JPH10146378A - Device and method for controlling weight of solid - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a weight control device and method that are effective in controlling the weights of solids with accuracy by rapidly calculating the average weight of the solids, and solving problems with the error of controlling the weights of the solids which results from counting errors. SOLUTION: A plurality of solids such that the desired weight of each one of them is X are trapped by a trapping means 15, and the weight W of each of them is measured by a weight measuring means 19. In accordance with the desired weight X and a deviation control width ±D from the desired weight, a determination means determines whether or not that measurement meets (n)×(X-D)<=W<=(n)×(X+D) ((n) is only one integer satisfying W/(X+ D)<=(n)<=W/(X-D)), and when it meets the expension, the average weight (W/n) of the solids is computed by a computing means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tablet, a package containing a predetermined amount of a substance such as an ampule or a vial, a compression molded product such as a ceramic product, a metal ball used for a bearing, etc. in a tableting process or a coating process. Apparatus and method useful for managing or controlling the weight of solids, such as objects.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally, a physiologically active ingredient and a pharmaceutically active ingredient are often orally administered in the form of tablets. However, these tablets are required in terms of quality assurance and workability in a post-processing step. It is required that physical uniformity, for example, tablet weight, diameter, thickness, hardness and the like be uniform. The same applies to other forms of pharmaceuticals such as capsules and ampules, as well as other solids such as ceramic products.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional tablet manufacturing process, for example, in a tableting process, an active ingredient, an excipient, a binder and the like are placed in a die hole in which a lower punch is vertically movable. The composed powder or granule (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as tableting powder) was put in, compressed with a predetermined tableting pressure using an upper punch and a lower punch, and the lower punch was raised and compressed. It is manufactured by removing tablets from the mortar. Particularly, tablets are continuously produced using a rotary tableting machine in order to enhance productivity. With respect to the weight of the compressed tablet, a fluctuation in the weight of the tablet is suppressed by using a pressure control device utilizing the fact that the compression pressure at the time of compression is proportional to the weight of the tablet.
In particular, a punch-by-punch control method for controlling based on a threshold value relating to the tableting pressure, an average value control method using an average pressure in a rotation cycle, and the like are employed. However, when a tablet is pressed using a tableting machine, the filling amount of the powdered granules may vary due to various factors such as fluctuations in the fluidity and specific volume of the tablet powder, changes in temperature and humidity, and thermal expansion and contraction of the punch and die. And the tablet weight fluctuates.

[0004] Therefore, a predetermined amount of tablets tableted at predetermined time intervals is sampled, the number of sampled tablets is counted, and the weight is measured to calculate the weight per tablet. By feeding back to the control device, resetting the depth in the cavities and adjusting the amount of tableting powder to be accommodated, or resetting the set tableting pressure of the pressure control device, the variation in weight is corrected. (For example, a pamphlet “Automatic Compression Pressure Control Device AWC” and “WAC-1 Type Instruction Manual” issued by Kikusui Seisakusho).

Conventional techniques for measuring the average weight of the tablets include, for example, the following. That is, 61-6
No. 418 discloses an extraction device for continuously extracting solids for a predetermined time, a counting device for counting a predetermined number of extracted solids, measuring the total weight of the counted predetermined number of solids, A weighing device for calculating the deviation weight, a control signal generating circuit for comparing the deviation weight with a predetermined limit value, and providing a weight control signal corresponding to the deviation weight to the solid material manufacturing apparatus when the deviation weight exceeds the limit value, and extracting these A sampling command circuit for performing a series of operations of the device, the counting device, the weighing device, and the control signal generation circuit, and for performing the above-described series of operations again immediately after the control of the solid weight is completed when the control signal is output. A solid weight control device having a resampling command circuit is disclosed. The extraction device includes a sampling gate, an extraction chute connected to the gate, a parts feeder through which the tablets are guided through the extraction chute, and a restriction plate for restricting tablets from overlapping on the parts feeder. The counting device includes a first light emitter and a light receiver, and a second light emitter and a light receiver.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-128126 discloses a conveyor means for conveying tablets, and a method in which tablets are sucked one by one into pockets of a rotating wheel provided above the conveyor means, and the tablets are rotated. Take-out means for dropping and discharging the tablets adsorbed with the rotation of the wheel, measuring means for receiving the tablets dropped and discharged from the take-out means in a receiving tube and measuring the weight of the tablets, and Counting means for counting the number of tablets in the process of dropping and discharging, discharging means for sucking and discharging the tablets in the receiving tube, and controlling operation of the extracting means, measuring means, counting means, discharging means. A tablet weight measuring device provided with a control means for the tablet is disclosed.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, a special sampling device (that is, an extraction device such as an extraction chute, a part feeder, a regulating plate, or a take-out device provided with a conveyor means, a rotating wheel, and a suction mechanism) or a tablet is used. Since a counting means for counting the number is required, there is a problem that the weight measuring device becomes large and complicated,
In addition, there are cases where parts need to be replaced according to the size and shape of the solid matter, and the installation of the weight measuring device on the tableting machine is greatly restricted. Moreover, it is necessary to take out and count the tablets one by one, and it takes time from sampling to weighing, and it is difficult to calculate the average weight of the tablets at high speed. In particular, when the weight of a tablet is managed with an extremely narrow deviation management width, it may not be possible to quickly respond to the weight management of a tablet that is tableted at high speed, and it may not be possible to suppress the weight fluctuation of the tablet quickly and with a small deviation management width. In addition, depending on the shape and size of the tablet, the shape of the sampling device needs to be delicately manufactured, and sampling and counting may be difficult.
Furthermore, counting is generally performed by a non-contact sensor such as an optical or magnetic sensor or a contact sensor. However, depending on the misalignment of tablets or the response speed of the sensor, two tablets may be counted as one. There is a problem to do.
In this case, there is a problem that a serious problem is caused in that the weight is incorrectly calculated and the amount of the tablet powder of the tableting device is adjusted based on the incorrect data.

Further, in the case where the solid material is a pre-compressed laminated tablet, when the pre-compressed laminated tablet is to be taken out from the die, the laminated tablet is only lightly compressed, so that it is easily broken by a light impact. However, in the above-mentioned prior art, there is a problem that the quantity cannot be accurately counted and the average weight cannot be calculated, and there is also a problem that the weight of the damaged tablet cannot be accurately measured. For this reason, it is necessary to change the compression condition each time of sampling and to perform compression at a high pressure, and there is a problem that continuous sampling cannot be performed while maintaining the condition of the preliminary compression.
There is also a problem that a raw material loss occurs at the time of pressure switching.

On the other hand, in the case of coating preparations such as sugar-coated tablets and film-coated tablets, generally, a coating step,
A cycle of a pause step (spraying step as necessary) and a drying step are repeatedly performed, and usually, a sub-coating layer, a smoothing layer, a coloring layer, a finishing layer, and a polishing layer are sequentially formed on an uncoated tablet. Weight control is required for each layer, and the weight of each coated layer is confirmed by sampling and measuring the average weight of the preparation near the end of the drying step. However, in the conventional weight management of these coated preparations, it takes time to count the preparation as in the case of the above-mentioned conventional technology. Therefore, not only the coating weight data in each cycle is fed back to the next cycle, but also the precise weight management is performed. Also, it was not easy to automate the processes from sampling to weighing.

[0010] Such situations are caused not only by tablets but also by other pharmaceuticals (eg, capsules, vials, ampules, sachets, etc.), foods (such as candy), compression-molded ceramic products, injection molding and the like. This also occurs in the weight management of various solids such as molded articles.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to weigh a solid without counting it, to quickly calculate the average weight of the solid, and to control the weight of the solid due to counting errors. An object of the present invention is to provide a weight management device and a weight management method that can solve the above problem and are useful for accurately controlling the weight of a solid. Other objects of the present invention can respond regardless of the shape and size of the solid,
In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a weight management device and a weight management method that can quickly measure the weight of a solid material with a simple structure and are useful for managing the weight of the solid material with a small management width.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a weight management device capable of simply and efficiently measuring the original weight of a low-pressure pre-compressed layer without compressing the preceding pre-compressed layer at high pressure in a laminated tablet. It is to provide a weight management method. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a weight management device and a weight management method which are useful for accurately and easily managing the weight of each coating layer of a coating preparation.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is characterized in that a solid material weight management device and a weight management method are configured as follows. That is, the solid matter weight management device of the first aspect of the present invention has the following features.
Weight measurement means for measuring the weight W of the plurality of solids, and the following relationship is obtained in which the measurement result by the weight measurement means is calculated based on the target weight X and the deviation control width ± D from the target weight. Formula nx (X−D) ≦ W ≦ nx (X + D) (i) (where n is only one that satisfies the following relational expression: W / (X + D) ≦ n ≦ W / (X−D) (ii) And a determination means for determining whether or not the weight satisfies the relational expression. When the determination result by the determination means satisfies the relational expression, the target weight X and the weight W of the plurality of measured solids are determined. Calculating means for calculating an average weight (W / n) of the solid matter based on the calculated weight.

In the present specification, the deviation control width ± D is more safely defined as that the individual weight of the solid having the target weight X is almost or entirely (X−D) to (X + D). It is desirable that the width is included in the range, but in practice, it is extremely unlikely that the weights of a plurality of solid substances which are appropriately dispersed are all biased toward one limit value. Accordingly, in the present specification, the deviation control width ± D means that the average weight of a plurality of solids to be measured is almost or entirely within a range from (XD) to (X + D). . In the production of solids using a conventional rotary tableting machine or the like, solids exceeding a deviation control width D by a tableting pressure control device or the like are automatically excluded before weight measurement according to the present invention. It can be set as follows.

(2) Only when the following relational expression (X + D) × n <(X−D) × (n + 1) (iii) is satisfied for n in the above relational expression (i), It may be determined whether or not the measurement result by the weight measuring means satisfies the relational expression (i). (3) The weight management device is used in a solid material manufacturing apparatus and calculated by the calculating means. Control means for managing the weight of the solid in the solid manufacturing apparatus based on the obtained average weight data may be provided. In this case, (4) the solid material is a laminated tablet on which at least one pre-compressed layer is formed, and a take-out means for taking out the solid material from the pre-compression die hole, Suction means for sucking the collected solid matter, and collection means communicating with the suction guide means and configured to be able to store the solid matter from the suction guide means. The weight of the solid collected with the collecting means may be configured to be measurable. (5) The solid is a coating preparation, and a removing means for removing the solid from the coating apparatus; The weight measuring means may be configured to be capable of measuring the weight of the solid collected together with the collecting means.

Further, the solid matter weight management device according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that (6) suction guide means having a suction port facing the solid matter; And a cyclone-type collecting container having an opening formed in the upper portion, and arranged to be vertically movable in the axial direction in a non-contact state with respect to the opening of the cyclone-type collecting container. Suction and discharge means connected to the suction means and capable of discharging solids in the collection container by suction, and a weight for measuring the weight of the solids collected together with the cyclone type collection container And measuring means. In this case, (7) at least one rotation restricting member for restricting the rotation of the collected solid matter may be provided at the bottom of the cyclone type collecting container.

The solid material weight management device according to the third aspect of the present invention provides: (8) a cylindrical collecting means having an opening at one end and capable of containing the solid material; Supporting means for swingably supporting, weight measuring means for measuring the weight of solid matter collected together with the collecting means and the supporting means, and tilting means for tilting the cylindrical collecting means; It is characterized by having.

