JP5528268B2 - PTP sheet manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a PTP sheet containing a tablet.

  Generally, a PTP sheet containing a tablet is composed of a container film in which a pocket portion filled with tablets is formed, and a cover film attached to the container film so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion. Yes.

  Such a PTP sheet is manufactured by a PTP packaging machine (blister packaging machine). PTP packaging machine has a pocket part forming mechanism for forming a pocket part for filling a tablet in a long container film, and fills the pocket part with a tablet while conveying the long film in which the pocket part is formed. A tablet filling mechanism, a sticking mechanism for sticking a cover film made of aluminum or the like, a slit forming mechanism for forming a slit, a punching mechanism for punching in units of PTP sheets, and the like are provided.

  Since the tablet filling mechanism is a place where tablets are handled, it is necessary to appropriately clean the tablet powder or the like attached to each part, for example, when changing the production type. This work takes a lot of time. Therefore, during the cleaning, the operation of the PTP packaging machine has to be stopped, and there is a possibility that the productivity is lowered.

  On the other hand, in recent years, in order to shorten the operation stop period of the PTP sheet packaging machine, the tablet filling mechanism is unitized as a filling unit, and the filling unit can be attached to and detached from the apparatus body of the PTP packaging machine. There has also been proposed a configuration in which the filling unit can be exchanged at the time of switching the production type (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-8478 A

  However, even if the tablet filling mechanism is unitized as a filling unit as in the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-8478, when the filling unit is replaced, the PTP packaging machine has been used from the top of the apparatus body. Since the new filling unit had to be carried in after waiting for the unloading unit to be carried out, the replacement work required a lot of time and manpower.

  Here, it is conceivable to use a plurality of carts or large carts to load and unload used and new filling units at the same time, but around the PTP packaging machine in the factory It is practically difficult to secure a large space for such work.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as one of its main objects to provide a PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus capable of improving workability and convenience when replacing a filling unit.

  Hereinafter, each means suitable for solving the above-described problem will be described separately. In addition, the effect specific to the means to respond | corresponds as needed is added.

Means 1. A PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus that is detachably installed in a predetermined installation area on the apparatus body, with a tablet filling mechanism that fills tablets in a pocket formed in a long container film as a filling unit,
A retreat area for retracting the filling unit from the installation area is provided on the apparatus body,
Wherein the conveying means for conveying the filling unit is configured to be connected, and a guide capable introduction passage without going through the evacuation area of the filling unit from the conveying means to the installation area,
Wherein the articulated configured to be able to transport means, and, PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the filling unit juxtaposed and guidable out path without passing through the introduction passage to said transport means from said evacuation area .

According to the above means 1, when replacing a used filling unit with a new filling unit, when installing the new filling unit in the installation area, the used filling unit is retracted from the installation area to the retreat area. Thus, the installation area becomes an empty space, and a new filling unit can be installed in the installation area. That is, it is possible to start loading a new filling unit without waiting for completion of carrying out the used filling unit from the apparatus main body of the PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus. In addition, since both a used filling unit and a new filling unit can be placed on the apparatus body at the same time, loading and unloading and transporting of the filling unit are performed without using a plurality of carts. be able to. As a result, it does not require a lot of manpower. As a result, it is possible to improve workability and convenience when replacing the filling unit. As a result, the operation stop period of the PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus can be shortened.
Further, according to the means 1, since the carry-in path and the carry-out path are provided separately, the replacement work between the used filling unit and the new filling unit can be performed more smoothly.
Moreover, the space which makes each filling unit stand by while various work processes are performed can be ensured. For example, after the used filling unit is retracted to the evacuation area by the moving means described in the means 2 described later and lowered to the carry-out path, the new filling unit is placed on the carry-in path until the moving means returns to the installation area. Can wait.
In addition, a carry-in entrance and a carry-out port to which carts (conveying means) are connected are arranged in parallel, and it becomes easy to share one cart for carrying in and carrying out. Furthermore, since the distance from the carry-in port to the carry-out port is also shortened, it is possible to eliminate the travel time and travel space of the carriage. For example, by laying a carriage carrying a new filling unit on the carry-in entrance, dropping the filling unit from the carriage onto the carry-in path, and then moving the carriage to a carry-out port provided next to about one carriage. The used filling unit can be loaded on the cart.

