KR102442438B1 - Transport processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an apparatus capable of removing or reducing the fine powder of tablets adhering to the conveying belt without adding a new path for cleaning the conveying belt for conveying tablets, and without directly contacting the conveying belt do.
[Solution Means] This conveying processing apparatus is an apparatus which conveys and processes a some tablet, Comprising: It has the adsorption|suction belt 42 and the cleaning apparatus 120. The adsorption belt 42 has a plurality of adsorption holes 421 on the outer circumferential surface 420 , and a negative pressure is applied to the adsorption holes 421 to adsorb and hold the tablet while conveying it along a predetermined conveyance path. The cleaning apparatus 120 is an apparatus for cleaning the adsorption|suction belt 42, and has 7th blowing mechanism B7 and the collection|recovery mechanism 121. The 7th blowing mechanism B7 injects compressed air toward the outer peripheral surface 420 of the adsorption|suction belt 42. As shown in FIG. The recovery mechanism 121 collects the fine powder of the tablet blown from the outer peripheral surface 420 by blowing compressed air to the outer peripheral surface 420 of the adsorption belt 42 .

Description

TRANSPORT PROCESSING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a conveying processing apparatus which conveys a plurality of granular materials and performs predetermined processing.

Tablets, which are pharmaceuticals, are printed with letters or codes to identify the product. Moreover, a mark and an illustration may be printed also on Jeongwa of Ramune etc. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART Conventionally, the printing apparatus which prints an image on such granular materials, such as a tablet and tablet, by an inkjet system, is known. In particular, in recent years, the types of tablets are being diversified with the spread of generic drugs. For this reason, in order to make it easier to identify a tablet, a technique for clearly printing an image on the tablet by an inkjet method is attracting attention.

In this type of printing apparatus, predetermined processing such as printing, inspection, and drying is performed on the front and back surfaces of each tablet while conveying a plurality of tablets spilled into the apparatus at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction one by one. . In the tablet manufacturing process using this type of printing apparatus, in order to convey a large amount of tablets sequentially over a long period of time, the fine powder generated from a tablet may adhere to a conveyance apparatus. In this case, when the tablet is inspected, it becomes difficult to distinguish between the fine powder and the tablet adhering to the conveying device, and there is a possibility that a problem may occur in the inspection result. Then, the apparatus which removes the chemical|medical agent powder (excess part) adhering to the conveyance belt of a tablet is disclosed by patent document 1, for example.

The apparatus 10 described in patent document 1 is conveyed, suctioning and holding|maintaining the tablet T in the suction groove|channel 12b of the belts 12 and 22 for conveyance. Moreover, in the process in which the tablet T passes right next to the inspection cameras 11 and 21, the surface (or back surface) and the side surface of the tablet T are inspected for scratches and contamination, and it is conveyed to the next process. . Moreover, the video signal acquired with the inspection cameras 11 and 21 is input to the belt cleaning control apparatuses 30 and 40, and by the luminance level of the said signal, the surplus part in the belts 12 and 22 for conveyance is Detect deposits. Moreover, while peeling the surplus which adhered to the belts 12 and 22 for conveyance by the brush mechanism 15a with which the belt cleaning parts 15 and 25 were equipped, high pressure large quantity compressed air from the injection nozzle 16 By spraying, the contamination of the conveyance belts 12 and 22 is cleaned.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-143653

However, in the apparatus 10 of patent document 1, in the conveyance belts 12 and 22, the path|route for cleaning using the belt cleaning parts 15 and 25 separately from the conveyance path|route by which the tablet T is conveyed. is formed. For this reason, there exists a possibility that the whole apparatus including the conveyance belts 12 and 22 may enlarge and it may become difficult to arrange|position in the limited space. Moreover, when the brush mechanism 15a contacts the conveyance belts 12 and 22, there exists a possibility that the conveyance belts 12 and 22 may be damaged or a foreign material may mix. As a result, there exists a possibility that the quality of the tablet (T) manufactured using this apparatus may be adversely affected.

Moreover, in the apparatus 10 of patent document 1, in the conveyance belt 12, after sucking and conveying the upper surface side of the tablet T, the conveyance belt 22 which sucks the lower surface side of the tablet T. When the tablet T is shaken or moved, the surplus of the tablet T again adheres to the vicinity of the suction grooves 12b of the conveying belts 12 and 22, and there is a fear that the subsequent inspection may be adversely affected. there is In particular, at the time of transfer of the tablet T from the conveyance belt 12 to the conveyance belt 22, for the purpose of conveying the tablet T more smoothly, the conveyance belt 22 which is the side which receives the tablet T. ), when the air is blown or the like, the surplus is more scattered, and there is a fear that it may adhere to and accumulate in the vicinity of the suction grooves 12b of the conveyance belt 22 .

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and without adding a new path for cleaning the conveyance belt, and without directly contacting the conveyance belt, removes or reduces fine particles adhering to the conveyance belt The purpose is to provide a device that can do this.

In order to solve the above problems, the first invention of the present application is a conveying processing apparatus for conveying a plurality of granular materials and performing a predetermined treatment, having a plurality of suction holes on the outer surface, and applying a negative pressure to the suction holes It has a suction belt conveying along a predetermined conveyance path while adsorbing and holding the said granular material, and the cleaning apparatus which cleans the said suction belt, The said cleaning apparatus is a blow which blows compressed air toward the said outer surface of the said suction belt. It has an inging mechanism and a collection|recovery mechanism which collect|recovers the fine powder of the said granular material blown away from the said outer surface by blowing compressed air to the said outer surface.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to 1st invention of this application, the fine powder of the granular material adhering to an adsorption belt can be removed or reduced without adding a new path|route for cleaning an adsorption belt, and without direct contact with an adsorption belt.

1 is a side view of a tablet printing apparatus.
Fig. 2 is a top view of the tablet printing apparatus.
3 is a bottom view of the tablet printing apparatus.
Fig. 4 is a partial side view of the vicinity of the adsorption drum of the tablet printing apparatus.
5 is a partial perspective view of an adsorption conveyor.
Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the head.
FIG. 7 : is the figure which looked at the adsorption|suction conveyor and the inversion mechanism from the direction of the white arrow V1 in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a view of the suction conveyor, the defective product recovery mechanism, and the good product discharge mechanism viewed from the direction indicated by the white arrow V2 in FIG. 2 .
Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the connection between the control unit and each unit.
It is a partial perspective view of a cleaning apparatus and an adsorption|suction conveyor.
11 : is a figure which shows the result of having verified the effect by cleaning an adsorption|suction belt using a cleaning apparatus.
12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the tablet printing apparatus.
13 is a perspective view of a tablet.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiment of this invention is described, referring drawings. In addition, in the following description, the direction in which a some granular material is conveyed is called a "conveyance direction", and the direction perpendicular and horizontal with respect to a conveyance direction is called a "width direction".

<1. Overall configuration of tablet printing apparatus>

1 is a side view of a tablet printing apparatus 1 which is an example of a conveyance processing apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a top view of the tablet printing apparatus 1 . 3 is a bottom view of the tablet printing apparatus 1 .

This tablet printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for printing images, such as a product name, a product code, a company name, a logo mark, on the front and back surfaces of each tablet 9 while conveying the some tablet 9 which is a granular material. In addition, in this embodiment, as the tablet 9, tablets which are easy to generate|occur|produce fine powder, such as predetermined|prescribed (uncooked tablet) excluding a coated tablet, a dragee, and a capsule tablet are assumed. However, the tablet 9 may be a tablet as a health food other than a tablet as a pharmaceutical, and tablets such as ramune. Moreover, in this embodiment, as the tablet 9, the tablet of pale color systems, such as a white system and light yellow, is assumed. 13 is a perspective view of the tablet 9 . As shown in FIG. 13 , the tablet 9 has a circular surface and a back surface, and an annular side surface. However, the shape of the tablet 9 is not limited to this.

1 to 3 , the tablet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a feeder 10 , a conveyer 20 , an adsorption drum 30 , an adsorption conveyor 40 , and a first camera 50 . ), a printing unit 60, a second camera 70, a drying mechanism 80, a reversing mechanism 90, a defective product recovery mechanism 100, a good product discharge mechanism 110, a cleaning device 120, and a control unit ( 130) are provided.

The feeder 10 is a mechanism for loading the plurality of tablets 9 put into the tablet printing apparatus 1 onto the conveyer 20 . The feeder 10 is comprised by an input hopper, a rotary feeder, a vibration feeder, etc., for example. The plurality of tablets 9 put into the tablet printing apparatus 1 are conveyed to the conveyer 20 while being aligned in a plurality of rows by these mechanisms. Specifically, a plurality of rows of tablets 9 arranged in parallel in the conveyance direction are formed in the width direction. In the present embodiment, three rows of tablets 9 are formed in the width direction. Then, the plurality of tablets 9 after alignment are supplied to the conveyer 20 . Also, in Fig. 1, only one row of tablets 9 is shown.

