KR20210058917A - Granular material conveying device and granular material processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The granular material conveying device includes a conveying mechanism and a reversing mechanism. The reversing mechanism has a conical first inclined drum 71 and a second inclined drum 72. The first inclined drum 71 rotates while adsorbing the granular material 9 conveyed in the first position W1 in the width direction of the conveying mechanism in the first adsorption hole 711, and the second inclined drum ( 72). The second inclined drum 72 rotates while adsorbing the granular material 9 received from the first adsorption hole 711 into the second adsorption hole 721, and a second position (W2) in the width direction of the conveyance mechanism. ) To pass on. The first adsorption holes 711 and the second adsorption holes 721 are formed on the convex portions 712 and 722, respectively. For this reason, the granular material 9 in a position other than the 1st position W1 and the 2nd position W2 does not contact these inclined drums 71 and 72.

Description

Granular material conveying device and granular material processing device

The present invention relates to a granular material conveying device for conveying a plurality of granular materials, and a granular material processing apparatus including the granular material conveying device.

On the surface of tablets, which are pharmaceuticals, characters or codes for identifying products are printed. In addition, there are cases where marks and illustrations are also printed on jeonggwa (錠菓) such as Ramune. BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a printing apparatus for printing an image on the surface of such a granular material such as tablets and tablets by an ink jet method is known. Particularly, in recent years, the types of tablets have been diversified with the spread of late-committed drugs. For this reason, in order to make it easier to identify a tablet, a technique of clearly printing the front and back sides of a tablet by an inkjet method has attracted attention.

The printing apparatus of patent document 1 has the conveyance part 3 on the upstream side and the conveyance part 4 on the downstream side. In the upstream side conveyance part 3, printing is performed on the tablet by the 1st printing part 201, conveying the tablet 9. In the downstream conveying section 4, printing is performed on the tablets by the second printing section 202 while receiving and conveying a plurality of tablets from the upstream conveying section 3 in a state in which the front and back sides are inverted. Thereby, printing is performed on the surface and the back surface of the tablet.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-200495

However, in Patent Document 1, a printing unit and an imaging unit accompanying the printing unit are formed in both the upstream side conveyance unit 3 and the downstream side conveyance unit 4. That is, in Patent Document 1, a processing unit for printing and photographing on one side of the tablet and a processing unit for printing and photographing on the other surface of the tablet are separately formed. For this reason, in the structure of patent document 1, the number of parts of a printing apparatus increased, and it was difficult to downsize a printing apparatus.

In order to print on both sides of the tablet in one printing section, while conveying the tablet along the annular conveying path, reverse the front and back of the tablet at a certain position on the conveying path, and at other positions on the conveying path. You can think of printing on the tablet. However, in a tablet printing apparatus, a large number of tablets are conveyed at the same time. For this reason, it is necessary to prevent unintended contact between the tablets or the tablets and the inversion mechanism in the vicinity of the inversion mechanism for inverting the tablets.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has a reversing mechanism for reversing the front and back of a granular object conveyed by the conveying mechanism, and it is possible to suppress unnecessary contact between the reversing mechanism and other granular objects conveyed by the conveying mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide a granular material conveying device.

In order to solve the above problem, the first invention of the present application is a conveying mechanism for conveying while maintaining a plurality of granular objects arranged in a width direction, and in a reverse position on the conveying path of the conveying mechanism, the front and rear of the granular material are A reversing mechanism for reversing and moving the position of the granular material in the width direction, wherein the reversing mechanism has a conical or angular first side surface centered on a first axis inclined with respect to the width direction. A first inclined drum, and a second inclined drum adjacent to the first inclined drum in the width direction and having a conical or angular second side surface centered on a second axis inclined with respect to the width direction, The first side surface has a first convex portion protruding outward and a first adsorption hole formed in the first convex portion, and the second side surface includes a second convex portion protruding outward, and the second 2 has a second adsorption hole formed in the convex portion, and the first inclined drum holds the granular material conveyed at a first position in the width direction of the transfer mechanism in the first adsorption hole, It rotates about one axis to deliver the granular material to the second adsorption hole, and the second inclined drum adsorbs and maintains the granular material transferred from the first adsorption hole to the second adsorption hole, A granular material conveying apparatus which rotates about a 2nd axis and conveys a granular material to a 2nd position in the said width direction of the said conveyance mechanism.

