JP7142521B2 - PTP packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a PTP packaging machine for manufacturing PTP sheets.

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

A PTP packaging machine for manufacturing a PTP sheet includes pocket forming means for forming a pocket in the transported belt-shaped container film, filling means for filling the pocket with tablets, and sealing the opening side of the pocket. As shown in the figure, there are provided an attaching means for attaching the strip-shaped cover film to the container film, a separating means for separating the strip-shaped PTP film composed of the container film and the cover film into PTP sheet units, and the like.

In recent years, there have been tablets in which a printed portion is formed by printing identification information such as characters and symbols. The print part may be printed using a tablet printing device provided separately from the PTP packaging machine (that is, off-line). When such a tablet printing device is used, a tablet having a printed portion formed in advance by the device is put into a hopper (tablet storage portion) of a PTP packaging machine, whereby a tablet having a printed portion is formed. A filled PTP sheet can be obtained. In addition, since the offline tablet printing device is provided independently of the PTP packaging machine, it can be used not only for PTP packaging but also for bottle filling (bottling) packaging, etc., as long as the packaging machine into which the tablets are inserted is changed. can correspond to various packaging modes.

By the way, when a tablet having a printed portion formed in advance using a tablet printing apparatus is put into a PTP packaging machine to obtain a PTP sheet, the following problems may occur. That is, when a large number of tablets are put into the hopper of the PTP packaging machine and sequentially filled into the pockets from here to manufacture a PTP sheet, the tablets are filled into the pockets in the hopper or the supply chute, for example. By rubbing against other tablets, hoppers, etc. before being printed, there is a risk that the printed portion will be scraped or chipped, making the printed content unclear. Especially in the case of fragile tablets such as orally disintegrating tablets, such problems may become more pronounced.

On the other hand, there are also PTP packaging machines that have a function of printing on tablets (see, for example, Patent Document 2). When such a PTP packaging machine is used, printing is performed immediately before the pocket portion is filled, so chipping and scraping in the printed portion can be suppressed, and obscuring of the printed content can be more reliably made. can be prevented.

JP 2015-223323 A JP-A-3-148430

However, a PTP packaging machine having a function of printing on tablets is configured to fill (deliver) tablets provided with a printing section into pockets of a container film in the process of being conveyed. Therefore, in such a PTP packaging machine, it is not possible to transfer a tablet provided with a printing unit to a portion other than the pocket portion, for example, in order to package the tablet in a manner other than the PTP packaging. Therefore, in order to cope with packaging modes other than PTP packaging such as bottle filling packaging, it is necessary to separately provide an off-line tablet printing apparatus. In this way, although the PTP packaging machine itself has a printing function, it is preferable to use a separate tablet printing device to handle bottle filling packaging, etc. in terms of cost and installation space for the device. I can't say

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to obtain a PTP sheet with clear printed content by preventing scraping etc. in the printed part, and to provide a tablet provided with a printed part. To provide a PTP packaging machine capable of packaging in a mode other than PTP packaging.

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

Means 1. A PTP packaging machine capable of manufacturing a PTP sheet in which a tablet is stored in a pocket formed in a container film and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket,
filling means for filling tablets into the pockets formed in the belt-shaped container film to be transported;
an attaching means for attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with tablets so as to block the pocket portion;
separating means for separating a PTP sheet from a belt-shaped PTP film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film;
The filling means
The tablet is conveyed by suction, and by releasing the suction of the tablet at a predetermined filling position, the tablet can be filled into the pocket portion of the container film that has been conveyed to the filling position. a means of transport;
and printing means for printing in a non-contact manner on the tablet being adsorbed and conveyed by the conveying means,
Furthermore, receiving means configured to be arranged in place of the container film and capable of receiving from the conveying means the tablet that has been released from adsorption by the conveying means ,
A second printing means is provided between the conveying means and the attaching means along the conveying path of the container film, and performs non-contact printing on the tablets filled in the pocket portion,
The receiving means is composed of a second conveying means for receiving the tablet in an inverted state from the conveying means and sucking and conveying the tablet,
The second printing means can be used both for printing on the tablets filled in the pocket portion and for printing on the tablets being adsorbed and conveyed by the second conveying means PTP packaging machine.

According to the above means 1, when producing a PTP sheet, non-contact printing is applied to the tablet while the tablet is adsorbed by the conveying means (for example, inkjet printing or laser printing is applied), and then , the tablet is filled into the pocket portion by releasing the adsorption by the conveying means. That is, the tablet on which the printed portion is formed in the adsorbed state is conveyed to the filling position side while maintaining the adsorbed state, and is released into the pocket portion by being released from the suction at the filling position. Therefore, the tablet does not rub against other tablets, the hopper, etc., and it is possible to more reliably prevent the print content from becoming unclear due to scraping or chipping of the printed portion. This makes it possible to more reliably obtain a PTP sheet with clear print content.

In addition, since the tablet is printed in a non-contact manner, the load (force) applied to the tablet during printing can be significantly reduced, and breakage of the tablet can be prevented more reliably. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the printed content from becoming unclear, and together with this, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defective tablets and to reduce the cost of manufacturing the PTP sheet.

Further, the PTP packaging machine of the means 1 is provided with a receiving means that can be arranged in place of the container film, and the receiving means can receive the tablets from the conveying means. In other words, the conveying means can deliver the tablet having the printed portion formed thereon not only to the container film (pocket portion) but also to the receiving means. Here, if the tablet delivered to the receiving means is used for a packaging mode other than PTP packaging (for example, bottle filling packaging, strip packaging, etc.), packaging according to each packaging mode can be realized. Therefore, according to the above means 1, the printing means can be used not only for printing tablets packed in a PTP sheet, but also for printing tablets packed in a manner other than PTP packaging. As a result, various packaging modes can be handled using the printing means provided in the PTP packaging machine itself without providing a separate tablet printing device for handling packaging modes other than PTP packaging. As a result, it is possible to reduce costs and save space for installation of the apparatus.

Further, according to the means 1, it is also possible to simply collect the tablet provided with the printing unit. Therefore, for example, it is possible to simply collect the tablets when adjusting the operation of the apparatus or starting the apparatus, thereby improving convenience.

In addition, by the second printing means, printing can be performed in a non-contact manner on the tablet after being filled in the pocket portion. Therefore, the printed portion formed by the second printing means does not rub against other tablets, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the printed content of the printed portion from becoming unclear. In addition, it is possible to more reliably obtain a PTP sheet in which the contents of the printed portions formed by both printing means (for example, the printed portions formed on both the front and back surfaces of the tablet) are clear.

Further, the tablet is transferred from the conveying means to the second conveying means (receiving means) while being turned upside down, and the adsorbed tablet can be printed in a non-contact manner by the second printing means. Therefore, when tablets are used in packaging modes other than PTP packaging, it is possible to handle both single-sided printing and double-sided printing of tablets. This can improve usability in manufacturing tablet-filled products (eg, tablets-filled bottles, etc.).

Moreover, according to the above-described means 1 , the second printing means can be used in common for printing on the tablets filled in the pocket portion and printing on the tablets suction-conveyed by the second conveying means. That is, the second printing means can be used not only for printing tablets packed in a PTP sheet, but also for printing tablets packed in a manner other than PTP packaging. As a result, it is possible to reduce equipment costs and downsize (simplify) the apparatus.

Means 2 . inspection means provided between the second printing means and the attaching means along the conveying path of the container film for inspecting the printed portion formed by the second printing means,
The inspection means can be used for both inspection of the printed portion of the tablet filled in the pocket portion and inspection of the printed portion of the tablet adsorbed and conveyed by the second conveying means. The PTP packaging machine according to means 1 , characterized in that

According to the above-described means 2 , the inspection means is commonly used for inspection of the printed portion of the tablet filled in the pocket portion and inspection of the printed portion of the tablet adsorbed and conveyed by the second conveying means. can be done. That is, the inspection means can be used not only for inspecting tablets packed in a PTP sheet, but also for inspecting tablets packaged in a packaging mode other than PTP packaging. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively reduce equipment costs and downsize (simplify) the apparatus.