The conveyer 20 is a mechanism for horizontally conveying between the feeder 10 and the suction drum 30 while holding the tablet 9 . The conveyer 20 has a pair of pulleys 21 and an annular conveyance belt 22 spanned between the pair of pulleys 21 . One of the pair of pulleys 21 rotates by the power obtained from the motor M1. Thereby, the conveyance belt 22 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The other of the pair of pulleys 21 follows and rotates with the rotation of the conveyance belt 22 .

The plurality of tablets 9 supplied from the feeder 10 are mounted on the upper surface of the conveyance belt 22 and move in the conveyance direction together with the conveyance belt 22 . At this time, although the tablet 9 is the state which finished the alignment in multiple rows by the feeder 10 mentioned above in the width direction, the space|interval of the conveyance direction of the tablet 9 in each row|line|column is non-uniform|heterogenous. The plurality of tablets 9 are conveyed in a state close to each other in the conveying direction or at a minute distance therebetween.

The adsorption drum 30 is located on the downstream side of a conveyance path|route rather than the conveyer 20, and is a mechanism for transferring the tablet 9 from the conveyer 20 to the adsorption|suction conveyor 40. The adsorption drum 30 has a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral surface centering on the rotation shaft O extended horizontally with the width direction. As shown by the broken line in FIG. 1, the motor M2 is connected to the suction drum 30. As shown in FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the adsorption drum 30 vicinity of the tablet printing apparatus 1 . In FIG. 4, similarly to FIG. 1, only one row of tablets 9 is shown. As shown in FIG. 4 , the adsorption drum 30 has a fixed drum 31 and a movable drum 32 .

The fixed drum 31 is a cylindrical drum disposed inside the movable drum 32 . The fixed drum 31 is fixed to the frame of the tablet printing apparatus 1 . For this reason, the stationary drum 31 is hold|maintained non-rotating also at the time of driving of the motor M2. The internal space R1 is formed in the position of the angular range between the 1st delivery position P1 and the 2nd delivery position P2 mentioned later among the outer peripheral parts of the fixed drum 31. As shown in FIG.

The movable drum 32 is a cylindrical drum disposed outside the stationary drum 31 . The movable drum 32 forms the outer periphery of the suction drum 30 . The movable drum 32 is connected to the output shaft of the motor M2. For this reason, when the motor M2 is driven, the movable drum 32 will rotate centering around the rotating shaft O. A plurality of drum suction holes 301 are formed in the movable drum 32 . The plurality of drum adsorption holes 301 are formed at a plurality of positions in the width direction corresponding to each row of the plurality of tablets 9 in parallel in the width direction at intervals in the conveyance direction. The plurality of drum suction holes 301 communicate with the above-described internal space R1, respectively. In addition, each drum suction hole 301 is opened horizontally toward the width direction.

When the suction drum 30 rotates, the plurality of drum suction holes 301 move to a first transmission position P1 close to the upper surface of the conveyance belt 22 and a second transmission position P1 close to the surface of the suction belt 42 to be described later. It moves along the toroidal path including the delivery location P2. In this embodiment, the 1st transmission position P1 is located just below the rotating shaft O of the suction drum 30. As shown in FIG. And the 2nd transmission position P2 is located in the upstream of a conveyance direction rather than just above the rotation shaft O of the suction drum 30. As shown in FIG. However, the positional relationship of the 1st delivery position P1 and the 2nd delivery position P2 is not limited to this.

Moreover, as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.4, the 1st suction mechanism 302 is connected to the suction drum 30. As shown in FIG. When the 1st suction mechanism 302 is operated, gas will be sucked out from internal space R1 of the suction drum 30. As shown in FIG. Thereby, the said internal space R1 becomes a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. Each tablet 9 conveyed by the conveyer 20 and reached to the 1st delivery position P1 is adsorbed and held by the drum suction hole 301 of the suction drum 30 one by one by this negative pressure. The plurality of tablets 9 are adsorbed and held one by one in each drum suction hole 301 . Thereby, the space|interval of the conveyance direction of the some tablet 9 turns into a predetermined space|interval according to the space|interval of the drum adsorption|suction hole 301. In other words, in addition to the width direction, the plurality of tablets 9 can also be arranged at a predetermined interval in the conveyance direction.

While the tablet 9 is adsorbed and held by the drum adsorption hole 301, by rotation of the adsorption drum 30, from the 1st delivery position P1 to the 2nd delivery position P2, in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in And when the drum adsorption hole 301 passes through the 2nd delivery position P2, it deviates from the angular range of the internal space R1 maintained by the above-mentioned negative pressure, and the adsorption|suction of the tablet 9 is cancelled|released.

Moreover, the adsorption|suction drum 30 has 1st blowing mechanism B1. The 1st blowing mechanism B1 is provided inside the outer peripheral part which has the some drum adsorption hole 301 in the adsorption drum 30. Moreover, the 1st blowing mechanism B1 is provided in the immediate downstream of the conveyance direction rather than the internal space R1 mentioned above. The 1st blowing mechanism B1 has a nozzle which abbreviate|omitted illustration, and injects gas only to the drum suction hole 301 which passes the 2nd delivery position P2 correctly among the some drum suction holes 301. That is, the adsorption drum 30 of this embodiment rotates while adsorbing and holding the tablet 9 in the drum adsorption hole 301 and conveys it along a conveyance path, Then, in the 2nd conveyance position P2 on a conveyance path, , a positive pressure is applied to the drum adsorption hole 301 in which the tablet 9 is adsorbed and held by the first blowing mechanism B1. Thereby, the tablet 9 is smoothly transmitted to the below-mentioned adsorption hole 421 of the adsorption|suction conveyor 40. As shown in FIG.

In addition, the drum adsorption hole 301 may be opened radially in the outer peripheral surface of the adsorption drum 30. As shown in FIG. In that case, the 1st blowing mechanism B1 may apply the pressure directed to the adsorption|suction conveyor 40 to the tablet 9 via the said drum adsorption hole 301.

The adsorption conveyor 40 is a mechanism for conveying the plurality of tablets 9 along a predetermined annular conveyance path while adsorbing and holding the plurality of tablets 9 . The adsorption conveyor 40 has a pair of pulleys 41 and the annular adsorption belt 42 spanned between the pair of pulleys 41 . One of the pair of pulleys 41 rotates centering on a rotation shaft extending horizontally to the width direction by the motive power obtained from the motor M3. Thereby, the adsorption belt 42 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The other of the pair of pulleys 41 follows and rotates centering on the rotation shaft extending horizontally with the width direction with rotation of the suction belt 42. As shown in FIG. Moreover, in this embodiment, the color of the outer peripheral surface 420 (outer surface) of the adsorption|suction belt 42 is brown system or deep color system, for example. That is, in the Munsell color system, the brightness of the tablet 9 is larger than the brightness of the outer surface of the adsorption belt 42 on which the tablet 9 is adsorbed and held. And high contrast is generate|occur|produced between the original color of the outer peripheral surface 420 of the adsorption belt 42, and the color of the tablet 9. As shown in FIG.

5 is a partial perspective view of the adsorption conveyor 40 . As shown in FIG. 5, the some adsorption hole 421 is formed in the outer peripheral surface 420 of the adsorption|suction belt 42. As shown in FIG. The plurality of adsorption holes 421 are arranged at equal intervals in the conveyance direction and the width direction. Moreover, the adsorption|suction conveyor 40 of this embodiment further has the 2nd suction mechanism 44 (refer FIG. 1). The second suction mechanism 44 is a negative pressure generating unit that sucks gas from the space R2 inside the suction belt 42 . When the second suction mechanism 44 is operated, the space R2 becomes a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. The plurality of tablets 9 are adsorbed and held one by one by the adsorption holes 421 by the negative pressure. Each adsorption hole 421 adsorbs and holds the surface or the back surface of the tablet 9 .

Thus, the some tablet 9 is hold|maintained on the outer peripheral surface 420 (outer surface) of the adsorption|suction belt 42 in the state aligned in the conveyance direction and the width direction. And the adsorption conveyor 40 moves the some tablet 9 along the predetermined annular conveyance path comprised by the outer peripheral surface 420 of the adsorption belt 42 by rotating the adsorption belt 42. . In addition, a horizontal plane is included in a part of the said predetermined annular conveyance path|route. In this embodiment, the downward direction of the four heads 61 mentioned later, and the 3 2nd blowing mechanism B2 mentioned later, the 3rd blowing mechanism B3 mentioned later, and the 4th blowing mechanism B4 mentioned later. In the downward direction, the plurality of tablets 9 are conveyed in the horizontal direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the adsorption|suction conveyor 40 further has three 2nd blowing mechanism B2, one 3rd blowing mechanism B3, and one 4th blowing mechanism B4. The three second blowing mechanisms B2 are provided inside the adsorption belt 42 . Moreover, three 2nd blowing mechanisms B2 are each via the 1st inclined drum 91, the 3rd inclined drum 93, the 5th inclined drum 95 mentioned later, and the adsorption|suction belt 42, respectively. installed in opposite positions. The three second blowing mechanisms B2 are, among the plurality of suction holes 421 of the suction belt 42 , a first inclined drum 91 , a third inclined drum 93 , and a fifth inclined drum 95 . The gas is injected only into the adsorption hole 421 facing the . Then, the said adsorption hole 421 becomes a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. Thereby, the adsorption|suction of the tablet 9 in the said adsorption hole 421 is cancelled|released, and the 1st inclined drum 91, the 3rd inclined drum 93, and the 5th inclined drum 95 from the adsorption belt 42. ), the tablet 9 is delivered. In addition, the structure of 3rd blowing mechanism B3 and 4th blowing mechanism B4 is mentioned later.

As shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3, on the outer peripheral surface 420 of the adsorption|suction belt 42 of this embodiment, the 1st area|region A1 which holds the tablet 9 before inversion by the inversion mechanism 90 mentioned later. and a second region A2 holding the tablet 9 after inversion. The 1st area|region A1 and 2nd area|region A2 adjoin in the width direction. In this embodiment, in the 1st area|region A1 and 2nd area|region A2, the some adsorption hole 421 is formed in three rows at a time in the width direction. The tablets 9 delivered from the adsorption drum 30 described above are adsorbed and held by the adsorption holes 421 of the first region A1. In addition, the plurality of tablets 9 on which the printing process has been performed on both front and back surfaces is discharged from the suction hole 421 in the second area A2 by the defective product collection mechanism 100 or the good product discharge mechanism 110 from the tablet printing apparatus. (1) is discharged to the outside of

The first camera 50 is a processing unit for photographing the tablet 9 before printing. The 1st camera 50 is located in the 1st inspection position P3 of the downstream of a conveyance path, and the upstream of the conveyance path rather than the printing part 60 rather than the 2nd transmission position P2 mentioned above. Moreover, the 1st camera 50 is extended in the width direction over both of 1st area|region A1 and 2nd area|region A2. The line sensor in which imaging elements, such as CCD and CMOS, were arranged in the width direction, is used for the 1st camera 50, for example. The 1st camera 50 image|photographs the some tablet 9 conveyed by the adsorption belt 42 in the 1st inspection position P3 on a conveyance path|route. An image acquired by shooting is transmitted from the first camera 50 to the control unit 130 . Based on the result of analyzing the distribution of the luminance value of the pixel in the image obtained from the 1st camera 50, the control part 130 determines the presence or absence of the tablet 9 in each suction hole 421, and the tablet 9 ), the rotational posture around the vertical axis of the tablet 9, and the position shift of the tablet 9 with respect to the suction hole 421 are detected. Moreover, based on the result of analyzing the distribution of the luminance values of the pixels in the image obtained from the 1st camera 50, the control part 130 also carries out the test|inspection of whether each tablet 9 does not have defects, such as a glitch. do.

The printing part 60 is a processing part which prints on the surface of the tablet 9 by the inkjet method in the printing position on the conveyance path|route by the adsorption|suction conveyor 40. As shown in FIG. 1 and 2 , the printing unit 60 of the present embodiment has four heads 61 . The four heads 61 are located above the suction belt 42, and are arrange|positioned in a line along the conveyance direction of the tablet 9. As shown in FIG. Each head 61 is extended in the width direction over both of 1st area|region A1 and 2nd area|region A2 of the adsorption|suction belt 42. As shown in FIG. The four heads 61 discharge ink droplets of mutually different colors toward the tablet 9 . The four heads 61 discharge ink droplets of respective colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, for example. Then, a multicolor image is recorded on the front or back surface of the tablet 9 by superimposing the monochromatic image formed by these respective colors. In addition, as the ink discharged from each head 61, edible ink manufactured from raw materials approved by the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, the Food Sanitation Act, etc. is used.

6 is a bottom view of one head 61 . In FIG. 6, the adsorption belt 42 and the some tablet 9 hold|maintained by the adsorption belt 42 are shown by the double-dotted chain line. 6 , a plurality of nozzles 611 capable of discharging ink droplets are formed on the lower surface of the head 61 . In this embodiment, on the lower surface of the head 61, the some nozzle 611 is two-dimensionally arranged in the conveyance direction and the width direction. Each nozzle 611 is arranged with a position shifted in the width direction. Thus, if the some nozzle 611 is arrange|positioned two-dimensionally, the position of the width direction of each nozzle 611 can mutually be made close. However, the some nozzle 611 may be arranged in a line along the width direction.

The so-called piezo system in which the ink in the nozzle 611 is pressurized and discharged by applying a voltage to the piezo element and deforming it, for example, is used for the ejection method of the ink drop from the nozzle 611 . However, the discharge method of the ink droplets may be a so-called thermal method in which a heater is energized and the ink in the nozzle 611 is heated and expanded to discharge.

The second camera 70 is a processing unit for photographing the tablet 9 after printing. The 2nd camera 70 is located in the 2nd inspection position P4 downstream of a conveyance path|route rather than the printing part 60, and upstream of a conveyance path|route rather than the drying mechanism 80. Moreover, the 2nd camera 70 is extended in the width direction over both of 1st area|region A1 and 2nd area|region A2. The line sensor in which imaging elements, such as CCD and CMOS, were arranged in the width direction, is used for the 2nd camera 70, for example. The 2nd camera 70 image|photographs the some tablet 9 conveyed by the suction belt 42 in the 2nd test|inspection position P4 on a conveyance path|route. An image acquired by shooting is transmitted from the second camera 70 to the control unit 130 . Based on the result of analyzing the distribution of the luminance values of pixels in the image obtained from the second camera 70, the control unit 130 contamination, misalignment of print spots, or missing dots in the image printed on the tablet 9 . Check to see if there are any.

The drying mechanism 80 is a mechanism for drying the ink adhering to the surface of the tablet 9 . The drying mechanism 80 is located downstream of a conveyance path rather than the 2nd camera 70. Moreover, the drying mechanism 80 is located in the upstream of a conveyance path from the reversing mechanism 90, the defective-goods collection|recovery mechanism 100, and the good-goods discharge mechanism 110. As shown in FIG. Moreover, the drying mechanism 80 extends in the width direction over both the 1st area|region A1 and the 2nd area|region A2. For the drying mechanism 80 , for example, a hot air supply mechanism that blows heated gas (hot air) toward the tablets 9 conveyed by the adsorption belt 42 is used. The ink adhering to the tablet 9 is dried by hot air and fixed on the surface of the tablet 9 .

The reversing mechanism 90 reverses the front and back sides of the tablet 9 conveyed by the adsorption belt 42 and moves the tablet 9 from the first area A1 to the second area A2. to be. The reversing mechanism 90 is located on the downstream side of the conveyance path rather than the defective product collection mechanism 100 and the good product discharge mechanism 110 , and is located on the upstream side of the conveyance path from the suction drum 30 .

FIG. 7 : is the figure which looked at the adsorption|suction conveyor 40 and the inversion mechanism 90 from the direction of the white arrow V1 in FIG. 1 , 3 , and 7 , the inversion mechanism 90 of the present embodiment includes the first inclined drum 91 , the second inclined drum 92 , the third inclined drum 93 , and the second inclined drum 93 . It has four inclined drums 94 , a fifth inclined drum 95 , and a sixth inclined drum 96 .

The 1st inclined drum 91 and the 2nd inclined drum 92 are arrange|positioned adjacent to the width direction. The 3rd inclined drum 93 and the 4th inclined drum 94 are arrange|positioned adjacent to the width direction in the downstream of a conveyance path rather than the 1st inclined drum 91 and the 2nd inclined drum 92. The 5th inclined drum 95 and the 6th inclined drum 96 are arrange|positioned adjacent to the width direction in the downstream of a conveyance path rather than the 3rd inclined drum 93 and the 4th inclined drum 94. Hereinafter, on the conveyance path of the adsorption conveyor 40, the position where the 1st inclined drum 91 and the 2nd inclined drum 92 are formed is "the 1st inversion position P5" and the 3rd inclined drum 93. and the position where the fourth inclined drum 94 is formed is referred to as the “second inversion position (P6)”, and the position where the fifth inclined drum 95 and the sixth inclined drum 96 are formed is referred to as the “third inversion position (P7)” )” respectively.

The first inclined drum 91 has a conical first side surface 910 about a first axis C1 inclined with respect to the width direction. A part of the 1st side surface 910 opposes 1st area|region A1 of the adsorption|suction belt 42 via a micro clearance gap. Moreover, the 1st inclined drum 91 is being fixed to the output shaft of the motor 91M. When the motor 91M is driven, the 1st inclined drum 91 rotates centering around the 1st axis|shaft C1.

The second inclined drum 92 has a conical second side surface 920 about a second axis C2 inclined with respect to the width direction. The 1st inclined drum 91 and the 2nd inclined drum 92 are arrange|positioned adjacent to each other in the width direction so that the top parts may oppose each other. A part of the second side surface 920 opposes the second area A2 of the suction belt 42 through a minute gap. Another part of the second side surface 920 faces the first side surface 910 with a minute gap therebetween. Moreover, the 2nd inclined drum 92 is being fixed to the output shaft of the motor 92M. When the motor 92M is driven, the 2nd inclined drum 92 will rotate centering around the 2nd axis|shaft C2.