The second invention of the present application is the granular material conveying apparatus of the first invention, wherein the first convex portion is an annular shape centered on the first axis, and the second convex portion is an annular shape centered on the second axis. .

The third invention of the present application is the granular material conveying apparatus of the first invention or the second invention, wherein the dimension of the width direction of the granular material conveyed by the conveying mechanism is D, and the plurality of granular articles conveyed by the conveying mechanism. P> A/ when the spacing in the width direction is P, the width in the busbar direction in the first side surface of the first convex portion and the width in the bus line direction in the second side surface of the second convex portion is A It satisfies the relationship of 2 + D/2.

The fourth invention of the present application is the granular material conveying apparatus of any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the reversing mechanism is located downstream of the conveying path than the first inclined drum and the second inclined drum. , Having a third inclined drum and a fourth inclined drum having a structure equivalent to that of the first inclined drum and the second inclined drum, by the third inclined drum and the fourth inclined drum, in the width direction of the conveying mechanism The granular material conveyed in the 3rd position of moves to the 4th position in the said width direction.

The fifth invention of the present application is the granular material conveying device of any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the first inclined drum is located downstream in the rotational direction from a position opposite to the second inclined drum, It has a non-rotating first block member proximate to the first side surface, and the second inclined drum is a non-rotating unit closer to the second side surface at a downstream side in the rotational direction than a position facing the conveyance mechanism. It has 2 block members.

The sixth invention of the present application is the granular material conveying device of the fifth invention, wherein the first block member is a first for removing the granular material rotating together with the first suction hole toward the outer circumferential side of the first inclined drum. The second block member has an inclined surface, and the second block member has a second inclined surface for separating the granular material rotating together with the second suction hole toward the outer circumferential side of the second inclined drum.

The seventh invention of the present application is the granular material conveying apparatus of the fifth or sixth invention, wherein the reversing mechanism is positioned below the first inclined drum and the second inclined drum, and the first inclined drum and the second inclined drum 2 It further has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing of the inclined drum in the width direction, and a cover positioned between the first inclined drum and the second inclined drum and the adjustment mechanism.

The eighth invention of the present application is the granular material conveying apparatus of the seventh invention, wherein the cover includes a first cover having a fixed relative position with respect to the first inclined drum, and a fixed relative position with respect to the second inclined drum A second cover is provided, and the first cover and the second cover are moved relative to each other in the width direction by the adjustment mechanism, while overlapping each other.

The ninth invention of the present application is a granular material conveying device according to any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the conveying mechanism is located downstream of the conveying path from a position facing the first inclined drum. It has a sensor that detects water.

A tenth invention of the present application is the granular material conveying apparatus of the ninth invention, further comprising a control unit for stopping the conveyance mechanism based on a detection signal from the sensor.

The eleventh invention of the present application is the granular material conveying apparatus of any one of the first to tenth inventions, wherein the granular material is a tablet.

A twelfth invention of the present application is a granular material processing apparatus provided with the granular material conveying device of any one of the first to eleventh inventions, wherein the conveying mechanism conveys the granular material along an annular conveying path, In the processing position on the conveyance path, a processing unit for performing a predetermined processing on the surface of the granular material is further provided.

A thirteenth invention of the present application is the granular material processing apparatus of the twelfth invention, wherein the processing unit includes a printing unit that prints on the surface of the granular material in an inkjet manner.

The 14th invention of this application is the granular material processing apparatus of 12th or 13th invention, wherein the processing unit includes a camera for photographing the surface of the granular material.

According to the first to fourteenth inventions of the present application, of the first side surfaces of the first inclined drum, the first suction hole is formed in the first convex portion protruding toward the outside. In addition, a second suction hole is formed in a second convex portion protruding toward the outside of the second side surface of the second inclined drum. For this reason, among the plurality of granular objects conveyed by the conveying mechanism, the granular articles conveyed at positions other than the first position and the second position in the width direction are the first side surfaces of the first inclined drum and the second inclined drum. Contact with the second side surface can be suppressed.

