JPS5951874B2 - Capsule sorting device in capsule filling machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a hard gelatin capsule filling machine in which capsules that have completed the filling process on the filling station are discharged from the filling process and are transported when the capsules are empty or have an insufficient amount of filling. The present invention relates to a device that automatically sorts capsules and normally filled capsules.

Conventionally, in the filling mechanism of a hard gelatin capsule filling machine, (a) supply of capsules (b) separation of capsule body and cap (C)
Filling with powder (d) Joining the capsule body and cap (e)
The process of discharging and conveying from the filling mechanism is carried out continuously, but during this process, some capsules may be malformed and the caps may be sent without being separated, resulting in powder or granular material (powder or granules). (drugs, etc.) may not be filled, resulting in empty capsules, or the filling of powder or granules may be insufficient, resulting in capsules with an insufficient amount of filling.

In this way, empty or improperly filled capsules are transported mixed with normally filled capsules, which creates a sorting problem.

However, since these seed capsules have a uniform short cylindrical shape and a dense smooth outer surface, when they move in a mixed manner and simply flow downwards from above, a large number of capsules move collectively. When trying to sort capsules using wind that flows parallel to the axis of the capsule, the wind hits the narrowest end of the capsule, which has the weakest resistance to the wind, resulting in low sorting efficiency and, in the end, only normally filled capsules are sorted. It was difficult to flow down.

In addition, if the cap is not sufficiently covered, the powder may leak out during the transfer, or the powder may be directly injected without the capsule remaining in the capsule receiving hole of the filling station, which is the fixed position for filling the capsule. If a normally filled capsule is transported with mixed powder or granules mixed in, the powder or granules will be attached to the outer surface of the normally filled capsule, so remove the powder or granules attached to the outer surface of the normally filled capsule. This creates a difficult problem in that a step of polishing the surface of the capsule must be added to the garden.

In addition, powder or granules that are discharged as a powder or leak during transportation are scattered like wheels through gaps in the equipment during transportation, contaminating the surrounding area, or leaking into other equipment in the vicinity. There are some that have caused various problems, such as intrusion.

There is also a product such as Utility Model Publication No. 31-8655, which does not pose any problem in sorting out seeds with uneven and rough outer surfaces, but it is possible to sort out those with uneven and rough outer surfaces such as seeds, but it is possible to sort out objects with uneven and rough outer surfaces such as seeds, but it is possible to sort out objects with uneven and rough outer surfaces like capsules. If the objects fall in groups in a vertically long tree-like or similar state, the sorting wind blows in a direction parallel to or close to the axis of the capsule, so the sorting effect is not sufficient. Therefore, there is a risk that incompletely filled capsules may be mixed with normally filled capsules and fall together, making it unsuitable for sorting delicate objects such as capsules.

However, in the present invention, a capsule suction port 5 which is sucked by the blower 7 is provided above the filling station 21, and the capsules on the filling station 21 are sucked up from the suction port 5, and the sucked up capsules are is guided to the capsule sorting device main body 3 along with the airflow flowing from the suction 101 of the capsule sorting device main body 3 in the direction of the outlet 2, and is collided with the oblique mesh-like diversion plate 8 that intersects with the airflow, thereby preventing insufficient supply of capsules or Powder discharged due to poor separation and powder spilled due to insufficient fitting of the cap are discharged from the discharge port 2 to the blower 7 through the mesh gap of the conversion plate 8.

In addition, since light capsules such as normal capsules, abnormally filled capsules, and empty capsules collide with the conversion plate 8, the capsules are unpacked into groups, dispersed by plane, and change their posture laterally. Since the capsules are exposed to sufficient airflow resistance, the sorting effect is improved and the normally filled capsules fall in the direction of the drop port 18. However, the empty capsules and capsules that are insufficiently filled are placed under the mesh conversion plate 8. baffle board 1
Through the gaps 2 to 17, the capsule floats up due to the air flow blown out from the normal capsule drop port 18, contacts the baffle plates 12 to 17 below the mesh conversion plate 8, and the capsule passes through the gap 9.
It is discharged and removed through the gap between the baffle plates 10 and 11 above the mesh conversion plate 8, through the discharge port 2, and into the blower 7, which has the effect of allowing really good sorting. .