Means 3 . a non-defective product storage unit that receives and stores tablets determined to be non-defective by the inspection means from the second conveying means;
The PTP packaging machine according to means 2 , further comprising a defective product storage unit that receives and stores the tablets determined to be defective by the inspection means from the second conveying means.

According to the above means 3 , it is possible to automatically store tablets determined to be good (non-defective tablets) in the non-defective product storage unit, and to store tablets determined to be defective (defective tablets) to the defective product storage unit. Become. By loading the non-defective tablets stored in the non-defective product storage unit into a packaging machine other than the PTP packaging machine, tablet-filled products with clear tablet printing (for example, bottles filled with tablets) can be produced more reliably. can get to As a result, it is possible to reduce costs and improve usability in manufacturing tablet-filled products.

Means 4 . Having an imaging means for obtaining image data by imaging the surface of the tablet to be printed by the second printing means,
The second printing means is configured such that the printing position with respect to the tablet is controlled based on the image data,
Means 1 to 3 , wherein the imaging means can be used both for imaging the tablets filled in the pocket portion and for imaging the tablets being adsorbed and conveyed by the second conveying means. The PTP packaging machine according to any one of 1.

According to the above means 4 , based on the image data obtained by the imaging means, the position and orientation of the tablet to be printed can be grasped before printing, and the position and orientation of the tablet can be determined by the second printing means. Appropriate printing can be applied.

In addition, the imaging means can be used in common for printing on the tablets filled in the pocket portion and printing on the tablets adsorbed and conveyed by the second conveying means. That is, the imaging means can be used not only for imaging tablets packed in a PTP sheet, but also for imaging tablets packaged in a manner other than PTP packaging. As a result, it is possible to further reduce equipment costs and downsize (simplify) the apparatus.

It is a perspective view showing a PTP sheet. It is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a PTP sheet. It is a perspective view of a tablet. It is a perspective view showing a PTP film. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a PTP packaging machine; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a tablet feeding and printing device, etc., when manufacturing a PTP sheet. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a first adsorption belt, a container film, and the like during production of a PTP sheet; FIG. 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of the tablet feeding and printing device when storing tablets. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a first suction belt, a second suction belt, and the like when storing tablets. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of a PTP sheet. 4 is a flow chart showing a step of storing tablets.

An embodiment will be described below 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 pockets 2 and a cover film 4 attached to the container film 3 so as to cover the pocket portions 2. ing.

The container film 3 in this embodiment is made 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) having a surface coated with a sealant made of, for example, polypropylene resin. 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. 4) formed from a strip-shaped container film 3 and a strip-shaped cover film 4 into a sheet shape, and is approximately rectangular in plan view. formed into a shape. In the PTP sheet 1, two rows of pocket rows each including five pocket portions 2 arranged along the longitudinal direction are formed in the transverse direction. That is, a total of ten pocket portions 2 are formed. Each pocket portion 2 accommodates one tablet 5 .

The tablet 5 in the present embodiment is a disc-shaped uncoated tablet having a circular shape in plan view, and has a side surface 5A and a front surface 5B and a back surface 5C sandwiching the side surface 5A. The front surface 5B has a tapered portion 5D chamfered at the boundary with the side 5A, and the back surface 5C has a tapered portion 5E chamfered at the boundary with the side 5A.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the surface 5B of the tablet 5 is engraved with a groove-shaped dividing line 5F extending linearly through the center of the surface 5B. The dividing line 5F is also engraved on the rear surface 5C.

Further, on the front surface 5B and the back surface 5C of the tablet 5, a printed portion 5G is formed by inkjet printing characters, symbols, numbers, figures, etc. indicating product information about the tablet 5. FIG. The printed portion 5G is a portion of the tablet 5 on which characters, numbers, and the like are printed. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the characters "ABCDEF" are printed on one side of the dividing line 5F, and the numbers "123456" are printed on the other side. The product information on the tablet 5 includes "product name", "content", "dosage form", "manufacturer" and "lot number".

In this embodiment, the same content is printed on both the front surface 5B and the back surface 5C. However, even in this case, it is preferable to have a configuration in which printing is performed in accordance with the direction of the secant line 5F.

Next, a schematic configuration of a PTP packaging machine 10 capable of manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, in addition to the function of manufacturing the PTP sheet 1, the PTP packaging machine 10 does not fill the pocket portion 2 with the tablet 5 provided with the printing portion 5G, but instead stores the tablet 5 into storage portions 73 and 74, which will be described later. It also has a function of inserting and storing the tablet 5 provided with the printing unit 5G.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the most upstream side of the PTP packaging machine 10, the strip-shaped container film 3 is wound into a roll. The lead end side of the container film 3 wound in a roll is guided by a 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 transports the container film 3 intermittently.

Between the guide roll 13 and the intermittent feed roll 14, along the transport path of the container film 3, a heating device 15 and a pocket forming device 16 are arranged in order. Then, the container film 3 is heated by the heating device 15 and in a state where the container film 3 is relatively soft, a plurality of pocket portions 2 are formed at predetermined positions of the container film 3 by the pocket portion forming device 16 . Formation of the pocket portion 2 is performed during an interval between conveying operations of the container film 3 by the intermittent feed roll 14 .

The container film 3 sent out from the intermittent feed roll 14 is put on the tension roll 18, the guide roll 19 and the film receiving roll 20 in this order. Since the film receiving roll 20 is connected to a motor that rotates at a constant speed, the container film 3 is transported continuously at a constant speed. The tension roll 18 is in a state where the container film 3 is stretched by elastic force, and prevents the container film 3 from being slackened due to the difference in conveying operation between the intermittent feed roll 14 and the film receiving roll 20, thereby tightening the container. The film 3 is kept in tension at all times.

Between the guide roll 19 and the film receiving roll 20, along the conveying path of the container film 3, a tablet feeding/printing device 21 and an inspection device 22 are arranged in order.

The tablet feeding and printing device 21 includes a device (reference numeral “51”, etc.) that is commonly used both when manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 and when storing the tablets 5 without manufacturing the PTP sheet 1, and the tablet 5 and a device (reference numeral "71", etc.) that is used only when storing. In addition, the tablet feeding and printing device 21 has a function of forming the printing portion 5G on the tablet 5 while sucking and holding the tablet 5. When the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured, the tablet 5 having the printing portion 5G is filled into the pocket portion 2. On the other hand, when the tablet 5 is accommodated, the tablet feeding and printing device 21 transfers the tablet 5 having the printing portion 5G formed thereon to a second suction belt 72, which is arranged instead of the container film 3 and will be described later. Details of the tablet feeding and printing device 21 will be described later.

The inspection device 22 mainly inspects tablet defects such as whether the tablets 5 are surely filled in the respective pocket portions 2, whether the tablets 5 are abnormal, and whether the pocket portions 2 are mixed with foreign matter.

On the other hand, the strip-shaped original fabric of the cover film 4 is wound into a roll on the most upstream side. A lead end of the cover film 4 wound in a roll is guided toward the heating roll 25 by the guide roll 24 .

The heating roll 25 can be brought into pressure contact with the film receiving roll 20 , and the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are fed between the two rolls 20 and 25 . Then, the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are passed between the rolls 20 and 25 in a state of being heated and pressure-welded, whereby the cover film 4 is attached to the container film 3 and the pocket portion 2 is closed with the cover film 4. . As a result, strip-shaped PTP film 6 in which tablet 5 is accommodated in each pocket 2 is manufactured. The film receiving roll 20 and the heating roll 25 constitute the attaching means in this embodiment.

The PTP film 6 sent out from the film receiving roll 20 is placed on a tension roll 27 and an intermittent feed roll 28 in this order. Since the intermittent feed roll 28 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, the PTP film 6 is transported intermittently. The tension roll 27 is in a state in which the PTP film 6 is stretched by its elastic force, and prevents the PTP film 6 from slackening due to the difference in the conveying operation between the film receiving roll 20 and the intermittent feed roll 28. The PTP film 6 is always held in tension.

