JP6865714B2 - Manufacturing method of PTP sheet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a process for the production of PTP sheets formed by accommodating tablets subjected to the printing.

A PTP (press-through pack) sheet is generally known as a blister sheet used in the field of pharmaceuticals and the like. The PTP sheet includes a container film having a pocket portion for containing a tablet, and a cover film attached so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion with respect to the container film.

The PTP sheet has a step of forming a pocket portion on the band-shaped container film to be conveyed, a step of filling the pocket portion with tablets, and a strip-shaped cover film on the container film so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion. It is manufactured through a step of attaching, a step of punching a strip-shaped PTP film composed of a container film and a cover film into PTP sheet units, and the like.

In recent years, tablets in which a printing portion is formed by printing identification information such as characters and symbols using an inkjet printing device can be seen (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, a large number of tablets pre-printed using a tablet printing device as in Patent Document 1 are put into the hopper (tablet storage unit) of the PTP packaging machine, and from here, the pockets are sequentially filled with PTP sheets. In the case of manufacturing, for example, in the hopper or the supply chute, the printed part of the tablet is rubbed or chipped before the tablet is filled in the pocket part, and the printed content becomes unclear. There is a risk of becoming. Especially in the case of a brittle tablet such as an orally disintegrating tablet, such a defect may become more prominent.

On the other hand, some PTP packaging machines have a function of printing on tablets (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-2017-164488 Jitsukaisho 50-118262

However, when printing is performed on the tablets in the process of sequentially transporting the tablets to the pockets by the supply drum and filling them as in Patent Document 2, the printed portion that has just been printed is shortly after the ink dries. It will immediately come into contact with the pocket and cover film. Therefore, the printed content may be unclear due to the printed portion rubbing against the pocket portion or the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, an object thereof is to provide a manufacturing how the PTP sheet which it is possible to reduce suppression of appearance quality in the printing unit.

Hereinafter, each means suitable for solving the above object will be described in terms of terms. In addition, the action and effect peculiar to the corresponding means will be added as necessary.

Means 1. A method for producing a PTP sheet, wherein a tablet is housed in a pocket portion formed on a container film, and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion.
A pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion with respect to the band-shaped container film to be conveyed,
The filling step of filling the pocket with tablets,
An attachment step of attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with tablets so as to close the pocket portion.
The container film is provided with a cutting step of separating the PTP sheet from the strip-shaped PTP film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film.
The filling step includes a step of printing on the tablet by an inkjet printing device while adsorbing and transporting the tablet.
Recesses are formed in advance on the front surface and / or the back surface of the tablet, and in the filling step, printing is performed in the recesses of the tablet, and the tablet is filled in the pocket portion.
The filling step includes a step of obtaining image data by imaging at least the surface of the tablet on the side where the recess is formed.
In the filling step, the inkjet printing device is controlled so as to print in the recess based on the image data.
In the step of obtaining the image data, at least the position of the recess is grasped.
A method for producing a PTP sheet, which comprises printing in accordance with the grasped position of the concave portion in the step of printing a tablet by the inkjet printing apparatus.

According to the above means 1, in the filling step, printing is performed in the concave portion of the tablet by an inkjet printing device, so that a printing portion is formed on the surface forming the concave portion in the tablet, and the printing portion is present in the concave portion. It becomes a state. Therefore, after filling the pocket with the tablet, the printed part is less likely to rub against the pocket (container film) or the cover film, and even if the tablet is filled in the pocket before the ink dries, the printed content is not good. It can be more reliably prevented from becoming clear. As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress the deterioration of the appearance quality in the printed portion.

Further, according to the above means 1, since the tablets can be filled in the pocket portion before the ink is sufficiently dried, the tablet transport speed (filling speed) can be increased (for example, 100 or more tablets per second). It is possible to fully meet the demand for packaging), and as a result, the production speed can be increased.

Further, in the inkjet printing apparatus, there is a concern that the ink to be ejected is flown due to the influence of the wind (air flow) and the print quality is deteriorated. According to this, since printing is performed in the recess, the tablet (particularly the portion forming the recess) functions as a windshield. Therefore, the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems due to the influence of wind can be effectively suppressed, and good print quality can be obtained more reliably.

In addition, based on the image data acquired in the imaging process, it is possible to grasp the position and orientation of the recesses in the tablet to be printed before printing, and it is appropriate to match the position and orientation of the recesses with an inkjet printing device. Printing can be performed.

Means 2. A method for producing a PTP sheet, wherein a tablet is housed in a pocket portion formed on a container film, and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion.
A pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion with respect to the band-shaped container film to be conveyed,
The filling step of filling the pocket with tablets,
An attachment step of attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with tablets so as to close the pocket portion.
The container film is provided with a cutting step of separating the PTP sheet from the strip-shaped PTP film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film.
The filling step includes a step of printing on the tablet by an inkjet printing device while adsorbing and transporting the tablet.
A recess is formed in advance in the tablet, and in the filling step, printing is performed in the recess of the tablet, and the tablet is filled in the pocket portion.
The filling step includes a step of obtaining image data by imaging at least the surface of the tablet on the side where the recess is formed.
In the filling step, the inkjet printing device is controlled so as to print in the recess based on the image data.
In the step of obtaining the image data, at least the position of the recess is grasped.
In the process of printing a tablet with the inkjet printing device, printing is performed according to the position of the recess as grasped.
The tablet has the recesses on both the front and back sides, and has the recesses.
The filling step is
A first printing step of printing in the recesses provided on one of the front surface and the back surface of the tablet while adsorbing and transporting the tablet.
It includes a second printing step of printing in the recesses provided on the other side of the front surface and the back surface of the tablet while adsorbing and transporting the tablet that has undergone the first printing step in an inverted state. A method for producing a PTP sheet.

According to the above means 2, the tablet is adsorbed when printing is performed in the second printing step, that is, when the surface of the tablet printed in the first printing step is adsorbed. It is possible to more reliably prevent the printing part (ink) from coming into contact with the part. As a result, it is possible to suppress a problem that the printed portion rubs against the suction portion and the printed content becomes unclear.

Further, by preventing the printing portion from coming into contact with the suction portion, it is possible to more reliably prevent the printing from being transferred to the suction portion and then re-transferred to another tablet to be sucked and conveyed. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the occurrence of defective tablets that have been improperly printed, and it is possible to improve productivity.

