JP7405689B2 - Blister packaging machine and blister sheet manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister sheet containing printed contents, and a method for manufacturing a blister sheet.

PTP (Press Through Pack) sheets are known as blister sheets that are generally used in the fields of pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, and the like. The PTP sheet includes a container film having a pocket portion in which contents such as tablets are accommodated, and a cover film attached to the container film so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion.

Such a PTP sheet is produced by a process of preheating a belt-shaped container film to be conveyed, a process of forming a pocket part on the preheated container film, a process of filling the pocket part with contents (filling process), and a process of filling the pocket part with contents. It is manufactured through the steps of attaching a cover film to the container film so as to seal the opening side, and punching out a belt-shaped PTP film made of the container film and cover film into PTP sheet units.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, some contents have identification information such as a product name and a product number printed on the surface thereof, consisting of characters, symbols, and the like. Furthermore, it is equipped with a conveying means for conveying the contents and a printing means using an inkjet method, and while the printing means prints on the contents conveyed by the conveying means, the printed contents are printed on the container film. A blister packaging machine has also been proposed that sequentially fills the pockets of the container (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-143615

By the way, in the blister packaging machine described in Patent Document 1, the contents of a defective product due to printing defects or the like are not discharged before the filling process, but are directly filled into the pocket portion. If the PTP sheet containing the contents of the defective product is discarded as a defective product, the container film and cover film that make up the PTP sheet will be wasted, and if the PTP sheet has multiple pockets, Otherwise, other good contents contained in the PTP sheet may be wasted, leading to an increase in production costs.

On the other hand, a buffer means for storing the contents is provided corresponding to the conveyance path of the contents between the position where the contents are printed and the position where the contents are filled into the pocket section, and the buffer means is provided for storing the contents. By providing a defective product discharging means for discharging the contents of defective products upstream of the means, only the contents of good products can be stored in the buffer means, and the contents can be filled into the pocket portion. It is possible to configure In addition, in this configuration, in order to prevent the packaging capacity of contents (the number of contents filled into the pocket part per unit time in the filling process) from decreasing due to insufficient buffer amount, defective products are In anticipation of the contents being discharged, it is conceivable that the printing capacity of the printing means (the number of contents printed per unit time) is configured to be sufficiently higher than the packaging capacity.

However, in the case of the above configuration, the occurrence rate of the contents of defective products is not necessarily constant and decreases immediately after cleaning the printing means, so the buffer amount (storage amount) of the contents stored in the buffer means is ) may easily reach the upper limit of the allowable range. Therefore, it is conceivable to stop printing the contents when the buffer amount reaches the upper limit.

However, if printing on the contents is stopped, there is a high probability that clogging or the like will occur in the printing means due to drying of the ink, and as a result, there is a risk that printing defects of the contents will more likely occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to minimize wastage of contents, container film, etc., and to more reliably ensure good packaging performance. At the same time, it is an object of the present invention to provide a blister packaging machine and the like that can effectively suppress printing defects of contents.

In the following, each means suitable for solving the above object will be explained in terms of sections. Note that effects specific to the corresponding means will be added as necessary.

Means 1. A blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister sheet in which contents are stored in pockets formed in a container film, and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pockets. ,
pocket portion forming means for forming the pocket portion on the belt-shaped container film;
printing and filling means for printing the contents and filling the contents into the pocket portion;
Attachment means for attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with content, so as to close the pocket portion;
a separating means for separating a blister sheet from a band-shaped blister film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film;
The printing filling means includes:
a conveyance means for conveying the contents;
an inkjet type printing means that prints on the content that has been transported by the transporting means and has reached a predetermined printing position;
Content inspection means for inspecting the content printed by the printing means;
Defective product discharging means for discharging the contents determined to be defective by the content inspection means out of the system;
a buffer means for storing contents judged as good by the contents inspection means;
filling means for filling the pocket portion with contents stored in the buffer means;
Buffer amount grasping means for grasping the buffered amount of contents in the buffer means;
Printing that adjusts the number of contents printed by the printing means per unit time based on the buffer amount grasped by the buffer amount grasping means while continuing printing by the printing means and filling with contents by the filling means. A blister packaging machine characterized by comprising a number adjusting means.

According to the above means 1, the contents after printing are inspected by the contents inspection means, and only the contents determined to be good (not determined to be defective) are stored in the buffer means, and the contents are stored in the buffer means by the filling means. The pocket portion is filled with the stored contents. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the situation in which the contents of a defective product such as a printing defect are directly filled into the pocket portion, and it is possible to prevent the blister sheet from being discarded due to the contents of the defective product as much as possible. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the container film and cover film that make up the blister sheet, as well as the good contents contained in the blister sheet, from being wasted, and it is possible to effectively suppress increases in production costs. .

Further, according to the above means 1, the number of contents printed by the printing means per unit time can be adjusted based on the buffer amount grasped by the buffer amount grasping means while continuing printing by the printing means. Therefore, in anticipation of the contents of defective products being discharged, the printing capacity of the printing means (the number of contents printed per unit time) is increased by the packaging capacity of the contents (the number of contents printed per unit time by the filling means). It is possible to adjust the buffer amount without stopping printing of the contents while making it possible to set the buffer amount to be sufficiently higher than the number of contents (the number of contents to be printed). This prevents problems with packaging the contents (filling the pocket with the contents) due to an insufficient amount of buffer, while also making it difficult for the printing means to become clogged due to ink drying. can. As a result, it is possible to more reliably ensure good packaging ability and to effectively suppress the occurrence of printing defects.

Means 2. The printing number adjusting means is configured to be able to change the conveying speed of the contents by the conveying means, and by changing the conveying speed and adjusting the number of contents per unit time that reach the printing position, The blister packaging machine according to means 1, characterized in that the number of contents printed by the printing means per unit time is adjusted.

According to the above means 2, the number of contents printed per unit time can be adjusted without providing a special device or performing complicated control. Therefore, it is possible to suppress increases in costs related to manufacturing and maintenance of the device.

Means 3. 2. The blister packaging machine according to means 2, wherein the printing number adjusting means is configured to be able to change the conveying speed of the contents by the conveying means in three or more stages.

According to the above-mentioned means 3, the number of contents printed per unit time and the amount of buffer can be adjusted more finely.

Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned means 3, there is no need to suddenly change the conveyance speed of the contents. Therefore, it is possible to accurately print on the transported contents, and the printing quality can be improved. Furthermore, it is also possible to improve the stability regarding the delivery of contents in the conveyance means.

Means 4. comprising a defective rate calculation means for calculating a defective rate of printing by the printing means,
The number of prints adjusting means is configured such that as the defective rate calculated by the defective rate calculating means increases, the average value of the conveyance speed of the contents by the conveying means increases, and the number of prints calculated by the defective rate calculating means increases. The blister packaging machine according to means 2 or 3, characterized in that the conveyance speed can be changed so as to satisfy at least one of the following: the average value of the conveyance speed decreases as the defective rate decreases. .

Normally, the defective rate calculated by the defective rate calculation means changes due to factors such as an increase in the number of printings, but according to the above means 4, as the defective rate increases or decreases, the average value of the conveyance speed of the contents The transport speed of the contents can be varied so that the content increases or decreases. Therefore, even if the contents of defective products increase or decrease over time, it is possible to more reliably secure an appropriate buffer amount. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems caused by an inappropriate buffer amount. For example, by ensuring a sufficient amount of buffer, it is possible to more reliably prevent problems in packaging the contents, and in turn, it is possible to more reliably ensure good packaging capacity.

Furthermore, compared to the case where the transport speed of the contents is adjusted based only on the buffer amount, sudden changes in the transport speed can be more reliably prevented. Thereby, it is possible to further improve the printing quality and the stability regarding the delivery of contents in the conveying means.

Note that it may be configured to gradually change the reference transport speed (transport speed without taking into account the buffer amount) according to the defective rate, or the reference transport speed may be changed in stages each time a predetermined defective rate is reached. It is also possible to have a configuration in which the

Means 5. comprising a supply means for supplying contents to the conveyance means,
The printing number adjusting means is configured to be able to change the number of contents per unit time that is supplied from the supplying means to the conveying means, and as the number of contents is changed, the number of contents that reach the printing position per unit time can be changed. 5. The blister packaging machine according to any one of means 1 to 4, wherein the number of contents printed by the printing means per unit time is adjusted by adjusting the number of contents.

According to the above-mentioned means 5, the number of contents printed per unit time can be adjusted without providing a special device or performing complicated control. Therefore, it is possible to suppress increases in costs related to manufacturing and maintenance of the device.

Means 6. The conveyance means is configured to sequentially convey the contents of each row to the printing position in a state where a plurality of contents are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the contents,
The supply means includes the same number of supply parts as the number of contents for one row arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and one content is always supplied from each of these supply parts to the conveyance means. It is configured to
The printing means is provided in the same number as the number of contents for one column, and always has a plurality of print heads that individually print each of the contents for one column,
Stop target determining means for determining the supply section to stop supplying the contents to the conveyance means based on the inspection result of the contents inspection means;
a supply stop means for stopping the supply of contents from the supply section determined by the stop target determination means to the conveyance means;
When the supply of the contents from the supply section to the conveying means is stopped, printing on the contents is performed by the print heads other than the one corresponding to the supply section to which the supply of contents has been stopped among the plurality of print heads. The blister packaging machine according to means 5, characterized in that:

Inspection by the content inspection means may reveal that printing defects occur intensively on content printed by a certain print head. If printing continues in such a case, there is a risk that a large amount of poorly printed content will occur, leading to an increase in production costs. Therefore, it is conceivable to temporarily stop printing and clean the print head, but this may lead to a decrease in productivity due to the stoppage of printing. Furthermore, an increase in the number of times of cleaning results in an increase in cleaning costs.