The PTP film 6 sent out from the intermittent feed roll 28 is wound on the tension roll 31 and the intermittent feed roll 32 in this order. Since the intermittent feed roll 32 is connected to a motor that rotates intermittently, the PTP film 6 is transported intermittently. The tension roll 31 is in a state in which the PTP film 6 is pulled to the tension side by elastic force, and the slackness of the PTP film 6 between the intermittent feed rolls 28 and 32 is prevented.

Between the intermittent feed roll 28 and the tension roll 31, along the transport path of the PTP film 6, a slit forming device 33 and a stamping device 34 are arranged in order. The slit forming device 33 has a function of forming a slit for separation at a predetermined position of the PTP film 6 . In addition, 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 sent out from the intermittent feed roll 32 is sequentially wound on the tension roll 35 and the continuous feed roll 36 on the downstream side thereof. A sheet punching device 37 is arranged along the transport path of the PTP film 6 between the intermittent feed roll 32 and the tension roll 35 . The sheet punching device 37 has a function of punching the outer edge of the PTP film 6 into one PTP sheet. The sheet punching device 37 constitutes the separating means in this embodiment.

The PTP sheet 1 punched by the sheet punching device 37 is conveyed by the conveyor 39 and temporarily stored in the hopper 40 for finished products. However, the PTP sheet 1 determined to be defective by the inspection device 22 and at least one of the first print inspection device 59 and the second print inspection device 84, which will be described later, respectively, is not sent to the hopper 40 for finished products. , are discharged separately by a defective sheet discharging mechanism (not shown).

A cutting device 41 is arranged downstream of the continuous feed roll 36 . An unnecessary film portion 42 that constitutes a belt-like residual material portion (scrap portion) after punching by the sheet punching device 37 is guided by the tension roll 35 and the continuous feed roll 36, and then guided to the cutting device 41. . A driven roll is pressed against the continuous feed roll 36, and the undesired film portion 42 is held while carrying the film. A cutting device 41 cuts the unnecessary film portion 42 to a predetermined size. The cut unnecessary film portion 42 (scrap) is stored in a scrap hopper 43 and then disposed of separately.

Each of the rolls 14, 20, 28, 31, 32, etc. has a positional relationship in which the roll surface and the pocket portion 2 face each other. Since the recessed part is formed, the pocket part 2 is not crushed. Further, the intermittent feeding operation and the continuous feeding operation are reliably performed by performing the feeding operation while the pocket portion 2 is accommodated in each concave portion of the intermittent feeding roll 14 or the like.

Next, the configuration of the tablet feeding and printing device 21 will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of the tablet feeding and printing device 21 and the like in the case of manufacturing the PTP sheet 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6 , the tablet feeding and printing device 21 includes a tablet filling device 51 as filling means, a tablet storage device 71 , a second printing system 81 and a control device 91 . The operation of each mechanical section (the tablet filling device 51, the tablet storage device 71, and the second printing system 81) of the tablet feeding and printing device 21 is controlled by the control device 91. FIG.

First, the tablet filling device 51 will be described. The tablet filling device 51 is used in common both when manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 and when storing the tablets 5 . The tablet filling device 51 automatically fills the pockets 2 with the tablets 5 when manufacturing the PTP sheet 1, and automatically loads the tablets 5 into the tablet storage device 71 (second suction belt 72 described later) when storing the tablets 5. It has the function of passing

The tablet filling device 51 includes a storage section 52 , a supply chute 53 , a rotary drum 54 and a first suction belt 55 in order from the upstream side along the supply route of the tablets 5 . The tablet filling device 51 also has a first printing system 56 corresponding to the first suction belt 55 . In this embodiment, the rotary drum 54 and the first adsorption belt 55 correspond to the conveying means.

The storage part 52 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 53 from here. The tablet 5 stored in the storage portion 52 has the dividing line 5F already formed, but the printing portion 5G has not yet been formed.

The supply chutes 53 are provided corresponding to the positions of the respective pocket portions 2 in the width direction (the depth direction of the paper surface of FIG. 6) of the horizontally transported container film 3 . That is, in this embodiment, five supply chutes 53 are arranged in parallel along the width direction of the container film 3 . Each supply chute 53 has a cylindrical shape and is configured so that the tablets 5 can be loaded in a row in the vertical direction in a lateral posture. Each supply chute 53 is arranged so that its lower opening is located directly above the rotary shaft of the rotary drum 54 and close to the rotary drum 54 .

In the vicinity of the lower opening of each supply chute 53, a shutter 53A capable of opening and closing the lower opening is provided. By opening and closing the shutter 53</b>A, the tablets 5 are naturally dropped one by one from the supply chute 53 and supplied to the rotary drum 54 . The front and back sides of the tablets 5 supplied to the rotary drum 54 and the directions of the dividing lines 5F are various and not constant.

The rotary drum 54 receives the tablets 5 supplied from the supply chute 53 at the predetermined first position P1, and conveys the tablets 5 to the first adsorption belt 55 side while adsorbing and holding the tablets 5 . The first position P1 is a position corresponding to the dropping position of the tablets 5 from the supply chute 53 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rotary drum 54 has a cylindrical shape and is rotatably supported. there is Furthermore, the rotary drum 54 is directly or indirectly connected to a driving means such as a motor (not shown), and is rotationally driven by the motor. In this embodiment, the rotary drum 54 continuously rotates clockwise on the paper surface of FIG.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 54, a large number of adsorption portions 54A for adsorbing and holding the tablets 5 are formed. Each adsorption portion 54</b>A has a substantially circular shape in plan view seen in the radial direction of the rotary drum 54 and has a size capable of accommodating the tablet 5 .

The adsorption portions 54A are regularly arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential and axial directions of the rotary drum 54 . In this embodiment, five adsorption portions 54A are provided at equal intervals in the axial direction of the rotary drum 54 corresponding to the positions of the respective pocket portions 2 in the width direction of the container film 3 . A large number of rows of the five suction portions 54A arranged in the axial direction are provided in the circumferential direction of the rotary drum 54 at regular intervals. Further, the formation interval (pitch) of the suction portions 54A in the circumferential direction of the rotary drum 54 is the same as the formation interval of the pocket portions 2 in the conveying direction of the container film 3 (rightward direction in FIG. 6).

Further, each adsorption portion 54A is in a state of being evacuated by a predetermined vacuum pump (not shown) (negative pressure is supplied state). As a result, each suction portion 54A can suction and hold the tablet 5 while moving from directly above the rotating shaft of the rotary drum 54 to near directly below. A portion of the tablet 5 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 54 when the tablet 5 is adsorbed and held by the adsorption portion 54A.

On the other hand, each adsorption portion 54A is configured to be open to the atmosphere while it moves from directly below to near above the rotating shaft of the rotary drum 54 as the rotary drum 54 rotates. As a result, the adsorption of the tablet 5 adsorbed and held by the rotary drum 54 is released just below the rotating shaft of the rotary drum 54 .

The rotary drum 54, the first suction belt 55, and the second suction belt 72, which will be described later, are each provided with an encoder (not shown). Output every hour. As a result, the control device 91 can grasp the rotational positions of the rotary drum 54, the first suction belt 55 and the second suction belt 72, and can grasp the position of the tablet 5 sucked and conveyed. .

The first adsorption belt 55 receives the tablets 5 from the rotary drum 54 at the predetermined second position P2, adsorbs and conveys the tablets 5, and finally fills the container film 3 (pocket portion 2). Alternatively, it is delivered to the tablet storage device 71 . The second position P2 is a position corresponding to a position directly below the rotating shaft of the rotary drum 54 .

The first suction belt 55 has a pair of pulleys 55A and 55B, a conveying belt 55C formed by connecting a plurality of holding plates 55D in a belt shape, and a suction mechanism (not shown).