In this embodiment, both the vertex angle of the 1st inclined drum 91 and the vertex angle of the 2nd inclined drum 92 at the time of seeing in the conveyance direction of the adsorption|suction conveyor 40 are 90 degrees. Moreover, the inclination angle of the 1st axis|shaft C1 with respect to the outer peripheral surface 420 of the suction belt 42 is 45 degrees. Moreover, the inclination angle of the 2nd axis|shaft C2 with respect to the outer peripheral surface 420 of the suction belt 42 is 45 degrees. Accordingly, the first side surface 910 and the second side surface 920 face each other at a position of 90° with respect to the outer peripheral surface 420 . Moreover, the 1st inclined drum 91 and the 2nd inclined drum 92 have mutually the same shape, structure, and size. For this reason, the 1st inclined drum 91 and the 2nd inclined drum 92 can be made common as a component. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the tablet printing apparatus 1 can be reduced.

A plurality of first inversion adsorption holes 911 are formed in the first side surface 910 . The plurality of first inversion adsorption holes 911 are formed in an annular shape centering on the first axis C1 at equal angular intervals. Similarly, also in the 2nd side surface 920, the some 2nd inversion adsorption hole 921 is formed. The some 2nd inversion adsorption hole 921 is formed centering on the 2nd axis|shaft C2 in an annular shape, and an equal-angle space|interval.

The pressure of the internal space of the 1st inclined drum 91 is maintained at the negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure by the suction mechanism which abbreviate|omitted illustration. The first inclined drum 91 holds the plurality of tablets 9 one by one in the plurality of first inversion adsorption holes 911 by this negative pressure. Similarly, the pressure of the internal space of the 2nd inclined drum 92 is also maintained at the negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure by the suction mechanism which abbreviate|omitted illustration. The second inclined drum 92 holds the plurality of tablets 9 one by one in the plurality of second inversion adsorption holes 921 by this negative pressure.

As shown by the broken line in FIG. 7, inside the 1st inclined drum 91, 5th blowing mechanism B5 is provided. The 5th blowing mechanism B5 supplies gas only to the 1st inversion adsorption hole 911 which opposes the 2nd inclined drum 92 among the some 1st inversion adsorption hole 911 of the 1st inclined drum 91. spray When it does so, the said 1st inversion adsorption hole 911 becomes a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. Thereby, the adsorption|suction of the tablet 9 in the said 1st inversion adsorption hole 911 is cancelled|released, and the 2nd inclined drum 92 from the 1st inversion adsorption hole 911 of the 1st inclined drum 91 is cancelled|released. To the second inversion adsorption hole 921 , tablets 9 are delivered.

Moreover, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 7, inside the 2nd inclined drum 92, 6th blowing mechanism B6 is provided. The 6th blowing mechanism B6 has 2nd inversion suction hole (2nd inversion suction hole) which opposes the 2nd area|region A2 of the suction belt 42 among the some 2nd inversion suction holes 921 of the 2nd inclined drum 92. 921), and only injects gas. Then, the said 2nd inversion adsorption hole 921 becomes a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. Thereby, the adsorption|suction of the tablet 9 in the said 2nd inversion adsorption hole 921 is cancelled|released, and the 2nd of the adsorption belt 42 is released from the 2nd inversion adsorption hole 921 of the 2nd inclined drum 92. To the adsorption hole 421 of the area A2, the tablet 9 is delivered.

In addition, the adsorption force of the tablet 9 by the plurality of second inversion adsorption holes 921 in the second side surface 920 is the plurality of first inversion adsorption holes 911 in the first side surface 910 . What is necessary is just to make it slightly larger than the adsorption|suction power of the tablet 9 by . In doing so, at the time of transfer of the tablets 9 from the first inverted suction hole 911 of the first inclined drum 91 to the second inverted suction hole 921 of the second inclined drum 92, the tablets 9 ) is less likely to occur. However, the adsorption force of the some 1st inversion adsorption hole 911 of the 1st inclined drum 91 and the adsorption force of the some 2nd inversion adsorption hole 921 of the 2nd inclined drum 92 may be the same.

The third inclined drum 93 and the fourth inclined drum 94 have structures equivalent to those of the first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum 92, and the first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum Similar to (92), they are arranged adjacently. However, the 3rd inclined drum 93 and the 4th inclined drum 94 are downstream of a conveyance path rather than the 1st inversion position P5 in which the 1st inclined drum 91 and the 2nd inclined drum 92 are arrange|positioned. is placed at the second inversion position P6 of . Moreover, the 3rd inclined drum 93 and the 4th inclined drum 94 are more than the 1st inclined drum 91 and the 2nd inclined drum 92 by one part of the arrangement space|interval of the width direction of the tablet 9. , arranged at a position shifted in the width direction. The 3rd inclined drum 93 is being fixed to the output shaft of the motor 93M. The 4th inclined drum 94 is being fixed to the output shaft of the motor 94M.

The fifth inclined drum 95 and the sixth inclined drum 96 also have structures equivalent to those of the first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum 92, and the first inclined drum 91 and the second inclined drum Similar to (92), they are arranged adjacently. However, the 5th inclined drum 95 and the 6th inclined drum 96 are downstream of a conveyance path rather than the 2nd inversion position P6 in which the 3rd inclined drum 93 and the 4th inclined drum 94 are arrange|positioned. is placed at the third inversion position P7 of . Moreover, the 5th inclined drum 95 and the 6th inclined drum 96 are more than the 3rd inclined drum 93 and the 4th inclined drum 94 by one part of the arrangement space|interval of the width direction of the tablet 9. , arranged at a position shifted in the width direction. The 5th inclined drum 95 is being fixed to the output shaft of the motor 95M. The 6th inclined drum 96 is being fixed to the output shaft of the motor 96M.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tablet 9 hold|maintained by the adsorption hole 421 of the 1st position W1 of the width direction of the adsorption belt 42, and conveyed to the 1st inversion position P5 on a conveyance path|route is , is transferred to the first inclined drum 91 . The 1st inclined drum 91 adsorb|sucks the tablet 9 received from the adsorption belt 42 in the said 1st inversion position P5 to the 1st inversion adsorption hole 911 of the 1st side surface 910. After rotating while holding, it is transferred to the second inclined drum 92 . After that, the second inclined drum 92 rotates while adsorbing and holding the tablets 9 received from the first inclined drum 91 in the second inversion adsorption hole 921 of the second side surface 920 . , it transmits to the adsorption hole 421 of the 2nd position W2 of the width direction of the adsorption belt 42. Thereby, the position in the width direction of the tablet 9 in the conveyance route is moved from the first position W1 belonging to the first region A1 to the second position W2 belonging to the second region A2. Along with this, the front and back sides of the tablet 9 are reversed.

Similarly, the 3rd inclined drum 93 and the 4th inclined drum 94 are the 3rd position W3 of the width direction belonging to the 1st area|region A1 in the 2nd inversion position P6 on a conveyance path|route. to the fourth position W4 in the width direction belonging to the second region A2, while moving the position in the width direction of the tablet 9 in the conveyance route, the front and back sides of the tablet 9 are reversed . Similarly, the fifth inclined drum 95 and the sixth inclined drum 96 are located at a fifth position in the width direction ( From W5) to the sixth position W6 in the width direction belonging to the second region A2, the position in the width direction of the tablet 9 in the conveyance route is moved, and the front and back sides of the tablet 9 are moved invert

FIG. 8 is a view of the adsorption conveyor 40 , the defective product recovery mechanism 100 (part of the illustration omitted), and the non-defective product discharge mechanism 110 viewed from the direction indicated by the white arrow V2 in FIG. 2 . The defective article collecting mechanism 100 is disposed of as a defective article by the control unit 130 at a defective article discharging position P8 on the downstream side in the transfer direction from the first inspection position P3 and the second inspection position P4 on the transfer path. It is a discharge mechanism for carrying out the determined tablet 9 from the adsorption|suction conveyor 40. As shown in FIG. 8, the inferior goods collection|recovery mechanism 100 has the inferior goods chute 101 and the collection box which abbreviate|omitted illustration.

The defective product chute 101 is located on the downstream side of the conveying path from the drying mechanism 80 , and is located on the upstream side of the conveying path from the non-defective product discharging mechanism 110 . The defective article chute 101 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The defective article recovery port 102 which is an opening of the upper end of the defective article chute 101 faces the second region A2 of the outer peripheral surface 420 of the suction belt 42 in the vertical direction with a gap therebetween.