In this regard, according to the above-mentioned means 6, contents for one row lined up in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction are always sequentially supplied from each supply section of the supply means to the conveyance means, and as a result, the contents are conveyed. A plurality of lines (same number as the number of print heads and supply units) extending along the direction are conveyed to a printing position and printing is performed. However, depending on the inspection result of the contents inspection means, the supply section to be stopped is determined, and the supply of contents from the supply section to the conveyance means is stopped. For example, if it is found that printing defects occur intensively on content printed by a certain print head, the supply of content from the supply unit corresponding to that print head is stopped. As a result, the contents are transported in reduced rows so that they are not fed to the print head. Thereby, printing defects of the contents can be made less likely to occur, and increases in production costs can be more effectively suppressed.

Further, according to the above means 6, when the supply of the contents is stopped, printing on the contents is performed by print heads other than the one corresponding to the supply unit that has stopped supplying the contents among the plurality of print heads. It will be done. Therefore, printing can be continued, and a decrease in productivity can be more reliably prevented. Furthermore, since the print head that is in operation prints the contents at high frequency, printing defects due to ink drying can be made less likely to occur.

In addition, the cleaning of the print head corresponding to the supply section that has stopped supplying the contents can be performed simultaneously with the cleaning of the other print heads, for example, when the defective rate of printing has increased to a certain extent in other print heads. Thereby, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of times of cleaning and to suppress an increase in cleaning costs.

Means 7. A method for producing a blister sheet, in which contents are stored in pockets formed in a container film, and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pockets, the method comprising:
a pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion on the belt-shaped container film;
a printing and filling step of printing the contents and filling the contents into the pocket portion;
an attaching step of attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with content, so as to close the pocket portion;
a separating step of separating a blister sheet from a band-shaped blister film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film;
The printing and filling process includes:
A conveyance process for conveying the contents;
a printing process of printing on the contents that have been conveyed by the conveyance process and have reached a predetermined printing position;
a content inspection step of inspecting the content printed in the printing process;
a defective product discharge step of discharging the contents determined to be defective in the content inspection step to the outside of the system;
a buffer step of storing the contents determined to be good in the contents inspection step in a predetermined buffer means;
a filling step of filling the pocket portion with the contents stored in the buffer means;
a buffer amount determining step of determining the buffer amount of the contents in the buffer step;
Printing that adjusts the number of contents printed per unit time in the printing step based on the buffer amount ascertained in the buffer amount ascertaining step while continuing printing in the printing step and filling with contents in the filling step. A method for manufacturing a blister sheet, comprising a number adjustment step.

According to the above-mentioned means 7, the same effect as the above-mentioned means 1 can be achieved.

Means 8. In the printing number adjustment step, the content printed per unit time in the printing process is adjusted by changing the transport speed of the content in the transporting process to adjust the number of content per unit time that reaches the printing position. 8. The method for manufacturing a blister sheet according to means 7, characterized in that the number of sheets is adjusted.

According to the above-mentioned means 8, the same effect as the above-mentioned means 2 can be achieved.

Means 9. 9. The method for manufacturing a blister sheet according to means 8, wherein in the printing number adjustment step, the conveying speed of the contents in the conveying step is changed in multiple stages of three or more.

According to the above-mentioned means 9, the same effect as the above-mentioned means 3 can be achieved.

Means 10. comprising a defective rate calculation step of calculating a defective rate of printing in the printing process,
In the printing number adjustment step, as the defective rate calculated in the defective rate calculation step increases, the average value of the conveyance speed of the contents in the conveying step increases, and 10. The method for producing a blister sheet according to means 8 or 9, characterized in that the conveyance speed is changed so as to satisfy at least one of the following conditions: the average value of the conveyance speed decreases as the defective rate decreases.

According to the above-mentioned means 10, the same effects as the above-mentioned means 4 can be achieved.

Means 11. A supplying step for supplying the contents to a conveyance means for conveying the contents in the conveyance step,
In the printing number adjustment step, the number of contents per unit time that is supplied in the supplying step is adjusted to adjust the number of contents per unit time that reaches the printing position, thereby increasing the number of contents per unit time in the printing step. 11. The method for producing a blister sheet according to any one of means 7 to 10, characterized in that the number of contents printed on the sheet is adjusted.

According to the above-mentioned means 11, the same effect as the above-mentioned means 5 can be achieved.

Means 12. In the conveyance step, a predetermined conveyance means sequentially conveys the contents of each row to the printing position with a plurality of contents arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the contents,
In the supplying step, the contents are always supplied one by one to the conveyance means from each of the same number of supply units as the number of contents for one row lined up in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction,
In the printing step, each of the contents of the one column is always individually printed by the same number of print heads as the number of contents of the one column,
A stop target determining step of determining the supply section to stop supplying the contents to the conveyance means based on the inspection result of the contents inspection step;
a supply stop step of stopping the supply of the contents from the supply unit determined in the stop target determining step to the conveying means,
During the execution of the supply stop step, in the printing step, printing on the contents is performed by the print heads other than the one corresponding to the supply unit that has stopped supplying the contents among the plurality of print heads. The method for producing a blister sheet according to feature 11 .

According to the above-mentioned means 12, the same effects as the above-mentioned means 6 can be achieved.

It is a perspective view showing a PTP sheet. It is a partially enlarged sectional view of a PTP sheet. It is a perspective view showing a tablet. It is a perspective view showing a PTP film. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a PTP packaging machine. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a schematic configuration of a printing and filling device. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a printing and filling device. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing a printing device and the like. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing a defective product removal device and the like. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing a blow nozzle, a receiving section, and the like. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic front view showing a blow nozzle, a receiving section, and the like. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing the buffer conveyance device. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing a filling device and the like. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of nozzle rows in a print head. This is a graph roughly showing the tablet conveyance speed, buffer amount, etc. It is a graph roughly showing the defective rate. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing tablets and the like that are supplied from a supply device to a conveyance device in a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view showing tablets and the like that are supplied from a supply device to a conveyance device in a third embodiment. In another embodiment, it is a graph roughly showing the conveyance speed etc. which are changed in multiple stages. In another embodiment, it is a graph roughly showing the conveyance speed etc. which are changed according to the defective rate. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing suction holes and the like of a conveyance device in another embodiment. It is a perspective model which shows the schematic structure of the printing filling apparatus in another embodiment.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
First, the structure of a PTP sheet as a "blister sheet" will be explained. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the PTP sheet 1 includes a container film 3 having a plurality of pockets 2, and a cover film 4 attached to the container film 3 so as to close the pockets 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). On the other hand, the cover film 4 is made of an opaque material (for example, aluminum foil, etc.) on the surface of which a sealant made of, for example, polypropylene resin or the like is provided. Of course, the materials for each of the films 3 and 4 are not limited to these, and other materials may be used.

The PTP sheet 1 is manufactured by punching out a strip-shaped PTP film 6 (see FIG. 4) formed from a strip-shaped container film 3 and a strip-shaped cover film 4, and is formed into a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. has been done. In this embodiment, the PTP film 6 corresponds to a "blister film".

In the PTP sheet 1, two rows of pockets are formed in the transverse direction, each consisting of five pockets 2 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the PTP sheet 1. Each pocket part 2 accommodates one tablet 5 as "contents".

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tablet 5 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. Identification information (letters, symbols, numbers, figures, etc.) indicating product information regarding the tablet 5 is printed on one of the front surface 5b and back surface 5c of the tablet 5.

Product information regarding the tablet 5 may include, for example, "product name," "content," "dosage form," "manufacturer," and "lot number." In the example shown in FIG. 3, the characters "ABC" as the "product name" and the number "20" as the "content" are printed. Hereinafter, the portion on which the characters "ABC" and the number "20" are printed will be referred to as a "printing section 5e." Note that the "ABC" part and the "20" part are of different colors.

Next, a schematic configuration of the PTP packaging machine 10 for manufacturing the above-mentioned PTP sheet 1 will be explained. In this embodiment, the PTP packaging machine 10 constitutes a "blister packaging machine."

As shown in FIG. 5, on the most upstream side of the PTP packaging machine 10, the original fabric of the strip-shaped container film 3 is wound into a roll. The drawn-out end side of the container film 3 wound into a roll is guided by a guide roll 13. The container film 3 is hung on an intermittent feed roll 14 on the downstream side of the guide roll 13. The intermittent feed roll 14 intermittently conveys the container film 3.

A preheating device 15 and a pocket forming device 16 are disposed between the guide roll 13 and the intermittent feed roll 14 along the conveyance path of the container film 3. Then, in a state where the container film 3 is preheated by the preheating device 15 and becomes relatively flexible, a plurality of pockets 2 are formed at predetermined positions on the container film 3 by the pocket forming device 16. The pocket portion 2 is formed during an interval between the conveyance operations of the container film 3 by the intermittent feed roll 14. In this embodiment, the pocket forming device 16 constitutes a "pocket forming means." Further, the step of forming the pocket portion 2 on the container film 3 corresponds to a “pocket portion forming step”.