Means 3 . The method for producing a PTP sheet according to means 1 or 2 , wherein the recess is in a state of non-communication with the side surface of the tablet.

According to the above means 3 , the tablet portion is present on the entire circumference of the recess (the entire circumference of the bottom wall surface of the recess is surrounded). Therefore, the printed portion is less likely to rub against the pocket portion (container film) and the cover film, and it is possible to more effectively suppress deterioration of the appearance quality in the printed portion. In addition, the function of the tablet portion around the recess as a windshield is more effectively exerted, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of printing defects due to the influence of wind.

Means 4. The PTP sheet according to any one of means 1 to 3, wherein when the tablet is adsorbed and transported, the adsorbed portion contacts a portion of the tablet excluding the portion where the concave portion is formed to adsorb and transport the tablet. Manufacturing method.

Means 5. The method for manufacturing a PTP sheet according to any one of means 1 to 4, wherein the bottom wall surface of the recess is a flat surface.

It is a perspective view which shows the PTP sheet. It is a partially enlarged sectional view of a PTP sheet. It is a perspective view of the tablet when viewed from the front surface side. It is a perspective view of the tablet when viewed from the back surface side. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the PTP packaging machine. It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the tablet filling apparatus. It is a partially cutaway perspective view which shows a rotary drum and a fixed valve. It is a partially cutaway perspective view which shows a rotary drum and a fixed valve. It is a partially enlarged sectional view of the rotary drum which shows the suction part. It is a perspective view which shows the PTP film. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of a PTP sheet.

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the PTP sheet will be described in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the PTP sheet 1 has a container film 3 having a plurality of pocket portions 2 and a cover film 4 attached to the container film 3 so as to close the pocket portions 2. ing.

The container film 3 in the present embodiment is formed of a transparent thermoplastic resin material such as PP (polypropylene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and has translucency. On the other hand, the cover film 4 is made of an opaque material (for example, aluminum foil or the like) on which a sealant made of polypropylene resin or the like is provided on the surface. Of course, the materials of the films 3 and 4 are not limited to these, and other materials may be adopted.

The PTP sheet 1 is manufactured by punching a strip-shaped PTP film 6 (see FIG. 10) formed from a strip-shaped container film 3 and a strip-shaped cover film 4 into a sheet shape, and is substantially rectangular in a plan view. It is formed in a shape. In the PTP sheet 1, two rows of pockets composed of five pocket portions 2 arranged along the longitudinal direction thereof are formed in the lateral direction thereof. That is, a total of 10 pocket portions 2 are formed. One tablet 5 is housed in each pocket portion 2.

The tablet 5 in the present embodiment is a disk-shaped uncoated tablet having a circular shape in a plan view, and has a configuration having a side surface 5A and a front surface 5B and a back surface 5C sandwiching the side surface 5A. Further, the side surface 5A includes a tapered portion 5D that chamfers the boundary portion with the front surface 5B and a tapered portion 5E that chamfers the boundary portion of the back surface 5C.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, recesses 5F and 5G are formed on both the front and back surfaces of the tablet 5. More specifically, the surface 5B of the tablet 5 is provided with two recesses 5F having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and these recesses 5F are arranged in parallel at positions sandwiching the center of the surface 5B. Further, the back surface 5C is provided with one recess 5G having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the recess 5G is located at the center of the back surface. Further, in the present embodiment, the recesses 5F and 5G are in a state of non-communication with the side surface 5A of the tablet 5, respectively, and the constituent parts of the tablet 5 exist all around the recesses 5F and 5G (recesses 5F, The entire circumference of the bottom wall surface of 5G is surrounded by side walls). The depth of the recesses 5F and 5G is, for example, 0.5 mm or more, and the bottom wall surface of the recesses 5F and 5G is a flat surface.

Further, on the bottom wall surface of the recesses 5F and 5G of the tablet 5, a printing portion 5J formed by inkjet printing characters, symbols, numbers, figures and the like indicating product information about the tablet 5 is formed. The printing unit 5J is a portion on which characters, numbers, etc. are printed on the tablet 5, and is provided only in the recesses 5F and 5G. In the present embodiment, the printing unit 5J on the front surface 5B side is printed with a predetermined character and a predetermined number in the example shown in FIG. 3, and the printing unit 5J on the back surface 5C side is in the example shown in FIG. , The specified characters are printed. In addition, as product information about tablet 5, "product name", "content", "dosage form", "manufacturer", "lot number" and the like can be mentioned.

Further, in the PTP sheet 1, the printing unit 5J and the container film 3 and the cover film 4 facing the printing unit 5J are in a non-contact state. More specifically, in a state where one of the front surface 5B and the back surface 5C is in contact with the container film 3, the printing portion 5J provided on the one surface side and the container film 3 are in a non-contact state. When the other side of the front surface 5B and the back surface 5C is in contact with the cover film 4, the printing portion 5J provided on the other surface side and the cover film 4 are in non-contact state. ing.

Next, the schematic configuration of the PTP packaging machine 10 for manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the most upstream side of the PTP packaging machine 10, the raw fabric of the strip-shaped container film 3 is wound in a roll shape. The drawer end side of the container film 3 wound in a roll shape is guided by the guide roll 13. The container film 3 is hung on the intermittent feed roll 14 on the downstream side of the guide roll 13. The intermittent feed roll 14 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, and intermittently conveys the container film 3.

A heating device 15 and a pocket portion forming device 16 are sequentially arranged between the guide roll 13 and the intermittent feed roll 14 along the transport path of the container film 3. Then, in a state where the container film 3 is heated by the heating device 15 and the container film 3 becomes relatively flexible, the pocket portion forming device 16 forms a plurality of pocket portions 2 at predetermined positions of the container film 3. The pocket portion 2 is formed at the interval between the transfer operations of the container film 3 by the intermittent feed roll 14.

The container film 3 fed from the intermittent feed roll 14 is hung in the order of the tension roll 18, the guide roll 19, and the film receiving roll 20. Since the film receiving roll 20 is connected to a motor that rotates constantly, the container film 3 is continuously conveyed at a constant speed. The tension roll 18 is in a state in which the container film 3 is pulled toward the tension side by the elastic force, and prevents the container film 3 from loosening due to the difference in the transport operation between the intermittent feed roll 14 and the film receiving roll 20 to prevent the container film 3 from loosening. The film 3 is always kept in a tense state.