The 3rd blowing mechanism B3 of the adsorption|suction conveyor 40 is provided inside the adsorption|suction belt 42. As shown in FIG. Moreover, the 3rd blowing mechanism B3 is provided in the inferior goods collection|recovery port 102 and the position which opposes via the adsorption|suction belt 42. As shown in FIG. When the adsorption hole 421 for adsorbing and holding the tablet 9 determined to be a defective product reaches the defective product discharge position P8 opposite to the defective product recovery port 102, the third blowing mechanism B3 activates the suction belt ( Among the plurality of adsorption holes 421 of 42 , gas is sprayed in the vertical downward direction only to the adsorption holes 421 of the defective product discharge position P8 . Then, the said adsorption hole 421 becomes a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. Thereby, the adsorption|suction of the tablet 9 in the said adsorption hole 421 is cancelled|released, and the tablet 9 falls from the adsorption belt 42 to the defective article recovery port 102 .

The tablets 9 that have fallen from the suction holes 421 of the adsorption belt 42 to the defective product recovery port 102 of the defective product chute 101 pass through the inside of the defective product chute 101 and are accommodated in the recovery box described above. do. Then, the tablet 9 accommodated in the recovery box is recovered by an operator or the like, and discarded outside the tablet printing apparatus 1 .

The non-defective product discharging mechanism 110 is located at a non-defective product discharging position P9 on the downstream side in the conveying direction from the first inspection position P3, the second inspection position P4, and the defective product discharging position P8 on the conveyance path, It is a discharge mechanism for carrying out the tablet 9 judged as good by the control part 130 from the adsorption|suction conveyor 40. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8 , the non-defective product discharging mechanism 110 includes a non-defective product chute 111 , a non-defective product discharging conveyor 112 , and a cover 113 .

The non-defective product chute 111 is located on the downstream side of the conveyance path rather than the defective product collection mechanism 100 . The non-defective chute 111 has a structure bent in part while having a cylindrical shape. The non-defective discharge port 114, which is an opening at the upper end of the non-defective chute 111, faces the second area A2 of the outer peripheral surface 420 of the suction belt 42 in the vertical direction with a gap therebetween.

The fourth blowing mechanism B4 of the adsorption conveyor 40 is provided inside the adsorption belt 42 . Moreover, the 4th blowing mechanism B4 is provided in the non-defective discharge port 114 and the position which opposes via the adsorption|suction belt 42. As shown in FIG. When the adsorption hole 421 for adsorbing and holding the tablet 9 judged to be non-defective reaches the non-defective product discharge position P9 facing the non-defective discharge port 114, the fourth blowing mechanism B4 activates the suction belt 42 ) of the plurality of adsorption holes 421, the gas is sprayed in the vertical downward direction only to the adsorption holes 421 at the non-defective discharge position P9. Then, the said adsorption hole 421 becomes a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. Thereby, the adsorption|suction of the tablet 9 in the said adsorption hole 421 is cancelled|released, and the tablet 9 falls from the adsorption belt 42 to the non-defective discharge port 114 .

Tablets 9 falling from the adsorption holes 421 of the adsorption belt 42 to the non-defective discharge outlet 114 of the non-defective chute 111 pass through the inside of the non-defective chute 111 and fall onto the non-defective discharge conveyor 112 do. The non-defective product discharge conveyor 112 has a configuration equivalent to that of the conveyer 20 described above. When the pulley 115 of the non-defective product discharge conveyor 112 rotates by the power obtained from the motor M4, the conveyance belt 116 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The plurality of tablets 9 dropped on the non-defective product discharge conveyor 112 are carried out of the tablet printing apparatus 1 while being mounted on the conveyance belt 116 .

The cleaning apparatus 120 is an apparatus for cleaning the suction belt 42 . About the structure of the cleaning apparatus 120, the detail is mentioned later.

The control unit 130 controls operation of each unit in the tablet printing apparatus 1 . 9 is a block diagram showing the connection between the control unit 130 and each unit in the tablet printing apparatus 1 . As conceptually shown in Fig. 9, the control unit 130 is constituted by a computer having a processor 131 such as a CPU, a memory 132 such as a RAM, and a storage unit 133 such as a hard disk drive. In the storage unit 133, a computer program CP for executing print processing is installed.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, the control part 130 is the feeder 10 mentioned above, the conveyer 20 (the motor M1 is included), the adsorption|suction drum 30 (motor M2), the product 1 suction mechanism 302 and the 1st blowing mechanism B1 are included), the suction conveyor 40 (motor M3, the 2nd suction mechanism 44, and the blowing mechanisms B2-B4 are included. ), first camera 50, printing unit 60 (including head 61), second camera 70, drying mechanism 80, reversing mechanism 90 (motor 91M to motor) 96M, a fifth blowing mechanism B5, a sixth blowing mechanism B6, and a suction mechanism), a good product discharging mechanism 110 (including a motor M4), and a cleaning device 120 It is connected with (including the 7th blowing mechanism B7 and the collection|recovery mechanism 121 mentioned later) so that communication is possible by wire or wireless, respectively. The control unit 130 temporarily reads out the computer program CP and data stored in the storage unit 133 to the memory 132, and based on the computer program CP, the processor 131 By performing arithmetic processing, each part mentioned above operation-controls. Thereby, conveyance of the some tablet 9 and the printing process with respect to each tablet 9 advance.

In addition, as described above, the control unit 130 analyzes the distribution of the luminance values of pixels in the images received from the first camera 50 and the second camera 70, and based on the analysis result, The presence or absence of defects, such as a glitch in each tablet 9, and the presence or absence of contamination in the image printed on the tablet 9, shift|offset|difference of a printing point, or a dot defect, etc. are inspected. And based on the test result, it is determined whether each tablet 9 is a good product or a defective product. That is, the control unit 130 inspects the tablet 9 based on each image captured by the first camera 50 and the second camera 70, respectively, and determines the printing state or shape of the tablet 9 . It functions as a test|inspection part and judgment part which judges good or bad.

<2. Composition of cleaning device>

Then, the structure of the cleaning apparatus 120 is demonstrated in detail. 10 : is a partial perspective view of the cleaning apparatus 120 and the adsorption|suction conveyor 40. As shown in FIG.

4 and 10 , the cleaning device 120 is disposed above the suction drum 30 . The cleaning apparatus 120 has a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7, and the collection|recovery mechanism 121 located between a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7. A pair of seventh blowing mechanism B7 and recovery mechanism 121 are respectively fixed to the casing of tablet printing apparatus 1 . Moreover, a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7 and the collection|recovery mechanism 121 respectively opposes the suction belt 42, Comprising: 1st area|region A1 and 2nd area|region A2 of the suction belt 42, respectively. It extends across both sides in the width direction.

In addition, in FIG. 10, for convenience of description, a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7 and the collection|recovery mechanism 121 are spaced and shown in figure. However, a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7 and the collection|recovery mechanism 121 mutually adjoin and may be arrange|positioned. Moreover, the pair of seventh blowing mechanism B7 and collection mechanism 121 may be fixed to the casing of the tablet printing apparatus 1 as an integrated unit.

Each seventh blowing mechanism B7 has one linear nozzle 71 . Six jet ports 710 are formed in each linear nozzle 71 of the present embodiment. The six jet ports 710 are respectively provided in the position opposing the six adsorption hole 421 adjacent to the width direction in the suction belt 42. As shown in FIG. However, these jet ports 710 may be mutually connected. That is, each linear nozzle 71 should just have the jet port 710 arrange|positioned at the position opposing the one or some adsorption hole 421 adjacent to the width direction in the adsorption|suction belt 42. As shown in FIG.

Each linear nozzle 71 is connected to the air supply source 73 (refer FIG. 4) via the air hose 72. As shown in FIG. Moreover, the on-off valve 74 is formed in the air hose 72. As shown in FIG. When the on-off valve 74 is opened, pressurized clean dry air (compressed air) is supplied from the air supply source 73 through the air hose 72 to the linear nozzle 71 .

In this embodiment, a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7 is mutually arrange|positioned in an up-down direction. And a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7 injects compressed air toward the mutually same position on a conveyance path among the outer peripheral surfaces 420 of the adsorption|suction belt 42. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7 is downstream of the 2nd delivery position P2 by which the tablet 9 is delivered to the adsorption conveyor 40 from the adsorption drum 30 on a conveyance path, respectively, respectively. In the cleaning position P10 of , compressed air is blown toward the outer peripheral surface 420 of the adsorption belt 42 . The cleaning position P10 is a position upstream on a conveyance path|route rather than the inspection positions P3 and P4 in which the cameras 50 and 70 are arrange|positioned. More specifically, on the outer peripheral surface 420 of the adsorption belt 42, the six adsorption holes 421 mutually at the same position as the conveyance direction (cleaning position P10) and adjacent to each other in the width direction. and toward their periphery, the pair of seventh blowing mechanisms B7 each blow compressed air. When compressed air is blown to the outer peripheral surface 420 of the adsorption belt 42, the fine powder of the tablet 9 adhering to the outer peripheral surface 420 is the space between the up-down direction of a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7. is blown towards

The recovery mechanism 121 includes a main body pipe 81 and a vacuum pump 82 . An intake port 810 extending in the width direction is formed on one end side of the main body pipe 81 . The intake port 810 faces both the first area A1 and the second area A2 of the outer peripheral surface 420 of the suction belt 42 . When the vacuum pump 82 is operated, the fine powder of the tablet 9 blown from the outer peripheral surface 420 of the adsorption belt 42 as described above is sucked from the intake port 810 together with gases such as air. Further, inside the main body pipe 81, a filter 83 having a finer mesh than the fine powder of the tablet 9 is formed. Thereby, the recovery mechanism 121 discharges the gas such as air sucked in from the intake port 810 through the filter 83 , and the fine powder of the tablet 9 can be recovered in the filter 83 . have. However, the filter 83 does not necessarily need to be formed. Even in this case, the fine powder of the tablet 9 contained in the gas can be recovered at the place where the gas sucked from the intake port 810 is discharged.

