JP5889846B2 - PTP packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a packaging machine for blister packaging sheets (hereinafter referred to as “PTP sheets”) for packaging tablets.

  Generally, a PTP sheet has, for example, a container film having a plurality of pocket portions and a cover film attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portions. The pocket part is filled with articles such as tablets and capsules. In addition, the PTP sheet is formed by punching a long PTP film in which the article is filled in the pocket portion.

  Further, such a PTP sheet is formed by a dedicated PTP wrapping machine with respect to a container film fed from the most upstream side of the wrapping machine, forming a pocket portion, filling the article, attaching a cover film, The film is manufactured by sequentially performing various processes such as punching of the film.

  By the way, in the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet, it is necessary to prevent the dust from adhering to the inside of the pocket portion or the article. Therefore, a method has been proposed in which the PTP packaging machine is covered with a predetermined cover, and clean air is fed into the cover so that filling of the article, attachment of the cover film, etc. is performed in a clean space. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Registered Utility Model No. 3010097

  However, in the above method, the PTP sheet is transported from the PTP packaging machine to a weight checker, an inspection conveyor, or the like located outside the cover along a substantially horizontal path. Therefore, the PTP sheet carried out of the cover is covered with the wind blown from the PTP sheet carry-out port of the cover, and there is a possibility that the stable conveyance of the PTP sheet may be hindered. On the other hand, the air volume from the carry-out port is reduced by increasing the opening area of the carry-out port or reducing the amount of air blown into the cover in order to stably carry the conveyed object. It is possible. However, in this case, the cleanliness in the space in the cover may be impaired.

  Further, the PTP sheet is usually carried out from the first space (clean zone) inside the cover to the second space (general zone) outside the cover by a carrying-out means that can reciprocate such as a conveyor or a claw attached to the conveyor. However, in the above method, the carry-out means is provided across the clean zone and the general zone. Therefore, when the carry-out means returns from the general zone to the clean zone, there is a possibility that dust adhering to the carry-out means is brought into the clean zone.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, The objective can prevent the malfunction by the wind from 1st space provided with the filling means etc., and the penetration | invasion of the dust with respect to 1st space. It is providing the PTP packaging machine which can prevent more reliably.

  In the following, each means suitable for solving the above-described object will be described in terms of items. In addition, the effect specific to the means to respond | corresponds as needed is added.

Means 1. Pocket portion forming means for forming a pocket portion for accommodating a predetermined article with respect to the belt-like container film;
Filling means for filling the article into the pocket portion formed in the container film;
An attachment means for attaching a cover film to the container film containing the article in the pocket portion so as to close the pocket portion;
Punching means for punching a strip-shaped PTP film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film in units of PTP sheets,
A PTP packaging machine configured to deliver the container film from the attachment means to the punching means;
The pocket portion forming means, the filling means, and the attachment means are arranged, and a first space that is under a positive pressure equal to or higher than atmospheric pressure, and the punching means are arranged, and the pressure of the first space is higher than the atmospheric pressure of the first space. While separating the second space made low pressure, the partition having a hole through which the PTP film can pass,
The PTP wrapping machine, wherein the PTP film is configured to be carried out from the first space to the second space through the hole.

  According to the means 1, since the punching means that may generate dust is disposed in the second space (outside the first space), the inside of the first space can be more reliably kept clean.

  Furthermore, according to the above means 1, the belt-like PTP film before being punched into the PTP sheet passes through the hole and is carried out in one way from the first space (clean zone) to the second space (general zone). The Therefore, dust is not brought into the first space from the second space (by the carry-out means), and the dust can be more reliably prevented from entering the first space.

  In addition, according to the above means 1, since the PTP film is continuously carried out from the first space to the second space, unlike the conventional technique in which the PTP sheet may be individually covered, the wind from the hole portion. Even if squirts are blown out, it is difficult for the transport of the PTP film to become unstable.

  The “PTP film may be configured to be carried out from the first space to the second space through the hole in a state where a predetermined tension is applied”. . In this case, the PTP film can be carried out more stably.

Mean 2. Upstream from the punching means, a slit forming means for forming a slit for separating the PTP sheet is provided for the PTP film,
The PTP packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the hole is provided at a position upstream of the slit forming means.

  According to the means 2, the slit forming means that may generate foreign matters such as debris is disposed outside the first space (second space). For this reason, the first space can be more reliably kept clean.

Means 3. Upstream from the punching means, a marking means for forming a marking at a predetermined position of the PTP film is provided,
The PTP packaging machine according to means 1 or 2, wherein the hole is provided at a position upstream of the marking means.