The pair of pulleys 55A and 55B are arranged in a spaced-apart manner along the conveying path of the container film 3, and are rotatable about a rotating shaft parallel to the rotating shaft of the rotary drum 54 by a predetermined driving means. It is Of the pair of pulleys 55A and 55B, the pulley 55A arranged downstream along the conveying path of the container film 3 is arranged vertically below the rotary drum 54 in close proximity to the rotary drum 54. .

The conveying belt 55C is stretched over the pair of pulleys 55A and 55B, and rotates as the pulleys 55A and 55B rotate. In this embodiment, the conveying belt 55C rotates in the counterclockwise direction on the paper surface of FIG. In addition, the portion of the transport belt 55C that moves from the pulley 55B to the pulley 55A (that is, the portion of the transport belt 55C in which the outer peripheral surface faces downward) is arranged close to the transport path of the container film 3, and the film It continuously moves at the same speed as the transport speed of the container film 3 by the receiving roll 20 .

Further, each holding plate 55D is provided with a plurality of suction holes 55E at regular intervals along the width direction of the conveying belt 55C. In this embodiment, five suction holes 55E are provided along the width direction of the conveying belt 55C, and the intervals between the suction holes 55E along the width direction are equal to the pockets along the width direction of the container film 3. It is the same as the formation interval of the portion 2 .

Moreover, it is configured such that each suction hole 55E can be brought into a vacuumed state (a state in which a negative pressure is supplied) by operating the suction mechanism. Thereby, the first adsorption belt 55 can adsorb and hold the tablets 5 at the positions where the adsorption holes 55E are formed.

In addition, a blow mechanism (not shown) is provided inside the first suction belt 55 . The blow mechanism can blow pressurized air toward the suction holes 55E. By blowing air from the blow mechanism, a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure can be generated in the suction holes 55E, and as a result, the suction of the tablets 5 by the first suction belt 55 can be released. In this embodiment, as the blow mechanism, one corresponding to the sixth position P6 described below and one corresponding to the seventh position P7 described later are provided.

Further, when the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured, the first suction belt 55 cancels the suction of the tablet 5 transported to the sixth position P6 by operating the blow mechanism corresponding to the predetermined sixth position P6. A tablet 5 is filled into the pocket portion 2 . The sixth position P6 corresponds to a position directly below the rotating shaft of the pulley 55A and corresponds to the filling position. When the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured, the timing at which the suction holes 55E of the suction belt 55 pass through the sixth position P6 is set to coincide with the timing at which the pocket portion 2 of the container film 3 passes.

Further, in the present embodiment, the conveying path of the container film 3 located below the first adsorption belt 55 is a path gradually approaching the conveying belt 55C from the upstream side toward the downstream side by guide rolls (not shown). is set. As a result, when the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured, the tablets 5 adsorbed and conveyed by the first adsorption belt 55 gradually enter the pocket portion 2, and finally, most of the tablets 5 are placed in the pockets at the sixth position P6. You will enter part 2. Therefore, the tablet 5 can be more reliably filled into the pocket portion 2 .

On the other hand, when the tablets 5 are stored, the first suction belt 55 releases the suction of the tablets 5 conveyed to the seventh position P7 by the operation of the blow mechanism corresponding to the predetermined seventh position P7 (see FIG. 8). By doing so, the tablet 5 is delivered to the second suction belt 72 which will be described later. The seventh position P7 is a position slightly downstream of the sixth position P6 along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 55C.

In addition, it is not always necessary to provide a plurality of the blowing mechanisms in the first adsorption belt 55, and by setting the blowing mechanism differently when the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured and when the tablets 5 are stored, the PTP sheet 1 can be It may be configured to correspond to the time of manufacture and the time of storage of the tablets 5 . For example, when the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured, the operation of the blow mechanism is set so that the adsorption of the tablet 5 positioned at the sixth position P6 is released, and when the tablet 5 is accommodated, the tablet 5 positioned at the seventh position P7 is set. The operation of the blow mechanism may be set so that the adsorption of the air is released.

Next, the first printing system 56 will be explained. The first printing system 56 is commonly used both when manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 and when storing the tablets 5 . The first printing system 56 has a function of printing on the tablet 5 being sucked and conveyed by the first suction belt 55 and determining the quality of the formed printing portion 5G. The first printing system 56 includes a first imaging device 57 , a first printing device 58 and a first print inspection device 59 in this order along the transport path of the tablets 5 by the first suction belt 55 . In this embodiment, the first printing device 58 corresponds to printing means.

The first imaging device 57 is composed of, for example, a CCD camera, a CMOS camera, etc., and is arranged corresponding to a third position P3 above the conveyor belt 55C moving from the pulley 55A to the pulley 55B. The imaging range of the first imaging device 57 is a range capable of imaging five tablets 5 (suction holes 55E) arranged in the width direction of the conveying belt 55C at one time. Alternatively, a camera may be provided for each of the five tablets 5 (suction holes 55E) arranged in the width direction of the conveyor belt 55C.

Further, the first imaging device 57 images the tablet 5 which is suction-conveyed by the first suction belt 55 and passes through the third position P3. The first image capturing device 57 captures an image of the surface (non-adsorbed surface) opposite to the surface adsorbed by the first adsorption belt 55 . For example, when the front surface 5B side of the tablet 5 is suctioned by the first suction belt 55 , the first imaging device 57 images the back surface 5C side of the tablet 5 . Image data obtained by the first imaging device 57 is input to the control device 91 .

The first printing device 58 is a known tablet printing device that can perform non-contact printing on the tablet 5 using a predetermined inkjet type (for example, piezo type or thermal type) print head. According to the first printing device 58, edible ink droplets 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 tablets 5. FIG.

The first printing device 58 is arranged corresponding to a fourth position P4, which is downstream of the third position P3 along the moving path of the conveyor belt 55C. The first printing device 58 has five print heads corresponding to five suction holes 55E (tablets 5) arranged in the width direction of the transport belt 55C. Then, the first printing device 58 performs non-contact printing by ejecting ink from each print head toward each tablet 5 that is sucked and conveyed by the first suction belt 55 and passes through the fourth position P4.

The first printing inspection device 59 inspects the printing portion 5G formed by the first printing device 58 . The first print inspection device 59 includes a camera for capturing an image of the tablet 5 and a quality determination unit (not shown) for determining quality of the printing unit 5G based on image data obtained by the camera. The camera moves the tablet 5 conveyed to the fifth position P5 downstream of the fourth position P4 along the movement path of the conveying belt 55C. The surface side (that is, the surface side on which the printing portion 5G is formed by the first printing device 58) is imaged. The pass/fail determination unit extracts the area occupied by the printing unit 5G by, for example, performing a binarization process on the obtained image data, and then compares the area with a predetermined print pattern stored in advance. Then, the quality of the printing unit 5G is determined. The pass/fail determination result is input to the control device 91 . It should be noted that the quality determination method of the printing unit 5G may be a method other than the above. Also, instead of the pass/fail determination unit, the control device 91 may perform pass/fail determination of the printing unit 5G based on the image data.

Next, the tablet storage device 71 will be explained. The tablet storage device 71 is not used when the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured, but is used only when the tablets 5 are stored. FIG. 8 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of the tablet feeding and printing device 21 and the like in the case of storing the tablets 5. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8 , the tablet storage device 71 includes a second suction belt 72 , a non-defective product storage section 73 and a defective product storage section 74 . The second suction belt 72 constitutes receiving means and second conveying means in this embodiment.

The second suction belt 72 basically has the same structure as the first suction belt 55, and as shown in FIGS. It has a conveyor belt 72C and a suction mechanism (not shown) which are connected to each other. The conveyor belt 72C rotates as the pulleys 72A and 72B rotate. In this embodiment, the conveying belt 72C is rotatable in the clockwise direction on the paper surface of FIG. The conveying belt 72C can be continuously moved at the same speed as the conveying belt 55C in the first suction belt 55 moves.

