet 9 reaches the printing position below the printing section 60, the four heads 61 eject ink droplets toward the first surface of the tablet 9. As a result, the printing process is performed on the first side of the tablet 9. As a result, an image is printed on the first side of the tablet 9 (step S5). At this time, the control unit 120 adjusts the image to be printed on each tablet 9 based on the inspection result in step S4 described above. For example, an appropriate image is selected depending on whether the surface has the secant line 130 or the opposite surface, and the selected image is rotated according to the rotational posture of each tablet 9. Then, a print signal is input to the head 61 based on the adjusted image. As a result, an appropriate image is printed on the first side of each tablet 9 in an appropriate orientation.

Subsequently, when the tablet 9 reaches the determination position below the second camera 70, the second camera 70 photographs the first surface of the tablet 9. As a result, image data of the first side of the tablet 9 is obtained. The acquired image data is transmitted from the second camera 70 to the control unit 120. Furthermore, the control unit 120 performs a post-printing inspection of the first side based on the image data received from the second camera 70 (step S6). Specifically, the control unit 120 determines the printing state of the first side of each tablet 9 by, for example, comparing the image data received from the second camera 70 and normal image data prepared in advance. Determine pass/fail.

Subsequently, when the tablet 9 reaches a position below the drying mechanism 80, the drying mechanism 80 blows hot air toward the first surface of the tablet 9. As a result, the ink adhering to the first surface of the tablet 9 dries, and the ink is fixed on the first surface (step S7).

Thereafter, when the tablet 9 reaches the third delivery position P3, the fourth delivery position P4, or the fifth delivery position P5, which are the reversal positions on the conveyance path, the reversal mechanism 90 inverts the tablet 9 from front to back. The tablet 9 is transferred from the first area A1 to the second area A2 (step S8). By this step S8, the first surface of the tablet 9 is suctioned by the suction hole 421 in the second area A2, and the second surface faces outward.

Subsequently, when the tablet 9 reaches below the first camera 50, the first camera 50 photographs the second surface of the tablet 9. As a result, image data of the second side of the tablet 9 is obtained. The acquired image data is transmitted from the first camera 50 to the control unit 120. Further, the control unit 120 performs a pre-print inspection of the second side based on the image data received from the first camera 50 (step S9). Specifically, the presence or absence of the tablet 9 in the suction hole 421, the front and back sides of the tablet 9, the rotational posture of the tablet 9 around the vertical axis, the positional deviation of the tablet 9 with respect to the suction hole 421, the presence or absence of shape defects in the tablet 9, etc. are inspected. be done.

Next, when the tablet 9 reaches the printing position below the printing section 60, the four heads 61 eject ink droplets toward the second surface of the tablet 9. Thereby, the printing process is performed on the second side of the tablet 9. As a result, an image is printed on the second side of the tablet 9 (step S10). At this time, the control unit 120 adjusts the image to be printed on each tablet 9 based on the inspection results in step S9 described above. For example, an appropriate image is selected depending on whether the surface has the secant line 130 or the opposite surface, and the selected image is rotated according to the rotational posture of each tablet 9. Then, a print signal is input to the head 61 based on the adjusted image. As a result, an appropriate image is printed on the second side of each tablet 9 in an appropriate orientation.

Subsequently, when the tablet 9 reaches the determination position below the second camera 70, the second camera 70 photographs the second surface of the tablet 9. As a result, image data of the second side of the tablet 9 is obtained. The acquired image data is transmitted from the second camera 70 to the control unit 120. Furthermore, the control unit 120 performs a post-printing inspection of the second side based on the image data received from the second camera 70 (step S11). Specifically, the control unit 120 determines the printing state of the second side of each tablet 9 by, for example, comparing the image data received from the second camera 70 and normal image data prepared in advance. Determine pass/fail.

Subsequently, when the tablet 9 reaches a position below the drying mechanism 80, the drying mechanism 80 blows hot air toward the second surface of the tablet 9. As a result, the ink adhering to the second surface of the tablet 9 dries, and the ink is fixed on the second surface (step S12).

As described above, the control unit 120 determines whether the printing condition of the tablet 9 is good or not, and whether there is a shape defect such as a chip, based on the image data received from the first camera 50 and the second camera 70. That is, the control unit 120 functions as a determination unit that determines the quality of the printing state and shape of the tablet 9 at a determination position downstream of the printing position in the conveyance direction. Further, the determination unit determines whether each tablet 9 is a good product with good printing condition and no shape defects such as chipping, or a defective product with printing defects or shape defects ( Step S13).