  According to the means 3, the marking means that may cause a foreign matter is arranged outside the first space (second space). Therefore, the inside of the first space can be more reliably kept clean.

  Means 4. The PTP packaging machine according to any one of means 1 to 3, wherein the attaching means is configured to thermally weld the cover film to the container film.

  According to the means 1 or the like, the PTP film is cooled by the wind blown from the hole. Therefore, in the configuration in which the cover film is thermally welded to the container film as in the above means 4, the PTP film can be quickly cooled after the cover film is attached to the container film. That is, a film softened by heat is generally unstable (for example, easily stretched and easily deformed), but according to the above means 4, the PTP film can be quickly stabilized after the cover film is attached. Can be achieved. Moreover, since the apparatus for cooling the PTP film can be simplified or omitted, the production cost can be reduced.

(A) is a perspective view which shows the structure of a PTP sheet, (b) is a partially broken enlarged view of a PTP sheet. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a PTP packaging machine. It is an enlarged view which shows the shape of a hole. (A), (b) is an expansion schematic diagram which shows another example of the arrangement | positioning position of a partition part. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows a 1st room and a 2nd room, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows a 1st unit, (c) is a schematic diagram which shows a 2nd unit. . It is a schematic diagram which shows a downstream apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the upstream apparatus and downstream apparatus which are arrange | positioned at the 1st room and the 2nd room.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the PTP sheet 1 is attached to the container film 3 having a plurality of protruding pocket portions 2 and the container film 3 so as to close the pocket portions 2. And a flat cover film 4. In addition, the PTP sheet 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and a plurality of pocket rows including a plurality of pocket portions 2 arranged along the sheet longitudinal direction are formed in the sheet lateral direction. And in the pocket part 2, the tablet 5 as an article | item is accommodated one each.

  The container film 3 is made of a transparent or translucent material (for example, unstretched polypropylene or the like). The cover film 4 is made of an opaque material (for example, aluminum, an aluminum foil coated with a sealant made of PP (polypropylene), etc.).

  Further, the container film 3 is formed with a plurality of horizontal slits 6 so that the container film 3 can be separated into, for example, a pair of small pieces including two pocket portions 2. Further, the PTP sheet 1 is provided with a stamp 7 indicating identification information such as a lot number.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the PTP packaging machine (blister packaging machine) 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a schematic configuration of the PTP packaging machine 10. The PTP packaging machine 10 includes an upstream device 20 that manufactures the PTP sheet 1 and a downstream device 40 that conveys and boxes the manufactured PTP sheet 1.

  First, the upstream device 20 will be described. In the spool zone at the left end of the upstream apparatus 20 (PTP packaging machine 10), a container film original 3a in which a strip-shaped container film 3 is wound in a roll shape, and spare container film originals 3b, 3c, 3d An automatic film splicing mechanism 21A for connecting the container film original fabric 3a and the spare container film original fabric 3b is provided. Then, the container film 3 is intermittently fed out from the spool zone to the downstream pocket forming zone.

  In the spool zone at the center of the upstream apparatus 20, a cover film original 4a in which a belt-like cover film 4 is wound in a roll shape, a spare cover film original 4b, a cover film original 4a and a spare cover are provided. An automatic film splicing mechanism 21B for performing a connection operation with the film original fabric 4b is provided. Then, the cover film 4 is continuously fed out and conveyed from the spool zone to the downstream seal zone.

  In the pocket forming zone, a pocket portion forming device 22 as a pocket portion forming means is provided in order along the conveyance path of the container film 3. The pocket portion forming device 22 includes a heating device 22A and a molding die device 22B.

  The heating device 22A partially heats and softens the container film 3. The molding die device 22B includes a die corresponding to the shape of the pocket portion 2, and the container film 3 in a heated / softened state is deformed by the die so that the pocket portion 2 is formed on the container film 3. Form. In addition, formation of the pocket part 2 is performed at the interval between conveyance operations of the container film 3.

  The container film 3 in which the pocket portion 2 is formed includes a pocket forming zone, a filling zone having a filling device 23 as a filling means, an inspection zone having an appearance inspection device 24, and a sealing zone having a sealing device 25 as an attachment means. In this order. Incidentally, a step roller 38 is provided in the conveyance path of the container film 3 from the pocket forming zone to the filling zone. The container film 3 is intermittently transported upstream of the step roller 38, and is continuously transported downstream of the step roller 38 and upstream of a later-described step roller 39. Has been.

  The filling device 23 includes a rotary drum, for example, and automatically fills the tablet 5 into the pocket portion 2 formed in the container film 3.