The container film 3 sent out from the intermittent feed roll 14 is hung over a tension roll 18, a guide roll 19, and a film receiving roll 20 in this order. The film receiving roll 20 conveys the container film 3 continuously and at a constant speed. The tension roll 18 prevents the container film 3 from loosening due to the difference in conveyance operation between the intermittent feed roll 14 and the film receiving roll 20, and keeps the container film 3 in a constant state of tension.

Between the guide roll 19 and the film receiving roll 20, a printing and filling device 21 and an inspection device 22 are arranged along the conveyance path of the container film 3.

The printing and filling device 21 has a function of printing on the tablet 5 to form a printing section 5e, and a function of filling the pocket section 2 with the tablet 5. Details of the printing and filling device 21 will be described later. In this embodiment, the print filling device 21 corresponds to "print filling means". Furthermore, the process of printing the tablets 5 and filling the pockets 2 with the tablets 5 corresponds to the "printing and filling process."

The inspection device 22 checks, for example, whether the tablet 5 is reliably filled in each pocket 2, whether there is any abnormality in the tablet 5 itself (such as damage), whether the printing section 5e is good or not, and whether foreign matter has entered the pocket 2. Conduct inspections regarding the presence or absence of such items.

On the other hand, the original fabric of the cover film 4 formed into a band shape is wound into a roll shape on the most upstream side. The drawn-out end of the cover film 4 wound into a roll is guided toward a heating roll 25 by a guide roll 24 .

The heating roll 25 can be brought into pressure contact with the film receiving roll 20, so that the container film 3 and the cover film 4 are fed between both rolls 20 and 25. Then, by passing both the films 3 and 4 between the rolls 20 and 25 under heat and pressure, 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, a strip-shaped PTP film 6 in which a tablet 5 is housed in each pocket portion 2 is manufactured. In this embodiment, the film receiving roll 20 and the heating roll 25 constitute an "attachment means". Further, the process of attaching the cover film 4 to the container film 3 corresponds to the "attachment process".

The PTP film 6 sent out from the film receiving roll 20 is hung on a tension roll 27 and an intermittent feed roll 28 in this order. The intermittent feed roll 28 intermittently conveys the PTP film 6. The tension roll 27 prevents the PTP film 6 from loosening due to the difference in conveyance operation between the film receiving roll 20 and the intermittent feed roll 28, and keeps the PTP film 6 in a constant state of tension.

The PTP film 6 sent out from the intermittent feed roll 28 is hung on a tension roll 31 and an intermittent feed roll 32 in this order. The intermittent feed roll 32 transports the PTP film 6 intermittently. The tension roll 31 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 disposed between the intermittent feed roll 28 and the tension roll 31 along the conveyance path of the PTP film 6. The slit forming device 33 forms a separation slit at a predetermined position on the PTP film 6. The marking device 34 marks a predetermined position (for example, a tag portion) on the PTP film 6. Note that in FIG. 1 and the like, illustrations of the separation slit and the markings are omitted.

The PTP film 6 sent out from the intermittent feed roll 32 is hung on a tension roll 35 and a continuous feed roll 36 in that order on the downstream side thereof. A sheet punching device 37 is disposed between the intermittent feed roll 32 and the tension roll 35 along the conveyance path of the PTP film 6. The sheet punching device 37 has a function of punching out the outer edge of the PTP film 6 in units of PTP sheets, that is, cutting the PTP sheet 1 from the PTP film 6. In this embodiment, the sheet punching device 37 constitutes a "separation means". Further, the process of punching out the PTP film 6 to obtain the PTP sheet 1 corresponds to a "separation process".

The PTP sheet 1 obtained by the sheet punching device 37 is conveyed by a conveyor 39 and temporarily stored in a hopper 40 for finished products. However, if the inspection device 22 determines that the PTP sheet 1 is defective, the PTP sheet 1 that has been determined to be defective is not sent to the finished product hopper 40, but is separately discharged by a defective sheet discharge mechanism (not shown). The discharged PTP sheet 1 is discarded.

A cutting device 41 is disposed downstream of the continuous feed roll 36. Then, the unnecessary film portion 42 constituting the band-shaped residual material portion (scrap portion) remaining 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. . The cutting device 41 cuts the unnecessary film portion 42 into predetermined dimensions. The cut unnecessary film portion 42 (scrap) is stored in a scrap hopper 43 and then disposed of.

Next, the configuration of the printing and filling device 21 will be explained in detail. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the printing and filling device 21 includes a supply device 51, a conveyance device 52, a tablet inspection device 53, a printing device 54, a print inspection device 55, a defective product removal device 56, a column number conversion device 57, a filling A device 58 and a control device 59 are provided. In this embodiment, the supply device 51 constitutes a "supply means," similarly, the conveyance device 52 constitutes a "conveyance means," and the tablet inspection device 53 and print inspection device 55 constitute a "content inspection means," respectively. The device 54 constitutes a "printing means," the defective product removing device 56 constitutes a "defective product discharging means," and the filling device 58 constitutes a "filling means."

The supply device 51 supplies tablets 5 from a storage section (not shown, such as a hopper) in which a large number of tablets 5 are stored to a transport device 52 . The supply device 51 includes a supply chute 511 and a supply drum 512. Note that the tablets 5 stored in the storage section do not have the printed portion 5e formed thereon.

The supply chute 511 delivers the tablets 5 supplied from the storage section one by one to the supply drum 512, and has the same number of rows as the number of rows of tablets 5 conveyed by the supply drum 512 (in this embodiment, 3 rows). ) They are arranged side by side. Each supply chute 511 has a cylindrical shape and is configured to load tablets 5 in a line in the vertical direction. Further, each supply chute 511 is installed in such a manner that its lower opening is close to the supply drum 512 and directly above the rotation axis of the supply drum 512 .

A shutter 511a that can open and close the opening is provided near the lower opening of each supply chute 511. By opening and closing these shutters 511a, the tablets 5 fall one by one from the supply chute 511 and are supplied to the supply drum 512.

The supply drum 512 receives the tablets 5 supplied from the supply chute 511, and then transports the tablets 5 to the transport device 52 side while holding the tablets 5 by suction. The supply drum 512 has a cylindrical shape and is configured to be continuously rotatable. Note that the operations of the shutter 511a and the supply drum 512 are controlled by a control device 59.

A large number of suction portions 512a for suctioning and holding the tablets 5 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the supply drum 512. Each suction portion 512a is configured to be supplied with negative pressure by a predetermined suction means (not shown) while moving from directly above the rotation axis of the supply drum 512 to near directly below it. Thereby, each suction part 512a suction-holds the tablet 5 while moving from directly above the rotation axis of the supply drum 512 to near directly below it. On the other hand, each suction section 512a is configured to be open to the atmosphere while moving from directly below to directly above the rotation axis of the supply drum 512. As a result, the tablet 5 suctioned and held by the suction portion 512a is released from suction immediately below the rotation axis of the supply drum 512, and is supplied to the conveyance device 52.

Further, the suction portions 512a are regularly arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the supply drum 512. In this embodiment, a large number of suction parts 512a are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the supply drum 512. A plurality of rows of suction portions 512a arranged in the circumferential direction are provided at equal intervals along the axial direction of the supply drum 512. Note that the number of rows of suction portions 512a is the same as the number of rows of tablets 5 transported by transport device 52.

In this embodiment, one supply chute 511, one shutter 511a that opens and closes the lower opening of the supply chute 511, and one shutter 511a that receives the tablet 5 from the supply chute 511 of the supply drum 512 and transfers it to the conveyance device 52. A supply section 513 is configured by a supply section (including one row of suction sections 512a arranged along the circumferential direction of the supply drum 512). The supply units 513 are provided in the same number as the number of tablets 5 for one row lined up in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tablets 5 are transported by the transport device 52. Then, one tablet 5 is supplied from each of these supply sections 513 to the conveying device 52. In this embodiment, the process of supplying the tablets 5 from the supply device 51 (each supply unit 513) to the transport device 52 corresponds to the "supply process".

The conveyance device 52 is configured to suction and hold the tablets 5 supplied from the supply device 51 and convey them to the row number conversion device 57 side. The conveyance device 52 includes a pair of pulleys 521 and 522, and a conveyance belt 523 stretched around these pulleys 521 and 522.

The pair of pulleys 521 and 522 are arranged at a predetermined interval and are rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the supply drum 512. The operation of the pair of pulleys 521 and 522 is controlled by a control device 59.

The conveyor belt 523 rotates as the pulleys 521 and 522 rotate. Further, the conveyor belt 523 includes suction holes 523a for suctioning and holding the tablets 5.

A large number of suction holes 523a are arranged at equal intervals along the moving direction of the conveying belt 523, that is, the conveying direction of the tablets 5. When a predetermined first numerical value (a natural number) is defined as m, m rows of suction holes 523a are formed along the moving direction of the conveying belt 523 (the conveying direction of the tablets 5). In this embodiment, the first numerical value (that is, m) is "3".