In addition, in this embodiment, the control part 130 controls the operation|movement of the vacuum pump 82 of the opening/closing valve 74 of the pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7, and the collection|recovery mechanism 121. However, you may implement these manually by an operator etc. Moreover, you may use not only clean dry air but other gas which does not affect manufacture of the tablet 9 as gas ejected from the 7th blowing mechanism B7. For example, you may use nitrogen etc. for the gas ejected from the 7th blowing mechanism B7. Moreover, although the 7th blowing mechanism B7 may always blow out a fixed amount of gas, depending on the process of a cleaning operation|work, blowing intermittently, stopping the blowing of gas primarily, or blowing out amount every fixed time can be changed or

Here, as mentioned above, in order to transfer the tablet 9 smoothly from the adsorption drum 30 to the adsorption conveyor 40, 1st blowing mechanism B1 of the adsorption drum 30 is a 2nd delivery position The gas is injected into the drum adsorption hole 301 that passes through P2 accurately. For this reason, more fine powder is generated from the surface of the tablet 9, or the generated fine powder is scattered toward the suction conveyor 40, so that the suction holes 421 and the suction holes 421 of the suction belt 42 are In the vicinity of the periphery of , it may adhere more and may be laminated|stacked. In this case, if the tablet 9 is newly conveyed without cleaning and the tablet 9 is photographed by the first camera 50 and the second camera 70, in the obtained image data, the tablet ( 9) and it became difficult to discriminate|determine the adsorption hole 421 to which fine powder adhered, and there existed a possibility that a problem may arise in the test result by the control part 130. FIG.

However, in this embodiment, by cleaning the adsorption belt 42 using the cleaning device 120, the tablet 9 adhering to the adsorption hole 421 or the peripheral edge vicinity of the adsorption hole 421 is The fine powder may be removed, or the amount of fine powder may be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the adverse effect on the subsequent inspection due to the adhesion or lamination of the fine powder of the tablet 9 . Moreover, by using the cleaning apparatus 120 mentioned above, the fine powder of the tablet 9 adhering to the adsorption belt 42 can be removed or reduced, without contacting the adsorption belt 42 directly. For this reason, it prevents the adsorption belt 42 from being scratched or foreign substances mixed in, which may occur when the adsorption belt 42 is directly contacted, thereby suppressing adverse influence on the quality of the tablet 9 as a product. can do.

Moreover, by using the cleaning apparatus 120 of this embodiment, the fine powder of the tablet 9 adhering to the adsorption belt 42 can be removed or reduced without newly adding the path|route for cleaning the adsorption belt 42. can For this reason, it can suppress that the tablet printing apparatus 1 whole including the adsorption belt 42 enlarges. As a result, also in the limited space, the cleaning operation|work of the adsorption|suction belt 42 can be performed.

Moreover, the cleaning apparatus 120 of this embodiment injects compressed air toward the cleaning position P10 mutually same as a conveyance direction from a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7 arrange|positioned at intervals in the up-down direction. . And the collection|recovery mechanism 121 which locates the fine powder of the tablet 9 blown toward the space between the up-down directions of a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7 by this between a pair of 7th blowing mechanisms B7. ) is recovered by For this reason, the fine powder of the tablet 9 can be efficiently collect|recovered, without scattering around the adsorption belt 42 and the cleaning apparatus 120. In addition, a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7 may be arrange|positioned at intervals in the left-right direction, and the collection|recovery mechanism 121 may be arrange|positioned between a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7 of right and left.

11 : after performing the printing process of the tablet 9 for 1 lot using the tablet printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, cleaning the adsorption belt 42 using the cleaning apparatus 120 Shows the result of verifying the effect shown when it is done. In addition, in this embodiment, after performing the printing process of about 1 million tablets for 1 lot, the effect seen when cleaning the adsorption belt 42 was verified. The left figure of FIG. 11 has shown the image which image|photographed the adsorption|suction belt 42 immediately after performing the printing process of about 1 million tablets 9 using the tablet printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The right figure of FIG. 11 has shown the image which image|photographed the adsorption|suction belt 42 at the time of completing cleaning of the adsorption|suction belt 42 using the cleaning apparatus 120 after that.

As shown in FIG. 11, when cleaning using the cleaning apparatus 120 (right view) compared with before (left view) cleaning, of the adsorption hole 421 and the adsorption hole 421 It was confirmed as a visual result that the adhesion amount of the fine powder in peripheral part vicinity was suppressed remarkably.

<3. About the flow of processing>

Then, the flow of conveyance process using the tablet printing apparatus 1 mentioned above, a print process, and a cleaning operation is demonstrated. Below, the process performed with respect to any one tablet 9, and the operation|work after that are demonstrated in order. However, this tablet printing apparatus 1 performs predetermined processing while conveying several tablets 9 sequentially along a conveyance path|route at the time of a conveyance process and a printing process. Accordingly, a plurality of tablets 9 are present inside the tablet printing apparatus 1 at the same time.

12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the tablet printing apparatus 1 . When a predetermined number of tablets 9 are put into the tablet printing apparatus 1 (step S1 ), first, the feeder 10 supplies the plurality of tablets 9 to the conveyer 20 . Here, the predetermined number is, for example, one lot of tablets, for example, about 1 million pieces. The plurality of tablets 9 supplied to the conveyer 20 are mounted on the upper surface of the conveyance belt 22, and with rotation of the conveyance belt 22, approximately in the conveyance direction to the 1st conveyance position P1. It moves horizontally (step S2).

Next, in the 1st delivery position P1, the tablet 9 is adsorbed-held by the drum adsorption hole 301 of the adsorption drum 30, and upper 2nd delivery by rotation of the adsorption drum 30. Move in the conveying direction to position P2. At this time, it arrange|positions so that the space|interval of the conveyance direction of the some tablet 9 may become a predetermined space|interval according to the space|interval of the drum adsorption|suction hole 301. As shown in FIG. When the tablet 9 arrives at the second delivery position P2, the adsorption of the tablet 9 in the drum adsorption hole 301 is canceled. Thereby, the tablet 9 is transmitted from the adsorption|suction drum 30 to the adsorption|suction conveyor 40 (step S3).

Then, the tablet 9 is adsorbed and held by the adsorption hole 421 of the 1st area|region A1 of the adsorption belt 42. As shown in FIG. And with rotation of the adsorption|suction belt 42, the tablet 9 is conveyed along an annular conveyance path|route. Hereinafter, in the state held by the adsorption hole 421 of the 1st area|region A1, the surface which faces the outside of the tablet 9 is called a "first surface". In addition, in the said state, the surface adsorbed by the adsorption hole 421 is called a "second surface". 2 and 3, in order to distinguish the first surface from the second surface, the first surface of the tablet 9 is provided with an oblique line. However, these "first surface" and "second surface" have nothing to do with the original front and back surfaces of the tablet 9 . For example, in the case where the tablet 9 is a secant tablet having a secant line 140 (see FIG. 13 ) only on one side, among the plurality of tablets 9 held in the first region A1, a secant The tablet 9 in which the surface with 140 becomes the 1st surface, and the tablet 9 in which the surface without the secant 140 becomes the 1st surface may be mixed.

When the tablet 9 reaches the first inspection position P3 below the first camera 50 , the first camera 50 images the first surface of the tablet 9 . In this way, image data of the first surface of the tablet 9 is acquired. The acquired image data is transmitted to the control part 130 from the 1st camera 50. The control unit 130 performs a pre-printing inspection of the first surface based on the image data received from the first camera 50 (step S4). Specifically, the presence or absence of the tablet 9 in the adsorption hole 421, the front and back of the tablet 9, the rotational posture around the vertical axis of the tablet 9, and the position of the tablet 9 with respect to the adsorption hole 421 The presence or absence of a shift|offset|difference, the shape defect of the tablet 9, etc. are inspected.

Next, when the tablet 9 reaches the printing position below the printing part 60 , the four heads 61 discharge ink droplets toward the first surface of the tablet 9 . Thereby, the printing process is performed on the 1st surface of the tablet 9. As shown in FIG. As a result, an image is printed on the first side of the tablet 9 (step S5). At this time, the control part 130 adjusts the image to be printed on each tablet 9 based on the inspection result of step S4 mentioned above. For example, an appropriate image is selected depending on whether it is the surface having the secant 140 or the surface on the opposite side thereof, and the selected image is rotated according to the rotational posture of each tablet 9 . Then, a print signal is input to the head 61 based on the adjusted image. As a result, on the first side of each tablet 9, an appropriate image is printed in an appropriate posture.