  The appearance inspection device 24 inspects whether or not the tablets 5 are reliably filled in the pockets 2, whether or not there is an appearance abnormality such as chipping or cracking of the tablets 5, and whether or not foreign matter is mixed. In addition, when a defective product is determined by the appearance inspection device 24, a defective product signal is sent to a defective sheet discharge mechanism (not shown), and the PTP sheet 1 that has been determined to be defective is separately discharged by the defective sheet discharge mechanism and is not shown. Transfer to defective hopper.

  The sealing device 25 includes a film receiving roll 25A and a heating roll 25B, and is configured so that the heating roll 25B can be pressed against the film receiving roll 25A. And the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are sent between both roll 25A, 25B, and the cover film 4 is affixed on the container film 3 by passing between both roll 25A, 25B in a heating-pressing state ( That is, the cover film 4 is thermally welded to the container film 3). Thereby, the strip-shaped PTP film 8 with which the tablet 5 was filled in each pocket part 2 is obtained. In addition, the surface of the heating roll 25B is formed with a mesh-like protrusion for sealing, and a strong seal is realized by strongly pressing the container roll 3 and the like.

  The obtained PTP film 8 is sent out to the sheet forming zone. In the sheet forming zone, a marking device 26 as a marking device, a slit forming device 27 as a slit forming device, and a sheet punching device 28 as a punching device are provided in order along the transport path of the PTP film 8. ing. Note that a step roller 39 is provided in the transport path of the PTP film 8 from the seal zone to the sheet forming zone. The PTP film 8 is configured to be continuously transported upstream of the step roller 39 and intermittently transported downstream of the step roller 39.

  The marking device 26 attaches the marking 7 to a predetermined position of the PTP film 8, and the slit forming device 27 forms the lateral slit 6 at a predetermined position of the PTP film 8. The sheet punching device 28 punches the PTP film 8 in units of one PTP sheet. The end material falling from the sheet punching device 28 is stored in a scrap hopper (not shown) provided on the downstream side of the sheet punching device 28.

  Further, the punched PTP sheets 1 are stacked by a PTP sheet stacking device 29. The PTP sheet stacking device 29 includes a suction rail 30, a transport device 31, and a sheet storage device 32.

  The suction rail 30 is provided above the sheet punching device 28. The punched PTP sheet 1 is configured such that its upper surface is adsorbed by the adsorption rail 30.

  The conveyance device 31 includes a conveyor 31A, a plurality of conveyor claws 31B provided on the outer periphery of the conveyor 31A, and a conveyance table 31C. The conveyor 31A is configured to continuously move along an annular moving path. The conveyor claw 31B moves with the movement of the conveyor 31A, and pushes and conveys the PTP sheet 1 by the movement of the conveyor 31. The conveyance table 31C extends from immediately before the end of the suction rail 30 to the sheet storage device 32, and includes a pair of rails (not shown) extending along the moving direction of the conveyor 31B. The PTP sheet 1 is initially conveyed by the conveyor claws 31B while being adsorbed to the adsorption rails 30, and then conveyed to the sheet storage device 32 while being placed on the conveyance table 31C.

  The sheet storage device 32 includes a plurality of columns extending in the vertical direction, and includes a rectangular parallelepiped storage space 32S that can be stored in a state in which the plurality of PTP sheets 1 are stacked horizontally. doing. And it is comprised so that the PTP sheet 1 conveyed by the conveyor nail | claw 31B may be thrown into the upper opening part of the storage space 32S.

  Further, the sheet storage device 32 includes lower support means (not shown), and the PTP sheet 1 put into the storage space 32S is supported by the lower support means. That is, the PTP sheet 1 that falls in the accommodation space 32S is accommodated in a state of being stacked in the accommodation space 32S by the lower support means.

  The sheet storage device 32 includes a lower limit position sensor and an upper limit position sensor (not shown), respectively, and can determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the stacking amount of the PTP sheets 1 in the sheet storage device 32. It is like that.

  In addition, the sheet storage device 32 includes a discharge unit (not shown), and the discharge unit temporarily releases the support of the PTP sheet 1 by the lower support unit according to an instruction from the boxing device 42 described later. And every time it cancels | releases, the downstream apparatus passes through the lower side opening part opened toward the downward direction of the accommodation space 32S in an order from the lowest one among the PTP sheets 1 accommodated in the accommodation space 32S. It is dropped to 40 side.

  The downstream device 40 includes a conveyor 41 and a boxing device 42.

  The conveyor 41 is arrange | positioned under the sheet | seat accommodation apparatus 32, and is comprised so that it may move continuously along a cyclic | annular movement path | route. Then, the PTP sheet 1 dropped from the sheet storage device 32 onto the conveyor 41 is arranged on the conveyor 41 and conveyed to the boxing device 42 by the conveyor 41.