Negative pressure is supplied to the internal space of the transport belt 523, which is surrounded by the transport belt 523, by a suction means (not shown), and the internal space is in a vacuum state. As a result, negative pressure is supplied to the suction hole 523a, and the conveying device 52 suction-holds the tablets 5 through the suction hole 523a, and as the pulleys 521 and 522 rotate, the tablets are arranged in m rows. Transport 5. As a result, the conveying device 52 prints each row of tablets 5 aligned in the orthogonal direction to the printing device 54 ( The paper is sequentially transported to a first printing position P1 and a second printing position P2, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the process of transporting the tablets 5 by the transport device 52 corresponds to the "transport process". Although FIG. 6 and other figures show the internal space of the conveyor belt 523 being open to the outside in order to show the defective product removal device 56 and the blow nozzle 571a described later, in reality, the internal space is sealed. It is in a state of being

Further, the conveyance device 52 is provided with an encoder (not shown), and a signal regarding the amount of rotation (amount of movement) of the pulleys 521 and 522 is transmitted from the encoder to the control device 59 at predetermined intervals. . Thereby, the control device 59 can grasp the position of the tablet 5 transported by the transport device 52.

As shown in FIG. 8, the tablet inspection device 53 is provided along the conveyance path of the tablets 5 by the conveyance device 52, and inspects the tablets 5 being conveyed. The tablet inspection device 53 includes a camera for taking an image of the tablet 5 being transported, and a tablet judgment device (each not shown) that judges the quality of the tablet 5 based on the captured image obtained by the camera. The captured image of the tablet 5 and the determination result by the tablet determination device are transmitted to the control device 59.

The printing device 54 is a printing device using a predetermined inkjet method (for example, a piezo method or a thermal method), and prints on the tablets 5 being transported in a non-contact manner downstream of the tablet inspection device 53. The printing device 54 includes a first printing mechanism 541 and a second printing mechanism 542. The first printing mechanism 541 prints on the tablet 5 each time the tablet 5 is conveyed to a predetermined first printing position P1, and the second printing mechanism 542 prints on the tablet 5 every time the tablet 5 is conveyed to a predetermined second printing position P2. The tablet 5 is printed each time the tablet 5 is printed. In this embodiment, both print positions P1 and P2 correspond to "print positions".

The first printing mechanism 541 forms a certain color part (for example, "ABC" part) in the printing part 5e on the tablet 5, and the second printing mechanism 542 forms a part of a certain color in the printing part 5e in a different color from the color part in the printing part 5e. A portion (for example a “20” portion) is formed into a tablet 5. In this embodiment, since the printing unit 5e is configured with two colors, a first printing mechanism 541 for one color and a second printing mechanism 542 for other colors are provided.

Each printing mechanism 541, 542 includes a plurality of print heads 54a for individually printing each of the tablets 5 that have reached the printing positions P1, P2 (see FIG. 14). Each print head 54a is provided in the same number as the number (m) of tablets 5 in one row lined up in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction. Each print head 54a prints on each tablet 5 by discharging ink toward each tablet 5 passing through printing positions P1 and P2, thereby forming a printing section 5e.

Furthermore, each print head 54a includes two nozzle rows La and Lb in which a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink droplets are arranged at regular intervals. The nozzle row La includes x nozzles Na (Na1, Na2, Na3, Na4, Na5, . . . , Nax) at regular intervals in the head width direction, and the nozzle row Lb includes x nozzles Nb (Nb1, Nb2, Nb3, Nb4, Nb5, . . . , Nbx) are provided at regular intervals in the head width direction. Predetermined edible ink is supplied to each nozzle Na, Nb from an ink tank (not shown).

The printing device 54 also includes a cleaning mechanism that performs a pressurized purge to discharge dust, thickened or solidified ink, etc. stuck inside the nozzles Na and Nb to the outside, and a wiping mechanism that wipes the print head 54a after purging. A cleaning device (not shown) including a mechanism and the like is provided. The cleaning of each print head 54a by the cleaning device is set to be performed at regular intervals.

In addition, the printing position of the printing device 54 is controlled by a control device 59. As a result, even if the states (positions in this embodiment) of the tablets 5 being transported are different from each other, the printing portions 5e are formed at appropriate positions on each tablet 5. In this embodiment, the process of printing on the tablet 5 by the printing device 54 corresponds to the "printing process".

The printing inspection device 55 is a device for inspecting the tablet 5 printed by the printing device 54, and particularly inspects the printing portion 5e of the tablet 5. The print inspection device 55 includes a camera for taking an image of the tablet 5 being conveyed, and a print judgment device (each not shown) that judges the quality of the printing unit 5e and the tablet 5 based on the captured image obtained by the camera. We are prepared. The determination result by the printing determination device is transmitted to the control device 59. In this embodiment, the process of inspecting the tablet 5 by the tablet inspection device 53 or the print inspection device 55 corresponds to a "content inspection process."

The defective product removal device 56 is a device for discharging the tablets 5 determined to be defective by the tablet inspection device 53 and the print inspection device 55 out of the system (that is, out of the transportation path by the transportation device 52). The defective product removal device 56 is arranged in the internal space of the conveyor belt 523 downstream of the print inspection device 55 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

As shown in FIG. 9, the defective product removal device 56 is a blow nozzle for defective products that can release the suction hold of the tablet 5 by blowing against the suction hole 523a and discharge the tablet 5 out of the system. 561. Each of the defective product blow nozzles 561 is arranged in m pieces along the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the tablets 5, and is responsible for discharging one row of tablets 5 aligned along the conveyance direction. Thereby, only the tablets 5 determined to be defective by the tablet inspection device 53 or the print inspection device 55 can be selectively discharged from the system. Note that the tablets 5 ejected by the blowing operation of the defective product blow nozzle 561 are thrown into a predetermined defective product storage section 61. In this embodiment, the process of discharging the tablets 5 determined to be defective from the system corresponds to the "defective product discharging process."

The row number converting device 57 is provided between the conveying device 52 and the filling device 58, and has the function of storing tablets 5 (buffer function) and converting the number of rows of tablets 5 during filling by the filling device 58 to the conveying device 52. This device has a function to increase the number of rows of tablets 5 during transport (row number conversion function). When the second numerical value that is greater than the first numerical value is n (however, n is a natural number), the number of rows of tablets 5 between the conveying device 52 and the filling device 58 is changed from m to m by the row number conversion device 57. converted to n. Note that in this embodiment, the second numerical value (that is, n) is "5".

The column number conversion device 57 includes a discharge device 571 and a buffer conveyance device 572, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12.

The discharge device 571 selectively discharges the tablets 5 conveyed by the conveyance device 52 to the buffer conveyance device 572 side. The discharge device 571 includes a plurality of blow nozzles 571a arranged inside the conveyor belt 523.

Each blow nozzle 571a releases the suction holding of the tablet 5 by blowing against the suction hole 523a, and discharges the tablet 5. The n blow nozzles 571a are lined up along the conveyance direction of the tablets 5 by the conveyance device 52, and the rows of the blow nozzles 571a correspond to the number of rows of the suction holes 523a lined up along the conveyance direction. In this way, m columns are provided. Therefore, m×n (15 in this embodiment) blow nozzles 571a are provided.

Further, the intervals between the blow nozzles 571a along the conveyance direction are the same as the intervals between the suction holes 523a along the conveyance direction, and the intervals between the blow nozzles 571a along the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction are the same. The spacing is the same as the spacing between the suction holes 523a along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. As a result, all of the blow ports (gas (for example, air) outlet) in each blow nozzle 571a overlap with the suction holes 523a at regular timings.

The buffer conveying device 572 has a function of storing (buffering) the tablets 5 discharged and dropped by the discharging device 571 and conveying the tablets 5 to the filling device 58 side, and a function of grasping the buffer amount of the tablets 5. It is a device equipped with The buffer transport device 572 includes a receiving section 572a, a dead weight drop transport section 572b, a linear feeder 572c, and a buffer amount grasping device 572d. In this embodiment, the linear feeder 572c constitutes a "buffer means", and the buffer amount grasping device 572d constitutes a "buffer amount grasping means".

The receiving section 572a is for receiving the tablet 5 that has been ejected and dropped by the ejecting device 571. There are n receiving sections 572a, and each receiving section 572a includes at least a bottom wall whose upper surface is slanted, and a partition wall that is erected on the bottom wall and forms a conveyance path for the tablets 5. ing.

Each receiving section 572a extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tablets 5 are transported by the transport device 52, and is arranged in a line along the transport direction. Each receiving section 572a is arranged vertically below a row of blow nozzles 571a arranged in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. Therefore, the tablet 5 discharged by one of the m blow nozzles 571a arranged in one row falls into one receiving section 572a corresponding to the row of blow nozzles 571a. The tablets 5 that have fallen into the receiving section 572a are conveyed to the dead weight drop conveying section 572b along the upper surface of the bottom wall, which is an inclined surface.

The dead weight drop conveyance section 572b is configured by at least a bottom wall with an inclined upper surface and a partition wall erected on the bottom wall, and has n conveyance paths connected to each receiving section 572a. ing. The dead weight drop conveyance section 572b has a shape that is curved at a substantially right angle when viewed from above. The tablets 5 from the receiving section 572a to the dead weight drop conveying section 572b are conveyed by their own weight to the linear feeder 572c while changing the conveying direction by about 90 degrees.