  The tablet filling mechanism includes, for example, a hopper, a straight trough, a bowl feeder, a spring hose, and a filling device. The hopper stores tablets. The bowl feeder is for supplying a fixed amount of tablets to the filling device, and supplies the tablets by, for example, vibrating the upper plate-shaped member. The straight trough is for replenishing tablets from the hopper when the amount of tablets in the bowl feeder becomes a predetermined amount or less. The spring hose is a hose made of a coil spring that transfers tablets supplied from the bowl feeder to a filling device. The filling device is for filling the transferred tablet into a pocket portion formed in the container film.

  Mean 2. The PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a moving means (moving table) configured to be movable from the installation area to the retreat area in a state where the filling unit is placed.

  According to the means 2, the used filling unit can be easily retreated to the retreat area. As a result, it is possible to further improve the workability and convenience when replacing the filling unit.

Means 3 . A film transport path for transporting the container film is provided at the front of the apparatus body,
The PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus according to means 1 or 2 , wherein the retreat area is provided at a rear portion of the apparatus main body with respect to the installation area.

  In the filling unit (tablet filling mechanism), since the tablet is transferred in an exposed state, a part of the tablet becomes powder and adheres to the inside of the unit. As a result, when the filling unit is replaced, there is a possibility that the tablet powder is scattered from the used filling unit to the outside.

In this regard, according to this means 3 , the retracting area for retracting the used filling unit is provided in the rear part of the apparatus body rather than the installation area when the apparatus is in operation, so that the film provided in the front part of the apparatus body It is possible to prevent as much as possible the mixing of the tablet powder into the transport path and eventually into the container film, the PTP sheet or the like.

Means 4. The PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of means 1 to 3 , wherein the filling unit includes a traveling means for self-propelling.

By using a self-propelled filling unit as in the above means 4 , the labor of the operator who performs the replacement work of the filling unit can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to further improve the workability and convenience when replacing the filling unit.

Means 5 . The PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of means 1 to 4 , further comprising guide means (guide rail) for guiding the movement of the filling unit on the apparatus main body.

According to the above means 5 , since the guiding means can guide the movement of the filling unit from the carry-in port to the installation area, for example, the dropping of the filling unit from the apparatus main body is prevented, and the positioning of the filling unit is performed. It can be performed with high accuracy. As a result, it is possible to further improve the workability and convenience when replacing the filling unit.

(A) is a perspective view which shows a PTP sheet, (b) is a partial expanded sectional view of a PTP sheet. It is the schematic for demonstrating the whole structure of a PTP packaging machine. It is the front schematic diagram which showed the structure of the filling unit. It is the side surface schematic diagram which showed the structure of the filling unit. It is a perspective view which shows typically schematic structure of a PTP packaging machine. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the procedure of the replacement | exchange operation | work of a filling unit. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the procedure of the replacement | exchange operation | work of a filling unit. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the procedure of the replacement | exchange operation | work of a filling unit. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the procedure of the replacement | exchange operation | work of a filling unit. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the procedure of the replacement | exchange operation | work of a filling unit. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the procedure of the replacement | exchange operation | work of a filling unit. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the procedure of the replacement | exchange operation | work of a filling unit. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the procedure of the replacement | exchange operation | work of a filling unit.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the PTP sheet 1 in this embodiment is attached to the container film 3 having a plurality of pocket portions 2 and the container film 3 so as to close the pocket portions 2. The cover film 4 is provided. The container film 3 is made of a resin material such as PP (polypropylene) and has light transmittance (here, it is transparent). The cover film 4 is made of aluminum.

  Each pocket portion 2 contains one tablet 5 as an object to be filled. The container film 3 of the PTP sheet 1 is formed with a plurality of horizontal slits 6 so that it can be separated into, for example, a pair of small pieces including two pocket portions 2 (of course, vertical slits may be formed). And the slit may be omitted).

  Next, the configuration of the PTP packaging machine (blister packaging machine) 10 as the “PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus” will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the most upstream side of the PTP packaging machine 10, a strip-shaped container film 3 is wound in a roll shape. The container film 3 wound in a roll shape is intermittently transported, and a heating device 12 and a pocket forming device 13 are sequentially arranged along the transport path of the container film 3. . The heating device 12 and the pocket forming device 13 constitute a pocket portion forming device 14. Then, the container film 3 is partially heated by the heating device 12, and the pocket portion 2 is formed on the container film 3 by the pocket forming device 13 in a state where the container film 3 becomes relatively flexible. The pocket portion 2 is formed at intervals between the container film 3 transport operations.