The method for controlling the weight of a solid material according to the fourth aspect of the present invention comprises the steps of (9)
The weight W of a plurality of solids is measured, and the weight measurement result is
The following relational expression calculated based on the target weight X and the deviation control width ± D nx (X−D) ≦ W ≦ n × (X + D) (i) (where n is the following relational expression W / (X + D) ≤ n ≤ W / (XD) (ii) is a single integer that satisfies (ii)), and if the result of the determination satisfies the above relational expression, the target weight X and the measurement The average weight (W / n) of the solids is calculated based on the weights W of the plurality of solids.

In this case, (10) the measurement result is obtained only when the following relational expression (X + D) × n <(X−D) × (n + 1) (iii) is satisfied for n in the above relational expression (i). It may be determined whether or not the relational expression (i) is satisfied. (11) Controlling the raw material supply amount in the solid matter production process based on the calculated average weight data. May control the weight of the solid. Furthermore, in this case, (12)
The solid matter may be a coating preparation, and the solid matter may be taken out from the coating device and collected in a collecting means, and the weight of the collected solid matter may be measured.

The method for controlling the weight of a solid material according to the fifth aspect of the present invention comprises:
3) The solid material is a laminated tablet on which at least one pre-compressed layer is formed. The pre-compressed solid material is removed from the mortar, collected by suction, and then collected. It is characterized by measuring the weight of the object.

The method for controlling the weight of a solid according to the sixth aspect of the present invention comprises the steps of (1)
4) The weight of the solid collected in the cyclone type collecting container is measured using the apparatus according to claim 6, and the weight of the solid in the manufacturing process is controlled based on the result of the weight measurement. And In this case, (15) the suction / discharge means is released upward from the opening of the cyclone-type collection container and weighed empty, and the suction / discharge means enters the inside of the collection container to generate a vortex by the suction force of the suction means. After collecting and collecting the solid matter, the suction and discharge means is released upward from the opening of the collection container and the weight of the collected solid matter is measured, and then the suction and discharge means is made to enter the deep part of the collection container. The solid matter collected by the suction force of the suction means may be suctioned and discharged.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by taking a tablet as an example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Applicable.

FIGS. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of a weight management device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view when applied to a tablet compression process, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view for explaining a mechanism for transporting tablets to a collecting container, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of a weight management control device, and FIG. 4 is a tablet compressed with a deviation management width. 5 is a comparison table showing the relationship between the number of tablets and the tablet weight, FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 5, and FIG. It is.

This weight management device comprises a collection container for collecting tablets taken out from a plurality of mortar holes formed at intervals in a circumferential direction of a rotary table of a rotary tableting machine, and a collection container for collecting the tablets. It is provided with weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the plurality of tablets collected in the collecting container, and discharging means for discharging the plurality of tablets in the collecting container. More specifically, in the rotary tablet press (1), a plurality of dies (3) having a die hole (3a) in the circumferential direction of the turntable (2) are mounted. In the upper and lower positions corresponding to each of the mortar holes (3a), the upper punch (4) is connected to the mortar (3) of the turntable (2).
The upper punch holding plate (5) is vertically movable with respect to a) and the tip of the lower punch (6) is vertically movable within the die hole (3a). ) Is held. The turntable
(2) The upper punch holding plate (5) and the lower punch holding plate (7) rotate coaxially.

While compressing the tableting powder in the die hole (3a),
The upper punch is used to remove the compressed tablet from the die hole (3a).
The head of (4) contacts the upper punch guide rail (8), and the lower punch (6)
Is in contact with the lower punch guide rail (9). That is, in the compression zone, the upper punch guide rail (8) bends toward the lower turntable (2) to form a lower descent trajectory, guides the upper punch (4) to the compression roller, and fills the filling zone. In the mortar
Tableting is performed by compressing the tablet powder filled in (3a). In the unloading zone, the lower punch guide rail
(9) forms a rising trajectory that curves toward the upper turntable (2) side, and the lower punch (6) that moves up and down in the die hole (3a) makes the die hole.
The compressed tablets from (3a) are continuously removed. In such a rotary tableting device, it is possible to continuously perform compression molding with the rotation of the turntable (2) and to continuously take out tablets from the die holes (3a).

As shown in FIG. 2, the tablets continuously taken out from the plurality of mortars (3a) are taken out by a bar-shaped take-out guide (10) provided on a turntable (2). ). This take-out chute (11) branches in the middle into a take-out line (12) for taking out tablets, and a sampling line (13) for sampling tablets, and the branching part is a part of the population. A distribution damper (14) for distributing a plurality of tablets to the sampling line (13) is provided.

A mechanism similar to the above or another known mechanism, for example, a mechanism for removing defective tablets (not shown), which is constituted by an air blowing mechanism or the like, is provided upstream of the sampling distribution section. In addition, defective tablets generated by the tableting device are eliminated in advance before the weight measurement. In addition,
Even if the apparatus does not have such an exclusion mechanism, the range and frequency of deviation from the target weight are small, so that the present invention is sufficiently applicable.

The tablets conveyed from the sampling line (13) are guided into a cylindrical container (15) having one open end without counting the number of tablets. An extension piece (16) extends from the bottom end, which is the other end of the cylindrical container (15). The cylindrical container (15) has a weight in an inclined state in which, in the longitudinal direction, an opening is located above the sampling line (13) corresponding to the discharge portion, and the extending piece (16) is located below. A part that can maintain balance, and is pivotally supported by a support member (17) of a support base (18) that constitutes a support means. The support table (18) is arranged on a weight measuring device (19) such as an electronic balance for measuring a plurality of tablet weights (W). At one end on the opening side of the cylindrical container (15), an end of the sampling line (13) is accommodated in a non-contact state, and on the upper surface of this end, the cylindrical container (15) A notch is formed in order to allow the end of the cylindrical container (15) to be detached from the sampling line (13) with the swing of.

Further, in order to discharge the tablets from the cylindrical container (15) by a swinging operation of lowering the opening of the cylindrical container (15), the tilting means or the discharging means extends the cylindrical container (15). A cylinder (21) capable of moving up and down a U-shaped engaging portion (20) with respect to the projection (16) is provided as a moving means. That is, the cylinder (21) includes a hollow cylindrical cylinder main body and a piston rod slidable in the cylinder main body and having the locking portion (20). In the inclined state in which the opening of the cylindrical container is located at the upper part, that is, in the normal state, the cylindrical container (20) is in a non-contact state in which the end of the extension piece (16) is released in the U-shaped locking part (20). The opening of (15) is located upward, and the cylinder (21) does not act on the extension piece (16). That is, under normal conditions, the degree of advance / retreat of the cylinder (21) is located at the weight measurement position where weight measurement is possible. Also, the cylinder
With the advance of (21), the extension piece (16) and the bottom side of the cylindrical container (15) are raised, and the stored tablet is discharged to the discharge container (22) to open the cylindrical container (15). Descends. Meanwhile, the cylinder
(21) With the retreat, the extension piece (16) and the bottom side of the cylindrical container (15) are lowered, and the opening side of the cylindrical container (15) is the discharge part of the sampling line (13) for storing tablets. To a predetermined weighing position corresponding to.

The weight of the plurality of tablets collected in the cylindrical container (15) is measured by the weight measuring device (19), and the measured weight data (W) is stored in an electric control unit of the weight management controller. As shown in FIG. 3 showing the configuration, it is given to a central processing unit (CPU). The central processing unit (31) quickly and accurately controls the weight of the tablets compressed by the rotary tableting machine within a deviation control range from the target weight with a simple device. That is,
In the central processing unit (31), weight data (W) relating to the weight of a plurality of tablets detected by the detection means of the weight measuring device (19) and converted into digital signals, and target weight data per tablet are provided. (X) and deviation management width data (D) from the target weight per tablet are given. The central processing unit (31) calculates the following relational expression nx (X−D) ≦ W ≦ n calculated based on the target weight data (X) and the deviation management width data (D) from the target weight. × (X + D) (i) (where n is a single integer satisfying the following relational expression W / (X + D) ≦ n ≦ W / (X−D) (ii)) Determine.

When the weight (W) of a plurality of tablets increases, the value of n in the above relational expression is not determined to be a single integer even if the weights of the tablets are controlled with a predetermined deviation control width (± D). There is no case. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the central processing unit (31) satisfies the following relational expression (X + D) × n <(X−D) × (n + 1) (iii), the above expression (i) is satisfied. It is determined whether or not it is performed. In this case, the integer n satisfying the above relational expression (ii) is always determined to be one.

When the result of the determination satisfies the relational expression (i), the central processing unit (31) performs the following processing based on the target weight data (X) and the weight data of the measured plurality of tablet weights. Calculation for calculating the estimated number of tablets (n) and the average weight per tablet (W / n = Xm) or the weight deviation data per unit tablet (ΔX) with respect to the reference target weight data (X) A discrimination circuit, a memory in which a predetermined program and data for calculation and discrimination in the calculation discrimination circuit are stored, and control of data transmission and reception between the calculation discrimination circuit and the memory; A control circuit is provided for controlling the set value of the tableting pressure in the automatic pressure control device of the tableting machine based on the calculated average weight (Xm) or weight deviation data (ΔX) of the unit tablet.

The control signal from the control circuit of the central processing unit (31) is given to the drive circuit (32) of the automatic pressure control unit. The automatic pressure controller (Automatic Weight Checke
r) has already been put into practical use, and is constituted by a system capable of controlling the supply amount of tablet components, that is, the amount of tablet powder, to the die hole according to the set tableting pressure. In the above automatic pressure control device, the supply amount of the tableting powder to the die hole may be controlled.

In the above equation (i), n × (X−D) is calculated as the lower limit of weight.
(WL) and nx (X + D) as the upper limit weight (WH), the following rewriting can be performed. WL <W <WH (ia) Note that the operation determination circuit does not need to be configured as one circuit, and a determination circuit (determination means) for determining whether or not the relational expression is satisfied, and the determination circuit When the discrimination result in (1) satisfies the relational expression (i), the estimated number of tablets (n) and the average weight per tablet (Xm) or the target weight (X) per unit tablet relative to the reference data of the target weight (X) Weight deviation data (△
X) may be constituted by an arithmetic circuit (arithmetic means) for calculating X). If the determination result does not satisfy the relational expression, the subsequent calculation processing is stopped, and the collection operation, the weighing operation, and the calculation determination operation are repeated again.

The meanings of the above relational expressions (i), (ii) and (iii) are as follows. That is, even if tableting is performed at the target weight (X), as described above, due to various factors such as fluctuations in fluidity and specific volume of tableting powder, changes in temperature and humidity, thermal expansion and contraction of punches and dies, etc. The tablet weight per tablet varies. On the other hand, the number of tablets of a plurality of tablets managed within the deviation control width (± D) (n = W /
As is clear from FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 showing the relationship between X) and the measured tablet weights (W), when the weight of a plurality of tablets is measured, the deviation control width (± D) If the cumulative weight of is equal to or more than the lower limit (XD) of the target weight of at least one tablet, the estimated number of tablets (n) may not be determined to a single numerical value.