A tablet filling device 21 and an inspection device 22 are sequentially arranged between the guide roll 19 and the film receiving roll 20 along the transport path of the container film 3.

The tablet filling device 21 has a function as a filling means for filling the pocket portion 2 with the tablet 5. The tablet filling device 21 adsorbs and conveys the tablet 5 in synchronization with the transfer operation of the container film 3 by the film receiving roll 20, and automatically fills each pocket portion 2 with the tablet 5. Details of the tablet filling device 21 will be described later.

The inspection device 22 mainly inspects whether or not the tablet 5 is surely filled in each pocket portion 2, whether or not the tablet 5 is abnormal, and whether or not foreign matter is mixed in the pocket portion 2.

On the other hand, the original fabric of the cover film 4 formed in a strip shape is wound in a roll shape on the most upstream side. The drawer end of the cover film 4 wound in a roll shape is guided toward the heating roll 25 by the guide roll 24.

The heating roll 25 can be pressure-contacted with the film receiving roll 20, and the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are fed between the rolls 20 and 25. Then, the container film 3 and the cover film 4 pass between the rolls 20 and 25 in a heat and pressure contact state, so that the cover film 4 is attached to the container film 3 and the pocket portion 2 is closed by the cover film 4. .. As a result, a strip-shaped PTP film 6 in which the tablet 5 is housed in each pocket portion 2 is manufactured.

The PTP film 6 fed from the film receiving roll 20 is hung in the order of the tension roll 27 and the intermittent feed roll 28. Since the intermittent feed roll 28 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, the PTP film 6 is intermittently conveyed. The tension roll 27 is in a state of pulling the PTP film 6 toward the tension side by the elastic force, and prevents the PTP film 6 from loosening due to the difference in the transport operation between the film receiving roll 20 and the intermittent feed roll 28. The PTP film 6 is always kept in a tense state.

The PTP film 6 fed from the intermittent feed roll 28 is hung in the order of the tension roll 31 and the intermittent feed roll 32. Since the intermittent feed roll 32 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, the PTP film 6 is intermittently conveyed. The tension roll 31 is in a state of pulling the PTP film 6 toward the tension side by the elastic force, and prevents the PTP film 6 from loosening between the intermittent feed rolls 28 and 32.

A slit forming device 33 and a marking device 34 are sequentially arranged between the intermittent feed roll 28 and the tension roll 31 along the transport path of the PTP film 6. The slit forming device 33 has a function of forming a slit for cutting at a predetermined position of the PTP film 6. Further, the marking device 34 has a function of marking a predetermined position (for example, a tag portion) of the PTP film 6.

The PTP film 6 fed from the intermittent feed roll 32 is hung in the order of the tension roll 35 and the continuous feed roll 36 on the downstream side thereof. A sheet punching device 37 is arranged between the intermittent feed roll 32 and the tension roll 35 along the transport path of the PTP film 6. The sheet punching device 37 has a function of punching the outer edge of the PTP film 6 in units of one PTP sheet.

The PTP sheet 1 punched by the sheet punching device 37 is conveyed by the conveyor 39 and temporarily stored in the finished product hopper 40. However, the PTP sheet 1 determined to be a defective product by the inspection device 22 is not sent to the finished product hopper 40, but is separately discharged by a defective sheet discharging mechanism (not shown).

A cutting device 41 is arranged on the downstream side of the continuous feed roll 36. Then, the unnecessary film portion 42 constituting the residual material portion (scrap portion) remaining in a strip shape after punching by the sheet punching device 37 is guided to the cutting device 41 after being guided by the tension roll 35 and the continuous feed roll 36. .. The driven roll is pressure-welded to the continuous feed roll 36, and the continuous feed roll 36 performs a transport operation while sandwiching the unnecessary film portion 42. The cutting device 41 cuts the unnecessary film portion 42 to a predetermined size. The cut unnecessary film portion 42 (scrap) is stored in the scrap hopper 43 and then separately disposed of.

The rolls 14, 20, 28, 31, 32 and the like have a positional relationship in which the roll surface and the pocket portion 2 face each other, but the pocket portion 2 is provided on the surface of the intermittent feed roll 14 and the like. Since the recess to be accommodated is formed, the pocket portion 2 is not crushed. Further, since the pocket portion 2 is housed in each recess of the intermittent feed roll 14 or the like and the feed operation is performed, the intermittent feed operation and the continuous feed operation are reliably performed.

Next, the configuration of the tablet filling device 21 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the tablet filling device 21.

As shown in FIG. 6, the tablet filling device 21 includes a storage unit 45, a supply chute 46, a first rotary drum 47, a second rotary drum 48, and a third rotary drum in order from the upstream side along the supply path of the tablet 5. It has 49. Further, the tablet filling device 21 includes a first imaging device 51 corresponding to the first rotary drum 47, a second imaging device 52 and a first printing device 61 corresponding to the second rotary drum 48, and a third. A second printing device 62 is provided corresponding to the rotary drum 49. Each mechanical unit (storage unit 45, supply chute 46, rotary drums 47, 48, 49, imaging device 51, 52, printing device 61, 62) of the tablet filling device 21 is driven and controlled by the control device 71.

Next, each mechanical unit of the tablet filling device 21 and the control device 71 will be described in detail.

The storage unit 45 is configured to be able to store a large number of tablets 5, and is configured to sequentially supply the tablets 5 to the supply chute 46 from here. The tablet 5 stored in the storage unit 45 has already been formed by the recesses 5F and 5G, but the printing unit 5J has not been formed.

The supply chute 46 is provided corresponding to the position of each pocket portion 2 in the width direction (paper surface depth direction of FIG. 6) of the container film 3 to be horizontally conveyed. That is, in the present embodiment, five supply chutes 46 are arranged side by side along the width direction of the container film 3. Each supply chute 46 has a tubular shape, and is configured so that the tablets 5 can be loaded in a row in the vertical direction in a horizontal posture.

Further, each supply chute 46 is arranged so that its lower opening is close to the first rotary drum 47. More specifically, the lower opening of each supply chute 46 is slightly downstream from the position directly above the rotation shaft 54 described later of the first rotary drum 47 along the rotation direction of the first rotary drum 47. It is placed close to a predetermined position.