If the tablet 9 is determined to be a defective product by the determination unit (step S13=NO), then the tablet 9 determined to be a defective product reaches the defective product discharge position P6 downstream of the determination position in the transport direction. Then, positive pressure is applied to the suction hole 421 of the suction conveyor 40 in which the tablet 9 is suctioned and held, and the suction of the tablet 9 in the suction hole 421 is released. Thereby, the tablet 9 determined to be defective is discharged to the defective product collection port 102 (step S14).

If the tablet 9 is determined to be a good product by the determination section (step S13=YES), then when the tablet 9 determined to be a good product reaches the good product discharge position P7 downstream of the determination position in the transport direction, the corresponding Positive pressure is applied to the suction holes 421 of the suction conveyor 40 in which the tablets 9 are suctioned and held, and the suction of the tablets 9 in the suction holes 421 is released. As a result, the tablets 9 determined to be non-defective are discharged to the non-defective product outlet 114 (step S15). The plurality of tablets 9 that have fallen from the non-defective product discharge port 114 to the non-defective product discharge conveyor 112 are carried out to the outside of the tablet printing apparatus 1 while being placed on the conveyor belt 116.

As described above, the first transfer position P1 where the suction drum 30 suction-holds the tablet 9 from the conveyor 20, the second transfer position P2 where the suction drum 30 transfers the tablet 9 to the suction conveyor 40, and the first transfer position P2 of the suction belt 42. A third delivery position P3, a fourth delivery position P4, and a fifth delivery position P5 where the reversing mechanism 90 inverts and delivers the tablets 9 from the area A1 to the second area A2, and the suction conveyor 40 holds the tablets 9 by suction. The outer periphery of the pulley 41, where the inclination changes significantly, is located away from above the non-defective product outlet 114. Thereby, even if the tablet 9 accidentally falls when the tablet 9 is delivered or the inclination of the tablet 9 changes greatly at these locations, it is possible to prevent the fallen tablet 9 from entering the non-defective product outlet 114. . As a result, it is possible to prevent other tablets 9 from being erroneously mixed into the tablet 9 that has been determined to be a good product.

Furthermore, as described above, the defective product discharge position P6 is located upstream in the transport direction from the non-defective product discharge position P7. Thereby, the tablets 9 determined to be defective can be collected before the tablets 9 reach the upper part of the non-defective product outlet 114. Furthermore, the good product discharge port 114 is located above the defective product collection port 102. As a result, it is possible to further prevent the tablet 9 determined to be a defective product from accidentally falling into the non-defective product outlet 114 when suction from the suction hole 421 is released at the defective product discharge position P6.

<3. Modified example>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

Each of the tilted drums of the embodiments described above had a plurality of small suction holes. However, each inclined drum may have an annular suction slit (not shown) on the side surface, which is the outer peripheral surface. For example, the first inclined drum 91 may have an annular suction slit centered on the first axis C1 on the first side surface 910. Further, the second inclined drum 92 may have an annular suction slit centered on the second axis C2 on the second side surface 920. A plurality of tablets 9 may be held by suction in these suction slits. In this way, the tablet 9 can be held by suction at any position of the suction slit. Therefore, even if the tablet 9 is slightly misaligned during delivery, the tablet 9 can be held by suction.

In the embodiment described above, each of the first to sixth inclined drums 91 to 96 had a conical side surface. However, the side surfaces of the first to sixth inclined drums 91 to 96 may have a polygonal pyramid shape such as a square pyramid, a hexagonal pyramid, or an octagonal pyramid.

Further, in the above embodiment, the printing section 60 was provided with four heads 61. However, the number of heads 61 included in the printing section 60 may be one to three, or five or more.

The tablet printing apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment also includes a printing unit 60 that performs a printing process on the tablets 9 at the printing position as a processing unit that performs a predetermined process on the tablets 9 at the processing position on the conveyance path by the suction conveyor 40. I was prepared. However, the tablet printing device 1 may include other processing units such as a packaging device for packaging the tablets 9.

That is, the conveyance processing apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus that conveys tablets and performs a predetermined treatment on the surface thereof, and includes a first conveyance mechanism that holds the tablets and conveys them in the conveyance direction, and a first conveyance mechanism that holds the tablets one by one by suction. a second transport mechanism that moves a plurality of suction holes in the transport direction; a processing section that performs a predetermined treatment on the surface of the tablet at a processing position on the transport path by the second transport mechanism; At the upstream delivery position, there is a transfer mechanism that delivers the tablets from the first transport mechanism to the suction hole of the second transport mechanism, and at a determination position downstream of the processing position in the transport direction, the quality of the processing state of the tablets is checked. Positive pressure is applied to the suction holes in which the tablets determined to be good by the determination section are adsorbed and held, at the determination section that performs the determination and at the non-defective product discharge position downstream of the determination position in the transport direction, so that the tablets are adsorbed in the suction holes. and a non-defective product discharge mechanism that releases the tablet and drops the tablet to the non-defective product discharge port, and the delivery position may be located at a position away from above the non-defective product discharge port. Here, the transport route and transfer mechanism by the first transport mechanism and the second transport mechanism described above are the transport route and the suction drum 30 by the transport conveyor 20 and the suction conveyor 40, or the first area A1 in the suction conveyor 40. This corresponds to the conveyance path and the reversing mechanism 90 by the second area A2 in the suction conveyor 40.