Further, like the holding plate 55D of the first suction belt 55, each holding plate 72D is provided with a plurality of suction holes 72E at regular intervals along the width direction of the conveying belt 72C. By operating the suction mechanism, the second suction belt 72 can suck and hold the tablets 5 at the positions where the suction holes 72E are formed. Incidentally, in FIG. 9, in order to show the suction hole 72E, a row of tablets 5 that actually exist is removed.

Further, similarly to the first adsorption belt 55, a blow mechanism (not shown) is provided inside the second adsorption belt 72, and the adsorption of the tablets 5 by the second adsorption belt 72 can be released by the blow mechanism. It is possible. In addition, in the second suction belt 72, the blowing mechanism corresponding to the non-defective product storing portion 73 and the blowing mechanism corresponding to the defective product storing portion 74 are provided. Moreover, these blow mechanisms can blow air toward a hole selected from five suction holes 72E arranged in the width direction of the conveying belt 72C. Therefore, it is possible to selectively release any one of the five tablets 5 arranged in a line.

Further, the position of the second suction belt 72 can be changed manually or electrically. The second suction belt 72 is arranged at a position that does not interfere with the transportation of the container film 3 and the operation of each device of the PTP packaging machine 10 during the manufacture of the PTP sheet 1 (see FIG. 6).

On the other hand, the second adsorption belt 72 is arranged at a position close to the first adsorption belt 55 instead of the container film 3 stretched over the guide roll 19 and the film receiving roll 20 when the tablets 5 are stored. (See Figure 8). More specifically, the position of the second suction belt 72 slightly shifted upstream along the moving direction of the conveying belt 72C from the position directly above the rotation shaft of the pulley 72A is the pulley of the first suction belt 55. In 55A, it is arranged in a state of being close to a position slightly shifted downstream along the moving direction of the conveying belt 55C from the position directly below the rotating shaft thereof. That is, the second suction belt 72 is arranged such that the conveying belt 72C is closest to the conveying belt 55C at the seventh position P7. Further, the timing at which the suction holes 72E of the second suction belt 72 pass through the seventh position P7 is set to coincide with the timing at which the suction holes 55E of the first suction belt 55 pass.

When the tablet 5 is stored, the second suction belt 72 arranged as described above receives the tablet 5 from the first suction belt 55 with the front and back sides determined, and suction-holds the tablet 5 at the seventh position P7. The tablets 5 adsorbed and held by the second adsorption belt 72 are conveyed to the non-defective product storage unit 73 and the defective product storage unit 74 by the movement of the transport belt 72C.

The non-defective product storage unit 73 is a container for storing the tablets 5 determined to be good by both the first print inspection device 59 and a second print inspection device 84 described later, and is movable together with the second suction belt 72 . The non-defective product storage section 73 is arranged below the second suction belt 72 along the moving path of the conveying belt 72C. The non-defective product storage unit 73 receives from the second adsorption belt 72 and stores the tablets 5 that have been released and dropped by the operation of the blow mechanism corresponding to the non-defective product storage unit 73 . The tablets 5 stored in the non-defective product storage unit 73 can be packaged in a manner other than PTP packaging by putting them into a packaging machine other than the PTP packaging machine 10 (for example, a bottle filling packaging machine, a strip packaging machine, etc.). can be done.

The defective product storage unit 74 is a container for storing the tablets 5 determined to be defective by at least one of the first print inspection device 59 and a second print inspection device 84 described later, and is movable together with the second suction belt 72. be. The defective product storage unit 74 is arranged below the second suction belt 72 and downstream of the non-defective product storage unit 73 along the movement path of the conveyor belt 72C. The defective product storage unit 74 receives from the second adsorption belt 72 and stores the fallen tablet 5 that has been released by the operation of the blow mechanism corresponding to the defective product storage unit 74 .

Next, the second printing system 81 will be explained. The second printing system 81 is commonly used both when manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 and when storing the tablets 5 . The second printing system 81 prints on the tablets 5 filled in the pocket portion 2 when manufacturing the PTP sheet 1, and prints on the tablets 5 conveyed by the second suction belt 72 when storing the tablets 5. Also, the quality of the formed printing portion 5G is determined. The second printing system 81 includes a second imaging device 82, a second printing device 83, and a second print inspection device 84 in this order along the transport path of the container film 3 (moving path of the second suction belt 72). ing.

Since the basic configurations of the second imaging device 82, the second printing device and the second print inspection device 84 are the same as those of the first imaging device 57, the first printing device 58 and the first print inspection device 59, A description of these basic configurations is omitted. Further, in this embodiment, the second imaging device 82 corresponds to imaging means, the second printing device 83 corresponds to second printing means, and the second print inspection device 84 corresponds to inspection means.

The second imaging device 82 is provided between the first adsorption belt 55 and the two rolls 20 and 25 along the conveying path of the container film 3 , and the second imaging device 82 is provided along the conveying path of the container film 3 . An image of the tablet 5 passing through the predetermined eighth position P8 is captured. That is, the second imaging device 82 can be used for both imaging of the tablets 5 filled in the pocket portion 2 and imaging of the tablets 5 being sucked and conveyed by the second suction belt 72 . The second imaging device 82 captures an image of the surface of the tablet 5 opposite to the surface on which the printed portion 5G is formed by the first printing device 58 . For example, when the printed portion 5G is formed on the front surface 5B of the tablet 5 by the first printing device 58, the second imaging device 82 images the rear surface 5C side of the tablet 5. FIG. Image data obtained by the second imaging device 82 is input to the control device 91 .

The second printing device 83 is located between the first suction belt 55 and the rolls 20 and 25 along the transport path of the container film 3 and downstream of the eighth position P8 along the transport path of the container film 3. It is arranged corresponding to the ninth position P9 corresponding to the position. The second printing device 83 ejects ink from each print head toward each tablet 5 passing through the ninth position P9 as the container film 3 is conveyed or conveyed by the second suction belt 72, and performs non-contact printing. . That is, the second printing device 83 can be used for both printing on the tablets 5 filled in the pocket portion 2 and printing on the tablets 5 being sucked and conveyed by the second suction belt 72 .

The second printing inspection device 84 inspects the printing portion 5G formed by the second printing device 83 . The second print inspection device 84 is provided between the second printing device 83 and the rolls 20, 25 along the transport path of the container film 3, and is located at the ninth position P9 along the transport path of the container film 3. It is arranged corresponding to the tenth position P10, which is located downstream of the first position P10.

The second print inspection device 84 uses its own camera to detect the surface facing the pocket portion 2 side or the first The surface side opposite to the surface sucked by the second suction belt 72 (that is, the surface side on which the printing portion 5G is formed by the second printing device 83) is imaged. Then, the second print inspection device 84 determines the quality of the printing unit 5G based on the obtained image data by its own quality determination unit. That is, the second print inspection device 84 performs an inspection of the printing portion 5G related to the tablets 5 filled in the pocket portion 2 and an inspection of the printing portion 5G related to the tablets 5 being sucked and conveyed by the second suction belt 72. available in both. A pass/fail determination result by the second print inspection device 84 is input to the control device 91 .

If the transport path of the tablets 5 to be processed by the second printing system 81 changes between when the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured and when the tablets 5 are stored, the second The layout position of the printing system 81 may be changed, or the operation settings of the second printing system 81 may be changed.

The control device 91 includes a CPU as computing means, a ROM for storing various programs, a RAM for temporarily storing various data, and a storage medium (such as a hard disk) for long-term storage of information. The control device 91 executes control processing related to each mechanical section in the tablet feeding and printing device 21 by the CPU executing a predetermined program.

Control processing performed by the control device 91 includes processing that is commonly performed during both manufacturing of the PTP sheet 1 and storage of the tablets 5, processing that is performed only during manufacturing of the PTP sheet 1, and processing that is performed only during storage of the PTP sheet 1. There are some things that are only done. These control processes will be described in order below.