Specifically, for example, target tablet weight (X) =
Assuming that 200 mg and the deviation control width (D) = ± 5 mg, the cumulative weight (= 5 mg × n; n is the number of tablets) of the deviation control width (± D) is within the range of the target weight control width (= 200 mg ± 5 mg). In other words, if n = 200 mg / (5 mg × 2) = 20, it cannot be determined whether the actual number of tablets is 20 or 21.

More specifically, in the comparison table shown in FIG. 4, Wm is the weight median value when all the tablet weights are at the target value of 200 mg, and WL is the lower limit of the control width when the individual tablet weights are all at the lower limit. The lower weight limit when assuming a certain 195 mg, WH is the upper weight limit assuming that the weight of each tablet is 205 mg which is the upper limit of the control width. As is clear from this table, 200 mg / (5 mg
× 2) = less than 20 tablets, the estimated number of tablets (n = W
/ X) is 100% certainty.

On the other hand, the number of tablet samples was 20 and 21.
Weight lower limit of 21 samples in comparison with
(WL) value of 4095 and the upper limit weight of 20 samples
(WH) value 4100 is reversed, and the measured weight value (W)
Is between 4095 and 4100, the number of tablets is 2
It is unknown whether the data is 0 data or 21 data. Actually, it is unlikely that a plurality of tablets are biased in the vicinity of one of the limit values in the control range, and normally satisfy the formula (ii) within a range where the number does not greatly increase from the above number.
Is determined to be a single integer. However, it cannot be said that it is definitely determined to one integer due to fluctuations in the average weight in the manufacturing process, and the likelihood of not being determined to one integer increases as the measured quantity increases.

In the above comparison table, the formula (iii)
Satisfying a plurality of measured tablet weights (W).
Means that only one tablet number (n) can be determined. Such a relation is represented by the above-mentioned relational expression, and the following relational expression (iiia) is obtained by developing and solving the above-mentioned expression (iii). n <(X−D) / (2 × D) (iiia) By substituting, for example, the above-described example values into this equation (iiia), n <(X−D) / (2 × D) = (200− 5) / (2 × 5) =
19.5. Since n is a positive integer, n has a value of 19 or less, which is consistent with the results from the above table. Therefore, if tablets are collected in the range of the maximum value of the number (n) determined from the target tablet weight (X) and the deviation management width (D) or less (for example, 19 or less in the above example), the number of each collected The correct number can be reliably estimated from the weight (W) of a plurality of tablets without counting.

The operation of the weight management device of the present invention is shown in FIG. That is, the apparatus responds to the weighing start signal from the upper tableting machine management control device, and performs the retreating step (S1).
In, the cylinder retreats, and in the retraction judgment step (S2), the cylinder moves to the lower zero “0” position,
It is determined whether or not the opening of the cylindrical container has reached a predetermined upper position corresponding to the sampling line (or the container bottom has a lower predetermined position). If the predetermined position is not reached, the cylinder is further retracted. When the opening of the cylindrical container is raised to reach the 0 position (the opening of the cylindrical container corresponds to the upper position corresponding to the sampling line), the retreating operation of the cylinder is stopped.

When the cylinder reaches the zero position, the locking portion of the cylinder is released from the extended piece of the cylindrical container, and the process proceeds to the empty weighing step (S3), where zero cancellation (tare) is performed.
I do. After the empty weighing is completed, in the distribution step (S4), the plurality of tablets are distributed without being counted by the distribution means and stored in the cylindrical container. After the distribution step (S4) is completed (operation of the distribution means is stopped), the weighing step (S5)
Then, the weight of a plurality of tablets, the number of which is stored together with the cylindrical container and whose number is unknown, is weighed. When the weighing is completed, in a determination step (S6), it is determined whether or not the relational expressions (i) and (iii) calculated based on the target weight X and the deviation management width (± D) from the target weight are satisfied. If it is determined that the relational expressions (i) and (iii) are not satisfied, the process proceeds to an advancement step (S9) to be described later, and the tablet is discharged by advancement of the cylinder. When the relational expression is satisfied, the calculation step (S
The estimated number of tablets (n = W / X) is calculated in 7), and the average weight per tablet (Xm) or the target weight is calculated.
The weight deviation (錠 剤 X) per tablet with respect to (X) is calculated. Then, in the control step (S8), the set tableting pressure of the automatic pressure control device is set on the basis of the average weight of tablets per tablet (Xm) or the weight deviation () X), which is the control amount data. Or the supply amount of the tableting powder, that is, the depth of the metering rail at the tableting powder supply portion is set.

When the above-mentioned relational expressions (i) and (iii) are not satisfied or when the control step is completed, the process proceeds to a forward step (S9), in which the cylinder as the discharging means is advanced, and a forward determining step (S10) The cylinder is in the upper "A" position,
That is, it is determined whether the container bottom has reached the upper predetermined position or the opening of the cylindrical container has reached the lower predetermined position. If the predetermined position A has not been reached, the cylinder is further advanced to form a cylindrical shape. When the bottom of the container is raised and the opening of the cylindrical container is inclined downward to reach the position A for discharging tablets, the forward movement of the cylinder stops. When the cylinder reaches the position A, the timer is operated in the discharging step (S11) to maintain the inclined state of the cylindrical container for a predetermined time, thereby discharging the tablet from the opening of the cylindrical container. When the operation of the timer is stopped and a predetermined time has elapsed, the retreat step (S12)
, The cylinder moves back to the 0 position, and the weight control operation ends.

Since the weight of the tablet is controlled at predetermined intervals, the setting of the tableting pressure is maintained until the weighing start signal is again supplied from the upper tableting machine management controller, and the weighing start signal is maintained. Is given, the weighing and control operations described above are repeated. The degree of movement of the cylinder and the position of the cylindrical container can be detected using conventional means, for example, a limit switch or a position detection switch.

Using the control apparatus and method as described above, it is possible to calculate the weight of a plurality of tablets without counting the number of tablets.
(W) is measured, and the measurement result is the target weight (X) and the deviation control width.
It is determined whether or not the relational expressions (i) and (iii) calculated based on (± D) are satisfied.If the result of the determination satisfies the relational expression, the target weight (X) and the measured Tablet weight (W) based on the average weight of tablets (X
m) and the weight deviation (ΔX) per one object to be measured with respect to the target weight (X). Based on the average weight and weight deviation data of this tablet, setting of the tableting pressure and volume of the die hole The tablet weight can be controlled by changing the setting and controlling the supply amount of the tablet powder. Therefore, a counting device for counting the number of tablets, a sampling device, an alignment device, and other auxiliary devices are not required, and the tablet weight can be quickly measured with high reliability in spite of its simple structure. The weight can be controlled accurately. Therefore, even with a tableting machine that performs tableting at a high speed, the tablet weight can be managed and controlled with a small management width.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the type of the measuring means for measuring the weight of the tablet is not particularly limited, and the weight can be measured by utilizing mechanical, electrostatic, electric, magnetic or electromagnetic action. Devices such as a balance for sensing can be used. Further, in the device of the present invention, the arithmetic control means includes:
As described above, the estimated number of tablets (n) and the average weight of tablets per tablet (Xm) or the weight deviation data per unit tablet (△
X), and control means for controlling the set value of the tableting pressure in the automatic pressure control device based on the weight deviation data obtained by the calculating means. In combination with the means, it is also possible to constitute an arithmetic discrimination control means. Note that the deviation control width (±
For D), it is desirable to set a value that can be managed by the automatic pressure control device, that is, an actual value of the maximum / minimum variation. Specifically, it is preferable to set a deviation width that should be eliminated as an upper limit abnormality and a lower limit abnormality in the device.

As described above, in the present invention, the number of tablets collected in one measurement is effective with a probability of 100% within the effective range of the formula (iii). i) ~
(iii) assumes that all the tablets are within the lower weight limit (WL) and the upper weight limit (WH) of the tablet management width, and therefore, is actually controlled and controlled to the target value. In the system, this assumption is fairly safe. In practice, it can be considered that the weight distribution of each tablet is normally distributed with a standard deviation (σ), and the control width (D) is set to be equal to or more than three times the standard deviation σ. Normal.
Considering the statistical 2σ and 3σ normal distribution theory, the applicable range is considerably wider than the calculation limit value of the relational expression. Methods for controlling the weight fluctuation of tablets include, for example, a method of measuring the weight of a few tablets and shortening the control interval, and a method of measuring the weight of many tablets and increasing the control interval. Can be adopted.

The collecting means for collecting the tablets may be used for measuring the weight of the entire collecting means together with the tablets collected as described above. When controlling the weight of tablets over a long period of time, the collecting means is used in combination with the discharging means for discharging the collected tablets in order to automatically collect and discharge the tablets. Is advantageous. Further, the collecting means is not limited to the swing mechanism by the cylinder, and may include various swing mechanisms.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the collecting means according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This collecting means comprises, similarly to the collecting container shown in FIG. 1, a cylindrical container (15) capable of accommodating one end of the sampling line (13) on the discharge side, and a sampling line of the cylindrical container. (13) is formed on the upper end surface of the storage portion for storing the end portion, and the sampling line (13)
Notch (1)
5a), and an extension piece (16) formed at the other end of the cylindrical container (15). In the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical container (15), the opening is located at the upper side, the extension piece (16) is located at the lower side, and both sides of the part that can maintain the weight balance in an inclined state, the support base (18) The support member (17) is pivotally supported by a pair of support members (17), and stoppers (2) for defining the inclination angle of the cylindrical container (15) are provided at both ends of the support member (17).
3, 24) are formed. The support table (18) is a weight measuring device such as an electronic balance for measuring a plurality of tablet weights (W).
(19) It is arranged above.

In order to swing the cylindrical container (15) around the pivot, a tilting means is provided with an advancing / retracting means for vertically moving the extending piece (16). In this example, the reciprocating means is a motor for linear drive.
(25) and a conversion mechanism for converting the rotary motion of the motor into a linear motion (for example, a motion conversion mechanism composed of a pinion attached to the rotary shaft of the motor and a rack that can mesh with the pinion, etc.) ) And a rod connected to a linear motion member converted to linear motion by the conversion mechanism.
(26) and a restricting portion (29) having a pair of pins (27, 28) attached to the end of the rod and capable of contacting the extending piece (16). The pins (27, 28) are regulating parts
(29) are formed apart from each other, and the rotation of the cylindrical container (15) is restricted by the weight measurement position, that is, the stopper (23) on the extension piece (16) side of the stoppers (23, 24). In the inclined state, in which the opening of the cylindrical container (15) is located upward and the extending piece (16) is located downward, each pin (27, 28)
Is in a non-contact state with the extension piece (16).