  A filling device 16, an appearance inspection device 17, and a sealing device 18 for automatically filling the tablet 5 with the tablet 5 are arranged along the transfer path of the container film 3 in which the pocket portion 2 is formed.

  The filling device 16 includes a rotary drum, and puts the tablet 5 into the pocket portion 2 formed in the container film 3.

  The appearance inspection device 17 is for inspecting whether or not the tablets 5 are filled in the respective pocket portions 2, whether there are any abnormalities in appearance such as chipping or cracking of the tablets 5, and the presence or absence of foreign matter. is there. The appearance inspection device 17 performs an inspection from the opening side of the pocket portion 2.

  On the other hand, the cover film 4 formed in a belt shape is wound in a roll shape on the most upstream side. The drawing end of the cover film 4 wound in a roll shape is guided toward the sealing device 18. The sealing device 18 includes a film receiving roll 19 and a heating roll 20, and the heating roll 20 can be pressed against the film receiving roll 19. And container film 3 and cover film 4 are sent between both rolls 19 and 20, and container film 3 and cover film 4 pass between both rolls 19 and 20 in the state of heating pressure contact, The cover film 4 is adhered to the container film 3, whereby the band-shaped PTP film 21 in which the tablets 5 are filled in the pocket portions 2 is manufactured. At this time, a mesh-like protrusion for sealing is formed on the surface of the heating roll 20, and a strong seal is realized by strongly pressing it.

  An appearance inspection device 23 for detecting an abnormality of the tablet 5 or the like from the pocket portion 2 side is provided downstream of the sealing device 18. When a defective product is determined by the appearance inspection devices 17 and 23, a defective product signal is sent to a defective sheet discharge mechanism (not shown), and the PTP sheet 1 that has been determined as defective is separately discharged by the defective sheet discharge mechanism. These are transferred to a defective hopper (not shown).

  A slit forming device 24 and a sheet punching device 26 are sequentially arranged along the PTP film 21 transfer path downstream of the appearance inspection device 23. The slit forming device 24 has a function of forming the horizontal slit 6 at a predetermined position of the PTP film 21. The sheet punching device 26 has a function of punching the PTP film 21 in units of one PTP sheet. On the downstream side of the sheet punching device 26, a scrap hopper 28 for storing the end material 27 falling from the sheet punching device 26 is provided. A conveyor 29 for transferring the punched PTP sheet 1 is provided on the right side of the sheet punching device 26, and the PTP sheet 1 is transferred to a finished product hopper 30. .

  Such a PTP packaging machine 10 is constructed inside the housing in consideration of hygiene (see FIG. 5 and the like). In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and the like, the tablet supply mechanism including the filling device 16 is unitized as a filling unit 40 different from the device main body 11. The filling unit 40 is detachable from the apparatus main body 11.

  Therefore, the configuration of the filling unit 40 will be described next. 3 and 4 are schematic views showing a schematic configuration of the filling unit 40. FIG. 3 shows the filling unit 40 viewed from the front side (the same direction as FIG. 2), and FIG. 4 shows the filling unit 40 viewed from the left side (the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3). is there. The internal structure of the filling unit 40 that is originally covered with the opaque cover portion 46 and cannot be seen from the outside is shown here for convenience. In the following, the film conveyance direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) is referred to as “left-right direction”, the left side in FIG. 3 is referred to as “left side”, and the right side in FIG. Further, the film width direction perpendicular to this (the left-right direction in FIG. 4) is referred to as “front-rear direction”, the left side in FIG. 4 is referred to as “rear side”, and the right side in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the filling unit 40 guides conveyance of a hopper 41 as a “reserving part”, a straight trough 42, a bowl feeder 43, a spring hose 44, a filling device 16 as a “filling part”, and the container film 3. And a unit cover 46 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a “cover part” that covers these parts from all directions.