The linear feeder 572c is provided with transport paths for n tablets 5, and these transport paths are connected to the transport path of the gravity drop transport section 572b. The linear feeder 572c stores tablets 5 that have been determined to be good (not determined to be bad) by the tablet inspection device 53 or print inspection device 55, and is subjected to a predetermined vibration to transfer the stored tablets 5 to the filling device. It is gradually transported to the 58 side. The tablets 5 transported to the most downstream position of the linear feeder 572c are supplied to a filling chute 581 of the filling device 58, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the process of storing tablets 5 that have been determined to be good by the tablet inspection device 53 or print inspection device 55 in the linear feeder 572c corresponds to a "buffer process."

The buffer amount grasping device 572d is a device for grasping the buffer amount (storage amount) of the tablets 5 in the linear feeder 572c. The buffer amount grasping device 572d includes a camera for taking an image of the tablets 5 stored in the linear feeder 572c, and a buffer amount calculating device (each having an error) that calculates the buffer amount of the tablets 5 based on the captured image obtained by the camera. (as shown).

In this embodiment, the buffer amount calculation device performs a binarization process on a captured image obtained by a camera to extract a portion corresponding to the tablet 5, and also extracts the buffer amount of the tablet 5 based on the area of the extracted portion. Calculate. Note that the buffer amount may be calculated based on the area ratio between a portion corresponding to the tablet 5 and other portions in the captured image. Alternatively, the number of tablets 5 in the captured image may be measured, and the buffer amount may be calculated based on the measured number. Information regarding the buffer amount ascertained by the buffer amount understanding device 572d is output to the control device 59. In this embodiment, the step of determining the buffer amount of the tablets 5 stored in the linear feeder 572c corresponds to the "buffer amount determining step."

The filling device 58 fills the tablets 5 stored in the linear feeder 572c into the pocket portion 2 formed in the band-shaped container film 3. The filling device 58 includes a filling chute 581 and a filling drum 582, as shown in FIG.

The filling chute 581 delivers the tablets 5 stored in the linear feeder 572c one by one to the filling drum 582, and has the same number as the number of pockets 2 along the width direction of the container film 3 (in this embodiment). In this case, n pieces) are provided. Each filling chute 581 basically has the same function as the supply chute 511, and by opening and closing a predetermined shutter (not shown), the tablets 5 are dropped one by one into the filling drum. 582.

The filling drum 582 adsorbs and holds the tablets 5 supplied from the filling chute 581, and fills the pockets 2 of the container film 3 being transported with the tablets 5. The filling drum 582 has a cylindrical shape and is configured to be continuously rotatable.

Further, a large number of suction portions 582a for suctioning and holding the tablets 5 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the filling drum 582. Each suction section 582a basically has the same function as the supply drum 512, and while the filling drum 582 moves from just above the rotation axis to just below it, it suctions and holds the tablet 5, while filling the filling drum 582. The adsorption of the tablet 5 is released just below the rotating shaft of the drum 582, and the tablet 5 is put into the pocket section 2.

Further, the suction portions 582a are regularly arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the filling drum 582. In this embodiment, a large number of suction parts 582a are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the filling drum 582. Then, n rows of suction portions 582a arranged in the circumferential direction are provided at equal intervals along the axial direction of the filling drum 582 so that the rows correspond to the number of pocket portions 2 along the width direction of the container film 3. It is being Thereby, the filling device 58 sequentially fills n rows of tablets 5 held by the suction portion 582a into the n pockets 2 arranged in the width direction of the container film 3. In this embodiment, the process of filling the pocket portion 2 with the tablets 5 by the filling device 58 corresponds to the "filling process".

In addition, in this embodiment, the rotational speed of the filling drum 582 and the conveyance speed of the container film 3 are set so that the packaging capacity of the tablets 5 and the productivity of the PTP sheet 1 are sufficiently high. The "packaging capacity for tablets 5" corresponds to the number of tablets 5 that can be filled into the pocket section 2 by the filling device 58 per unit time. The packaging capacity of the tablets 5 is basically maintained constant.

The control device 59 includes a CPU as a calculation means, a ROM for storing various programs, a RAM for temporarily storing various data, a storage medium (for example, a hard disk, etc.) for storing information, and the like. The control device 59 executes control processing for each device of the printing and filling device 21 by the CPU executing a predetermined program.

Further, the control device 59 stores print data regarding the printing section 5e in advance. When forming the printing portion 5e on the tablet 5, the control device 59 operates as follows. That is, the control device 59 grasps the state (in this embodiment, the position) of the tablet 5 based on the captured image obtained by the camera of the tablet inspection device 53. Then, the control device 59 selects appropriate nozzles Na and Nb as targets for ejecting ink based on the grasped state of the tablet 5, and controls the printing device 54 to eject ink from the selected nozzles Na and Nb. . At this time, the control device 59 controls the printing device 54 to perform printing (ink ejection) at the timing when the tablets 5 reach the printing positions P1 and P2, based on the signal from the encoder of the conveyance device 52. do. Thereby, the printing portion 5e is appropriately formed for each of the tablets 5 that have reached the printing positions P1 and P2.

Further, the control device 59 is capable of identifying defective tablets 5 based on the determination results by the tablet inspection device 53 and the print inspection device 55. Then, the control device 59 calculates the timing at which the defective tablet 5 reaches the defective product removal device 56 based on the signal from the encoder of the conveying device 52, and at the calculated timing, the control device 59 The defective product blow nozzle 561 is controlled to blow to release the defective product. As a result, the defective tablets 5 are discharged from the system and placed in the defective product storage section 61.

In addition, the control device 59 controls the ejection position of the tablet 5 by the ejection device 571 by selectively blowing each blow nozzle 571a of the ejection device 571. By changing the ejection position, the receiving section 572a to which the tablet 5 is delivered changes.

Further, the control device 59 controls the operation of each blow nozzle 571a so that the tablets 5 are evenly distributed to each receiving portion 572a. In the present embodiment, the control device 59 basically causes m suction holes 523a (tablets 5) arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction to reach the arrangement position of the blow nozzle 571a located at the most upstream position. Each blow nozzle discharges one tablet 5 to the m receiving sections 572a each time the timing (discharge timing) is reached, and finally, the same number of tablets 5 are delivered to each receiving section 572a. 571a.

For example, if the plurality of receiving sections 572a are numbered (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) in order from the upstream side along the conveyance direction of the tablet 5, the control device 59 is to the receivers 572a of (1), (2), and (3) at a certain discharge timing, to the receivers 572a of (1), (4), and (5) at the next discharge timing, and to the receivers 572a of (1), (4), and (5) at the next discharge timing. (2), (3), (4) receiving sections 572a, (1), (2), (5) receiving sections 572a at the next discharging timing, (3), (4) at the next discharging timing, etc. ), (5), the operation of each blow nozzle 571a is controlled so as to deliver the tablets 5 one by one to the receiving section 572a of (5).

However, when the defective product removing device 56 discharges defective tablets 5, the control device 59 controls each blower so that only the tablets 5 determined to be good by the tablet inspection device 53 and the printing inspection device 55 are discharged. Controls the operation of the nozzle 571a. At this time, the control device 59 selects the blow nozzle 571a to be operated so that the influence of the defective tablets 5 is minimized and the tablets 5 are evenly delivered to each receiving section 572a. Here, the control device 59 is configured to store the number of tablets 5 delivered to each receiving section 572a, and selects the blow nozzle 571a to be operated using the stored number. . Note that the above-mentioned "equal" refers not only to the case where the number of tablets 5 distributed to each receiving section 572a is strictly equal, that is, when the number of tablets 5 distributed to each receiving section 572a is strictly the same, but also when the number of tablets 5 distributed to each receiving section 572a is strictly equal. This also includes cases where there is almost no difference in number (for example, the difference in number is suppressed to within a few).

Furthermore, while the printing device 54 continues printing, the control device 59 determines the number of tablets 5 printed per unit time by the printing device 54 (that is, the number of tablets 5 printed per unit time by the printing device 54 based on the buffer amount grasped by the buffer amount grasping device 572d). ability”). The control device 59 in this embodiment controls the operation of the conveyance device 52 (pulleys 521, 522) to change the conveyance speed of the tablet 5 by the conveyance device 52 in order to adjust the printing capacity. The printing capacity is adjusted by adjusting the number of tablets 5 per unit time that reach the printing positions P1, P2 as the transport speed is changed.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, when the buffer amount ascertained by the buffer amount ascertaining device 572d reaches a preset lower limit, the control device 59 controls the conveying speed of the tablets 5 to a predetermined first speed. On the other hand, when the grasped buffer amount reaches a preset upper limit value, the conveyance device 52 is controlled so that the conveyance speed of the tablet 5 becomes a second speed V2, which is lower than the first speed V1. In FIG. 15, the conveyance speed of the tablets 5 is roughly shown by a solid line, and the buffer amount is roughly shown by a dotted line. Further, in this embodiment, the packaging capacity of the tablet 5 is maintained constant, and in FIG. 15, the packaging capacity is roughly indicated by a dashed line. In this embodiment, the control device 59 constitutes a "print number adjustment means." Further, the process of adjusting the number of tablets 5 printed per unit time corresponds to the "printing number adjustment process".