Then, when the tablet 9 reaches the 2nd inspection position P4 below the 2nd camera 70, the 2nd camera 70 will image|photograph the 1st surface of the tablet 9. In this way, image data of the first surface of the tablet 9 is acquired. The acquired image data is transmitted from the second camera 70 to the control unit 130 . Moreover, the control part 130 performs a post-printing test|inspection of the 1st surface based on the image data received from the 2nd camera 70 (step S6). Specifically, the control unit 130 compares the image data received from the second camera 70 with data of a normal image prepared in advance, for example, to determine the print state of the first side of each tablet 9 . decide whether or not

Then, when the tablet 9 reaches the vicinity of the drying mechanism 80 , the drying mechanism 80 blows hot air toward the first surface of the tablet 9 . Thereby, the ink adhering to the first surface of the tablet 9 is dried, and the ink is fixed to the first surface (step S7).

Then, when the tablet 9 reaches the first reversal position P5, the second reversal position P6, or the third reversal position P7, which is the reversal position on the conveyance path, the reversing mechanism 90 moves the tablet While inverting the front and back sides of (9), the tablet 9 is moved from the first area A1 to the second area A2 (step S8). By this step S8, a 1st surface is adsorb|sucked by the adsorption hole 421 of the 2nd area|region A2 of the tablet 9, and it will be in the state which the 2nd surface faces outward.

Then, when the tablet 9 reaches|attains the 1st inspection position P3 below the 1st camera 50, the 1st camera 50 will image|photograph the 2nd surface of the tablet 9. Thereby, the image data of the 2nd surface of the tablet 9 is acquired. The acquired image data is transmitted to the control part 130 from the 1st camera 50. Moreover, based on the image data received from the 1st camera 50, the control part 130 performs the pre-printing test|inspection of the 2nd surface (step S9). Specifically, the presence or absence of the tablet 9 in the adsorption hole 421, the front and back of the tablet 9, the rotational posture around the vertical axis of the tablet 9, and the position of the tablet 9 with respect to the adsorption hole 421 The presence or absence of a shift|offset|difference, the shape defect of the tablet 9, etc. are inspected.

Next, when the tablet 9 reaches the printing position below the printing unit 60 , the four heads 61 discharge ink droplets toward the second surface of the tablet 9 . Thereby, a printing process is performed on the 2nd surface of the tablet 9. As shown in FIG. As a result, an image is printed on the second side of the tablet 9 (step S10). At this time, the control part 130 adjusts the image to be printed on each tablet 9 based on the inspection result of step S9 mentioned above. For example, an appropriate image is selected depending on whether it is the surface having the secant 140 or the surface on the opposite side thereof, and the selected image is rotated according to the rotational posture of each tablet 9 . Then, a print signal is input to the head 61 based on the adjusted image. As a result, on the second side of each tablet 9, an appropriate image is printed in an appropriate posture.

Then, when the tablet 9 reaches the 2nd inspection position P4 below the 2nd camera 70, the 2nd camera 70 will image|photograph the 2nd surface of the tablet 9. As shown in FIG. Thereby, the image data of the 2nd surface of the tablet 9 is acquired. The acquired image data is transmitted from the second camera 70 to the control unit 130 . Moreover, the control part 130 performs a post-printing test|inspection of the 2nd surface based on the image data received from the 2nd camera 70 (step S11). Specifically, the control unit 130 compares the image data received from the second camera 70 with data of a normal image prepared in advance, for example, to determine the print state of the second surface of each tablet 9 . decide whether or not

Then, when the tablet 9 reaches the vicinity of the drying mechanism 80 , the drying mechanism 80 blows hot air toward the second surface of the tablet 9 . Thereby, the ink adhering to the second surface of the tablet 9 is dried, and the ink is fixed to the second surface (step S12).

As described above, the control unit 130 inspects the tablet 9 based on each image captured by the first camera 50 and the second camera 70, respectively, and prints the tablet 9 It functions as a test|inspection part and a judgment part which judges the quality of a state or shape. Further, for each tablet 9, the control unit 130 judges whether it is a good product with good printing condition and no shape defects such as missing, or whether it is a defective product with poor printing or shape defects (step S13).

When the control unit 130 determines that the tablet 9 is a defective product (step S13 = NO), after that, when the tablet 9 determined as a defective product reaches the defective product discharge position P8, the tablet ( A positive pressure is applied to the adsorption holes 421 of the adsorption conveyor 40 in which 9) is adsorbed and held, and the adsorption of the tablets 9 in the adsorption holes 421 is canceled. Thereby, the tablet 9 judged as a defective product is discharged to the defective product recovery port 102 (step S14).

When the control unit 130 determines that the tablet 9 is non-defective (step S13 = YES), after that, when the tablet 9 judged as non-defective reaches the non-defective discharge position P9, the tablet ( A positive pressure is applied to the adsorption holes 421 of the adsorption conveyor 40 in which 9) is adsorbed and held, and the adsorption of the tablets 9 in the adsorption holes 421 is canceled. Thereby, the tablet 9 judged to be non-defective is discharged to the non-defective discharge port 114 (step S15). The plurality of tablets 9 dropped from the non-defective product discharge port 114 to the non-defective product discharge conveyor 112 are carried out of the tablet printing apparatus 1 while being mounted on the conveyance belt 116 .

Thereafter, the control unit 130 performs conveyance processing and printing processing for all of the predetermined number of tablets 9 put into the tablet printing apparatus 1 , and performs a good product discharge mechanism 110 or a defective product recovery mechanism 100 . It is determined whether or not it has been discharged to the outside of the tablet printing apparatus 1 (step S16). When it is determined that the processing for all of the predetermined number of tablets 9 is completed and discharged to the outside of the tablet printing apparatus 1 (step S16 = YES), the control unit 130 controls the cleaning apparatus 120 It is actuated and the cleaning operation|work of the adsorption|suction belt 42 is performed in the cleaning position P10 (step S17). At this time, the control unit 130 continuously operates the cleaning device 120 while rotating the suction belt 42 in a state in which the tablets 9 are not held in all the suction holes 421, and the suction belt ( 42) to carry out the cleaning work. Thereby, all the adsorption holes 421 formed in the annular adsorption belt 42 and the fine powder of the tablets 9 adhering to the periphery thereof can be removed or reduced. As a result, thereafter, when a predetermined number of tablets 9 (for example, 1 lot = about 1 million) is newly introduced into the tablet printing apparatus 1 and treated, the fine powder of the tablets 9 is thereafter It is possible to suppress the adverse effect on the inspection.

<4. Modifications>

As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above.

In the above-described embodiment, conveyance processing and printing processing are performed for all of the predetermined number of tablets 9 put into the tablet printing apparatus 1, and after being discharged to the outside of the tablet printing apparatus 1, The cleaning apparatus 120 was operated, and the cleaning operation|work of the adsorption belt 42 was performed, rotating the adsorption belt 42 in the state which is not holding the tablet 9. However, while the conveyance process or the print process is being performed with respect to the some tablet 9, you may operate the cleaning apparatus 120 in parallel, and you may perform the cleaning operation|work of the adsorption|suction belt 42. As shown in FIG.

In this case, what is necessary is just to arrange|position the cleaning apparatus 120 in 1st area|region A1 vicinity of the downstream of the conveyance direction of the 1st inclined drum 91 - the 6th inclined drum 96, for example. And in the cleaning position P11 (refer FIG. 3) downstream of the 1st inversion position P5, the 2nd inversion position P6, and the 3rd inversion position P7 on a conveyance path, a pair of 7 Fine powder of the tablet 9 blown from the adsorption belt 42 by the recovery mechanism 121 by blowing compressed air toward the outer peripheral surface 420 of the adsorption belt 42 by the blowing mechanism B7. should be retrieved

Moreover, what is necessary is just to arrange|position the cleaning apparatus 120 in the vicinity of the 2nd area|region A2 downstream of the conveyance direction of the non-defective product discharge mechanism 110 . And in the cleaning position P12 (refer FIG. 3) on the downstream side of the non-defective product discharge mechanism 110 on a conveyance path, the outer peripheral surface 420 of the suction belt 42 by a pair of 7th blowing mechanism B7. What is necessary is just to inject compressed air toward ) and to collect the fine powder of the tablet 9 blown away from the adsorption belt 42 by the collection|recovery mechanism 121.

As shown in FIG. 3, these cleaning positions P11 and P12 oppose the adsorption hole 421 which does not hold the tablet 9. Therefore, even if it is a case where the cleaning apparatus 120 is operated in parallel while the conveyance process or the printing process is being performed with respect to the some tablet 9, compressed air or fine powder hits with respect to the tablet 9 in process. influence is suppressed.