A shutter 46A capable of opening and closing the lower opening is provided in the vicinity of the lower opening of each supply chute 46. Then, by opening and closing the shutter 46A, the tablets 5 can be naturally dropped one by one from the supply chute 46 and supplied to the first rotary drum 47. The directions of the front and back surfaces of the tablet 5 and the recesses 5F and 5G supplied to the first rotary drum 47 are various and are not constant.

Next, the first rotary drum 47, the second rotary drum 48, and the third rotary drum 49 will be described. Since the first rotary drum 47, the second rotary drum 48, and the third rotary drum 49 have the same configuration, they are collectively referred to as “rotary drums 47, 48, 49” here.

The rotary drums 47, 48, 49 have a cylindrical shape and are rotatably supported by the shaft. The rotary drums 47, 48, 49 are arranged so that their rotation shafts 54 are parallel to the width direction of the container film 3. The rotary shaft 54 is directly or indirectly connected to a drive means such as a motor (not shown), and is rotationally driven by the motor. Then, the rotary drums 47, 48, and 49 integrally rotate with the rotation of the rotation shaft 54.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a large number of suction portions 55A for sucking and holding the tablet 5 are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49. The suction portions 55A are regularly arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49. In the present embodiment, five suction portions 55A are provided at equal intervals in the axial direction of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 corresponding to the positions of the pocket portions 2 in the width direction of the container film 3. Then, seven rows of the five suction portions 55A arranged in the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as "suction portion 55A rows") are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49. Further, the forming interval (pitch) of the suction portion 55A with respect to the circumferential direction of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 is the same as the forming interval (pitch) of the pocket portion 2 with respect to the conveying direction (rightward direction in FIG. 6) of the container film 3. There is.

Each suction portion 55A has a substantially circular shape in a plan view of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 in the radial direction, and has a size capable of accommodating the tablet 5. Further, each suction portion 55A has a substantially arc shape in a cross-sectional view along the radial direction of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 (see FIG. 9). That is, each suction portion 55A is a concave portion recessed in a substantially spherical shape on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49.

In the present embodiment, in a state where the tablet 5 is adsorbed and held by the adsorbing portion 55A, the tapered portion 5D or the tapered portion 5E of the tablet 5 comes into contact with the adsorbing portion 55A, and the portions of the tablet 5 forming the recesses 5F and 5G are adsorbed. It is configured to be in non-contact with the portion 55A (see FIG. 9). Further, in a state where the tablet 5 is adsorbed and held by the adsorption portion 55A, a part of the tablet 5 (about half in this embodiment) protrudes from the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49.

Further, a suction hole 55B formed along the radial direction of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 is opened in the center of the bottom of each suction portion 55A. Further, in the rotary drums 47, 48, 49, a plurality of ventilation passages 55C extending along the axial direction are provided so as to correspond to the respective suction portion 55A rows. That is, in the present embodiment, seven ventilation passages 55C are provided at equal intervals in the rotation directions of the rotary drums 47, 48, and 49.

Each air passage 55C communicates with five suction holes 55B arranged in the axial direction of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49. Further, each ventilation path 55C is open on the side surface of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 on one end side in the axial direction. A disk-shaped fixed valve 56 is provided on the side surface of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 on one end side in the axial direction (the side surface through which the ventilation passage 55C is opened) so as to cover the side surface.

A negative pressure space portion A1 and an atmospheric open space portion A2 are formed in the fixed valve 56. Both space portions A1 and A2 are curved in an arc shape along the rotation direction of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49, respectively, and are opened on the side facing the side surface of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 on one end side in the axial direction. (See Fig. 9).

The negative pressure space portion A1 has each ventilation passage 55C (as well as a suction hole 55B communicating with the suction hole 55B and suction) whose position changes as the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 rotate in a predetermined direction (in each direction of each arrow in FIG. 6). The portion 55A) is formed in a range that enables continuous communication while moving from a position substantially directly above the rotation shaft 54 to a position substantially directly below. Further, the negative pressure space portion A1 is connected to a predetermined vacuum pump (not shown) via a through hole 56A formed in the fixed valve 56.

Therefore, when the vacuum pump is in the operating state, the air in the negative pressure space A1 is sucked through the through hole 56A, and the inside of the negative pressure space A1 is always evacuated (negative pressure is supplied). State). As a result, as the rotary drums 47, 48, and 49 rotate, the ventilation passage 55C at a predetermined position communicating with the negative pressure space portion A1 is also evacuated. As a result, the tablets 5 contained in the suction portions 55A communicating with these ventilation passages 55C can be sucked and sucked on each suction portion 55A.

The tablet 5 adsorbed on the adsorbing portion 55A in this way falls off from the adsorbing portion 55A while being transferred from substantially directly above to substantially below the rotating shaft 54 as the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 rotate. It is held by the suction unit 55A without any problem.

The atmosphere open space A2 has suction holes 55B and suction holes 55B communicating with the rotary drums 47, 48, 49, which change their positions as the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 rotate in predetermined directions (in the directions indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6). The portion 55A) is formed in a range that enables continuous communication while moving from a position substantially directly below the rotating shaft 54 to a position substantially directly above. The atmosphere open space portion A2 is always open to the atmosphere through the through hole 56B formed in the fixed valve 56.

Under the above configuration, the first rotary drum 47, the second rotary drum 48, and the third rotary drum 49 are arranged so as to be close to each other in the vertical direction. Further, the third rotary drum 49 is arranged so as to be close to the container film 3 which is horizontally conveyed.

Further, the first rotary drum 47, the second rotary drum 48, and the third rotary drum 49 each have a predetermined direction (FIG. 6) at the same rotation speed so as to be synchronized with the transfer operation of the container film 3 by the PTP packaging machine 10. It is driven and controlled by the control device 71 so as to constantly rotate continuously in each arrow direction). In the present embodiment, on the paper surface of FIG. 6, the first rotary drum 47 and the third rotary drum 49 rotate continuously in the counterclockwise direction, and the second rotary drum 48 continuously rotates in the clockwise direction.

The first rotary drum 47, the second rotary drum 48, and the third rotary drum 49 are each provided with an encoder (not shown), and a signal relating to the rotation angle is output from the encoder to the control device 71 at predetermined time intervals. Will be done. As a result, the control device 71 can grasp the rotational positions of the first rotary drum 47, the second rotary drum 48, and the third rotary drum 49, and thus can grasp the positions of the tablets 5 to be adsorbed and conveyed. ing.