  Inside the unit cover 46, a shelf 46A extending in the horizontal direction is provided at about 1/3 from the lower part in the height direction. Moreover, the wall part 46B is standingly arranged so that the front-end | tip of the shelf part 46A may be supported. The shelf 46A is provided such that both ends thereof are in contact with the inner wall of the unit cover 46 in the left-right direction, and the rear end is in contact with the inner wall of the unit cover 46 in the front-rear direction, while the front end is the wall 46B. It is provided so that it may connect with the upper end part. With this configuration, a first space K1 in which the hopper 41 and the like are disposed and a second space K2 independent of the first space K1 are formed inside the unit cover 46 (see FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a hopper 41 is provided above the shelf 46 </ b> A so as to partially protrude above the unit cover 46. The hopper 41 includes a container portion 41A for storing the tablet 5 and a lid portion 41B. The container portion 41A has a substantially quadrangular pyramid shape with the top facing downward (may be a substantially conical shape), so that the internal tablet 5 slides down smoothly. The lid portion 41B is provided corresponding to the upper opening of the container portion 41A, and the tablet 5 can be supplied by opening the lid portion 41B. Intrusion can be prevented. An opening is provided in the upper part of the unit cover 46 so that the hopper 41 protrudes upward. The outer edge of the opening is in close contact with the container portion 41A without any gaps, so that foreign matter or the like can be obtained. Intrusion prevention is attempted.

  The straight trough 42 is a conveying device arranged in the left-right direction below the hopper 41, and supplies tablets stored in the hopper 41 to the bowl feeder 43 arranged on the right side with respect to the hopper 41 by a certain amount. To do. The straight traveling trough 42 includes a sensor 42 </ b> A for adjusting the supply amount to the bowl feeder 43.

  A bowl feeder 43 is fixed to the upper surface of the shelf 46A. The bowl feeder 43 includes a base portion 43A, a dish-like member 43B, and a tablet dropping port 43C. The base 43A has a vibration mechanism including an iron core and an electromagnet. The dish-like member 43B is a circular member supported above the base portion 43A, and can be vibrated by the vibration mechanism of the base portion 43A. The sensor 42A of the straight traveling trough 42 detects the amount of the tablet 5 stored on the upper surface of the dish-shaped member 43B, and based on the detection result, the fixed amount of tablets 5 is supplied to the dish-shaped member 43B by the straight traveling trough 42. It has become so. The tablet dropping port 43C is provided in the dish-like member 43B of the bowl feeder 43, and the tablet 5 is quantitatively supplied from the tablet dropping port 43C to the downstream side in accordance with the vibration of the dish-like member 43B.

  The spring hose 44 is provided so as to connect the tablet dropping port 43 </ b> C and the filling device 16. The spring hose 44 is a supply path of the tablet 5 formed by a coil spring, and supplies the tablet 5 from the tablet dropping port 43C to the filling device 16 described later.

  Two filling devices 16 are provided in the left-right direction. In FIG. 3, the filling device 16 </ b> A and the filling device 16 </ b> B are shown in order from the downstream side of the container film 3. Each of these two filling devices 16A and 16B has two rotary drums (not shown), and is 1 in the conveying direction with respect to the pocket portion 2 formed in the container film 3 by the rotation of the rotary drum. Fill every 5 tablets. Each of the two filling devices 16A, 16B fills the tablet 5 in every other pocket portion 2 so that the tablets 5 are filled in all the pocket portions 2. .

  Further, a rail portion 45 extending in the left-right direction is disposed below the unit cover 46 and below the filling devices 16A and 16B. The rail portion 45 is for guiding the conveyance of the container film 3 and simultaneously supporting the container film 3 from below. In order to support the container film 3 in which the pocket portion 2 has already been formed, a left and right groove corresponding to the pocket portion 2 is formed on the upper surface of the rail portion 45 (not shown).

  A loading opening 46 </ b> C for loading the container film 3 into the filling unit 40 is formed in the lower portion (bottom wall) of the unit cover 46 so as to correspond to the rail portion 45. Further, on the right side portion of the unit cover 46, an unloading opening 46D for unloading the container film 3 from the filling unit 40 is formed.

  In the present embodiment, the hopper 41, the straight trough 42, the bowl feeder 43, the spring hose 44, and the filling devices 16A and 16B constitute a “tablet filling mechanism”. And this tablet filling mechanism and the said rail part 45 are arrange | positioned in the 1st space K1 inside the unit cover 46 (except for the upper part of the hopper 41). In the first space K1, only openings 46C and 46D for carrying in and out the container film 3 are basically formed as openings. Of course, the unit cover 46 may be provided with a door body (not shown). In this case, when performing maintenance of each member or the like, various operations and the like can be easily performed by opening the door body that is always closed.