In the above apparatus, when the motor (25) is rotated in one direction to advance the rod (26) downward,
The pin (27) is locked with the extension piece (16) to rotate the cylindrical container (15), and the motor ( 25) Stop the rotation. At this weighing position, as described above, each pin (27, 28) is separated from the extension piece (16) and is in a non-contact state.
Tablet sorting and tablet weighing are performed accurately. After the weight measurement is completed, the motor (25) is rotated in the other direction to retract the rod (26) upward. The rotation of the motor (25) is stopped at the discharge position where the cylindrical container (15) is inclined by the contact with the stopper (24). At the discharge position, the opening of the cylindrical container (15) is located below and the extension piece (16) is located above, so that the tablets in the cylindrical container (15) can be discharged.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the collecting means, and FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the collecting means. In this embodiment, the cylindrical container (1
Except that the extension piece (16) is not formed in 5) and that the tilting means is constituted by a mechanism directly utilizing the rotational movement of the motor, it is the same as the collecting means of the second embodiment. In this example, the L-shaped arm (38) and the connecting arm (39) are in a non-contact state at the time of measurement. That is, the tilting means is the motor (3
6), a holding member (37) to which the motor is attached, and an L-shaped arm (3) to which the rotating shaft of the motor (36) is attached.
8) and the L-shaped arm (3) as the motor (36) rotates.
8) a connecting arm (39) having an engaging pin (39a) at the tip end capable of contacting the curved end, and a tube attached to the connecting arm and passing through the support member (17). Container (15)
And a pivot pin (40) for pivoting the arm. A concave portion for accommodating the engaging pin (39a) of the connecting arm (39) is formed at the curved end of the L-shaped arm (38), and the L-shaped arm (38) and the connecting arm (39) are formed. Form a U-shaped or U-shaped arm by contact with the engaging pin (39a). L-shaped arm
The recess of (38) and the engaging pin (39a) of the connecting arm (39) are normally in a non-contact state.

In such an apparatus, a pair of support members (17)
The cylindrical container (15) pivotally supported by the container has a weight balance maintained in an inclined state in which the opening is located at the upper side and the other end is located at the lower side. When in contact with (23), the cylindrical container (15) is tilted and located at the weight measurement position. At this weighing position, empty weighing, tablet distribution, and tablet weighing are performed as described above. After the weight measurement is completed, rotate the motor (36)
The engagement pin (39) of the connecting arm (39) is
By engaging the a), the cylindrical container (15) is rotated forward and tilted, and the cylindrical container (15) is brought into contact with the stopper (24).
Stops the rotation of the motor (36) at the inclined discharge position.
At the discharge position, since the opening of the cylindrical container (15) is positioned below, the tablets in the cylindrical container (15) can be discharged. Tubular container (1
After discharging the tablets in 5), when the motor (36) is reversed, the cylindrical container (15) gradually tilts in the reverse direction with the reverse rotation of the motor (36) due to the weight balance of the cylindrical container, The inclination of the cylindrical container (15) is restricted by the contact with the stopper (23), and the cylindrical container (15) returns to the normal weight measurement position. The motor (36) is further reversed slightly and stopped, and the L-shaped arm (38)
Is disengaged from the engagement pin (39a) of the connecting arm (39), and the non-contact state is established.

The collecting means is not limited to the straight tubular cylindrical container as described above, but may be constituted by various containers capable of storing tablets, and the discharging means causes the discharging means to tilt the cylindrical container. Not only the tilting means (cylinder or the like) for this purpose but also a discharging means detachable from the container.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing the collecting means of the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, tablets distributed by the same distribution means as in the first embodiment and conveyed through the sampling line (13) are U-shaped tablets having both ends opened as a collection container. It is led to the receiving tube (41). The discharge port side of the sampling line (13) is located in the receiving pipe (41) in a non-contact state. The receiving tube (41) is supported by a support (18) as a support member, and the support is mounted on a weighing device (19). In order to discharge a plurality of tablets contained in the receiving tube (41) by suction, this U-shaped receiving tube is used.
At (41), a suction pipe (42) is provided at the discharge port on the side opposite to the introduction port and communicates in a non-contact state in close proximity, and this suction pipe communicates with a discharge container (not shown). Connected. Further, a suction unit (discharge unit) such as a decompression pump is connected to the discharge container via a conduit that can be opened and closed by an electromagnetic valve.

When using such a collecting means,
In response to the weighing start signal, in the suction and discharge step,
The tablets are discharged from the receiving tube by the suction, and when the discharge of the tablets is completed, the empty weighing step is performed in the empty weighing step. A plurality of tablets are introduced into the receiving tube. After the tablet distribution is completed, in the weighing step, the weights of the plurality of tablets accommodated in the receiving tube are weighed, and in the determination step, it is determined whether or not the relational expressions (i) and (iii) are satisfied, If the relational expressions (i) and (iii) are satisfied, the estimated number of tablets is calculated in the calculating step.
(n = W / X) and the average weight (Xm) or weight deviation (△ X) of each tablet are calculated, and in the control step, the set tableting pressure of the automatic pressure control device or the volume of the die hole is adjusted. Then, the supply amount of the tableting powder is set. Equations (i) and (iii)
If not satisfied, return to the suction and discharge step,
The weight control operation ends.

The bent tube serving as the collecting container only has to be curved or bent downward at the intermediate portion, and is not limited to a U-shaped receiving tube as shown in FIG. It may be a curved tube, a V-shaped tube, or the like.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure between the suction guide means and the suction conveyance means, and FIG. 14 is a process diagram for explaining the operation of the suction and discharge means. This weight management device is a rotary tableting machine
The tablets (30) taken out from the plurality of dies (3) formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the turntable (2) of (1) are taken out by a take-out guide (1).
0), an inverted L-shaped suction guide tube (46) having a hanging portion for sucking and guiding from the suction port (45) while guiding by the suction port (45), and a connecting portion (47 ) Are arranged so as to be able to communicate with each other in a non-contact state, and an L-shaped suction conveyance pipe (48) for conveying tablets, and a tablet (30) conveyed by the suction conveyance pipe are collected. Collection container for receiving and storing (49)
And a suction / discharge pipe (52) arranged so as to be vertically movable in the axial direction in a non-contact state with respect to the upper opening (50) of the collection container,
A weight measuring device (19) such as an electronic balance for measuring the weight of the tablets collected in the collection container is provided, and the suction conveyance pipe (48), the collection container (49), and the suction and discharge The pipe (52) constitutes a cyclone type collecting device.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 13, the connecting portion (47) is provided with a flange portion (46) of the suction guide tube (46).
a) is closely opposed to the flange portion (48a) of the suction conveyance pipe (48) in a non-contact state. Also, the central axis of the suction guide tube (46) and the central axis of the suction transfer tube (48) are located on substantially the same axis, and in order to enhance the suction effect, the inner diameter (b) of the suction transfer tube (48)
Is larger than the inner diameter (a) of the suction guide tube (46) (a <b). When the connecting portion (47) having such a structure is formed, the tablet (30) can be efficiently sucked, and even if the weight of the tablet (30) acts on the collecting container (49), The descent is not restricted by the connection (47). Therefore, the weight of the device can be reduced, the installation height can be reduced, the device can be made compact, and the weight of the tablet can be smoothly and accurately measured by the weight measuring device (19) together with the collection container (49).
Furthermore, the tablets (3
Collection container (49) for containing the suction transport tube (4).
8), an upper cylindrical portion (49a) connected to the lower portion, a frustoconical portion (49b) connected downward from the cylindrical portion, and a lower cylindrical portion (49c) connected downward from the frustoconical portion. ). A rotation restricting plate (51) for restricting the collected tablet component from rotating together with the vortex at the bottom of the cyclone-type collecting container (49) is attached to the lower cylindrical portion (49c). .

The suction / discharge pipe (52) is connected to a suction device such as an ejector or a suction means such as a decompression pump. When a suction unit such as an ejector is used, the suction force may be managed and controlled by installing a flow meter. The suction / discharge tube (52) can move up and down in the direction of the central axis of the collection container (49). That is, the upper part of the suction / discharge pipe (52) is held by a holding member (54) via an arm (53b) by a clamp (53a), and the holding member is connected to a guide rail (55 It can slide up and down along 56). The holding member (54) is slidable on the guide rail (56) by a dovetail structure. Further, in order to vertically move the suction / discharge pipe (52) in association with the suction / collection of the tablet, the weighing and the discharge of the tablet, the holding member (54) has two cylinders (5
The piston rod (5,
9) is installed. By using the suction / discharge pipe (52) in a non-contact state with respect to such a collection container (49), the weight of the apparatus can be reduced.

The operation of the suction / discharge pipe (52) is as follows. As shown in FIG. 14, in the (A) empty weighing step, the suction / discharge pipe (52) is released upward from the opening (50) of the cyclone-type collection container (49) to perform empty weighing. That is, both of the cylinders (57, 58) extend to advance the piston rod (59) upward, and the opening of the suction / discharge pipe (52) rises above the opening (50) of the collection container (49). Move the end. Therefore, the weight of the collection container (49) can be measured stably and smoothly without being in contact with the suction / discharge tube (52) and the suction guide tube (46).

After this empty weighing, in the (B) collecting step,
The suction / discharge pipe (52) enters the inside of the collection container (49), and a vortex is generated by the suction force of the suction means to collect the tablets. That is, one of the cylinders (57, 58)
(58) or the cylinder (57) is contracted to lower the piston rod (59), and the suction / discharge pipe (52) enters the collection container (49) in a non-contact state from the opening (50), The lowering of the piston rod (59) stops when the opening end of the suction / discharge pipe (52) is at a predetermined upper position in the collection container (49). Collection container (49) and suction discharge pipe
In order to keep (52) in a non-contact state, a slight clearance occurs between the two. In this state, when the suction means is operated and the inside of the collection container (49) is suctioned by the suction and discharge pipe (52), a cyclone type collection device is constituted, and the suction port of the suction guide pipe (46) is formed.
The airflow from (45) is a spiral along the inner wall of the collection container (49), and becomes a downward flow that tapers downward, and the tablets are transported by this downward flow to collect the collection container (49). A spiral or tornado-shaped upward flow reaching the suction / discharge pipe (52) is generated in the direction of the central axis of the collection container (49). Therefore, tablets can be collected in a short time by a simple structure including the suction mechanism and the cyclone type collection container.

After storing the tablets (30) in the collection container (49) in this manner, in the (C) weighing step, the suction / discharge tube (52) is opened through the opening (50) of the collection container (49). Is released upward, and the weight of the collected tablet (30) is measured. That is, the one contracted cylinder (58) or the cylinder (57) extends to raise the suction / discharge pipe (52), and the opening of the collection container (49) is opened.
The open end of the suction / discharge pipe (52) is moved above (50).
Therefore, the tablet weight can be stably and smoothly measured by the weight measuring device (19) together with the collection container (49) in a non-contact state with the suction / discharge tube (52) and the suction guide tube (46). The weight data measured by the weight measuring device (19) is provided to a control unit for controlling the set value of the tableting pressure and the depth of the die hole in the automatic pressure control device of the tableting machine.

Note that the collection container (4
When weighing in a non-contact state by bringing the 9) and the suction / discharge tube (52) close to each other, the weighing value is not stabilized due to static electricity or the like, and the weighing accuracy may be reduced. It is desirable that the suction / discharge tube (52) be released above the collection container (49) and weighed. Although not shown in the figure, the weighing portion may be covered in a non-contact state with a cover made of metal or resin which has been subjected to antistatic treatment in order to suppress the influence of static electricity and wind. In addition, the weight data of the tablet needs to be an average weight value, and the number data of the collected tablets is required for calculating the average weight value. For this reason,
For example, the number of tablets taken out from the tableting machine may be counted, but in combination with the weight management device of the first embodiment, the number of tablets is determined by measuring the weight of a plurality of tablets. With this configuration, the average weight data can be calculated more easily and quickly.