Note that, as shown in FIG. 16, the rate of occurrence of printing defects (defect rate) by the printing device 54 basically has a possibility (or tends to) increase over time. As the defective rate increases, the maximum amount of tablets 5 that can be fed to the linear feeder 572c gradually decreases, so the time for maintaining the conveyance speed of the tablets 5 at the first speed V1 gradually becomes longer (Fig. 15). The first speed V1 in this embodiment is such that the buffer amount of the tablets 5 is set even at a stage where the defective rate becomes a relatively large value (for example, at a stage immediately before the cleaning device cleans the print head 54a). The speed is set to gradually increase. On the other hand, at the second speed V2 in this embodiment, the buffer amount of the tablet 5 gradually decreases even at a stage where the defective rate is a very small value (such as a stage immediately after cleaning by the cleaning device). It is set to the speed that will be used.

Note that the defective rate basically refers to the ratio of the number of tablets 5 determined to be defective by the print inspection device 55 to the number of tablets 5 printed. However, the formula for calculating the defective rate can be changed as appropriate as long as the defective rate increases or decreases in response to an increase or decrease in the number of tablets 5 with printing defects. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the defect rate is reset to the initial value (0) when the cleaning device executes cleaning of the print head 54a.

Further, when adjusting the printing capacity, the control device 59 controls the operation of the shutter 511a and the supply drum 512 to match the conveying speed of the tablets 5.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, only the tablets 5 that are determined to be good by the tablet inspection device 53 and the print inspection device 55 are stored in the linear feeder 572c, and are stored in the linear feeder 572c by the filling device 58. The tablet 5 is filled into the pocket portion 2. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the situation in which defective tablets 5 with printing defects or the like are filled into the pocket portion 2 as is. Thereby, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the PTP sheet 1 from being ejected by the defective sheet ejecting mechanism and from being discarded due to a defective tablet 5. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the films 3 and 4 constituting the PTP sheet 1 and the good quality tablets 5 contained in the PTP sheet 1 from being wasted, and it is possible to effectively suppress increases in production costs. can.

Further, while printing by the printing device 54 continues, the number of tablets 5 printed per unit time by the printing device 54 can be adjusted based on the buffer amount of tablets 5. Therefore, in anticipation of the defective tablets 5 being discharged by the defective product removing device 56, the printing capacity of the printing device 54 can be set to be sufficiently higher than the packaging capacity of the tablets 5 (in this embodiment, The conveyance speed of the tablets 5 can be set to the first speed V1), and the buffer amount can be adjusted without stopping printing on the tablets 5. This prevents the packaging of the tablets 5 (filling of the tablets 5 into the pocket portion 2) from being hindered due to an insufficient amount of buffer, and makes it difficult for the printing device 54 to become clogged due to ink drying. be able to. As a result, it is possible to more reliably ensure good packaging ability and to effectively suppress the occurrence of printing defects.

Furthermore, since the packaging capacity of the tablets 5 can be kept constant, the mode of conveyance of the container film 3 can also be kept constant. Thereby, it is possible to prevent variations in the preheating time of the container film 3 by the preheating device 15, and it is possible to more reliably form the pocket portion 2 of an appropriate shape by the pocket portion forming device 16. As a result, an increase in production costs due to poor formation of the pocket portion 2 can be suppressed.

In addition, by changing the conveyance speed of the tablets 5, the number of tablets 5 printed per unit time (printing capacity) is adjusted. Therefore, the printing capacity can be adjusted without providing a special device or performing complicated control. This makes it possible to suppress increases in costs related to device manufacturing, maintenance, and the like.
[Second embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of the second embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment described above, the control device 59 changes the conveyance speed of the tablets 5 by the conveyance device 52 to adjust the number of tablets 5 per unit time that reach the printing positions P1, P2, thereby increasing the printing capacity. is configured to adjust. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the control device 59 changes the number of tablets 5 per unit time that are supplied from the supply device 51 to the conveyance device 52 to reach the printing positions P1 and P2 per unit time. The printing capacity is adjusted by adjusting the number of tablets 5 in the printer.

More specifically, the control device 59 basically controls the shutter 511a so that the tablets 5 are delivered to all of the suction sections 512a of the supply drum 512. On the other hand, when the grasped buffer amount reaches a preset upper limit value, the control device 59 controls the supply drum 512 in one row along the rotational direction of the supply drum 512 until the buffer amount reaches a predetermined lower limit value. The shutter 511a is controlled so that the tablet 5 is delivered to the adsorption section 512a every other time (see FIG. 17). This adjusts the number of tablets 5 per unit time that reach the printing positions P1, P2, and thus the printing capacity.

In addition, in the pattern in which tablets 5 are delivered to all of the suction sections 512a, the buffer amount gradually increases even at a stage where the defective rate is a relatively large value, while the tablets 5 are delivered only to a specific suction section 512a. In the delivery pattern, the conveyance speed of the tablets 5 is set so that the buffer amount gradually decreases even at the stage where the defective rate is a very small value.

In the above description, the tablets 5 are supplied from the supply device 51 to the transport device 52 using two types of supply patterns, but there may be three or more types of supply patterns. For example, by making it possible to select the suction section 512a to which the tablets 5 are supplied from among three or more patterns according to the buffer amount of the tablets 5, the tablets 5 are transported from the supply device 51 according to three or more supply patterns. The tablet 5 may be configured to be able to be supplied to the device 52.

In addition, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the control device 59 controls the operation of each blow nozzle 571a so that the tablets 5 are evenly distributed to each receiving section 572a. For example, the control device 59 basically discharges the tablets 5 one by one to one or two receiving sections 572a each time the discharging timing comes, and finally, the same number of tablets 5 are delivered to each receiving section 572a. The operation of each blow nozzle 571a is controlled so that the tablets 5 are delivered.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the printing capacity is adjusted by changing the number of tablets 5 per unit time supplied from the supply device 51 to the transport device 52. Therefore, the printing capacity can be adjusted without providing a special device or performing complicated control. Thereby, it is possible to suppress an increase in costs related to manufacturing, maintenance, etc. of the PTP packaging machine 10.

Note that the technical concept according to the first embodiment and the technical concept according to the second embodiment may be used together. That is, the printing capacity is adjusted by using both of changing the conveying speed of the tablets 5 by the conveying device 52 and changing the amount of tablets 5 supplied from the feeding device 51 to the conveying device 52. You may.
[Third embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of the third embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the tablets 5 are supplied to the transport device 52 from all m supply units 513. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the supply section 513 that stops the supply of tablets 5 to the transport device 52 is determined according to the inspection result by the print inspection device 55, and the supply section 513 that stops supplying the tablets 5 to the transport device 52 is It is configured such that the supply of tablets 5 to the tablet 5 is stopped.

To be more specific, although tablets 5 are normally supplied one by one from each supply section 513 to the conveying device 52, the control device 59 makes a judgment regarding the quality of the printing section 5e sent from the printing inspection device 55. Based on the results, the supply unit 513 to which the supply of tablets 5 to the transport device 52 is to be stopped is determined. For example, the control device 59 calculates the rate at which defects occur in the printing section 5e for each row of tablets 5 lined up along the transport direction, based on the determination result. In addition, the control device 59 determines that if the ratio in a certain column deviates from a preset tolerance range, that is, printing defects are concentrated on tablets 5 printed by a certain print head 54a. If it is estimated that a print-related abnormality has occurred in the print head 54a, the supply unit 513 corresponding to that column is determined to be stopped.

Then, the control device 59 controls the shutter 511a of the determined supply section 513 so as to always maintain the shutter 511a in a closed state. As a result, the supply of tablets 5 from the determined supply unit 513 to the transport device 52 is stopped. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, the tablets 5 are transported in a reduced number of rows. In the third embodiment, the control device 59 constitutes a "stopping target determining means", and the shutter 511a constitutes a "supply stopping means". Further, the process of determining the supply unit 513 to stop supplying the tablets 5 to the transport device 52 based on the inspection result of the print inspection device 55 corresponds to a “stop target determination process”, and The process of stopping the supply of tablets 5 to 52 corresponds to a "supply stop process".

Furthermore, in the printing process by the printing device 54, each printing head 54a normally prints individually on each of one row (m) of tablets 5, but the control device 59 stops the supply of the tablets 5. In this case, the printing device 54 is controlled so that the tablets 5 are printed by the print heads 54a other than the one corresponding to the supply section 513 that has stopped supplying the tablets 5 among the plurality of print heads 54a. In other words, the control device 59 controls the printing device 54 to continue printing the tablets 5 without stopping even if the supply of the tablets 5 from a certain supply unit 513 to the transport device 52 is stopped.

Note that when the supply of tablets 5 is stopped, the number of tablets 5 printed will decrease. Therefore, when stopping the supply of tablets 5 to compensate for the decrease in the number of prints, the control device 59 controls the transport device 52 to increase the transport speed of the tablets 5. This increases the number of tablets 5 printed per unit time by the operating print head 54a. As a result, a sufficient amount of buffer for the tablets 5 can be secured, and it is possible to more reliably prevent problems in filling the pocket portion 2 with the tablets 5 (packaging the tablets 5).

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the tablets 5 are transported in a reduced number of rows so as not to be supplied to the print head 54a that is presumed to have an abnormality. Thereby, printing defects of the tablets 5 can be made less likely to occur, and increases in production costs can be more effectively suppressed.

Further, even if it is estimated that there is an abnormality in printing in some of the print heads 54a, printing can be continued, and a decrease in productivity can be more reliably prevented. In addition, since the operating print head 54a prints on the tablets 5 frequently, printing defects due to ink drying can be made less likely to occur.