Further, the timing at which the suction portion 55A of the first rotary drum 47 passes through the third position P3, which is directly below the first rotary drum 47 and directly above the second rotary drum 48, and the suction portion of the second rotary drum 48. It is set to match the timing at which 55A passes.

Similarly, the timing at which the suction portion 55A of the second rotary drum 48 passes through the sixth position P6, which is directly below the second rotary drum 48 and directly above the third rotary drum 49, and the suction of the third rotary drum 49. It is set so as to coincide with the timing at which the portion 55A passes.

Further, the eighth position P8, which is directly below the third rotary drum 49, is set so that the timing at which the suction portion 55A of the third rotary drum 49 passes and the timing at which the pocket portion 2 of the container film 3 passes coincide with each other. Has been done.

Next, the first imaging device 51 and the second imaging device 52 will be described. In this embodiment, a CCD camera is adopted as the first imaging device 51 and the second imaging device 52. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and a CMOS camera may be adopted.

The first imaging device 51 and the second imaging device 52 have an imaging range in which five tablets 5 (adsorption portion 55A) arranged in the axial direction of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 can be imaged at one time. There is. Instead of this, an imaging means (camera) may be provided corresponding to each of the five tablets 5 (adsorption portion 55A) arranged in the axial direction of each of the rotary drums 47, 48, 49.

The first imaging device 51 images one of the front surface 5B side and the back surface 5C side of the tablet 5 which is adsorbed and conveyed by the first rotary drum 47. The second imaging device 52 is arranged on the upstream side of the first printing device 61, and images the other of the front surface 5B side and the back surface 5C side of the tablet 5 which is adsorbed and conveyed by the second rotary drum 48. The image data obtained by the first imaging device 51 and the second imaging device 52 is input to the control device 71.

Next, the first printing device 61 and the second printing device 62 will be described. Each of the first printing device 61 and the second printing device 62 is a known tablet printing device capable of printing on the tablet 5 in a non-contact manner using a printing head of a predetermined inkjet method (for example, a piezo method or a thermal method). Is. According to the printing devices 61 and 62, droplets of edible ink can be ejected from a plurality of ejection nozzles provided in the print head, and identification information such as characters and symbols can be printed on the tablet 5.

The first printing apparatus 61 is arranged at the fifth position P5, which is a lateral position of the second rotary drum 48, and corresponds to the five suction portions 55A (tablets 5) arranged in the axial direction of the second rotary drum 48. It has five print heads. Then, the first printing apparatus 61 ejects ink from each printing head toward each tablet 5 which is adsorbed and conveyed by the second rotary drum 48 and passes through the fifth position P5, and prints in a non-contact manner.

The second printing apparatus 62 is arranged at the seventh position P7, which is a lateral position of the third rotary drum 49, and corresponds to the five suction portions 55A (tablets 5) arranged in the axial direction of the third rotary drum 49. It has five print heads. Then, the second printing apparatus 62 ejects ink from each printing head toward each tablet 5 which is adsorbed and conveyed by the third rotary drum 49 and passes through the seventh position P7, and prints in a non-contact manner.

As described above, since the front and back surfaces of the tablet 5 supplied from the supply chute 46 are various, the portion of the tablet 5 that is adsorbed by the rotary drums 47, 48, 49 may be on the surface 5B side. It may be on the back side 5C side. Therefore, the printing target by the first printing device 61 and the second printing device 62 may be the front surface 5B side of the tablet 5 or the back surface 5C side of the tablet 5.

The control device 71 includes a CPU as a calculation means, a ROM for storing various programs, a RAM for temporarily storing various data, a storage medium for long-term storage of information (for example, a hard disk, etc.) and the like. The control device 71 executes control processing related to each mechanical unit of the tablet filling device 21 such as the first printing device 61 and the second printing device 62 by executing a predetermined program by the CPU.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the storage medium, for example, 360 types of print data obtained by rotating the direction of a print pattern such as characters and numbers by 1 degree in the range of 0 degrees to 359 degrees are stored in a recess on the surface 5B. The one corresponding to the 5th floor and the one corresponding to the concave portion 5G on the back surface 5C are registered respectively. The control device 71 controls the operations of the first printing device 61 and the second printing device 62 based on the registered print data and the image data obtained by the first imaging device 51 and the second imaging device 52.

More specifically, the control device 71 determines whether the printing target by the printing devices 61 and 62 is the front surface 5B side or the back surface 5C side of the tablet 5 based on the obtained image data. For example, when the image data obtained by the first imaging device 51 is related to the front surface 5B side and the image data obtained by the second imaging device 52 is related to the back surface 5C side, the first printing device 61 It is determined that the printing target by the second printing device 62 is the back surface 5C side, and the printing target by the second printing device 62 is the front surface 5B side. In the present embodiment, whether the image data is related to the front surface 5B side or the back surface 5C side can be determined by the number, arrangement, shape, etc. of the recesses 5F and 5G.

Further, the control device 71 acquires information (referred to as “position angle information”) regarding the positions and orientations of the recesses 5F and 5G based on the obtained image data. The position / angle information includes information such as the amount of misalignment along the X and Y directions of the centers of the recesses 5F and 5G with respect to the predetermined reference position, and the inclination angle of the recesses 5F and 5G with respect to the predetermined reference line. Then, the control device 71 sets the printing conditions in the first printing device 61 and the second printing device 62, respectively, based on the acquired position / angle information and the determined print target.

That is, the control device 71 selects from the plurality of print data registered in the storage medium those that correspond to the determined print target and that match the tilt angle in the obtained position angle information. .. For example, when the print target is the front surface 5B side and the inclination angle is 90 degrees, the control device 71 corresponds to the front surface 5B side from a plurality of print data, and includes characters, numbers, and the like. Select the print pattern whose orientation is rotated by 90 degrees.

Further, the control device 71 determines the print position from the amount of misalignment in the obtained position / angle information. For example, the control device 71 determines a position shifted from a preset normal printing position by an amount corresponding to this amount of misalignment as a printing position. Then, the control device 71 sets the selected print data and the determined print position as the print conditions.

Then, the control device 71 controls the printing devices 61 and 62 so as to print in the recesses 5F and 5G based on the set printing conditions. As a result, the printing portion 5J is accurately formed at a predetermined position in the recesses 5F and 5G of the tablet 5.

Next, the manufacturing process (manufacturing method) of the PTP sheet 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, centering on the filling step of filling the pocket portion 2 of the container film 3 with the tablet 5.