  The boxing device 42 is disposed downstream of the conveyor 41 and has a function of boxing the PTP sheet 1 conveyed by the conveyor 41.

  Next, features of the present invention will be described.

  In this embodiment, at least the pocket part forming device 22, the filling device 23, and the sealing device 25 of the upstream device 20 are configured by being covered with a cover (not shown), and the internal space of the cover is the first. One space 51S is formed. The first space 51S is in a state of being blocked from the outside air except for the outside air inlet 34 described later and a hole 51H described later.

  Further, the upstream device 20 is provided with an outside air intake port 34 communicating with the first space 51S. The outside air inlet port 34 passes through a filter 35 for removing dust, and the filter 35. The fan 36 for taking in the clean outside air into the first space 51S is provided. The first space 51 </ b> S is a positive pressure that is equal to or higher than the atmospheric pressure due to the outside air taken in by the fan 36, and is a clean zone in which dust from the outside hardly enters.

  Further, the sheet punching device 28, the PTP sheet stacking device 29, the upstream device 40, and the like are disposed in a second space 52S (general zone) located outside the first space 51S. The second space 52S has a lower pressure (in the present embodiment, atmospheric pressure) than the pressure in the first space 51S.

  In addition, a position downstream of the sealing device 25 and upstream of the sheet punching device 28 along the conveyance path of the PTP film 8 (in this embodiment, a position upstream of the slit forming device 26). Is provided with a plate-like partition 55 for separating the two spaces 51S and 52S. The partition portion 55 is formed with a hole portion 55H penetrating in its own thickness direction, and the PTP film 8 is intermittently carried out from the first space 51S to the second space 52S through the hole portion 55H. It is comprised so that. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the hole 55H has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the PTP film 8 when the PTP film 8 is viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction or the downstream side in the transport direction. Is configured to be relatively small. Thus, the speed (air volume) of the air blown from the first space 51S under the positive pressure to the second space 52S having a lower pressure than the first space 51S through the hole 55H is relatively large. It is configured. However, the opening area of the hole 55H is equal to or larger than the cross-sectional area of the PTP film 8, and the PTP film 8 can pass through. Even if the PTP film 8 vibrates due to operation of the machine, the PTP film 8 contacts the partition part 55. It is set to a size that does not (not wrinkle the PTP film 8 by the partition 55).

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, since the sheet punching device 28 that may generate dust is disposed in the second space 52S (outside the first space 51S), the first space 51S. The inside can be more reliably kept clean.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the slit forming device 26 and the marking device 27, each of which may generate foreign matter, are also arranged in the second space 52S, so that the inside of the first space 51S can be more reliably kept clean.

  Further, the strip-shaped PTP film 8 before being punched into the PTP sheet 1 passes through the hole 55H and is carried out in one way from the first space 51S (clean zone) to the second space 52S (general zone). Therefore, the dust is not brought into the first space 51S from the second space 52S (by the carrying-out means), and the dust can be more reliably prevented from entering the first space 51S.

  In addition, since the PTP film 8 is carried out from the first space 51S to the second space 52S, unlike the conventional technique in which the PTP sheet may be individually covered, even if the wind blows out from the hole 55H, It is difficult for the transport of the PTP film 8 to become unstable.

  Further, the PTP film 8 can be quickly cooled after the cover film 4 is attached to the container film 3 by the air blown from the hole 55H. That is, while a film softened by heat is generally unstable (for example, easily stretched or easily deformed), according to the present embodiment, the PTP film 8 after the cover film 4 is attached is early. Stabilization can be achieved. Moreover, since the apparatus for cooling the PTP film 8 can be simplified or omitted, the production cost can be reduced.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the air volume from the hole 55H is increased by making the hole 55H a shape corresponding to the shape of the PTP film 8 and relatively reducing the opening area of the hole 55H. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the PTP film 8 can be further increased.

  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.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the partition portion 55 is provided at a position upstream of the marking device 26 along the transport path of the PTP film 8, but the partition portion is along the transport path of the PTP film 8. Thus, it may be provided at a position upstream of the sheet punching device 28. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, the partition portion 55 may be disposed between the marking device 26 and the slit forming device 27. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the partition portion 55 may be disposed between the slit forming device 27 and the sheet punching device 28.