  Next, the structure for implement | achieving replacement | exchange of the filling unit 40 with respect to the apparatus main body 11 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the apparatus main body 11 includes a manufacturing area E1 where the PTP sheet 1 is actually manufactured in the front-rear direction, and various drives that drive and control the various apparatuses on the rear side of the manufacturing area E1. It is divided into a control area E2 in which a mechanism, a control device, and the like are accommodated. A film conveyance path for conveying the container film 3 and the like described above is provided in the manufacturing area E1.

  On the apparatus main body 11, in the left area of the control area E2, there is provided a mounting surface 11A that is configured to be able to place the filling unit 40 and is substantially flat so that the filling unit 40 can be moved. It has been.

  On the other hand, in the right area of the control area E2, there is formed a step portion 11B having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view formed one step lower than the placement surface 11A.

  A pair of left and right groove-shaped guide rails 61 extending in the front-rear direction are provided on the stepped portion 11B, and a substantially flat unit base 63 configured to be able to place the filling unit 40 is placed ( (See FIG. 7 etc.) The unit table 63 constitutes a moving means (moving table) in this embodiment.

  A drive mechanism (not shown) for driving the unit base 63 is provided below the step portion 11B (inside the apparatus main body 11), and the unit base 63 can reciprocate in the front-rear direction along the guide rail 61. ing.

  The unit base 63 is formed slightly longer than the filling unit 40 in the left-right direction, but is shorter than the front-rear width of the filling unit 40 in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the unit base 63 has the same planar shape and the same area as the shelf 46A shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and supports the lower surface of the unit cover 46 at a position below the shelf 46A. It is configured to

  The upper surface of the unit base 63 is set to the same height as the placement surface 11A of the apparatus body 11, and is flush with the placement surface 11A.

  In addition, on the placement surface 11A, a carry-in path 65 for carrying the filling unit 40 and a carry-out path 66 for carrying the filling unit 40 are arranged in front and rear. In the present embodiment, about one third of the front side in the front-rear direction of the placement surface 11 </ b> A corresponds to the carry-in path 65, and about one third of the rear side corresponds to the carry-out path 66. However, there is no clear boundary between them, and they are flush with each other.

  The carry-in path 65 and the carry-out path 66 are provided with a pair of front and rear traveling rails 67 and 68 extending in the left-right direction. These various traveling rails constitute the guide means (guide rail) in the present embodiment.

  Correspondingly, a pair of traveling rails 70 are also formed on the upper surface of the unit base 63 along the left-right direction (see FIG. 10 and the like). And when unit stand 63 is located in the forefront part of level difference part 11B (refer to Drawing 12), the front and back and height position of run rail 70 on the unit stand 63 and run rail 67 of carrying-in way 65 are the same. The two rails 67 and 70 are connected to each other. On the other hand, when the unit base 63 is located at the end of the step portion 11B (see FIG. 11), the front and rear and height positions of the travel rail 70 on the unit base 63 and the travel rail 68 of the carry-out path 66 are the same. The two rails 68 and 70 are connected to each other.

  Corresponding to each of the traveling rails 70 and the like, a pair of front and rear groove-shaped rail grooves 73 extending in the left-right direction are provided on the lower surface of the unit cover 46 of the filling unit 40 (a position below the shelf 46A) ( (See FIG. 4).

  Further, a traveling mechanism 75 as a traveling means including a driving roller or the like is provided at a position below the shelf 46A of the filling unit 40 (second space K2). Thereby, the filling unit 40 can be self-propelled along the traveling rails 70 and the like. In addition, the filling unit 40 includes various sensors capable of detecting its own position, a transmission / reception function for performing transmission / reception with the apparatus main body 11 and other filling units 40, and the like.

  Next, a procedure for exchanging the used filling unit 40 (40A) and the new filling unit 40 (40B) will be described.

  During operation of the PTP packaging machine 10, the filling unit 40 is installed in a predetermined installation area on the apparatus main body 11 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the front half of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 11 is the same as the formation range of the stepped portion 11B in the left-right direction, and the front half of the entire filling unit 40 in a plan view corresponds to the installation area. The rear half corresponds to a save area described later. However, there is no clear boundary between both areas.