First, in the pocket portion forming step of step S1, the pocket portion 2 is sequentially formed by the pocket portion forming device 16 on the container film 3 that has become relatively flexible by the heating device 15.

Next, in the filling step of step S2, the tablet 5 is filled into the formed pocket portion 2. In the filling step, first, the shutter 46A is opened and closed at a predetermined timing when the empty suction portion 55A, which moves with the rotation of the first rotary drum 47, reaches a predetermined first position P1 (see FIG. 6). The first position P1 is a position corresponding to the drop position of the tablet 5 from the supply chute 46.

By the opening / closing operation of the shutter 46A, one tablet 5 is dropped from the supply chute 46 and is housed in the suction portion 55A that has moved to the first position P1. At this time, since the ventilation passage 55C related to the suction portion 55A containing the tablet 5 is in a state of communicating with the negative pressure space portion A1, the tablet 5 is in a state of being sucked and held. As a result, the first transport step of step S21, that is, the step of transporting the tablets 5 while adsorbing the tablets 5 by the first rotary drum 47 is started.

In the supply chute 46, when one tablet 5 drops, the tablet 5 above it drops to the lower opening, and the shutter 46A prevents the tablet 5 from falling. Further, one surface of the tablet 5 adsorbed by the adsorption portion 55A (for example, the surface on the front surface 5B side) becomes the “adsorption surface”, and the other surface of the tablet 5 facing the outside of the first rotary drum 47 (for example, the surface on the back surface 5C side). The surface) becomes the "non-adsorption surface".

Next, in the first imaging step of step S22, the first imaging device 51 is operated at a predetermined timing when the tablet 5 adsorbed and conveyed by the first rotary drum 47 reaches a predetermined second position P2 (see FIG. 6). .. As a result, the first imaging device 51 images the non-adsorption surface (the surface on the front surface 5B side or the back surface 5C side) of the tablet 5 which is adsorbed and conveyed by the first rotary drum 47 and passes through the second position P2. The image data obtained by imaging is input to the control device 71.

Then, the tablet 5 imaged by the first image pickup apparatus 51 is further conveyed as the first rotary drum 47 rotates, and corresponds to a position directly below the first rotary drum 47 and a position directly above the second rotary drum 48. When the three positions P3 are reached, the ventilation passage 55C related to the suction portion 55A for adsorbing the tablet 5 is in a state of communicating with the atmosphere open space portion A2. As a result, the adsorption and retention of the tablet 5 is released. As a result, the tablet 5 falls from the suction portion 55A of the first rotary drum 47 and is delivered to the suction portion 55A of the second rotary drum 48 located at the third position P3.

At this time, since the ventilation passage 55C related to the suction portion 55A of the second rotary drum 48 containing the tablet 5 is in a state of communicating with the negative pressure space portion A1, the tablet 5 is in a state of being sucked and held. As a result, the second transport step of step S23, that is, the step of transporting the tablet 5 while adsorbing the tablet 5 by the second rotary drum 48 is started.

At the time of delivery from the first rotary drum 47 to the second rotary drum 48, the tablet 5 is delivered in substantially the same posture with almost no rotation or tilting. Further, by delivering the tablet 5 from the first rotary drum 47 to the second rotary drum 48, the tablet 5 is turned upside down. For example, when the front surface 5B side is suction-held by the first rotary drum 47, the back surface 5C side is suction-held by the second rotary drum 48.

Then, in the second imaging step of step S24, the second imaging device 52 is operated at a predetermined timing when the tablet 5 adsorbed and conveyed by the second rotary drum 48 reaches the predetermined fourth position P4 (see FIG. 6). .. As a result, the second imaging device 52 images the non-adsorption surface (the surface on the front surface 5B side or the back surface 5C side) of the tablet 5 which is adsorbed and conveyed by the second rotary drum 48 and passes through the fourth position P4. The image data obtained by imaging is input to the control device 71.

The non-adsorption surface of the tablet 5 (for example, the surface on the front surface 5B side) imaged by the second imaging device 52 is the non-adsorption surface of the tablet 5 (for example, the surface on the back surface 5C side) imaged by the first imaging device 51. Is the opposite side. Therefore, for example, for the tablet 5 whose surface on the front surface 5B side is imaged by the first imaging device 51, the surface on the back surface 5C side is imaged by the second imaging device 52.

Next, the first printing step of step S25 is performed. That is, when the tablet 5 that has undergone the second imaging step S24 is further conveyed as the second rotary drum 48 rotates and reaches the fifth position P5 at a predetermined timing, the printing conditions set by the control device 71 are met. Based on this, the first printing device 61 is operated. As a result, printing is performed in the recess 5F (5G) of the non-adhesive surface of the tablet 5 passing through the fifth position P5, and the printing portion 5J is formed.

At this time, the control device 71 sets the printing conditions mainly based on the image data obtained by the second imaging device 52. By printing based on the printing conditions set by the control device 71, an appropriate printing portion 5J is formed according to the position and orientation of the recess 5F (5G) and the front and back surfaces of the tablet 5.

The tablet 5 that has completed the printing process is further conveyed as the second rotary drum 48 rotates, and moves to the sixth position P6, which is located directly below the second rotary drum 48 and directly above the third rotary drum 49. When it reaches, the ventilation passage 55C related to the adsorption portion 55A that adsorbs and holds the tablet 5 communicates with the atmosphere open space portion A2, and the adsorption and retention of the tablet 5 is released.

As a result, the tablet 5 falls from the suction portion 55A of the second rotary drum 48 and is delivered to the suction portion 55A of the third rotary drum 49 located at the sixth position P6. Further, since the ventilation passage 55C related to the suction portion 55A of the third rotary drum 49 accommodating the tablet 5 in the sixth position P6 is in a state of communicating with the negative pressure space portion A1, the tablet 5 is sucked and held. Become. As a result, the third transport step of step S26, that is, the step of transporting the tablet 5 while adsorbing the tablet 5 by the third rotary drum 49 is started.

At the time of delivery from the second rotary drum 48 to the third rotary drum 49, the tablet 5 is delivered in substantially the same posture with almost no rotation or tilting. Therefore, regarding the tablet 5 of 1, the direction and position of the recess 5F (5G) on the non-adsorption surface side when transported by the first rotary drum 47 and the recess on the non-adsorption surface side when transported by the third rotary drum 49. The orientation and position of 5F (5G) are almost the same.