First, the control processing that is commonly performed both when manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 and when storing the tablets 5 will be described. This control processing includes control processing for the imaging devices 57 and 82, control processing for the printing devices 58 and 83, control processing for the print inspection devices 59 and 84, and the like.

Control processing of the imaging devices 57 and 82 is performed by operating the imaging devices 57 and 82 at the timing when the tablet 5 passes the third position P3 or the eighth position P8. The position of the tablet 5 can be grasped based on the signal input to the control device 91 from the encoders of the suction belts 55 and 72 .

The control processing of the printing devices 58, 83 is performed by operating the printing devices 58, 83 at the timing when the tablet 5 passes the fourth position P4 or the ninth position P9.

The printers 58 and 83 are controlled by the controller 91 as follows. That is, in the present embodiment, the storage medium of the control device 91 registers, for example, 360 types of print data in which the orientation of print patterns such as characters and numbers is rotated by 1 degree in the range of 0 degrees to 359 degrees. It is Based on the image data obtained by the imaging devices 57 and 82, the control device 91 acquires information on the position and orientation of the secant line 5F (referred to as "position angle information"). The positional angle information includes information such as the amount of positional deviation of the secant line 5F relative to the predetermined reference position along the X and Y directions and the inclination angle of the secant line 5F relative to the predetermined reference line. Then, based on the obtained positional angle information, the control device 91 selects print data that matches the tilt angle in the obtained positional angle information from among the plurality of print data registered in the storage medium. For example, if the inclination angle is 90 degrees, the control device 91 selects the print pattern of characters, numbers, etc., rotated 90 degrees from among the plurality of print data. Further, the control device 91 determines the print position from the positional deviation amount in the obtained positional angle information. Then, the control device 91 controls the operations of the printing devices 58 and 83 based on the selected print data and the determined print position. As a result, the printed portion 5G is accurately formed at a predetermined position on the tablet 5. As shown in FIG.

The control processing of the print inspection devices 59, 84 is performed by operating the cameras of the print inspection devices 59, 84 at the timing when the tablet 5 passes the fifth position P5 or the tenth position P10. Incidentally, as described above, the inspection of the printing unit 5G is performed by the pass/fail judgment units of the printing inspection devices 59 and 84, and the obtained judgment results are input to the control device 91. FIG.

Next, control processing that is performed only when the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured will be described. This control processing includes control processing of the blow mechanism provided on the first suction belt 55 and corresponding to the sixth position P6. This control process is performed by operating the blow mechanism at the timing when the tablet 5 passes the sixth position P6. By this control process, the tablet 5 is filled into the pocket portion 2 at the sixth position P6.

Next, control processing that is performed only when tablets 5 are stored will be described. This control processing includes control processing of the blow mechanism provided on the first suction belt 55 corresponding to the seventh position P7 and control processing of the blow mechanism provided on the second suction belt 72. be The control processing of the blow mechanism corresponding to the seventh position P7 is performed by operating the blow mechanism at the timing when the tablet 5 passes through the seventh position P7. By this control process, adsorption of the tablets 5 by the first adsorption belt 55 is canceled at the seventh position P7, and as a result, the tablets 5 are transferred from the first adsorption belt 55 to the second adsorption belt 72. .

The control processing of the blow mechanism provided on the second suction belt 72 is based on the inspection results obtained by the print inspection devices 59 and 84, and the blow mechanism corresponding to the non-defective product storage unit 73 and the defective product storage unit 74 are controlled. This is done by selectively operating the corresponding blow mechanism.

More specifically, with regard to the tablet 5 that has been judged to be good by both the print inspection devices 59 and 84, the suction hole 72E for sucking the tablet 5 is opened at the timing when the tablet 5 reaches the position corresponding to the good product storage section 73. The blow mechanism corresponding to the non-defective product storage section 73 is operated so as to blow air toward the above. As a result, the tablet 5 determined to be good is released from adsorption, falls, and is stored in the non-defective product storage section 73 .

On the other hand, with respect to the tablet 5 determined as defective by at least one of the print inspection devices 59 and 84, the tablet 5 is adsorbed at the timing when the tablet 5 reaches the position corresponding to the defective product storage section 74. The blow mechanism corresponding to the defective product storage section 74 is operated so as to blow air toward the hole 72E. As a result, the tablet 5 determined to be defective is released from adsorption and falls, and is stored in the defective product storage section 74 .

Next, a process for manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 (manufacturing process of the PTP sheet 1) and a process for storing the tablets 5 (process for storing the tablets 5) will be described. First, the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet 1 will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. When the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured, the container film 3 and the like are arranged at predetermined positions, and the tablet storage device 71 is arranged at a position that does not interfere with the operation of the PTP packaging machine 10 . (See Figure 6). Further, the control device 91 is set so as to perform control processing related to manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 .

First, in the pocket portion forming step of step S11, the pocket portions 2 are sequentially formed by the pocket portion forming device 16 on the container film 3 which has been softened relatively by the heating device 15. As shown in FIG.

Next, in the filling step of step S12, the formed pocket portion 2 is filled with the tablet 5. Next, as shown in FIG. The filling step S12 includes a tablet supply step S121, a first imaging step S122, a first printing step S123, a first printing inspection step S124 and a tablet loading step S125.

The tablet supplying step of step S121 is a step of supplying the tablets 5 to the rotary drum 54 . In the tablet supply step S121, first, the shutter 53A is opened and closed at a predetermined timing when the empty suction portion 54A, which moves with the rotation of the rotary drum 54, reaches the first position P1. By opening and closing the shutter 53A, the tablets 5 drop one by one from each supply chute 53 and are accommodated in the suction section 54A that has moved to the first position P1. At this time, since the adsorption portion 54A containing the tablet 5 is in a state of being vacuumed, the tablet 5 is in a state of being adsorbed and held. In addition, in the supply chute 53, when one tablet 5 drops, the tablet 5 thereon descends to the lower opening and is prevented from dropping by the shutter 53A.

After that, when the tablet 5 is arranged at the second position P2 as the rotary drum 54 rotates, the tablet 5 is released from the adsorption and transferred to the first adsorption belt 55 . At this time, since the suction hole 55E is in a state of being evacuated, the tablet 5 is held by the first suction belt 55 by suction. Then, as the transport belt 55C moves, the tablet 5 is transported toward the first imaging device 57 or the like.

The first imaging step of step S122 is a step of imaging the tablet 5 being sucked and conveyed by the first suction belt 55 by the first imaging device 57 . In the first imaging step S122, the first imaging device 57 is operated at a predetermined timing when the tablet 5 reaches the third position P3. As a result, the first imaging device 57 captures an image of the non-sucked surface (the surface on the front surface 5B side or the back surface 5C side) of the tablet 5 that is suction-conveyed by the first suction belt 55 and passes through the third position P3. Image data obtained by imaging is input to the control device 91 .

Then, the first printing process of step S123 is performed. That is, the tablets 5 that have undergone the first imaging step S122 are further transported as the transport belt 55C moves, and at a predetermined timing when the tablets 5 reach the fourth position P4, the printing position or the like determined by the control device 91 is reached. Based on this, the first printing device 58 is operated. As a result, printing is performed on the non-sucking surface side of the tablet 5 passing through the fourth position P4, and a printing portion 5G is formed. At this time, the control device 91 determines the print position and the like based on the image data obtained by the first imaging device 57 .

Next, the first print inspection process of step S124 is performed. That is, the camera of the first print inspection device 59 is activated at a predetermined timing when the tablet 5 reaches the fifth position P5 as the conveyor belt 55C moves. Then, based on the image data obtained by the camera, the pass/fail judgment section of the first print inspection device 59 judges the pass/fail of the printing section 5G. Here, the quality of the printing unit 5G formed by the first printing device 58 is determined. The pass/fail determination result is input to the control device 91 .