  The filling unit 40 in the installation area is in a state of being placed on the unit base 63 located at the forefront portion of the step portion 11B. Here, the filling unit 40 is locked by a predetermined locking mechanism of the filling unit 40 and is fixed to the unit base 63.

  When the used filling unit 40A and the new filling unit 40B are exchanged, first, as shown in FIG. 6, as a transporting means, to the left side of the apparatus main body 11 of the PTP packaging machine 10 in operation. Using the cart 80, the operator carries the new filling unit 40B. On the upper surface of the carriage 80, a pair of traveling rails 82 are formed along the left-right direction corresponding to the traveling rails 67, 68 of the carry-in path 65 and the carry-out path 66. The new filling unit 40B It is placed on the carriage 80 in a state where its own rail groove 73 is fitted in 82. At this time, the new filling unit 40 </ b> B is locked by a predetermined locking mechanism that the new filling unit 40 </ b> B has and is fixed to the carriage 80.

  Subsequently, the cart 80 is connected to the left end front side (loading port) of the apparatus main body 11 corresponding to the carry-in path 65 via a predetermined connecting means. The upper surface of the carriage 80 is set to the same height as the mounting surface 11A of the apparatus main body 11, and is flush with the mounting surface 11A when connected. When the cart 80 is connected to the left end front side (loading path 65) of the apparatus main body 11, the front and rear and height positions of the traveling rail 82 on the cart 80 and the traveling rail 67 of the loading path 65 are determined. The two rails 67 and 82 are connected to each other.

  When the operation of the PTP packaging machine 10 is stopped, as shown in FIG. 7, the unit base 63 automatically moves to the rear, which is a retreat area, with the used filling unit 40 </ b> A being placed. When the unit base 63 reaches the end of the step portion 11B, the unit base 63 stops.

  Thus, when the used filling unit 40A retreats to the retreat area, the new filling unit 40 detects this and starts moving along the traveling rails 67 and 82 onto the carry-in path 65 of the apparatus main body 11. As shown in FIG. 8, the used filling unit 40A once stops traveling and waits when it reaches a predetermined position on the carry-in path 65.

  Next, when it is confirmed that the empty trolley 80 does not have the filling unit 40A on itself by sensor detection or the like, as shown in FIG. 9, the trolley 80 remains connected to the left end of the apparatus body 11. Then, it automatically moves to the rear side of the apparatus main body 11. The carriage 80 is connected to the rear end (unloading port) of the left end of the apparatus main body 11 corresponding to the carry-out path 66, and the running rail 82 on the carriage 80 and the running rail 68 of the carry-out path 66 are connected to each other. The front and rear and the height position coincide, and both rails 68 and 82 are connected.

  When the movement of the carriage 80 is completed, the used filling unit 40A that has detected the movement starts to move from the unit base 63 to the carry-out path 66 along the traveling rails 68 and 70 as shown in FIG. . Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the used filling unit 40 </ b> A stops traveling when it contacts the stopper 85 when it moves to the carriage 80 along the traveling rail 82. Then, the used filling unit 40 </ b> A is locked by a predetermined locking mechanism that the used filling unit 40 </ b> A does not fall from the carriage 80 and is fixed to the carriage 80.

  When the mounting of the used filling unit 40A on the carriage 80 is completed, the unit base 63 moves forward on the apparatus main body 11 as shown in FIG. 12, and stops when it reaches the forefront part of the step part 11B. To do.

  When the movement of the unit base 63 is completed, the new filling unit 40B that has been waiting on the carry-in path 65 starts to travel again, and moves onto the unit base 63 along the travel rails 67 and 70 as shown in FIG. It stops when it comes in contact with the stopper 86. The new filling unit 40 </ b> B is locked by a predetermined locking mechanism of the new filling unit 40 </ b> B and is fixed to the unit base 63.