Further, similarly to the above, when the tablet 5 is delivered from the second rotary drum 48 to the third rotary drum 49, the tablet 5 is turned upside down. For example, when the back surface 5C side is suction-held by the second rotary drum 48, the front surface 5B side is suction-held by the third rotary drum 49.

Next, the second printing step of step S27 is performed. That is, when the tablet 5 is further conveyed with the rotation of the third rotary drum 49 and reaches a predetermined timing to reach the seventh position P7, the second printing device 62 is based on the printing conditions set by the control device 71. To operate. As a result, printing is performed in the recess 5G (5F) of the non-adhesive surface of the tablet 5 passing through the seventh position P7, and the printing portion 5J is formed.

At this time, the control device 71 mainly sets the printing conditions based on the image data obtained by the first imaging device 51. As described above, with respect to the tablet 5 of 1, the orientation and position of the recess 5F (5G) on the non-adsorption surface side are almost the same during the transportation by the first rotary drum 47 and the transportation by the third rotary drum 49. Become. Therefore, by using the printing conditions based on the image data obtained by the first imaging device 51, printing can be performed according to the orientation, position, and front and back of the recess 5G (5F) in the tablet 5 conveyed by the third rotary drum 49. It can be applied, and thus an appropriate printed portion 5J can be formed.

After that, as the third rotary drum 49 rotates, the tablet 5 sucked and held by the suction portion 55A moves toward the eighth position P8, which is a position directly below the third rotary drum 49.

Then, the tablet loading step of step S28 is performed. That is, when the tablet 5 adsorbed and held by the suction portion 55A reaches the eighth position P8, a part of the tablet 5 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the third rotary drum 49 is located in the eighth position P8. It goes into the pocket part 2 of. At the same time, the air passage 55C related to the suction portion 55A of the third rotary drum 49 sucking the tablet 5 communicates with the atmosphere open space portion A2, and the suction holding of the tablet 5 is released. As a result, the tablet 5 falls from the suction portion 55A of the third rotary drum 49 into the pocket portion 2, and the tablet 5 is filled in the pocket portion 2.

Following the filling step S2, the attachment step of step S3 is performed. In the attachment step S3, the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are fed between the rolls 20 and 25, so that the cover film 4 is attached to the container film 3 and the PTP film 6 is obtained.

Then, after the treatment by the slit forming device 33 and the marking device 34 is applied to the PTP film 6, the cutting step of step S4 is performed, so that the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet 1 is completed. In the cutting step, the PTP film 6 is punched by the sheet punching device 37, and the PTP sheet 1 is cut off from the PTP film 6 to manufacture the PTP sheet 1.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, in the filling step S2, the recesses 5F and 5G in the tablet 5 are printed by printing in the recesses 5F and 5G of the tablet 5 by the printing devices 61 and 62. The printing portion 5J is formed on the surface to be formed, and the printing portion 5J is in a state of being present in the recesses 5F and 5G. Therefore, after the tablet 5 is filled in the pocket portion 2, the printing portion 5J is less likely to rub against the pocket portion 2 (container film 3) and the cover film 4, and the tablet 5 is filled in the pocket portion 2 before the ink dries. Even so, it is possible to more reliably prevent the printed content from becoming unclear. As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress the deterioration of the appearance quality in the printing unit 5J.

Further, since the tablet 5 can be filled in the pocket portion 2 before the ink is sufficiently dried, the tablet transport speed (filling speed) can be increased (for example, packaging 100 or more tablets per second). It is possible to fully meet the demand, and by extension, the production speed can be increased.

Further, the printing devices 61 and 62 are inkjet printing devices, and there is a concern that the ink to be ejected may flow due to the influence of the wind (air flow) and the print quality may be deteriorated. In the embodiment, since printing is performed in the recesses 5F and 5G, the tablet 5 (particularly the portion forming the recesses 5F and 5G) functions as a windshield. Therefore, the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems due to the influence of wind can be effectively suppressed, and good print quality can be obtained more reliably.

In addition, since the printing portion 5J is formed in the recesses 5F and 5G, when printing is performed in the second printing step S27, that is, the side of the tablet 5 printed in the first printing step S25. It is possible to more reliably prevent the printing unit 5J (ink) from coming into contact with the adsorption unit 55A when the surface of the surface is adsorbed by the adsorption unit 55A. As a result, it is possible to suppress a problem that the printing unit 5J rubs against the suction unit 55A and the printed content becomes unclear.

Further, by preventing the printing unit 5J from coming into contact with the suction unit 55A, it is more reliable that the print is transferred to the suction unit 55A and then re-transferred to another tablet 5 which is sucked and conveyed. Can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the occurrence of defective tablets that have been improperly printed, and it is possible to improve productivity.

Further, according to the present embodiment, based on the image data acquired in the imaging steps S22 and S24, the positions and orientations of the recesses 5F and 5G in the tablet 5 to be printed can be grasped before printing. The printing devices 61 and 62 can perform appropriate printing according to the positions and orientations of the recesses 5F and 5G.

Further, since the recesses 5F and 5G are not communicated with the side surface 5A, the tablet portion is present on the entire circumference of the recesses 5F and 5G. Therefore, the printing portion 5J is less likely to rub against the pocket portion 2 (container film 3) and the cover film 4, and the deterioration of the appearance quality of the printing portion 5J can be more effectively suppressed. Further, the function as a windshield by the tablet portions around the recesses 5F and 5G is more effectively exhibited, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of printing defects due to the influence of the wind.

The content is not limited to the description of the above embodiment, and may be implemented as follows, for example. Of course, other application examples and modification examples not illustrated below are also possible.

(A) In the above-described embodiment, as the tablet 5, a disk-shaped uncoated tablet (disk-shaped flat tablet) having a circular shape in a plan view is exemplified, but the type and shape of the tablet are described in each of the above-described embodiments. It is not limited to. For example, tablets include not only pharmaceuticals but also tablets used for eating and drinking. In addition, tablets include not only uncoated tablets but also sugar-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, enteric-coated tablets, gelatin-encapsulated tablets, and various other capsules such as hard capsules and soft capsules. Also includes tablets. Further, the shape of the tablet may be, for example, not only a circular shape in a plan view, but also a polygonal shape in a plan view, an elliptical shape in a plan view, an oval shape in a plan view, and the like.