After that, the tablet loading step of step S125 is performed. That is, when the tablet 5 adsorbed and held by the first adsorption belt 55 reaches the sixth position P6, the tablet 5 enters the pocket portion 2 of the container film 3 positioned at the sixth position P6. At the same time, by operating the blow mechanism so as to blow air toward the suction holes 55E sucking the tablet 5, the tablet 5 is released from being held by suction. As a result, the tablets 5 fall from the first suction belt 55 into the pocket portion 2 and the pocket portion 2 is filled with the tablets 5 . The tablet 5 is filled into the pocket portion 2 with the printed portion 5G facing the pocket portion 2 .

Following the filling step S12, a second imaging step S13, a second printing step S14, and a second printing inspection step S15 are performed.

In the second imaging step S13, the second imaging device 82 is operated at a predetermined timing when the tablet 5 filled in the pocket portion 2 reaches the eighth position P8 as the container film 3 is transported. Thereby, the second imaging device 82 images the tablet 5 passing through the eighth position P8. The object to be imaged by the second imaging device 82 is the surface opposite to the surface on which the printed portion 5G is formed by the first printing device 58, that is, the surface on which the printed portion 5G is not formed.

Then, the second printing process of step S14 is performed. That is, when the tablet 5 is further transported along with the transport of the container film 3 and reaches the ninth position P9 at a predetermined timing, the second printing device 83 is operated based on the printing position determined by the control device 91. activate. As a result, the printed portion 5G is formed on the surface of the tablet 5 on which the printed portion 5G was not formed. At this time, the control device 91 sets the print position and the like based on the image data obtained by the second imaging device 82 .

After that, in the second print inspection process of step S15, the camera of the second print inspection device 84 is operated at a predetermined timing when the tablet 5 filled in the pocket portion 2 reaches the tenth position P10. Then, based on the image data obtained by the camera, the quality determination unit of the second print inspection device 84 determines the quality of the printing unit 5G. Here, the quality of the printing unit 5G formed by the second printing device 83 is determined. The pass/fail determination result is input to the control device 91 .

Then, the attachment process of step S16 is performed. In the attaching step S16, the cover film 4 is attached to the container film 3 by feeding the container film 3 and the cover film 4 between the rolls 20 and 25, and the PTP film 6 is obtained.

After the PTP film 6 has been processed by the slit forming device 33 and the stamping device 34, the separation process of step S17 is performed, and the manufacturing process of the PTP sheet 1 is completed. In the separating step S17, the PTP film 6 is punched by the sheet punching device 37, and the PTP sheet 1 is separated from the PTP film 6, whereby the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured.

Next, the step of storing the tablets 5 will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. When storing the tablets 5, instead of the container film 3, the tablet storage device 71 is arranged at a predetermined position (see FIG. 8). Further, the control device 91 is set so as to perform control processing related to storage of the tablets 5 .

In the step of storing the tablets 5, first, a tablet supply step S21, a first imaging step S22, a first printing step S23, and a first printing inspection step S24 are performed. These steps are the same as the tablet supply step S121, the first imaging step S122, the first printing step S123, and the first printing inspection step S124 described above. Therefore, description of these steps is omitted.

Following the first print inspection step S24, the tablet delivery step of step S25 is performed. In the tablet delivery step S25, when the tablets 5 conveyed by the first suction belt 55 reach the seventh position P7, the blow mechanism is operated so that air is blown toward the suction holes 55E for sucking the tablets 5. By doing so, the suction holding of the tablet 5 is released. Thereby, the tablet 5 is transferred from the first suction belt 55 to the second suction belt 72 . At this time, since the suction holes 72</b>E of the second suction belt 72 are in a state of being vacuumed, the tablets 5 are suctioned and held by the second suction belt 72 . Then, as the transport belt 72C moves, the tablets 5 are transported toward the second imaging device 82 and the like.

After that, the second imaging process S26, the second printing process S27, and the second printing inspection process S28 are performed. These steps are the same as the above-described second imaging step S13, second printing step S14, and second printing inspection step S15. Therefore, description of these steps is omitted.

Following the second printing inspection step S28, the step of storing tablets 5 is completed by performing the step of storing tablets in step S29.

In the tablet storage step S29, when the tablet 5 determined to be good by both the first print inspection device 59 and the second print inspection device 84 reaches the position corresponding to the non-defective product storage unit 73, the blow corresponding to the non-defective product storage unit 73 Activate the mechanism. As a result, the suction holding of the tablet 5 is released, and the tablet 5 falls from the second suction belt 72 and is stored in the non-defective product storage section 73 .

On the other hand, when the tablet 5 determined to be defective by at least one of the first print inspection device 59 and the second print inspection device 84 reaches the position corresponding to the defective product storage unit 74, it corresponds to the defective product storage unit 74. Activate the blow mechanism. As a result, the suction holding of the tablet 5 is released, and the tablet 5 falls from the second suction belt 72 and is stored in the defective product storage section 74 . As described above, in the tablet storage step S29, the tablets 5 are sorted and stored into either the non-defective product storage unit 73 or the defective product storage unit 74 according to the quality determination result of the print inspection devices 59 and 84. FIG.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, when manufacturing the PTP sheet 1, printing is performed in a non-contact manner on the tablet 5 while the tablet 5 is being adsorbed by the first adsorption belt 55, After that, the adsorption by the first adsorption belt 55 is released, and the tablets 5 are filled into the pocket portion 2 . That is, the tablet 5 on which the printed portion 5G is formed in the adsorbed state is conveyed to the sixth position P6 side while maintaining the adsorbed state, and is released from the adsorption at the sixth position P6, and is transferred to the pocket portion 2. and filled. Therefore, the tablets 5 do not rub against other tablets, the hopper, etc., and it is possible to more reliably prevent the print content from becoming unclear due to scraping or chipping of the printing portion 5G. As a result, the PTP sheet 1 with clear print content can be obtained more reliably.

Moreover, since the tablet 5 is printed in a non-contact manner, the load (force) applied to the tablet 5 during printing can be significantly reduced, and breakage of the tablet 5 can be prevented more reliably. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the printed content from becoming unclear, and together with this, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defective tablets, and to reduce the cost of manufacturing the PTP sheet 1 .

Furthermore, the PTP packaging machine 10 in this embodiment includes a second suction belt 72 that can be arranged in place of the container film 3, and the second suction belt 72 can receive the tablets 5 from the first suction belt 55. It is possible. That is, the first suction belt 55 can deliver the tablet 5 having the printed portion 5G formed thereon not only to the container film 3 (pocket portion 2), but also to the second suction belt 72. Here, the tablets 5 delivered to the second suction belt 72 (tablets 5 finally stored in the non-defective product storage unit 73) are used for packaging modes other than PTP packaging (eg, bottle filling packaging, strip packaging, etc.) By doing so, it is possible to realize packaging according to each packaging mode. Therefore, the first printing device 58 can be used not only for printing the tablets 5 filled in the PTP sheet 1, but also for printing the tablets 5 packaged in a manner other than the PTP packaging, for example. As a result, various packaging modes can be handled by using the first printing device 58 provided in the PTP packaging machine 10 itself without providing a separate tablet printing device for handling packaging modes other than PTP packaging. can be done. As a result, it is possible to reduce costs and save space for installation of the apparatus.

Further, by the second printing device 83, the tablet 5 after filling the pocket portion 2 can be printed in a non-contact manner. Therefore, the printed portion 5G formed by the second printing device 83 does not rub against other tablets 5, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the printed content of the printed portion 5G from becoming unclear. In addition, it is possible to more reliably obtain the PTP sheet 1 in which the contents of the printed portions 5G formed by both the printing devices 58 and 83 (the printed portions 5G formed on both the front and back surfaces of the tablet 5) are clear.

In addition, the tablets 5 are transferred from the first suction belt 55 to the second suction belt 72 in a state in which the front and back are reversed, and the second printing device 83 can perform non-contact printing on the suctioned tablets 5. can. Therefore, when the tablet 5 is used in a packaging mode other than PTP packaging, it is possible to handle both single-sided printing and double-sided printing of the tablet 5 . This makes it possible to improve usability in manufacturing tablet-filled products (for example, bottles filled with tablets 5).