In addition, since loose powder and granules pass through the mesh of the conversion plate 8 and are removed from the discharge port 2 in the direction of the blower 7, there is no fear that the powder or granules will adhere to the outer surface of the good capsule. Furthermore, there is no need to add a polishing process to the process, and the loose powder particles leak out from openings or gaps in the equipment during transportation, contaminating the surrounding area, or entering the inside of the equipment, causing equipment failure. It exhibits various unique effects, such as being free from the risk of causing problems.

In addition, since the selection and removal of empty capsules, lightweight capsules, etc. is based on the weight difference of the capsules without visual inspection, the amount of air blown up from the normally filled capsule drop port 18 is adjusted by the compressed air blown out from the compressed air outlet 20. By adjusting the air intake ports 19 and 19' on the upper surface of the main body and the upper side of the outlet side, lightweight capsules weighing less than the appropriate weight can be completely removed.

Now, to explain in detail with reference to the attached drawings showing an example of the implementation of the present invention, 5 is a capsule suction port, which is placed above the parallel capsule receiving holes 22, 22 of the capsule station 21 of the capsule filling machine consisting of a rotating disk. It opens with an appropriate gap and is fixed to the top surface of the capsule filling machine 23 with a mounting bracket 24.

3 are capsule accommodation holes 22, 2 arranged in parallel as shown in FIG.
2, the main body of the capsule sorting device has a mechanism arranged in a row symmetrically on the front and back with the partition plate 25 as a boundary in the center.
The sorting device main body 3 has an inlet 1, 1 at one end of the upper part, and an outlet 2 at the other end, which is integrated into one place by eliminating the partition plate 25 in the center.
are connected in series, and the capsule suction ports 5, 5 corresponding to the capsule accommodation holes 22, 22 and the suction ports 1, 1 are connected with a joint hose 4° 14 having elasticity and flexibility such as a bellows, The discharge port 2 and the blower 7 are connected by a similar joint hose 6.

8 is an upper end inner surface suction port 1 of the capsule sorting device main body 3;
A gap 9 for passing lightweight capsules such as empty capsules is formed between the tip of the mesh conversion plate 8 installed diagonally through the partition plate 25 from the first side and the inner surface of the capsule sorting device main body 3. .

10.11 and 12 to 17 are baffle plates of any number and shape attached above and below the mesh conversion plate 8 of the sorting device main body 3, which has two rows of front and back mechanisms, and 10.11 is the baffle plate of any shape shown in FIG. As shown in 2), these are arranged horizontally or diagonally from the base end of the discharge port 2, respectively, and 12.15 is a chevron-shaped type attached to the lower center of the sorting device main body 3 with both ends descending from the center. , 13, 14 and 16° 17 are chevron-shaped baffle plates 12,
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, they are arranged obliquely downward from both sides of the sorting mold main body 3 below each of the baffle plates 10 and 11, and between the tips of the baffle plates 10 and 11 and the mesh conversion plate 8. A capsule passage gap exists between the baffle plates 12 to 17.

The baffle plates 10.11 and baffle plates 12 to 17 respectively contact the capsules when the capsules move inside the sorting device main body 3 with the airflow, and change their postures, thereby changing the projected area with respect to the airflow. In commonly used capsules, the ratio of the maximum projected area to the minimum projected area is about 2.5 to 3 times.

When there is an air flow in a vertical upward direction and the capsule is in a position where the projected area is minimum with respect to the horizontal plane, the capsule begins to float under the pressure of the air flow.If the air flow velocity is V, then at the suction port 5 If the air flow velocity is made larger than V,
It is possible to transport the capsule in the direction of the suction outlet 2.

Reference numerals 18 and 18 designate oblique normal capsule drop ports with narrowed cross-sectional areas installed at the lower end of the capsule sorting device 3, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, 20 is a compressed air outlet attached to the lower end of the side surface of the capsule sorting device main body 3 on the side opposite to the normal capsule drop port 18, and is connected to the outlet side of the blower 7, etc. The amount of compressed air blown out in the direction of the normal capsule drop port 18 is adjusted by the control valve 26 attached to the capsule drop port 18.