Further, the transport processing method of the present invention is a method of transporting a tablet and performing a predetermined treatment on the surface, comprising: a) transporting the tablet in the transport direction while holding it in a first transport mechanism; and b) transporting the tablet in the transport direction. 2. A step in which a plurality of suction holes that suction and hold tablets one by one are moved in the transport direction in the transport mechanism, and c) a predetermined treatment is applied to the surface of the tablet at a processing position on the transport path during step b). d) a step of delivering the tablet from the first transport mechanism to the suction hole of the second transport mechanism at a delivery position upstream of the processing position in the transport direction; and e) downstream of the processing position in the transport direction. f) At a judgment position on the side, the tablets are judged to be good or bad in the processing state; f) At a good product discharge position downstream of the judgment position in the transport direction, the tablets judged to be good in step e) are adsorbed and held. applying positive pressure to the suction hole to release the adsorption of the tablet in the suction hole, and dropping the tablet to the non-defective product outlet, the delivery position being a position away from above the non-defective product outlet It is sufficient if it is placed.

Further, the detailed configuration inside the device may be different from each figure of the present application. Furthermore, the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate to the extent that no contradiction occurs.

1 Tablet printing device 9 Tablet 10 Feeder 20 Conveyor 21 Pulley 22 Conveyor belt 30 Suction drum 40 Suction conveyor 41 Pulley 42 Suction belt 43 Second suction mechanism 50 First camera 60 Printing section 61 Head 70 Second camera 80 Drying mechanism 90 Inversion Mechanism 100 Defective product collection mechanism 101 Defective product chute 102 Defective product collection port 110 Good product discharge mechanism 111 Good product chute 112 Good product discharge conveyor 113 Cover 114 Good product discharge port 115 Pulley 116 Conveyor belt 120 Control section 131 Chute body 132 Thickness adjustment member 133 Holding member 134 Screw 301 Drum suction hole 302 First suction mechanism 421 Suction hole 422 Horizontal surface A1 First area A2 Second area P1 Delivery position P2 Delivery position P6 Defective product discharge position P7 Good product discharge position

Claims (7)

A conveyance processing device for conveying tablets,
a second conveyance mechanism that moves in the conveyance direction a plurality of suction holes that suction and hold tablets one by one;
a determination unit that determines whether the processing state of the tablet is good or bad at a determination position on the conveyance path by the second conveyance mechanism;
At a defective product discharge position downstream of the determination position in the transport direction, positive pressure is applied to the suction hole in which the tablet determined to be a defective product by the determination unit is suctioned and held, so that the tablet in the suction hole is A defective product collection mechanism that releases the suction and drops the tablet into the defective product collection port;
At a non-defective product discharge position downstream of the defective product discharge position in the conveying direction, positive pressure is applied to the suction hole in which a tablet determined to be a good product by the determination unit is suctioned and held, so that the tablet in the suction hole is A good product ejection mechanism that releases the adsorption and drops the tablet to a good product ejection port;
has
The good product discharge port is located above the defective product collection port,
The conveyance processing device, wherein the good product discharge port is horizontal. The conveyance processing device according to claim 1,
The transport processing device further includes a processing section that performs a predetermined processing on the surface of the tablet at a processing position upstream of the determination position in the transport direction. The conveyance processing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The second transport mechanism is
a suction conveyor that suction-holds a plurality of tablets one by one in the suction holes and conveys them along the annular conveyance path including a horizontal surface;
In the conveyance processing device, the good product discharge port faces the horizontal surface in a vertical direction with a gap therebetween. The conveyance processing device according to claim 3,
The tablet has a front side, a back side, and an annular side,
Each of the plurality of suction holes suction-holds the back side of the tablet,
The conveyance processing device is characterized in that a vertical distance between the horizontal surface and the non-defective product outlet is greater than the thickness of the tablet and less than twice the thickness of the tablet. The conveyance processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The conveyance processing device is characterized in that the defective product discharge position is located upstream in the conveyance direction from the non-defective product discharge position. The conveyance processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
a non-defective product discharge conveyor that carries a plurality of tablets that have fallen through the non-defective product discharge port to the outside;
a cover that covers a part of the upper surface of the good product discharge conveyor;
A conveyance processing device further comprising: The conveyance processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The conveyance processing device further includes a height adjustment means for adjusting the height of the non-defective product discharge port.

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