Moreover, the second printing device 83 can be used not only for printing the tablets 5 filled in the PTP sheet 1, but also for printing the tablets 5 packaged in a manner other than the PTP packaging. As a result, it is possible to reduce equipment costs and downsize (simplify) the apparatus.

Furthermore, the second print inspection device 84 can be used not only for inspecting the tablets 5 filled in the PTP sheet 1, but also for inspecting the tablets 5 packaged in packaging modes other than PTP packaging. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively reduce equipment costs and downsize (simplify) the apparatus.

In addition, it is automatically possible to store the tablets 5 judged to be good (non-defective tablets) in the non-defective product storage unit 73 and the tablets 5 judged to be defective (defective tablets) to be stored in the defective product storage unit 74. . By putting the non-defective tablets stored in the non-defective product storage part 73 into a packaging machine other than the PTP packaging machine 10, it is possible to more reliably obtain a tablet-filled product in which the printed contents of the tablets 5 are clear. As a result, it is possible to reduce costs and improve usability in manufacturing tablet-filled products.

In addition, based on the image data obtained by the imaging devices 57 and 82, the position and orientation of the tablet 5 to be printed can be grasped before printing. Appropriate printing can be applied according to the orientation and the like.

Furthermore, the second imaging device 82 can be used not only for imaging the tablets 5 filled in the PTP sheet 1, but also for imaging the tablets 5 packaged in a manner other than the PTP packaging. As a result, it is possible to further reduce equipment costs and downsize (simplify) the apparatus.

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

(a) The receiving means is not limited to the second suction belt 72 as long as it receives the tablets 5 from the first suction belt 55 . Therefore, for example, instead of the container film 3, a container that can be arranged and can store the tablets 5 may constitute the receiving means (reference example) . Of course, this container may eventually become part of the product (for example, a bottle of a tablet-filled product) or simply store the tablets 5 . Further, the receiving means may simply receive the tablets 5 from the first suction belt 55 when adjusting the operation of the PTP packaging machine 10 (for example, the tablet filling device 51) or starting it. In this case, the tablets 5 can be easily recovered, and convenience can be improved.

(b) In the above-described embodiment, the rotary drum 54 and the first suction belt 55 constitute the conveying means. Any material can be used as long as it has a filling function. Therefore, for example, the conveying means may be constituted by one rotary drum capable of filling the pocket portion 2 with the tablet 5 by releasing the suction while sucking and conveying the tablet 5 . Of course, a plurality of rotary drums or suction belts may constitute the conveying means.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the second conveying means is composed of the second suction belt 72, but it is not limited to this, and any device may be used as long as it receives the tablets 5 from the conveying means and sucks and conveys them. Therefore, the second conveying means may be composed of one rotary drum, a plurality of suction belts, or the like.

(c) In the above embodiment, when the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured, the tablets 5 are delivered (filled) from the first suction belt 55 to the pocket portion 2 at the sixth position P6, and when the tablets 5 are stored, the second The tablet 5 is transferred from the first suction belt 55 to the second suction belt 72 at the seventh position P7. That is, the delivery position of the tablets 5 from the first adsorption belt 55 is different between when the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured and when the tablets 5 are stored. On the other hand, the transfer position of the tablets 5 from the first suction belt 55 may be the same between when the PTP sheet 1 is manufactured and when the tablets 5 are stored. In this case, the control related to releasing the adsorption of the tablets 5 by the first adsorption belt 55 can be made easier.

(d) In the above embodiment, a disc-shaped uncoated tablet having a circular shape in plan view (disc-shaped flat tablet) is exemplified as the tablet 5. is not limited to For example, tablets include not only medicines but also tablets used for eating and drinking. Tablets include not only uncoated tablets, but also sugar-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, enteric-coated tablets, gelatin-coated tablets, etc., as well as various capsules such as hard capsules and soft capsules. Also includes tablets.

Furthermore, regarding the shape of the tablet, for example, not only a circular shape in plan view, but also a polygonal shape in plan view, an elliptical shape in plan view, an oval shape in plan view, or the like may be used. Additionally, the tablet 5 may not have the secant line 5F.

(e) Regarding the arrangement and number of pocket portions 2 in the PTP sheet 1, it is not limited to the above embodiment (2 rows, 10 pieces), for example, including a type having 12 pocket portions in 3 rows, PTP sheets having various arrangements and numbers can be employed.

In the above embodiment, the PTP film 6 has a configuration in which the pocket portions 2 are arranged in a number corresponding to one sheet along the width direction. , the number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to a plurality of sheets may be arranged along the width direction.

(f) In the above embodiment, the printing part 5G is provided on both the front surface 5B side and the back surface 5C side of the tablet 5, but the printing part is provided only on one of the front surface 5B side and the back surface 5C side. may be

(g) In the above embodiment, the first printing system 56 is provided corresponding to the first adsorption belt 55 , but the first printing system 56 may be provided corresponding to the rotary drum 54 .

(h) In the above embodiments, the printers 58 and 83 are configured by inkjet printers, but the printers 58 and 83 may be configured by laser printers.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... PTP sheet, 2... Pocket part, 3... Container film, 4... Cover film, 5... Tablet, 10... PTP packaging machine, 20... Film receiving roll (attachment means), 25... Heat roll (attachment means) , 37... Sheet punching device (separating means), 51... Tablet filling device (filling means), 54... Rotary drum (conveying means), 55... First adsorption belt (conveying means), 58... First printing device ( printing means), 72... second suction belt (receiving means, second conveying means), 73... good product storage unit, 74... defective product storage unit, 82... second imaging device (imaging means), 83... second printing device (Second printing means), 84...Second print inspection device (inspection means), P6...Sixth position (filling position).

Claims (4)

A PTP packaging machine capable of manufacturing a PTP sheet in which a tablet is stored in a pocket formed in a container film and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pocket,
filling means for filling tablets into the pockets formed in the belt-shaped container film to be transported;
an attaching means for attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with tablets so as to block the pocket portion;
separating means for separating a PTP sheet from a belt-shaped PTP film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film;
The filling means
The tablet is conveyed by suction, and by releasing the suction of the tablet at a predetermined filling position, the tablet can be filled into the pocket portion of the container film that has been conveyed to the filling position. a means of transport;
and printing means for printing in a non-contact manner on the tablet being adsorbed and conveyed by the conveying means,
Furthermore, receiving means configured to be arranged in place of the container film and capable of receiving from the conveying means the tablet that has been released from adsorption by the conveying means ,
A second printing means is provided between the conveying means and the attaching means along the conveying path of the container film, and performs non-contact printing on the tablets filled in the pocket portion,
The receiving means is composed of a second conveying means for receiving the tablet in an inverted state from the conveying means and sucking and conveying the tablet,
The second printing means can be used both for printing on the tablets filled in the pocket portion and for printing on the tablets being adsorbed and conveyed by the second conveying means PTP packaging machine. inspection means provided between the second printing means and the attaching means along the conveying path of the container film for inspecting the printed portion formed by the second printing means,
The inspection means can be used for both inspection of the printed portion of the tablet filled in the pocket portion and inspection of the printed portion of the tablet adsorbed and conveyed by the second conveying means. The PTP packaging machine according to claim 1 , characterized in that: a non-defective product storage unit that receives and stores tablets determined to be non-defective by the inspection means from the second conveying means;
3. The PTP packaging machine according to claim 2 , further comprising a defective product storage unit that receives and stores tablets determined to be defective by the inspection unit from the second conveying unit. Having an imaging means for obtaining image data by imaging the surface of the tablet to be printed by the second printing means,
The second printing means is configured such that the printing position with respect to the tablet is controlled based on the image data,
1. The imaging means can be used both for imaging the tablets filled in the pocket portion and for imaging the tablets being adsorbed and transported by the second transport means. 4. The PTP packaging machine according to any one of 3 .

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