Furthermore, if the cleaning of the print head 54a corresponding to the supply unit 513 that has stopped supplying tablets 5 is performed at the same time as the cleaning of the other print heads 54a when the defective rate of printing has increased to a certain extent, etc. It's over. That is, in this embodiment, it is sufficient to perform cleaning at regular intervals, and there is no need to perform irregular cleaning. Thereby, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of times of cleaning and to suppress an increase in cleaning costs.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the content described in the above embodiment, and may be implemented as follows, for example. Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are also possible.

(a) In the above embodiment, the buffer amount grasping device 572d as the "buffer amount grasping means" is equipped with a camera for capturing an image of the tablets 5 stored in the linear feeder 572c. On the other hand, for example, the control device 59 can obtain the number of tablets 5 delivered (discharged) from the transport device 52 to the receiving section 572a and the number of tablets 5 filled in the pocket section 2. In addition, the control device 59 may constitute a "buffer amount grasping means" by being configured to be able to grasp the buffer amount of the tablets 5 in the linear feeder 572c based on the acquired information. With this configuration, a camera for grasping the buffer amount of the tablet 5 is not required, and manufacturing costs and the like can be further reduced.

(b) In the first embodiment, the control device 59 can change the conveyance speed of the tablet 5 in two stages: a first speed V1 and a second speed V2. On the other hand, the control device 59 may be capable of changing the conveyance speed of the tablet 5 in three or more stages.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19 (in FIG. 19, the conveyance speed of tablet 5 is roughly shown as a solid line, the buffer amount is roughly shown as a dotted line, and the packaging capacity is shown as a dashed line), the buffer amount of tablet 5 is the upper limit. When the conveyance speed of the tablet 5 is set to the third speed V3, and the buffer amount of the tablet 5 reaches a predetermined value exceeding the lower limit value and less than the upper limit value when the third speed V3 is set. Alternatively, the conveying speed of the tablets 5 may be set to a fourth speed V4 higher than the third speed V3. Also, when the buffer amount of the tablet 5 reaches the lower limit value, the conveyance speed of the tablet 5 is set to the fifth speed V5, and when the buffer amount of the tablet 5 is set to the fifth speed V5, the buffer amount of the tablet 5 exceeds the lower limit value. The conveying speed of the tablet 5 may be set to a sixth speed V6, which is lower than the fifth speed V5, when the speed reaches a predetermined value that is less than the fifth speed V5. Note that the third speed V3 and the fourth speed V4 are set to such speeds that the buffer amount of the tablets 5 gradually decreases even at the stage where the defective rate becomes a very small value. On the other hand, the fifth speed V5 and the sixth speed V6 are set at speeds such that the buffer amount of the tablet 5 gradually increases even at a stage where the defective rate becomes a relatively large value.

By making it possible to change the conveyance speed of the tablets 5 in multiple stages of three or more as described above, the number of tablets 5 printed per unit time and the amount of buffer can be adjusted more finely. Furthermore, there is no need to suddenly change the conveyance speed of the tablets 5. Therefore, the tablets 5 being transported can be printed with high accuracy, and the printing quality can be improved. Furthermore, it is also possible to improve the stability of the delivery of the tablets 5 in the transport device 52.

In the above, an example is given in which the conveyance speed can be changed in four stages, but it is of course possible to configure the conveyance speed to be changeable in three stages or five stages or more. Furthermore, a configuration in which the conveyance speed is gradually (smoothly) changed is included in changing the conveyance speed in multiple stages of three or more stages.

(c) A "defect rate calculation means" is provided which calculates the defect rate of printing by the printing device 54 (incidence rate of printing defects) based on the inspection results by the print inspection device 55, and when manufacturing the PTP sheet 1, The PTP packaging machine 10 may be configured to execute a "defect rate calculation step" that calculates the defect rate of printing. The "defective rate calculation means" is constituted by, for example, the control device 59, but may of course be constituted by other devices (such as the print inspection device 55).

Furthermore, the control device 59 as the "print number adjustment means" has a function of changing the conveying speed of the tablets 5 so that the average value of the conveying speed of the tablets 5 increases as the calculated defective rate increases. There may be. Such a function can be realized, for example, as follows.

That is, for example, a table showing the relationship between the defective rate and the standard transport speed of the tablets 5 (transport speed without taking into account the buffer amount) is stored in advance in the control device 59. In this table, the standard transport speed of the tablets 5 (standard transport speed) is set to increase as the defective rate increases. However, in the table, the reference transport speed may increase gradually (smoothly) as the defective rate increases, or may increase stepwise. Then, the control device 59 determines a standard conveyance speed based on the table and the actually calculated defective rate, and adjusts this standard conveyance speed appropriately according to the buffer amount of the tablets 5. The conveyance speed of the tablets 5 is changed so that the tablet 5 speed is the same as that of the tablet 5. With this configuration, the above functions can be realized. By providing this function, the conveyance speed of the tablets 5, the buffer amount, etc. can be determined as shown in FIG. (roughly shown).

According to the above function, even if the number of defective tablets 5 increases over time, it becomes possible to secure a sufficient amount of buffer more reliably. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent problems in packaging the tablets 5 (filling of the tablets 5 into the pocket portion 2) due to an insufficient amount of buffer, and further ensure good packaging ability. be able to.

Furthermore, compared to the case where the transport speed of the tablets 5 is adjusted based only on the buffer amount, sudden changes in the transport speed can be more reliably prevented. Thereby, it is possible to further improve the printing quality and the stability related to the delivery of the tablets 5 in the transport device 52.

In addition, in FIG. 20, when the standard conveyance speed is set in the table to gradually (smoothly) increase as the defective rate increases, the conveyance of the tablet 5 is shown when the buffer amount reaches the upper limit value. An example is shown in which the speed is set as a reference transport speed, and when the buffer amount reaches the lower limit, the transport speed of the tablet 5 is set to the standard transport speed plus a predetermined speed. In this way, the configuration in which the standard conveyance speed is changed over time, the standard conveyance speed is adjusted according to the buffer amount of the tablets 5, and the conveyance speed of the tablets 5 is changed to the adjusted speed is This includes changing the conveyance speed of the tablet 5 by the device 52 in multiple stages of three or more stages.

Furthermore, in addition to or in place of the function of changing the conveying speed of the tablets 5, as the calculated defective rate decreases, the average value of the conveying speed of the tablets 5 increases as the calculated defective rate increases. A function may be provided to change the conveyance speed so that the average value of the conveyance speed decreases. Even in this case, it becomes possible to secure an appropriate buffer amount more reliably, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems caused by an inappropriate buffer amount.

(d) The configuration of the linear feeder 572c in the above embodiment is just an example. Therefore, the linear feeder 572c may have, for example, a conveyance path for the tablets 5 that branches in the middle and has n conveyance paths at the most downstream portion.

Further, the "buffer means" may be configured by a device other than the linear feeder 572c. For example, the "buffer means" may be constituted by a hopper having only the function of simply storing the tablets 5, a tubular conveyance equipment (for example, a tube, a coil spring, etc.), or the like.

(e) In the above embodiment, the shutter 511a is provided corresponding to the lower opening of the supply chute 511; It may be. However, in a configuration in which the printing capacity is adjusted by changing the number of tablets 5 supplied per unit time from the supply device 51 to the conveyance device 52, the distance between the shutter 511a and the printing device 54 along the conveyance path of the tablets 5 is It is preferable to provide the shutter 511a at a position where the distance is as small as possible (that is, at a position on the downstream side along the transport route). By arranging the shutter 511a at such a position, the number of tablets 5 to be printed after the shutter 511a is closed can be reduced, and the buffer amount of the tablets 5 can be more easily controlled.

(f) In the above embodiment, the suction holes 523a in the conveyance device 52 are arranged at intervals along the moving direction of the conveyance belt 523, but in FIG. (not shown), the suction holes 523b may be continuous along the moving direction. That is, the transport device 52 may have a slit-like suction hole 523b. In this case, the intervals between the tablets 5 along the conveyance direction may not be constant, but by knowing the position of the tablets 5 based on the signal from the encoder, printing processing, inspection processing, and receiving of the tablets 5 can be performed. Discharging of the tablets 5 to the portion 572a side can be performed appropriately.

Alternatively, a conveyance device that does not include the conveyance belt 523 may be used. For example, a suction drum or the like may be used as the conveyance device.

(g) In the above embodiment, an example is given in which the number of rows of tablets 5 is changed from "3" to "5" by the row number conversion device 57, but the number of rows of tablets 5 before and after conversion is may be changed as appropriate. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the number of rows of the tablets 5 may be changed from "2" to "5" by the row number conversion device 57.

(h) In the above embodiment, the tablet 5 is mentioned as the content, but the content is not limited to the tablet.

Further, in the above embodiment, a disk-shaped uncoated tablet (disc-shaped flat tablet) having a circular shape in plan view is exemplified as the tablet 5, but the type and shape of the tablet are limited to those in the above embodiment. It is not something that will be done. For example, tablets include not only medicines but also tablets used for consumption. In addition, tablets include not only plain tablets, but also sugar-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, enteric-coated tablets, gelatin-coated tablets, and various other capsules such as hard capsules and soft capsules. This also includes tablets.

Furthermore, the shape of the contents is not limited to a circular shape in a plan view, but may be a polygonal shape in a plan view, an elliptical shape in a plan view, an ellipse shape in a plan view, etc.