After the weighing is completed, in the cleaning step (D), the suction / discharge pipe (52) is made to enter the deep portion of the collection container (49) to suck and discharge the collected tablets by the suction force of the suction means. . That is, both cylinders (57, 58) contract, and the suction / discharge pipe (52) is lowered. When the distal end of the suction / discharge pipe (52) reaches a predetermined position close to the bottom of the lower cylindrical portion (49c) of the collection container (49), the contraction of the cylinders (57, 58) stops and the collection container ( The tablet in 49) is discharged through the suction and discharge pipe (52) by the suction force of the suction means. At this time, in the lower cylindrical portion (49c) of the collection container (49), the tablet (30) rotating along the inner wall surface together with the vortex may not be able to be suctioned and discharged. But,
Since the device is provided with a rotation restricting plate (51) for restricting rotation of the tablet in the lower cylindrical portion (49c), the suction / discharge tube (52)
Thus, the tablet can be efficiently sucked and discharged. Further, in order to manage the weight of the tablet at predetermined intervals, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the (A) empty weighing step, (B) collection step,
The operations of (C) the weighing step and (D) the cleaning step are repeated.

In such an apparatus, the tablets are collected using a cyclone-type collecting apparatus and the weight is measured, so that the tablets can be handled regardless of the shape, and the tablets can be collected by the suction mechanism. Despite the collection, no solid-gas separation means such as a bag filter is required, the structure is simple,
Tablet weight can be measured within a short time. Moreover, there is no need to replace parts according to the item, and the tablet weight can be measured stably and accurately with high workability. for that reason,
The time from tablet collection to weighing and weight control can be shortened, and using the weight measurement data, the setting value of the tableting pressure or the volume of the die hole in the automatic pressure control device is adjusted to supply the tableting powder. By controlling the amount, the tablet weight can be quickly and accurately controlled in accordance with the tableting speed of the tablet.

The connection between the suction guide means having the suction port and the suction conveyance means is used for measuring the weight of a straight or bent or curved tube interposed between the tableting machine and the collection container. It can be formed in a portion that does not adversely affect, and the structure of the connection portion is not particularly limited. When the collecting device is located at the lower part of the turntable of the tableting machine, the tubular body is often constituted by an L-shaped or Z-shaped bent tubular body, etc., and the end face and the flange portion of the tubular body In many cases, a vertically extending part of the hanging part of the tube body is separated vertically, and a part extending in the horizontal direction such as a horizontal part is separated in the horizontal direction and is opposed to each other in a non-contact state.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the connection structure between the suction guide means and the suction carry-out means. In this example, the connection part is formed in a horizontal portion extending in the lateral direction. It should be noted that the same members as those of the connecting portion shown in FIG. That is, a horizontal portion is formed in the bent suction guide tube (46) for suctioning from the suction port (45), and a straight tube-shaped suction transfer tube (48) connects the connection portion (47) to the horizontal portion. They are arranged so as to be able to communicate with each other in a non-contact state. The straight suction conveyance pipe (48) is attached to the collection container (49). Also,
The flange portion (46a) of the suction guide tube (46) is connected to the suction transfer tube (4).
8) is closely opposed to the flange portion (48a) in a non-contact state. When forming the connection part (47) of such a structure, the tablet
Even if the weight of (30) acts on the collection container (49), the collection container (49)
Is not restricted by the connection (47). The suction conveyance tube may be omitted, and the flange portion of the suction guide tube may be directly opposed to the opening provided in the side wall of the collection container in a non-contact state.

FIGS. 16 to 18 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a weight management device of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing the connection structure between the suction guide means and the suction conveyance means, and FIG. 18 is a process diagram for explaining the operation of the suction and discharge means. This weight management device sucks a tablet (30) taken out from a plurality of die holes (3a) formed at intervals on a turntable (2) of a rotary tableting machine through a suction port (45). L-shaped suction guide tube (46) for guiding the suction guide tube, and an L-shaped suction conveyance which is arranged to be able to communicate with the suction guide tube in a non-contact state via a connecting portion (47). A pipe (48), a collecting container (49) for collecting and containing the tablets (30) transported by the suction transport pipe, and a non-contact state with the opening (50) of the collecting container. (52)
And a weight measuring device (19) for measuring the weight of the collected tablets, and a suction transfer pipe (4
8), a collecting container (49) and a suction / discharge pipe (52) constitute a cyclone type collecting device.

As shown in FIG. 17, the suction guide tube
The end of (46) is inserted into the suction conveyance pipe (48) in a non-contact state. Further, a connecting portion (47) between the suction guide tube (46) and the suction conveyance tube (48) is formed at an end of a downwardly extending portion of the inverted L-shaped suction guide tube (46). Packing (46b) having an uneven surface formed by a plurality of annular concave portions whose depth gradually decreases from the portion toward the side, and the suction guide tube of the L-shaped suction transfer tube (48) A packing (46) formed on the upper end portion facing the hanging portion of (46), and having an uneven surface that gradually increases from the center toward the side on the upper surface corresponding to the uneven surface of the packing (46b). 48b), and these packings (46b, 48b) form a labyrinth seal structure.

The collecting container (49) for containing the tablet (30) has an upper cylindrical portion (49a), a conical portion (49b) and a lower cylindrical portion (4).
9c). A skirt portion (60) that expands in a skirt shape toward the inside of the collection container (49) is formed at an edge of an opening (50) formed in the upper central portion of the collection container (49). The outer surface of the end located in the collection container (49) of the suction and discharge pipe (52) that can move up and down in a non-contact state with respect to the opening (50) of the collection container (49), A conical seal portion (61) is formed that can be brought into contact with the skirt portion (60) in a non-contact state as the suction / discharge pipe (52) rises.

The suction / discharge tube connected to the suction means
(52) can be moved up and down in the center axis direction of the collection container (49) by a vertical movement mechanism. That is, the upper portion of the suction / discharge tube (52) is held by the holding member (64) via the arm portion (64a) by the clamp (63), and a pair of guide rails (65, 65) is provided at both ends of the holding member. Is installed. Further, in order to vertically move the suction and discharge pipe (52) in association with the suction and collection of tablets, weighing and discharge of tablets, the holding member (64) includes:
A piston rod (68) that can move up and down by two cylinders (66, 67) is mounted.

The operation of the suction / discharge tube (52) is as follows. As shown in FIG. 18, in the (A) empty weighing step, one of the cylinders (66) extends to advance the piston rod (68), and the other cylinder (67) contracts. While maintaining the state, the sealing part of the suction / discharge pipe (52) is inserted from the skirt part (60) of the opening part (50) of the collection container (49).
(61) is released inward. After this empty weighing, in the (B) collection step, the other cylinder (67) is also extended to advance the piston rod (68) further upward, and the opening (50) of the collection container (49) is closed. At a position where a slight clearance is generated between the skirt portion (60) and the seal portion (61) of the suction / discharge tube (52), the advance of the piston rod (68) stops. In this state, when the suction means is operated and the inside of the collection container (49) is suctioned by the suction and discharge pipe (52), a cyclone type collection device is constituted, and the tablets (3
0) is conveyed and collected and stored in the collection container (49).

After storing the tablets in the collection container (49), (C)
In the weighing step, the suction / discharge pipe (52) descends due to the contraction of the other cylinder (67), and the opening (50) of the collection container (49)
The seal (61) of the suction / discharge tube (52) is released inward from the skirt (60). Therefore, the weight of the tablet is collected in a non-contact state with the suction / discharge pipe (52) and the suction guide pipe (46).
Measurement can be performed smoothly with the weight measuring device (19) together with (49). Then, after the weighing is completed, in the (D) cleaning step, one of the cylinders (66) is also contracted, and the suction / discharge pipe (52) is further lowered. When the cylinder reaches a predetermined position close to the bottom, the contraction of the cylinder (66) stops, and the tablets in the collection container (49) are discharged through the suction / discharge pipe (52). Further, in the same manner as described above, the operations of the steps (A), (B), (C) and (D) are repeated after a predetermined time has elapsed in order to manage the weight of the tablet at predetermined intervals.

The suction guide means may be provided with a suction port in a region where a suction force acts on the tablet or tablet component, and a guide means such as a take-out guide shown in FIG. 12 for smoothly sucking the tablet component. A scraping blade or the like may be provided according to the form of the tablet component such as a disintegrated tablet component. The connection structure between the suction guide means and the suction discharge means can communicate with each other in a non-contact state within a range where the suction force capable of transporting the tablet component acts, and various structures can be adopted as long as the weight measurement is not hindered. . Preferably, the suction guide means and the suction conveyance means are close to each other. Especially,
It is preferable that the end of the suction guide means and the end of the suction conveyance means face each other in a non-contact state close to each other and can be relatively displaced in the vertical direction.

The structure of the connecting portion is not necessarily the structure shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, it is not necessary to connect in a non-contact state at the hanging part of the tube, and as shown in FIGS. The portion may be constituted by a tube that can communicate in a non-contact state. Further, in the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the end of the suction guide tube is inserted into the suction conveyance tube in a non-contact state, but the end of the suction conveyance tube is inserted into the suction guide tube. Alternatively, the labyrinth seal structure may be formed by the pair of packings in a state where the suction guide tube and the suction conveyance tube have their end faces abutting each other.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing another modification of the connection structure between the suction guide means and the suction conveyance means. In this modification, the end of the suction guide tube (46) is inserted into the suction conveyance tube (48) in a non-contact state. The suction conveyance pipe (48) is connected to and connected to the collection container (49) as described above. Further, a connecting portion (47) between the suction guide pipe (46) and the suction conveyance pipe (48) is an inverted L
Formed at the end of the hanging part of the V-shaped suction guide tube (46),
And a packing (46b) having a plurality of annular concave portions formed on the lower surface.
And the suction guide tube of the L-shaped suction transfer tube (48)
A packing (48b) formed at an upper end portion facing the hanging portion of the (46), and formed with an annular protrusion that can be accommodated with a clearance in the annular recess of the packing (46b). Packings (46b, 48b) form a labyrinth seal structure.

The shape and structure of the collection vessel are such that the suction vessel discharges the inside of the collection vessel, whereby an air flow is introduced from the suction conveyance pipe, and the inside of the collection vessel has a vortex shape along the wall surface. The flow is not particularly limited as long as it can generate a downward flow that tapers toward the vertical direction and a spiral or tornado-like upward flow along the central axis of the collection container. Further, the cyclone type collecting container usually has an upper cylindrical portion and a lower conical portion, and the lower cylindrical portion is not always necessary.

The regulating member provided at the bottom of the cyclone-type collecting container only needs to be capable of restricting the rotation of the collected tablet components, and may be formed of a gas-permeable member such as a metal mesh. At least one regulating member may be provided at the bottom of the collection container, and a plurality of regulating members may be provided. The shape and size of the regulating member are not particularly limited.
At the bottom of the collection vessel, the radial length is 10
The height may be selected according to the number of tablets to be collected, and by providing this regulating member, the measured tablets in the collection container can be efficiently removed. In addition, the apparatus used in the present invention is to coat the inner surface of the collection container or pipe with a non-adhesive resin having a low surface tension, such as a fluororesin, in order to suppress the adhesion of solid components such as tablets. Good.