  As described above, when the installation of the new filling unit 40B in the installation area is completed, the PTP packaging machine 10 starts operating again. On the other hand, the operator pushes the carriage 80 to carry out the used filling unit 40A to the cleaning room or the like.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, when the new filling unit 40B is installed in the installation area when the used filling unit 40A is replaced with the new filling unit 40B, the used filling unit is used. By retracting 40A from the installation area to the retreat area, the installation area becomes an empty space, and a new filling unit 40B can be installed in the installation area. That is, the loading of the new filling unit 40B can be started without waiting for the completion of the carrying out of the used filling unit 40A from the apparatus main body 11 of the PTP packaging machine 10. Further, since both the used filling unit 40A and the new filling unit 40B can be placed on the apparatus main body 11 at the same time, the loading / unloading operation of the filling unit 40 can be performed without using a plurality of carts 80, etc. And carrying work. As a result, it does not require a lot of manpower. As a result, it is possible to improve workability and convenience when the filling unit 40 is replaced. As a result, the operation stop period of the PTP packaging machine 10 can be shortened.

  In the present embodiment, the carry-in path 65 and the carry-out path 66 are provided separately. Thereby, the replacement | exchange operation | work with used filling unit 40A and new filling unit 40B can be performed more smoothly. Moreover, the space which makes each filling unit 40 stand by during various work processes can be ensured. Furthermore, the carry-in port and the carry-out port to which the cart 80 is connected are arranged in parallel, and it becomes easy to share one cart 80 for carrying-in and carrying-out. In addition, since the distance from the carry-in port to the carry-out port is also shortened, it is possible to save the travel time and travel space of the carriage 80.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the evacuation area and the carry-out path 66 are provided on the rear side of the apparatus main body 11 with respect to the installation area and the carry-in path 65, so that the tablet powder attached to the used filling unit 40A is in the production area E1. Among them, it can be prevented as much as possible from mixing into the container film 3 and the PTP sheet 1.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the labor of the operator is reduced by providing a unit base 63 that moves the used filling unit 40A from the installation area to the retreat area, a configuration that allows the filling unit 40 to be self-propelled, and the like. Further improvement in workability and convenience when replacing the filling unit can be achieved.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of the said embodiment, For example, you may implement as follows. Of course, other application examples and modification examples not illustrated below are also possible.

  (A) The position, size, range, and the like of the evacuation area and the installation area, the carry-in path 65, the carry-out path 66, and the like are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, at least one of the carry-in path 65 and the carry-out path 66 may be omitted, and the carry-in / carry-out may be performed directly with respect to the installation area or the retreat area. Alternatively, a new filling unit 40B may be carried into the installation area from the rear side of the apparatus main body 11, and the used filling unit 40A may be retreated to a retreat area provided on the left side of the installation area.

  (B) In the above-described embodiment, various devices such as the filling unit 40, the unit base 63, and the carriage 80 automatically operate according to their own sensor detection, external reception information, an instruction from the device main body 11, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be adopted in which each device is moved by the operator's human power or by the operator's operation. Further, the traveling rails 67 and 68 and the unit base 63 may be omitted.

  (C) The configuration of the filling unit 40 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the tablet filling mechanism is configured by using the straight traveling trough 42 and the bowl feeder 43, but instead of these, a straight traveling feeder may be used.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... PTP sheet, 2 ... Pocket part, 3 ... Container film, 4 ... Cover film, 5 ... Tablet, 10 ... PTP packaging machine, 11 ... Apparatus main body, 11A ... Mounting surface, 11B ... Step part, 16 ... Filling device , 40 ... filling unit, 63 ... unit base, 65 ... carry-in path, 66 ... carry-out path, 67, 68 ... travel rail, 73 ... rail groove, 75 ... travel mechanism, 80 ... carriage.

Claims (5)

A PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus that is detachably installed in a predetermined installation area on the apparatus body, with a tablet filling mechanism that fills tablets in a pocket formed in a long container film as a filling unit,
A retreat area for retracting the filling unit from the installation area is provided on the apparatus body,
Wherein the conveying means for conveying the filling unit is configured to be connected, and a guide capable introduction passage without going through the evacuation area of the filling unit from the conveying means to the installation area,
Wherein the articulated configured to be able to transport means, and, PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the filling unit juxtaposed and guidable out path without passing through the introduction passage to said transport means from said evacuation area .   The PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a moving unit configured to be movable from the installation area to the retreat area in a state where the filling unit is placed. A film transport path for transporting the container film is provided at the front of the apparatus body,
The PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the evacuation area is provided at a rear portion of the apparatus main body with respect to the installation area.   The PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filling unit includes traveling means for self-running.   5. The PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a guide unit configured to guide movement of the filling unit on the apparatus main body.

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