(B) The arrangement and number of pockets 2 in the PTP sheet 1 are not limited to the above-described embodiment (2 rows, 10), and include, for example, a type having 12 pockets in 3 rows. PTP sheets having various arrangements and numbers can be adopted.

Further, in the above embodiment, the PTP film 6 has a configuration in which a number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to one sheet is arranged along the width direction thereof, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example. , The number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to a plurality of sheets may be arranged along the width direction.

(C) The configuration of the transport means for the tablet 5 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, a cylindrical rotary drum 47 or the like is used as the transport means, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an endless transport belt or the like may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the tapered portion 5D or the tapered portion 5E of the tablet 5 is configured to come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the suction portion 55A while the tablet 5 is sucked and held by the suction portion 55A. , The portion of the front surface 5B or the back surface 5C of the tablet 5 excluding the portions where the recesses 5F and 5G are formed may be configured to come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the suction portion 55A.

(D) In the above embodiment, the printing unit 5J is provided on both the front surface 5B side and the back surface 5C side of the tablet 5, but the printing unit is provided on only one of the front surface 5B side and the back surface 5C side. May be. Then, in the PTP sheet 1, the printing unit 5J and the container film 3 or the cover film 4 facing the printing unit 5J may be configured to be in a non-contact state.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the print content applied to the front surface 5B side and the print content applied to the back surface 5C side are different, but the print content applied to the front surface 5B side and the back surface 5C side is different. The contents may be configured to be the same.

(E) In the above embodiment, the number of recesses 5F provided on the front surface 5B side and the number of recesses 5G provided on the back surface 5C side are different, but they may be the same. Of course, the recess may be provided only on one of the front surface 5B side and the back surface 5C side.

Further, the shapes of the recesses 5F and 5G are not limited to the rectangular shape in a plan view, and may be changed as appropriate. For example, the concave portion may have a circular shape in a plan view, an elliptical shape in a plan view, a polygonal shape in a plan view, or the like. Further, the bottom wall surface of the recess in the tablet 5 may be configured to have an inclined surface shape or a curved surface shape.

Further, when the recesses are provided on the front surface 5B side and the back surface 5C side, the positional relationship between the recesses on the front surface 5B side and the recesses on the back surface 5C side may be appropriately changed. For example, the concave portion on the front surface 5B side and the concave portion on the back surface 5C side may be configured so as not to overlap when viewed in a plan view. In this case, it is possible to prevent the tablet 5 from being excessively thinned, and it is possible to prevent the tablet 5 from being damaged during filling or the like.

(F) In the above embodiment, the first imaging device 51 is provided corresponding to the first rotary drum 47, but the first imaging device 51 is mounted on the third rotary drum 49 (for example, the sixth position P6 and the sixth position P6). It may be configured to be provided corresponding to (between the seven positions P7) and the first imaging device 51 to image the tablet 5 located upstream of the second printing device 62.

Further, when the recess 5F provided on the front surface 5B and the recess 5G provided on the back surface 5C are formed in a certain positional relationship, only one of the front surface 5B and the back surface 5C is imaged, and the obtained image is obtained. Based on the data, each printing condition when printing is performed in the recess 5F and the recess 5G may be set respectively.

1 ... PTP sheet, 2 ... pocket part, 3 ... container film, 4 ... cover film, 5 ... tablet, 5A ... side surface, 5B ... front side, 5C ... back side, 5F, 5G ... concave part, 5J ... printing part, 6 ... PTP Film, 61 ... 1st printing device (inkjet printing device), 62 ... 2nd printing device (inkjet printing device), S1 ... pocket forming process, S2 ... filling process, S3 ... mounting process, S4 ... cutting process, S25 ... 1st printing process, S27 ... 2nd printing process.

Claims (5)

A method for producing a PTP sheet, wherein a tablet is housed in a pocket portion formed on a container film, and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion.
A pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion with respect to the band-shaped container film to be conveyed,
The filling step of filling the pocket with tablets,
An attachment step of attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with tablets so as to close the pocket portion.
The container film is provided with a cutting step of separating the PTP sheet from the strip-shaped PTP film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film.
The filling step includes a step of printing on the tablet by an inkjet printing device while adsorbing and transporting the tablet.
Recesses are formed in advance on the front surface and / or the back surface of the tablet, and in the filling step, printing is performed in the recesses of the tablet, and the tablet is filled in the pocket portion.
The filling step includes a step of obtaining image data by imaging at least the surface of the tablet on the side where the recess is formed.
In the filling step, the inkjet printing device is controlled so as to print in the recess based on the image data.
In the step of obtaining the image data, at least the position of the recess is grasped.
A method for producing a PTP sheet, which comprises printing in accordance with the grasped position of the concave portion in the step of printing a tablet by the inkjet printing apparatus. A method for producing a PTP sheet, wherein a tablet is housed in a pocket portion formed on a container film, and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket portion.
A pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion with respect to the band-shaped container film to be conveyed,
The filling step of filling the pocket with tablets,
An attachment step of attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with tablets so as to close the pocket portion.
The container film is provided with a cutting step of separating the PTP sheet from the strip-shaped PTP film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film.
The filling step includes a step of printing on the tablet by an inkjet printing device while adsorbing and transporting the tablet.
A recess is formed in advance in the tablet, and in the filling step, printing is performed in the recess of the tablet, and the tablet is filled in the pocket portion.
The filling step includes a step of obtaining image data by imaging at least the surface of the tablet on the side where the recess is formed.
In the filling step, the inkjet printing device is controlled so as to print in the recess based on the image data.
In the step of obtaining the image data, at least the position of the recess is grasped.
In the process of printing a tablet with the inkjet printing device, printing is performed according to the position of the recess as grasped.
The tablet has the recesses on both the front and back sides, and has the recesses.
The filling step is
A first printing step of printing in the recesses provided on one of the front surface and the back surface of the tablet while adsorbing and transporting the tablet.
It includes a second printing step of printing in the recesses provided on the other side of the front surface and the back surface of the tablet while adsorbing and transporting the tablet that has undergone the first printing step in an inverted state. P TP sheet manufacturing method characterized. The method for producing a PTP sheet according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the recess is in a state of non-communication with the side surface of the tablet. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the tablet is adsorbed and transported, the adsorbed portion contacts a portion of the tablet excluding the portion where the concave portion is formed to adsorb and transport the tablet. PTP sheet manufacturing method. The method for manufacturing a PTP sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bottom wall surface of the recess is a flat surface.

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