(i) In the above embodiment, the printing section 5e is provided on one of the front surface 5b and the back surface 5c of the tablet 5, but the printing section 5e may be provided on both the front surface 5b and the back surface 5c.

(j) The structure of the PTP sheet to be manufactured is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the arrangement and number of pocket portions 2 in the PTP sheet 1 are not limited to those in the above embodiment.

Further, in the above embodiment, the PTP film 6 has a configuration in which the number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to one sheet is arranged along the width direction thereof, but the structure is not limited to this, and for example, , a configuration may be adopted in which a number of pocket portions 2 corresponding to a plurality of sheets are arranged along the width direction. In this case, the second numerical value (n) is set to be the same as the number of pocket parts 2 [For example, in the above example, if there are two sheets, the second numerical value (n) is set to "10". ].

Further, in the above embodiment, the PTP sheet 1 is used as the blister sheet, but the technical idea of the present invention may be applied to blister sheets other than the PTP sheet 1.

(k) The configuration of the printing device 54 is not limited to the above embodiment. In the embodiment described above, the printing device 54 includes a first printing mechanism 541 in charge of one color and a second printing mechanism 542 in charge of other colors, but depending on the aspect of the printing section 5e, The number of printing mechanisms may be changed as appropriate. Further, in the embodiment described above, both printing mechanisms 541 and 542 are provided with a plurality of print heads lined up in the width direction of the conveyor belt 523, but are configured to include only one print head, and this one print head is used to A plurality of tablets 5 arranged in the width direction may be printed at once.

In addition, the configuration of the print head is not limited to the above embodiment, and may include one or more nozzle rows.

Furthermore, although the print head cleaning device is configured to remove dust, ink, etc. by pressure purge, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured to remove dust, etc. by suction purge.

(l) In the above embodiments, the tablet inspection device 53 and the print inspection device 55 have a determination device that makes a quality determination based on a captured image obtained by a camera; You can. In this case, the control device 59 may be configured to have a function as the determination device.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control device 59 constitutes the "print number adjusting means" and the "stopping target determining means," but these means may be constituted by a device other than the control device 59.

1...PTP sheet (blister sheet), 2...pocket part, 3...container film, 4...cover film, 5...tablet (contents), 6...PTP film (blister film), 10...PTP packaging machine (blister packaging machine) ), 16... pocket forming device (pocket forming means), 20... film receiving roll (attachment means), 21... printing filling device (printing filling means), 25... heating roll (attachment means), 37... sheet Punching device (separation means), 51... Supply device (supply means), 52... Conveying device (conveying means), 53... Tablet inspection device (content inspection means), 54... Printing device (printing means), 54a... Print head, 55...Print inspection device (content inspection means), 56...Defective product removal device (defective product discharge device), 59...Control device (print number adjustment device, stop target determining device, defective rate calculation device), 511a ...shutter (supply stop means), 513...supply unit, 572c...straight feeder (buffer means), 572d...buffer amount grasping device (buffer amount grasping means), P1...first printing position (printing position), P2...second Print position (print position).

Claims (12)

A blister packaging machine for manufacturing a blister sheet in which contents are stored in pockets formed in a container film, and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pockets. ,
pocket portion forming means for forming the pocket portion on the belt-shaped container film;
printing and filling means for printing the contents and filling the contents into the pocket portion;
Attachment means for attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with content, so as to close the pocket portion;
a separating means for separating a blister sheet from a band-shaped blister film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film;
The printing filling means includes:
a conveyance means for conveying the contents;
an inkjet type printing means that prints on the content that has been transported by the transporting means and has reached a predetermined printing position;
Content inspection means for inspecting the content printed by the printing means;
Defective product discharging means for discharging the contents determined to be defective by the content inspection means out of the system;
a buffer means for storing contents judged as good by the contents inspection means;
filling means for filling the pocket portion with contents stored in the buffer means;
buffer amount grasping means for grasping the buffer amount of contents in the buffer means;
Printing that adjusts the number of contents printed by the printing means per unit time based on the buffer amount grasped by the buffer amount grasping means while continuing printing by the printing means and filling with contents by the filling means. A blister packaging machine comprising: a number adjusting means. The printing number adjusting means is configured to be able to change the conveyance speed of the contents by the conveyance means, and by changing the conveyance speed and adjusting the number of contents per unit time that reach the printing position, The blister packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the number of contents printed by the printing means per unit time is adjusted. 3. The blister packaging machine according to claim 2, wherein the printing number adjusting means is configured to be able to change the conveying speed of the contents by the conveying means in three or more stages. comprising a defective rate calculation means for calculating a defective rate of printing by the printing means,
The number of prints adjusting means is configured such that as the defective rate calculated by the defective rate calculating means increases, the average value of the conveyance speed of the contents by the conveying means increases, and the number of prints calculated by the defective rate calculating means increases. The blister package according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the conveying speed is configured to be changeable so as to satisfy at least one of the following: the average value of the conveying speed decreases as the defective rate decreases. Machine. comprising a supply means for supplying contents to the conveyance means,
The printing number adjusting means is configured to be able to change the number of contents per unit time that is supplied from the supplying means to the conveying means, and as the number of contents is changed, the number of contents that reach the printing position per unit time can be changed. The blister packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of contents printed by the printing means per unit time is adjusted by adjusting the number of contents. The conveyance means is configured to sequentially convey the contents of each row to the printing position in a state where a plurality of contents are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the contents,
The supply means includes the same number of supply parts as the number of contents for one row arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and one content is always supplied from each of these supply parts to the conveyance means. It is configured to
The printing means is provided in the same number as the number of contents for one column, and always has a plurality of print heads that individually print each of the contents for one column,
Stop target determining means for determining the supply section to stop supplying the contents to the conveyance means based on the inspection result of the contents inspection means;
a supply stop means for stopping the supply of contents from the supply section determined by the stop target determination means to the conveyance means;
When the supply of the contents from the supply section to the conveying means is stopped, printing on the contents is performed by the print heads other than the one corresponding to the supply section to which the supply of contents has been stopped among the plurality of print heads. The blister packaging machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: A method for producing a blister sheet, in which contents are stored in pockets formed in a container film, and a cover film is attached to the container film so as to close the pockets, the method comprising:
a pocket portion forming step of forming the pocket portion on the belt-shaped container film;
a printing and filling step of printing the contents and filling the contents into the pocket portion;
an attaching step of attaching the band-shaped cover film to the container film in which the pocket portion is filled with content, so as to close the pocket portion;
a separating step of separating a blister sheet from a band-shaped blister film formed by attaching the cover film to the container film;
The printing and filling process includes:
A conveyance process for conveying the contents;
a printing process of printing on the contents that have been conveyed by the conveyance process and have reached a predetermined printing position;
a content inspection step of inspecting the content printed in the printing process;
a defective product discharge step of discharging the contents determined to be defective in the content inspection step to the outside of the system;
a buffer step of storing the contents determined to be good in the contents inspection step in a predetermined buffer means;
a filling step of filling the pocket portion with the contents stored in the buffer means;
a buffer amount determining step of determining the buffer amount of the contents in the buffer step;
Printing that adjusts the number of contents printed per unit time in the printing process based on the buffer amount ascertained in the buffer amount ascertaining step while continuing printing in the printing step and filling with contents in the filling step. A method for manufacturing a blister sheet, comprising a number adjustment step. In the printing number adjustment step, the content printed per unit time in the printing process is adjusted by changing the transport speed of the content in the transporting process to adjust the number of content per unit time that reaches the printing position. 8. The method for manufacturing a blister sheet according to claim 7, wherein the number of sheets is adjusted. 9. The method for manufacturing a blister sheet according to claim 8, wherein in the printing number adjustment step, the conveying speed of the contents in the conveying step is changed in three or more stages. comprising a defective rate calculation step of calculating a defective rate of printing in the printing process,
In the printing number adjustment step, as the defective rate calculated in the defective rate calculation step increases, the average value of the conveyance speed of the contents in the conveying step increases, and 10. The method of manufacturing a blister sheet according to claim 8, wherein the conveying speed is changed so as to satisfy at least one of the following conditions: the average value of the conveying speed decreases as the defective rate decreases. A supplying step for supplying the contents to a conveyance means for conveying the contents in the conveyance step,
In the printing number adjustment step, the number of contents per unit time that is supplied in the supplying step is adjusted to adjust the number of contents per unit time that reaches the printing position, thereby increasing the number of contents per unit time in the printing step. The method for manufacturing a blister sheet according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the number of contents printed on the blister sheet is adjusted. In the conveyance step, a predetermined conveyance means sequentially conveys the contents of each row to the printing position with a plurality of contents arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the contents,
In the supplying step, the contents are always supplied one by one to the conveyance means from each of the same number of supply units as the number of contents for one row lined up in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction,
In the printing step, each of the contents of the one column is always individually printed by the same number of print heads as the number of contents of the one column,
A stop target determining step of determining the supply section to stop supplying the contents to the conveyance means based on the inspection result of the contents inspection step;
a supply stop step of stopping the supply of the contents from the supply unit determined in the stop target determining step to the conveying means,
During the execution of the supply stop step, in the printing step, printing on the contents is performed by the print heads other than the one corresponding to the supply unit that has stopped supplying the contents among the plurality of print heads. The method for manufacturing a blister sheet according to claim 11 .

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