The suction and discharge pipe which can be suctioned by the suction means is
In a non-contact state with the opening of the cyclone type collection container,
It is preferable to dispose the trapping vessel up and down in the axial direction of the trapping vessel in the range from the bottom area to the upper area of the opening because the static electricity is not affected at the time of weighing, as shown in FIG. In addition, the suction / discharge tube may be movable up and down in the collection container. Further, in the collecting step and the cleaning step, the suction / discharge tube may be in non-contact or in contact with the collecting container.

The vertical movement mechanism of the suction / discharge tube is not particularly limited. That is, the suction / discharge means is not limited to the cylinder, but may be any of various reciprocating mechanisms, for example, a mechanism for converting a rotary motion into a reciprocating linear motion (for example, a pinion of a stepping motor, a combination of a gear and a rack, a rod having a spiral portion, And a nut member). In addition,
The outlet of the suction / discharge means (suction / discharge pipe) is connected to another cyclone-type collection container similar to the above via an ejector, and the tablet component discharged through the suction / discharge means is collected in this collection device. You may.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a schematic side view of a weight management device, and FIG. 21 is a schematic sectional view showing a connection structure between a collecting means and a suction means. It is. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION Since the weight management apparatus and the management method of this invention can aspirate and collect a tablet in a short time, and can measure a weight, the tablet component of at least one precompression layer of the laminated tablet comprised by several layers That is, the present invention can be suitably applied to the weight control of a tablet pre-compressed prior to the main compression. In the seventh embodiment, the present invention is applied to a two-layer tablet rotary tableting machine having a preliminary compression zone and a main compression zone.

As shown in FIG. 20, the rotary tableting machine
(1), similarly to the first embodiment, a plurality of dies (3) having a die hole (3a) are attached in the circumferential direction of the turntable (2), and the die hole (3a) is At the corresponding position, several upper punches (4)
Are held by the upper punch holding plate (5) so as to be able to move up and down with respect to the die hole (3a) of the rotating disk (2), and the punch tips of a plurality of lower punches (6) are formed in the die hole (3a). It is held by a lower punch holding plate (7) so as to be able to move up and down.

The powder in the mortar (3a) is tableted,
The head of the upper punch (4) comes into contact with the upper punch guide rail (8) to remove the tableted tablet component from the die hole (3a).
The head of (6) is in contact with the lower punch guide rail (9). That is, in the pre-compression zone of the compression zone, the upper punch guide rail (8) curves toward the lower turntable (2),
The upper punch (4) is guided to the pre-compression roller by forming a descending orbit having a small height, and the first punch filled in the die hole (3a) in the filling zone.
Lightly compresses the granular material for the layer. On the other hand, in this compression zone, the upper punch guide rail (8) is curved downward to form a descending trajectory having a large height, and the upper punch (4) is guided to the compression roller to form the die hole (3a). The powdery granules for the second layer added together with the pre-compression molded body in the inside are compressed at high pressure.
Also, in the demolding zone, the lower punch guide rail (9) forms a rising trajectory that curves toward the upper turntable (2) side.
The fully compressed tablet is continuously removed from the die hole (3a) by the lower punch (6) moving up and down in (3a). In such a rotary tableting device, the pre-compression and the main compression can be continuously performed with the rotation of the turntable (2), and the tablet can be taken out from the die hole (3a).

Then, a predetermined number of first holes are formed from the plurality of mortar holes (3a).
In order to take out the tablet component for the layer and accurately control the weight thereof, there is provided a take-out mechanism constituted by a lever (not shown) and a rising track member (70). That is, on the downstream side of the preliminary compression zone, the lower punch is operated by lever operation.
The ascending track member (70) which is horizontally movable between the head of (6) and the lower punch guide rail (9) and whose upper end surface is curved upward along the circumferential direction is moved. This ascending track member (7
0) measures the weight of the pre-compressed tablet component and corrects the weight variation by manually or automatically operating the lever between the lower punch (6) and the lower punch guide rail (9). Any or regular (for example, every 20 minutes or every 30 minutes)
Can be moved to The lower punch (6) rises along the inclined surface of the rising track member (70) by the rising track member (70) interposed between the lower punch (6) and the lower punch guide rail (9), and is pre-compressed. On the downstream side of the zone, the tip of the lower punch (6) can be raised flush with the die (3) or higher than the surface of the die (3). Therefore, with the rotation of the turntable (2), the tablet components pre-compressed in the pre-compression zone become mortar holes (3) corresponding to an appropriate number of tablets.
It is continuously taken from a).

On the other hand, the pre-compressed tablet component is only lightly compressed and is not firmly integrally formed. This is because if the layers are strongly compressed by the pre-compression, the layers are hardly integrated at the time of the main compression, and the obtained tablet is easily decomposed between the layers due to a light impact or the like. Therefore, the pre-compressed tablet component is often fragile at the time of removal, and the device is close to the die hole (3a) so as to efficiently collect the entire amount of the tablet component even if broken. It has a collection container (73) provided with a collection tube (72) in which a suction port (71) is arranged. In the collection container (73), the tablet component is sucked to suppress the leakage of the tablet component and efficiently collected in the collection container (73). A connecting pipe (75) to which the means (74) is attached is connected. The connecting pipe (75) has a suction pipe (76) connected to suction means (not shown) such as a decompression pump.
Is detachable.

In this embodiment, the connection mechanism between the connection pipe (75) and the suction pipe (76) is, as shown in FIG. 21, a suction pipe (76) having an inner diameter larger than that of the connection pipe (75). An inflatable / contractible ring-shaped bag (77) attached to the inner surface of the end portion, and a fluid supply pipe (78) for injecting or discharging a fluid (gas or liquid) into or from the ring-shaped bag. . The suction pipe (76) can move forward or backward with respect to the connection pipe (75).
When such a connection mechanism is used, the suction pipe (76) is advanced to the connection site with respect to the connection pipe (75), and when the fluid is injected from the fluid supply pipe (78) into the ring-shaped bag (77), the ring Bag (7
With the expansion of 7), the connection pipe (75) and the suction pipe (76) can be hermetically connected. After connecting the connection pipe (75) and the suction pipe (76), the suction operation is started to suction the tablet component taken out from the die hole (3a), and to provide a trap provided with solid-gas separation means. The collection container (73) allows for simple and efficient collection. After further collecting the tablet components, the suction operation is stopped, the fluid in the ring-shaped bag (77) is discharged from the fluid supply pipe (78), and the suction pipe (76) is connected to the connection pipe (75). By retracting the connection pipe, the connection between the connection pipe (75) and the suction pipe (76) can be released.

The lever of the take-out mechanism is released, and
By moving the ascending track member (70) interposed between the lower punch (6) and the lower punch guide rail (9) to the side, the collection of the pre-compressed tablet components can be stopped. Therefore, the number of pre-compressed tablet components is determined by adjusting the rotation speed of the turntable (2) and the intervening time of the ascending track member (70), so that the number of dies to be passed is determined. The number, ie, the time required for the number of dies to pass, can be set by setting a timer or a sequencer. Further, the interval for taking out the tablets may be set in a timer or a sequencer. The tablet component may be counted by visually or automatically counting the number of vertical movements of the lower punch on the downstream side of the preliminary compression zone. The number of times the lower punch moves up and down (ie, the number of ejections of the tablet component) is automatically determined using a conventional sensor, for example, an optical detection device equipped with a proximity sensor or an optical sensor. Can be counted. Further, a synchronizing means for generating a synchronizing signal in conjunction with the vertical movement of the upper and lower punches, and a counting means for counting the number of sampling of the tablet component taken out from the die hole in response to the synchronizing signal from the synchronizing means. May be provided.

Note that the weight control apparatus and the control method of the present invention such as the first embodiment can be used in the seventh embodiment. The number can be estimated. For this reason, the device for counting is unnecessary, and there is no risk of counting errors. Accurate calculations can be performed.

Then, in order to measure the weight of the collected tablet components, the connection with the suction pipe (76) is released, and the weight of the entire collection container for collecting the tablet components is determined by the weight of a balance or the like. It is measured by a measuring device (19).

In such a weight control device, the pre-compressed tablet component is taken out by the take-out mechanism, and the tablet component is collected in the collection container together with the suction so that the weight can be measured. Therefore, based on the measurement data, the weight of the tablet can be controlled by controlling the volume of the mortar, the supply amount of the tablet component to the mortar, or the tableting pressure, and the weight of each layer of the laminated tablet can be accurately controlled. That is, by feeding back the weight data to the control device of the rotary tableting machine and controlling the supply amount or the tableting pressure of the tablet component into the die, the pre-compressed tablet component (that is, the first component in this example, Layer component), and thus the weight of the entire tablet can be controlled with high precision.

Therefore, the second and third layers of the two-layer tablet and the three-layer tablet
As for the layer, the weight of the second and third layers is measured by subtracting the weight of the first layer or the weight of the first and second layers from the total weight data. In addition, the weight of each component, which is important as tablet quality, can be accurately controlled. Moreover, it is not necessary to compress the tablet component to be pre-compressed strongly for sampling, or to count and weigh the obtained tablets.
That is, there is no need to change the manufacturing conditions for sampling, so that it is possible to efficiently sample while continuously compressing without stopping the production line, and to measure the weight of the pre-compressed component in a short time. Therefore, the measured data is fed back to a control device of a tableting machine (a punch-based control device that controls based on a threshold value related to a tableting pressure, an average value control device that uses an average pressure in a rotation cycle, and the like) and used. Thus, even if a rotary tableting machine that is continuously tableted at a high speed is used, the loss of the process and the granular material can be greatly reduced.

There are no particular restrictions on the taking-out means and the taking-out mechanism for taking out the tablet component from the mortar. The lower punch can be arranged between the lower punch guide rail for moving the lower punch upward, and the lower punch can be further moved upward to discharge the tablet component from the die hole. .

The number (amount) of collected tablet components in one measurement may be one tablet, or two to 500 tablets, preferably five to 200 tablets, more preferably ten to ten tablets. It is good to have 100 tablets. As a method for controlling the weight fluctuation of the tablet, for example, a method of measuring a small number of tablet components and shortening the control interval, a method of measuring a large number of tablet components and lengthening the control interval, and the like can be adopted.

The collecting means for collecting the tablet components may be used for measuring the weight of the whole collecting means together with the collected tablet components, and a container body for accommodating the tablet components and a container body for storing the tablet components. It may be constituted by a collecting portion which is detachable and capable of collecting tablet components.

FIG. 22 is a schematic sectional view showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 (A) shows a state at the time of collection, and FIG. 22 (B) shows a state at the time of disposal of the collected tablet components. The state of each is shown. As shown in FIG. 22 (A), the weight measuring device (19)
The collection container arranged above has a container body (79) having an open bottom surface and a closed bottom, and a sheet-like flexible valve body (80) attached to the container body and covering the opening. A collector (81) which is detachable from the container body (79) and has a suction port (71) extending in the vicinity of the die hole (that is, a suction area), and is connected to the collector; Further, a connection pipe (75) having a solid-gas separation sheet (74) such as a bag filter attached to the opening is provided. The flexible valve body (80)
Can be hung from the lower surface of the container body (79), and the opening at the bottom of the container body (79) is opened with the hanging of the flexible valve body (80).