In the present invention, the flow rate of the air sucked in at the suction port 5 is set to be at least twice the flow rate of the air sucked in at the drop port 18 without supplying compressed air to the compressed air outlet 20 in advance. , the cross-sectional areas of the suction port 1, the discharge port 2, and the normal capsule drop port 18, and the baffle plates 10 and 11.
．． 12 to 17 have been determined, the air outlet 1 can be opened without blowing out compressed air from the compressed air outlet 20.
The flow velocity of the air sucked in from the air outlet 8 is approximately 172 times the flow velocity released to the suction port 5, but when the compressed air is blown out from the compressed air outlet 20 in the direction of the drop port 18, the air sucked from the drop port 18 becomes compressed air. Since the compressed air has the effect of being pushed back, by adjusting the amount of compressed air, the flow velocity near the baffle plate 12 can be easily adjusted to 173 V or less.

Therefore, the normally filled capsule falls from the drop port 18,
Empty capsules and lightweight capsules with significantly less powder are the ones that will be sucked up.

Reference numeral 19.19' denotes an air intake port whose opening degree can be adjusted freely, which is provided on the top surface of the capsule sorting device main body 3 and the top side of the discharge port 2 side. This is done by adjusting the opening degree of '.

27 is a transparent plate attached to both the front and back sides of the sorting device main body 3;
This is for visually checking the sorting status of capsules.

Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, in the filling mechanism, the capsule in the rotating station 21 is lifted by the lower punch (not shown) directly below the capsule suction opening 5, and the capsule is sucked up. It floats up due to the air velocity sucked in from the upper opening 5, and is then sucked in.

The sucked capsules are sent from the suction port 5 through the joint hose 4 to the suction port 1 of the capsule sorting device main body 3. In this case, the capsules advance in the vertical direction (parallel to the axis of the capsule). However, its cross-sectional area is the minimum state, the resistance due to the air flow is the minimum, and the screening efficiency is the lowest.

However, the capsule exiting the suction port 1 is sucked in the direction of the mesh-shaped conversion plate 8 unique to the present invention, and collides with the surface of the mesh-shaped conversion plate 8.

Due to this collision, the capsule changed its attitude by 90 degrees,
The conversion plate is converted so that its longitudinal direction is along the 8 sides (horizontal rather than vertical), and its cross-sectional area is maximized, and wind pressure is applied to the maximum area, which increases the sorting efficiency by wind power. These seed capsules, which are difficult to visually sort, can be sorted out reliably and effectively using a high-efficiency air flow rate, which is very effective.

Further, by the mesh conversion plate 8, the powder and granules that are loosely scattered in addition to the leakage tool from the mesh gaps are separated from the capsules and removed by suction from the discharge port 2 to the blower 7. There is no need to provide a separate process, and the loosely scattered particles do not invade other parts of the device and cause trouble, which is highly effective.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The attached drawings show an example of the implementation of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a front view of the main parts of the entire device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main parts,
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the main body of the capsule sorting device. 1... Intake port, 2... Outlet port, 3...
... Capsule sorting device main body, 4 ... Joint hose, 4 ... Capsule suction port, 6 ...
...Joint hose, 7...Blower-18
...Mesh conversion plate, 9...Gap for passing capsule, 10-17...Baffle plate, 18...
...Normal capsule drop port, 19,19'...
Air intake port, 20... Compressed air outlet,
21...Curved station, 22...Capsule accommodation hole, 23...Curved capsule filling base, 24...Mounting bracket, 25...Curved partition plate, 26...Adjustment valve,
27・Song・Transparent board.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A capsule sorting device main body is provided with a suction port at one end of the upper part and a discharge port at the other end, and the capsule suction port communicating with the suction port is opened above the filling station of the filling machine, and the capsule sorting device A blower is connected to the outlet, and a mesh-like conversion plate is provided in a diagonal downward direction from the upper end of the capsule sorting device body near the suction port, and between the tip of the mesh-like conversion plate and the inner surface of the capsule sorting device body. It is characterized by forming gaps for passing empty capsules and lightweight capsules, attaching baffle plates of any number and shape above and below the mesh conversion plate, and providing a normally filled capsule drop port at the lower end of the sorting device main body. Capsule sorting device in a capsule filling machine. 2. As an air flow rate adjustment device, adjustable air intakes were provided on the top surface of the capsule sorting device body and on the upper side of the outlet side, and a compressed air outlet toward the normal capsule fall port was provided at the bottom of the sorting device body. A capsule sorting device in a capsule filling machine according to claim 1.