In embodiment mentioned above, the cleaning apparatus 120 had two 7th blowing mechanism B7 and one collection|recovery mechanism 121. However, the 7th blowing mechanism B7 which the cleaning apparatus 120 has, and the number of the collection|recovery mechanism 121 are not limited to this. For example, the cleaning apparatus 120 may have one 7th blowing mechanism B7 and one collection|recovery mechanism 121. And, for example, you may arrange|position the collection|recovery mechanism 121 below 7th blowing mechanism B7. Moreover, compressed air is blown toward the outer peripheral surface 420 of the adsorption belt 42 by the said 7th blowing mechanism B7 of upper direction, and it blows away from the adsorption belt 42 by the collection mechanism 121 below. You may collect the fine powder of the tablet 9 sent.

The 1st inclined drum 91 - the 6th inclined drum 96 of embodiment mentioned above each had the adsorption hole which is a some small hole. However, each of the first inclined drum 91 to the sixth inclined drum 96 may have an annular suction slit (not shown) on the side surface. For example, the 1st inclined drum 91 may have, on the 1st side surface 910, the 1st annular|circular 1st adsorption|suction slit centering on the 1st axis|shaft C1. Moreover, the 2nd inclined drum 92 may have on the 2nd side surface 920, the annular 2nd adsorption|suction slit centering on the 2nd axis|shaft C2. And you may hold|maintain the some tablet 9 by these adsorption|suction slits. In this way, the tablet 9 can be adsorbed and held at any position of the adsorption slit. Therefore, at the time of delivery of the tablet 9, even if there is some positional shift in the tablet 9, the tablet 9 can be adsorbed and held.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, all of the 1st inclined drum 91 - the 6th inclined drum 96 had the conical side surface. However, the shape of the side surface of the 1st inclined drum 91 - the 6th inclined drum 96 may be polygonal pyramid shapes, such as a quadrangular pyramid, a hexagonal pyramid, and an octagonal pyramid.

Moreover, in the embodiment mentioned above, the four heads 61 were formed in the printing part 60. As shown in FIG. However, 1-3 may be sufficient as the number of the heads 61 contained in the printing part 60, and 5 or more may be sufficient as it.

In addition, the tablet printing apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment and modified example has a printing unit 60 that performs a printing process on the front or back surface of the tablet 9 at a printing position on the conveyance path by the suction conveyor 40 . ) was provided. However, the tablet printing apparatus 1 may include other processing units such as a packaging apparatus for packaging the tablets 9 . That is, "a plurality of tablets are conveyed and a print process is performed" in the above-described embodiment and modified examples can be changed to "a plurality of tablets are conveyed and a predetermined process is performed".

Moreover, about the structure of the detail in an apparatus, you may differ from each drawing of this application. Moreover, you may combine each element which appeared in the above-mentioned embodiment and a modified example suitably within the range which does not generate|occur|produce a contradiction.

1: tablet printing device
9: Tablets
10 : Feeder
20: conveying conveyor
30: suction drum
31: fixed drum
32: movable drum
40: adsorption conveyor
41: pulley
42: suction belt
44: second suction mechanism
50: first camera
60: printing part
70: second camera
71: linear nozzle
72: air hose
73: air supply
74: on-off valve
80: drying mechanism
81: body piping
82: vacuum pump
83: filter
90: inversion mechanism
91: first inclined drum
92: second inclined drum
93: third inclined drum
94: fourth inclined drum
95: fifth inclined drum
96: sixth inclined drum
100: defective product recovery mechanism
110: good product discharge mechanism
120: cleaning device
121: recovery mechanism
130: control unit
301: drum sucker
302: first suction mechanism
420: outer peripheral surface (outer surface)
421: suction hole
710: vent
810: intake port
910: first aspect
911: 1st inverted suction hole
920: second aspect
921: second inverted suction hole
A1: first area
A2: 2nd area
B1: 1st blowing mechanism
B2: 2nd blowing mechanism
B5: 5th blowing mechanism
B6: 6th blowing mechanism
B7: 7th blowing mechanism
C1: 1st axis
C2: 2nd axis
P1: first transfer position
P2: second transfer position
P3: first inspection position
P4: 2nd inspection position
P5: 1st inversion position
P6: 2nd inversion position
P7: 3rd inversion position
P8 : Defective Discharge Location
P9 : Good product discharge position
P10: cleaning position
P11: cleaning position
P12: cleaning position
R1: interior space
R2: space

Claims (8)

A conveying processing apparatus for conveying a plurality of granular materials and performing predetermined processing, comprising:
an adsorption belt having a plurality of adsorption holes on the outer surface and conveying the granular material along a predetermined conveying path while adsorbing and holding the granular material by applying a negative pressure to the suction holes;
and a cleaning device for cleaning the suction belt;
The cleaning device is
a blowing mechanism for blowing compressed air toward the outer surface of the adsorption belt;
and a recovery mechanism for recovering the fine powder of the granular material blown away from the outer surface by blowing compressed air to the outer surface;
a camera for photographing the granular material conveyed by the suction belt at an inspection position on the conveyance path;
Based on the image taken by the camera, further comprising an inspection unit for inspecting the granular material,
The said blowing mechanism is a conveyance processing apparatus which injects compressed air toward the said outer surface of the said suction belt in a cleaning position upstream from the said inspection position on the said conveyance path|route. The method of claim 1,
The blowing mechanism is
a linear nozzle having a jet port disposed at positions opposite to the plurality of adsorption holes;
and an air hose for supplying compressed air to the linear nozzle,
The recovery mechanism is
and a vacuum pump for sucking gas from an intake port facing the suction belt. The method of claim 1,
The cleaning device is
a pair of the blowing mechanism for blowing compressed air toward the same cleaning position on the conveyance path;
The conveyance processing apparatus which is located between the said pair of blowing mechanisms and has the said collection|recovery mechanism which suck|sucks gas from the intake port which opposes the said adsorption belt. A conveying processing apparatus for conveying a plurality of granular materials and performing predetermined processing, comprising:
an adsorption belt having a plurality of adsorption holes on the outer surface and conveying the granular material along a predetermined conveying path while adsorbing and holding the granular material by applying a negative pressure to the suction holes;
and a cleaning device for cleaning the suction belt;
The cleaning device is
a blowing mechanism for blowing compressed air toward the outer surface of the adsorption belt;
and a recovery mechanism for recovering the fine powder of the granular material blown away from the outer surface by blowing compressed air to the outer surface;
A suction conveyor comprising a pair of pulleys each rotating about an axis extending in the width direction, and the annular suction belt placed between the pair of pulleys;
an adsorption drum rotating about an axis whose outer periphery extends in the width direction;
The suction drum, in the outer peripheral portion,
a plurality of drum adsorption holes for adsorbing and holding the granular material one by one, rotating while adsorbing and holding the granular material in the drum adsorption holes, and conveying the granular material along the conveying path, in the conveying position on the conveying path, By applying positive pressure to the drum suction hole, the granular material is transferred to the suction conveyor,
The said blowing mechanism is a conveyance processing apparatus which injects compressed air toward the said outer surface of the said adsorption belt in a cleaning position on the downstream side of the said delivery position on the said conveyance path. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
a first inclined drum having a conical or pyramidal first side about a first axis inclined with respect to the width direction of the conveying path;
a second inclined drum adjacent to said first inclined drum in said width direction and having a second conical or pyramidal side centered about a second axis inclined with respect to said width direction;
The first inclined drum has, on the first side surface, a plurality of first inversion suction holes arranged in an annular shape about the first axis, or a first suction slit in an annular shape centering on the first axis, ,
The second inclined drum has, on the second side surface, a plurality of second inversion suction holes arranged in an annular shape about the second axis, or a second suction slit in an annular shape centering on the second axis, ,
The first inclined drum rotates while adsorbing and holding the granular material transferred from the suction belt on the first side surface in an inversion position on the conveyance path, and then the first inversion in which the granular material is adsorbed and held A positive pressure is applied to the adsorption hole or the first adsorption slit to cancel the adsorption of the granular material in the first inversion adsorption hole or the first adsorption slit, thereby transferring the granular material to the second inclined drum;
The second inclined drum rotates while adsorbing and holding the granular material transferred from the first inclined drum on the second side surface, and then the second inversion suction hole or the second adsorption hole in which the granular material is adsorbed and held. By applying a positive pressure to the slit to cancel the adsorption of the granular material in the second inversion adsorption hole or the second adsorption slit, thereby transferring the granular material to the adsorption belt, the front and back sides of the granular material are reversed;
The said blowing mechanism is a conveyance processing apparatus which injects compressed air toward the said outer surface of the said adsorption belt in the cleaning position downstream of the said inversion position on the said conveyance path|route. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The Munsell color system WHEREIN: The brightness of the said granular material is larger than the brightness of the said outer surface of the said adsorption belt, The conveyance processing apparatus. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
and the granular material is a tablet or tablet, excluding coated tablets, dragees, and capsule tablets. delete

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