  (B) The configuration of the PTP packaging machine 10 in the above embodiment is merely an example, and for example, the PTP packaging machine may be configured using a predetermined room. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, a first room 61 and a second room 62 that is adjacent to the first room 61 with a partition 65 therebetween are prepared. The partition portion 65 is provided with a hole 65H that allows the spaces 61S and 62S to communicate with each other and allows the PTP film 8 to pass therethrough. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the upstream device 20 is constituted by a first unit 20U having a sealing device 25 and the like, and a second unit 20L having a sheet punching device 28 and the like. The units 20U and 20L can be combined and separated. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the downstream device 40 (see FIG. 6) and the second unit 20 </ b> L are arranged in the second chamber 62, and the first unit 20 </ b> U is arranged in the first chamber 61. At this time, the PTP film 8 is carried out from the first unit 20U side to the second unit 20L side through the hole 65H. The first space 61S, which is the internal space of the first room 61, has a positive pressure, and the second space 62S, which is the internal space of the second room 62, has a lower pressure than the atmospheric pressure of the first space 61S. To do. Thereby, the PTP packaging machine 11 can be configured using the first room 61 and the second room 62. In addition, the effect by the PTP packaging machine 11 is the same as the effect by the said embodiment.

  (C) The shape of the hole 55H in the above embodiment is an example, and the shape of the hole 55H is not particularly limited as long as the PTP film 8 can pass therethrough. However, in order to improve the sealing performance of the first space 51S, it is preferable that the opening area of the hole 55H is not excessively large.

  Further, for example, the shape of the hole 55H may be appropriately changed. For example, a through hole is provided in the partition part 55, and a hole forming part having a hole part 55H is configured to be attached (inserted) / removable from the through hole. And while preparing the several hole formation part provided with the hole 55H corresponding to the shape of various PTP films, changing the hole formation part attached to the said through-hole according to the classification (shape) of PTP film Thus, the shape of the hole 55H may be changed as appropriate.

  (D) The configuration of the PTP sheet 1 in the above embodiment is an exemplification, and the configuration of the PTP sheet is not limited to this. Therefore, for example, the PTP sheet 1 may have a vertical slit. Moreover, the PTP sheet 1 may not include at least one of a slit and a stamp. In the case where no slit is provided, the slit forming device 27 may be omitted. Further, when the marking is not provided, the marking device 26 may be omitted.

  (E) In the said embodiment, although the tablet is mentioned as an article | item, you may employ | adopt a capsule as an article | item. Moreover, the shape of a tablet or a capsule is not specifically limited.

  (F) The PTP film 8 passes through the hole 55H and is intermittently carried out from the first space 51S to the second space 52S. When the PTP film 8 at the time of intermittent carrying out stops, the inside of the hole 55H Alternatively, the stop position of the PTP film 8 may be set so that the pocket portion 2 of the PTP film 8 is disposed. In this case, when the PTP film 8 is stopped, the ventilation area of the hole 55 </ b> H can be reduced by the pocket portion 2. As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress dust from entering the first space 51S.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... PTP sheet, 2 ... Pocket part, 3 ... Container film, 4 ... Cover film, 5 ... Tablet (article), 6 ... Horizontal slit (slit), 7 ... Stamp, 8 ... PTP film, 10 ... PTP packaging machine, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 ... Pocket part formation apparatus (pocket part formation means), 23 ... Filling apparatus (filling means), 25 ... Sealing apparatus (attachment means), 26 ... Marking apparatus (engraving means), 27 ... Slit formation apparatus (slit formation means) ), 51S: first space, 52S: second space, 55: partition, 55H: hole.

Claims (4)

Pocket portion forming means for forming a pocket portion for accommodating a predetermined article with respect to the belt-like container film;
Filling means for filling the article into the pocket portion formed in the container film;
An attachment means for attaching a cover film to the container film containing the article in the pocket portion so as to close the pocket portion;
Punching means for punching a strip-shaped PTP film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film in units of PTP sheets,
A PTP packaging machine configured to deliver the container film from the attachment means to the punching means;
The pocket portion forming means, the filling means, and the attachment means are arranged, and a first space that is under a positive pressure equal to or higher than atmospheric pressure, and the punching means are arranged, and the pressure of the first space is higher than the atmospheric pressure of the first space. While separating the second space made low pressure, the partition having a hole through which the PTP film can pass,
The PTP wrapping machine, wherein the PTP film is configured to be carried out from the first space to the second space through the hole. Upstream from the punching means, a slit forming means for forming a slit for separating the PTP sheet is provided for the PTP film,
The PTP packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the hole is provided at a position upstream of the slit forming means. Upstream from the punching means, a marking means for forming a marking at a predetermined position of the PTP film is provided,
The PTP packaging machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hole is provided at a position upstream of the marking means.   The PTP packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the attachment means is configured to thermally weld the cover film to the container film.

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