The connection between the container body (79) and the collector (81) is made by a ring-shaped bag similar to that described above, which expands and contracts with the supply and discharge of fluid from a fluid supply pipe (not shown). This is performed using (82). That is, the downward movement of the flange portion (79a) formed at the opening edge of the container body (79) can be regulated by a regulating member (not shown), and the flange portion (79a) is formed at the lower opening edge of the collector (81). The upward movement of the flange portion (81a) can be regulated by a regulating member (not shown). Therefore, when the ring-shaped bag (82) interposed between the flanges (79a, 81a) is expanded, the container body (79) and the collector (81) are connected, and the container is sucked through the connection pipe (75). The tablet component is sucked into the container body (79) and the collector (81) through the suction port (71) and collected. After collecting a predetermined amount of tablet components, the ring-shaped bag (82) is contracted to disconnect the container body (79) from the collector (81), and the regulating member and the flange portion (81a)
By releasing the locking of the trap, the upward movement of the flange (81a) of the collector (81) is also released.

Then, the collector (81) is opened from the container body (79), the tablet component in the collector (81) is collected in the container body (79), and the regulating member and the flange (79a) are collected. ) Can be released. As a result, the flange portion of the container body (79)
The downward movement restriction of (79a) can be released, and the weight of the container body (79) together with the tablet component can be measured by the weight measuring device (19).

After the weight of the tablet components was measured, FIG.
As shown in (B), the container body (79) is slid to move to the disposal zone, the opening of the opening is released by the sheet-like flexible valve (80), and the tablet component is disposed of in the disposal zone. Can be discarded in the department. The container body may be a container body having an opening that can be closed by a valve body, or may be a bottomed container body.

The tablet components adhering to the inner wall of the collector (81) and the bag filter can be collected by mechanical means (a conventional method such as scraping). When the collector is constituted by a hollow cylindrical cylinder and a piston rod slidable in the cylinder, the tablet components attached to the inner wall of the cylinder are mechanically removed by a simple method of sliding the rod. It can be collected efficiently. In addition to the mechanical means, it is also possible to perform backwashing using compressed air and collect the attached tablet components.

In order to efficiently collect the tablet components in the collecting means, the vicinity of the mortar (the area where the suction force acts)
It is preferable to provide a suction port at the bottom, and the suction port may be open downward, obliquely or laterally with respect to the turntable. The shape of the suction port is not particularly limited, and may be a circle, an ellipse, a square, or the like, or may be wide as a slit. Further, the suction port may have a curved planar shape corresponding to the outer peripheral edge of the die or the die hole. Incidentally, the collecting means can be constituted by other means, for example, a collecting device provided with a cyclone-type suction mechanism used in the fifth embodiment, whereby tablets and the like from the collecting container can be formed. Discharge can be simplified.

The weight data measured by the weight measuring device can be input to an input device of a control device for controlling the tableting pressure of a tableting machine. The weight of the tablet can be efficiently controlled with high precision by controlling the filling amount (volume) of the powder and granules into the mortar and the tableting pressure by inputting to the control unit.

In the seventh and eighth embodiments, the case where the first layer of the two-layer tablet is pre-compressed has been described as an example. However, the device of the present invention is composed of a plurality of layers such as a three-layer tablet. In the laminated tablet, the weight management of the component forming at least one pre-compressed layer of the laminated tablet, that is, the tablet component pre-compressed prior to the main compression (for example, in the laminated tablet composed of n layers, N which is pre-compressed prior to the main compression
-1 pre-compression). Further, since the device of the present invention can measure the weight of tablet components in a relatively short time, it is also useful for weight management of non-laminated tablets and fully compressed laminated tablets.

In each of the above embodiments, the tableting machine
It is not limited to the rotary (rotary) tableting machine, but may be a single stroke type tableting machine. Depending on the layer structure of the tablet, a two-stage compression tableting machine constituted by pre-compression and main compression, and a multi-stage compression tableting machine constituted by a plurality of pre-compression and main compression can be used. Tableting pressure is usually 100 to 500
0 kg / cm ² , preferably 500-3000 kg / c
m ² , and the pre-compression pressure is usually 10 to 500 kg / cm ² , preferably 20 to 10 kg / cm ² .
^{0kg / cm 2 (20~60kg / cm} 2), more preferably about 50 to 100 / cm ^2.

The size and type of the tablet to be tableted are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a circle, an ellipse, an oblong, an oval, an almond, an arrowhead, a bullet, and a polygon (a square such as a triangle or a rectangle). Etc.), a semicircle, a heart shape, a diamond shape, and the like. Also, the diameter of the tablet, for example,
0.3-3cm, weight is, for example, 20-3000mg
Often around.

These tablet components include, for example, active ingredients (pharmacologically active ingredients and physiologically active ingredients), excipients (lactose,
Corn starch, crystalline cellulose, light silicic anhydride, talc, etc., binders (sucrose, gelatin, gum arabic, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, starches, etc.), disintegrants (cornstarch, carmellose calcium, cloth) Carmellose sodium, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, etc.), lubricants (magnesium stearate, talc, etc.), surfactants, coloring agents, flavoring agents, etc. May be formed.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the apparatus and the method of the present invention are applied to the tablet compression step has been described. However, solid substances applicable to the present invention include coating preparations such as sugar coatings and film coating agents, and the like. It can also be applied to capsules, vials, ceramic products, etc., especially in the process of coating repeatedly, such as sugar-coated tablets, in order to precisely control the amount of coating agent applied in each process. Useful.

That is, FIG. 23 is a schematic configuration diagram of a weight management device showing a ninth embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a coating device. The coating device (85) is configured so that the coating pan (86) is rotatably supported on a rotating shaft (87) and can rotate while containing the tablets to be coated. An opening (88) is provided in a portion facing the inside of the coating pan (86), and a cylindrical member (8) is provided in the opening (88).
9), and fix the cylindrical member (89) to a stationary member (not shown), and cover the cylindrical member (89) with an outer opening.
(90) is attached to open and close freely.

A liquid supply passage (91) is formed so as to penetrate the upper portion of the cylindrical member (89), and a spray nozzle (92) is attached to the inner end of the liquid supply passage (91) for coating. The supply liquid from the liquid supply path (91) can be sprayed on the tablets in the pan (86). In addition, a tablet charging pipe (9
3) is penetrated so that the tablets contained in the hopper (94) can be put into the coating pan (86) as required. Further, a tablet outlet (95) is formed at a lower portion of the cylindrical member (89), and a coating pan is formed.
The tablet lifted by the rotation of (86) is taken out as necessary and can be discharged from the discharge pipe (96), and the tip of the discharge pipe (96) is connected to the device described in the third embodiment. It faces a weight management device having a similar configuration.

In the case of applying a coating treatment using the above-mentioned coating device (85), for example, in the case of a sugar-coated tablet, it is usually subjected to a sub-coating treatment, a smoothing treatment, a coloring treatment, a finishing treatment, a polishing treatment and the like to be sequentially coated. You. In each coating process, the coating liquid is poured or sprayed onto the flowing surface of the tablet by manual or automatic operation while rotating the coating pan (86), spraying a spraying agent if necessary, and then coating pan (86) When a series of these processes, in which warm air is blown into the inside and hot air is blown to the surface of the tablet to remove and dry water and solvent, is defined as one cycle, this cycle is repeated a predetermined number of times for each coating process.

The coating agent added to the tablet by the above-mentioned coating treatment is, for example, usually about 5 mg or less in a single operation. In some cases. Since the amount of coating agent added in each coating process needs to be controlled as precisely as possible,
The weight of the added coating agent is confirmed by measuring the weight of the tablet every cycle or every several times using the above-mentioned weight management device, and the weight of each layer and the whole tablet is controlled.

That is, at the end of the drying step in each cycle of the coating process, an appropriate number of tablets are taken out from the discharge pipe (96), and the cylindrical container ( 15) is led to. The weight management device including the cylindrical container (15) has the same configuration as that of the third embodiment, and the cylindrical container in which the extracted tablet is swingably supported by the support member (17). (15) is measured together with the weight measurement device (19), and the relational expression (i) and the expression (ii) or the expression (iii) are obtained.
If is satisfied, a certain amount of tablets is estimated and the average tablet weight is calculated. In addition, the operation of taking out the tablet is as follows.
It may be automatically taken out according to the coating process, or it may be taken out manually. However, in any case, it is not necessary to count the number of tablets, and the average weight of the tablets can be easily and quickly calculated.

When the tablet weight data is calculated, the cylindrical container (15) is tilted to the position indicated by the imaginary line by the rotation of the motor (36), and the measured tablets are discharged to the collection container (97). Then, it is returned to the original weighing position. Meanwhile, a collection container (97)
The tablets discharged to the hopper (94) are automatically or manually conveyed to the hopper (94) using a screw conveyor, an air-type conveying device,
Returned from 3) into the coating pan (86). The series of operations of unloading, weighing, collecting, and recharging these tablets can be performed in a short time because the average weight of the tablets can be calculated quickly, and can be completed before the next coating cycle starts. It is possible. Therefore, the measured tablets can be easily recycled, and the coating process in the next step can be controlled based on the measurement results.

Further, since there is no need for manual counting work, there is no risk that quality problems will occur even if the tablets after measurement are recycled, and automation combining sampling, weighing and recycling is easy and simple. Can be inlined. In addition, by recycling the measured tablets, there is no fear of a decrease in the yield, so that sampling and weighing can be easily performed in each coating cycle, and thus the coating process can be managed more stably.

When determining whether the weight data (W) measured by the weight measuring device (19) satisfies the relational expression (i) or not, the target weight data per tablet (X) and the deviation management are determined. It is necessary to set the width (D). The method of setting these data includes inputting the tablet weight and weight gain in advance for all the steps, setting the target weight by calculation by inputting the weight gain for each group of the same weight gain, initial weight There is a method of inputting only the approximate weight increase for each step and inputting the approximate increase weight collectively for each step, and setting the target weight for each step by calculation. Regardless of the setting method, by resetting the target value in the next step based on the actual measurement value of the weighing, the target weight and the measured weight become more consistent, and the weight management is easily and accurately performed. be able to.

Since the weight control device can control the tablet weight for each step of the coating process,
For example, from a phenomenon such that no weight increase is observed in each step, it is possible to early find a process abnormality (for example, leakage in a liquid application line) in application or application of liquid.

In the ninth embodiment, the cylindrical container supported so as to be swingable is used as the tablet collecting means.
The tablets are quickly collected by using the cyclone type collecting container used in the embodiment or the sixth embodiment, or by using the collecting container having the suction tube as in the seventh or eighth embodiment. It may be configured as follows. In this case, if a suction guide tube or the like is arranged so as to penetrate the peripheral wall of the cylindrical member and the suction port faces the tablet in the coating pan, the sampling of the tablet can be performed extremely easily and quickly. In particular, when using a cyclone-type collection container, the tablets can be directly recycled into the hopper or the coating device using a suction / discharge tube for discharging the tablets collected from the cyclone-type collection container, Automation can be performed more easily.

Examples of the coating agent used in the above coating treatment include sucrose, starch, talc, calcium sulfate, precipitated calcium carbonate, gelatin, gum arabic, polyvinylpyrrolidone, coloring matter, beeswax, carnauba wax and the like. And are not limited to a particular type. Needless to say, the above-mentioned coated preparations include various film-coated tablets in addition to ordinary sugar-coated tablets.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the tablet weight control in the tableting step and the coating step has been described. However, the apparatus and method of the present invention are only applicable to the tablet weight control in other various steps. Various solids, for example, pharmaceuticals other than tablets such as capsules, vials, ampoules, sachets, foods such as candy, compression molded products such as ceramic products, molded products such as metal balls used for bearings, various The present invention can be applied to weight management of any solid matter, such as a molded body obtained by injection molding or a package containing a fluid such as a liquid or a gas as well as a solid.

[0119]

【The invention's effect】

(1) In the present invention 1 and the present invention 4, since it is not necessary to count the number of solids, the average weight of solids such as tablets can be quickly calculated, and the problem of poor weight control due to counting errors can be solved. Therefore, it is useful for accurately controlling the weight of the solid. In addition, there is no need for a mechanism for counting the number of solids or any special device (such as a sampling device, an alignment separation device, and a counting device disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art). Regardless, a device having a simple structure can be used.

(2) In this case, if the determining means determines whether or not the relational expression (i) is satisfied only when the relational expression (iii) is satisfied, the relational expression
Since n that satisfies (iii) is always a single integer that satisfies relational expression (ii), the average weight of the solid can be calculated without waste. That is, n that satisfies the above formula (ii) may not be able to be determined when the weight W of a plurality of solids increases, even if the weight of each solid is controlled within the deviation control width ± D. is there. On the other hand, if solids are collected in a number equal to or less than the maximum value of n derived from the target weight X and the deviation management width D according to the above relational expression (iii), the solids are controlled within the deviation management width ± D. In this case, the weight W of the plurality of solids always satisfies the relational expression (i), and the weight W and the above (i)
Only one n can be estimated from equation (i). For this reason, the average weight of the solid matter can be reliably calculated each time the sample is collected, so that there is no waste in the measurement operation, and the average weight can be calculated more quickly.

(3) When the above-mentioned weight control device and control method are used for the production of a solid and the amount of raw material supplied in the production process of the solid is controlled based on the calculated average weight data, the average weight Since the data can be fed back quickly and the control based on the measurement of the weight of the solid can be performed at short intervals, the weight of the solid can be precisely controlled with a small management width, and the yield can be improved.

(4) In particular, when the solid is a multilayer tablet or a coated preparation, the average weight of each layer can be precisely controlled, which is more useful.

(5) In the present invention 2 and the present invention 6, solids are sucked and collected using a cyclone type collection container having a simple structure.
For collecting and weighing, it is not necessary to replace parts according to the shape and size of the solid material required for the conventional technique, and it can respond to any solid material and quickly Since collection is possible, the workability of measuring the weight of the solid can be improved, and the calculated average weight data can be quickly fed back, which is useful for accurately controlling the weight of the solid. In addition, since the solid can be quickly collected by suction and the weight can be measured in a short time, it is useful for quickly and accurately controlling the weight of the solid in accordance with the production speed of the solid.

(6) When a rotation restricting member is provided at the bottom of the cyclone type collecting container, the collected and weighed solid is weighed and then sucked by suction / discharge means. Since it is regulated by the regulating member, it does not rotate along with the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the cyclone type collecting container together with the swirl, and the solid material can be reliably sucked and discharged by the suction and discharge means.

(7) Further, the suction / discharge means is released upward from the opening of the cyclone type collecting container and weighed empty.
The suction / discharge means was made to enter the inside of the collection container, and a vortex was generated by the suction force of the suction means to collect solids. After measuring the weight of the solids, if the suction / discharge means enters the deep part of the collection container and the solids collected by the suction force of the suction means are suctioned and discharged, the solids are surely collected by suction. In addition, the cyclone type collecting container and the suction / discharge means are separated at the time of weighing. It can be accurately weighed.

(8) According to the third aspect of the present invention, solid matter can be easily contained and collected simply by being thrown in from one end of the cylindrical collecting means, and can be collected simply by tilting the collecting means. The collected solids can be easily discharged. In addition, the collection and discharge of the solid matter need only be performed by switching the posture of the collecting means, and there is no need to control the opening and closing of the opening through which the solid matter passes. Therefore, the entire apparatus can be simplified, and solid matter can be quickly collected and discharged.

(9) In the present invention 5, since the solid substance is sucked and collected to measure the weight, the component weight of each layer of the fragile laminated tablet can be efficiently measured. Therefore, the weight of the original low-pressure pre-compressed layer can be simply and efficiently measured without compressing the preceding pre-compressed layer at high pressure in the laminated tablet, and the composition of the laminated tablet can be reduced while suppressing the occurrence of material loss. This is useful for simply and accurately controlling the weight of each layer to be formed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a weight management device of the present invention.
It is a schematic side view at the time of applying to the tablet compression process.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view for explaining a mechanism for transporting tablets from a tableting machine to a collection container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the weight management control device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a comparison table showing the relationship between the number of tablets compressed with a deviation control width and the tablet weight according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the weight management control device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a collecting means, showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a collecting unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of a collecting unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing a collecting means of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a partial cutaway schematic perspective view of a weight management device, showing a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connection structure between a suction guide unit and a suction conveyance unit according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a process diagram for explaining the operation of the suction / discharge means of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the connection structure between the suction guide means and the suction carry-out means.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a weight management device, showing a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a view corresponding to FIG. 13 of a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 14 of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing another modified example of the connection structure between the suction guide means and the suction conveyance means.

FIG. 20 is a schematic side view of a weight management device according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a connection structure between a collection unit and a suction unit according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a weight management device according to an eighth embodiment, in which FIG. 22 (A) shows a state at the time of collection, and FIG. 22 (B) shows a state at the time of disposal of the collected tablet components. Shown respectively.

FIG. 23 is a schematic configuration diagram of a weight management device applied to a coating device, showing a ninth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3a: die hole, 15: cylindrical container (collecting means), 17: support member (supporting means), 19: weight measuring device (weight measuring means), 21: cylinder (tilting means), 25: for linear drive Motor (tilting means), 30 ... tablets (solids), 31 ... central processing unit (discriminating means, arithmetic means), 32 ... drive circuit of automatic pressure control device (control means), 36 ... motor (tilting means), 45 ... Suction port, 46 ... Suction guide tube (suction guide means), 49 ... Cyclone type collection container (collection means), 50 ... Top opening, 51 ... Rotation control plate (rotation control member), 52 ... Suction discharge pipe (Suction / discharge means), 73: collection container (collection means), 79: container body (collection means), 81: collector (collection means), 95: tablet outlet (extraction means).

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI B30B 11/08 B30B 11/08 C 11/34 11/34 Z G01G 17/00 G01G 17/00 Z 19/42 19/42 Z // A61K 9/20 A61K 9/20 A (72) Inventor Takeichiro Togawa 2-18 Hamacho, Ashiya-shi, Hyogo

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A weight measuring means for measuring a weight W of a plurality of solids having a target weight X per piece, and a measurement result obtained by the weight measuring means is a deviation from the target weight X and the target weight. The following relational expression calculated based on the control width ± D nx (X−D) ≦ W ≦ n × (X + D) (i) (where n is the following relational expression W / (X + D) ≦ n ≦ W / (XD) (a single integer that satisfies (ii)) or not, and a target weight if the result of the determination by the determination means satisfies the relational expression. Calculating means for calculating an average weight (W / n) of the solid based on X and the measured weights W of the plurality of solids, wherein the weight managing device for the solid is provided. . 2. The weight measuring method according to claim 1, wherein said determining means satisfies the following relational expression (X + D) × n <(X−D) × (n + 1) (iii) for n in said relational expression (i). 2. The solid matter weight management device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not a measurement result by the means satisfies the relational expression (i). 3. A control device for controlling the weight of the solid in the solid-material manufacturing apparatus based on the average weight data calculated by the calculating means, which is used in the solid-material manufacturing apparatus. The solid matter weight management device according to claim 1. 4. A laminated tablet on which at least one pre-compressed layer is formed, wherein said solid material is taken out from a pre-compression die, and said solid material is taken out from said pre-compression hole. Suction means for sucking the solid matter, and collection means communicating with the suction guide means and configured to accommodate the solid matter from the suction guide means. 4. The solid matter weight management device according to claim 3, wherein the weight of the solid matter collected together with the means can be measured. 5. The solid product is a coated preparation,
A take-out means for taking out the solid matter from the coating apparatus, and a collecting means configured to be able to store the taken-out solid matter, wherein the weight measuring means comprises a weight of the solid matter collected together with the collecting means. The weight management device for solid matter according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to be able to measure the weight. 6. A suction guiding means having a suction port facing a solid material, a solid substance from the suction guiding means being connected to the suction guiding means and having an opening formed at an upper portion thereof. A cyclone-type collection container, and a solid material that is disposed so as to be vertically movable in the axial direction in a non-contact state with respect to the opening of the cyclone-type collection container, is connected to suction means, and is in the collection container. Characterized by comprising suction / discharge means configured to be able to discharge the solid matter by suction, and weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the solid matter collected together with the cyclone-type collection container. Weight management device. 7. The weight of the solid matter according to claim 6, wherein at least one rotation regulating member for regulating the rotation of the collected solid matter is provided at the bottom of the cyclone type collecting container. Management device. 8. A cylindrical collecting means having an opening at one end and capable of storing a solid material, a supporting means for swingably supporting the collecting means, and the collecting means. And a weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the solid matter collected together with the supporting means, and a tilting means for tilting the cylindrical collecting means, weight management of the solid matter apparatus. 9. The weight W of a plurality of solids is measured, and the weight measurement result is calculated based on the target weight X and the deviation control width ± D by the following relational expression nx (X−D) ≦ W. ≦ n × (X + D) (i) (where n is a single integer satisfying the following relational expression: W / (X + D) ≦ n ≦ W / (X−D) (ii)) If the result of the determination satisfies the relational expression, the average weight (W / n) of the solid is calculated based on the target weight X and the measured weight W of the plurality of solids. The weight control method for solids. 10. Only when the following relational expression (X + D) × n <(X−D) × (n + 1) (iii) is satisfied with respect to n in the relational expression (i), the measurement result is expressed by the above relational expression ( The method according to claim 9, wherein it is determined whether or not i) is satisfied. 11. The solid matter according to claim 9, wherein the weight of the solid matter is controlled by controlling a raw material supply amount in a solid matter production process based on the calculated average weight data. Weight management method. 12. The solid according to claim 9, wherein the solid is a coating preparation, the solid is taken out from a coating device, collected in a collecting means, and the weight of the collected solid is measured. How to control the weight of things. 13. A laminated tablet in which at least one pre-compressed layer is formed of solids, and the pre-compressed solids are removed from the mortar, collected by suction, and then collected. A method for managing the weight of a solid, comprising measuring the weight of the solid. 14. The weight of the solid collected in the cyclone type collecting container is measured using the apparatus according to claim 6, and the weight of the solid in the manufacturing process is controlled based on the result of the weight measurement. A method for controlling the weight of solid matter, characterized in that: 15. The suction / discharge means is released upward from the opening of the cyclone-type collection container and weighed empty, and the suction / discharge means enters the inside of the collection container to generate a vortex by the suction force of the suction means. After collecting the solids and releasing the suction and discharge means upward from the opening of the collection container and measuring the weight of the collected solids, the suction and discharge means is allowed to enter the deep part of the collection container. 15. The method for managing the weight of solids according to claim 14, wherein the solids collected by the suction means are suctioned and discharged.