In particular, according to the fifth invention of the present application, when the transfer of the granular material from the first inclined drum to the second inclined drum fails, the granular material remaining in the first adsorption hole is removed by the first block member. Further, when the transfer of the granular material from the second inclined drum to the conveying mechanism fails, the granular material remaining in the second adsorption hole is removed by the second block member. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the granular material that has failed to be delivered from contacting the subsequent granular material.

In particular, according to the sixth invention of the present application, it is possible to suppress the granular material to be shaken by the first block member from contacting the subsequent granular material held by the first inclined drum. In addition, it is possible to suppress the granular material removed by the second block member from coming into contact with the subsequent granular material held by the second inclined drum.

Particularly, according to the seventh invention of the present application, it is possible to suppress the granular material dislodged by the first block member or the second block member from being mixed in the adjustment mechanism.

In particular, according to the ninth invention of the present application, when the transfer of the granular material from the conveying mechanism to the first inclined drum fails, the granular material remaining in the conveying mechanism can be detected by the sensor.

In particular, according to the twelfth invention of the present application, a predetermined treatment can be performed on both surfaces of the granular material at the same processing position on the conveyance path. Thereby, the number of parts of the device can be reduced, and the device can be downsized.

1 is a side view of a tablet printing apparatus.
2 is a partial perspective view of an annular conveyance mechanism.
3: is a figure which looked at the annular conveyance mechanism and the reversing mechanism from the direction of the white arrow V in FIG.
4 is a bottom view of the head.
5 is a top view of a reversing mechanism.
6 is a block diagram showing a connection between a control unit and each unit.
7 is a flow chart showing the flow of print processing.
8 is a side view of a first inclined drum and a second inclined drum.
9 is a side view of a first inclined drum, a second inclined drum, and a mechanism for supporting these drums.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the following description, the direction in which a plurality of tablets are conveyed is referred to as "transport direction", and the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and along the holding surface of the conveying mechanism is referred to as "width direction".

<1. Overall configuration of tablet printing device>

1 is a side view of a tablet printing apparatus 1 which is an example of a granular material processing apparatus according to the present invention. This tablet printing device 1 is a device that prints images such as a product name, a product code, a company name, and a logo mark on both front and back sides of each tablet 9 while conveying a plurality of tablets 9 which are granular substances. The tablet 9 may be a predetermined (uncoated tablet) or coated tablets such as dragees and film-coated tablets (FC tablets). Moreover, the tablet 9 may be a capsule formulation containing a light capsule formulation and a soft capsule formulation. In addition, the "granular substance" in the present invention is not limited to tablets as pharmaceuticals, and may be tablets as health foods or refined fruits such as ramune.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tablet printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is the carrying-in mechanism 10, the annular conveyance mechanism 20, the printing part 30, the 1st camera 40, the 2nd camera 50. ), a drying mechanism 60, an inverting mechanism 70, a carrying mechanism 80, and a control unit 90. In this embodiment, a granular material conveying device is configured by the annular conveying mechanism 20 and the reversing mechanism 70.

The carry-in mechanism 10 is a mechanism for carrying in the plurality of tablets 9 put in the tablet printing device 1 into the annular conveyance mechanism 20. The carry-in mechanism 10 of the present embodiment includes a feeder 11, a carry-in conveyor 12, and a carry-in drum 13. The plurality of tablets 9 put into the tablet printing apparatus 1 are supplied to the carry-in conveyor 12 through the feeder 11. At this time, the plurality of tablets 9 are arranged in three columns arranged in the width direction. Moreover, the tablets 9 conveyed by the carry-in conveyor 12 are adsorbed and held one by one in a plurality of adsorption holes formed in the carrying drum 13. Thereby, a plurality of tablets 9 in each row are aligned at equal intervals in the conveying direction. Each tablet 9 held in the carry-in drum 13 is conveyed in an arc shape by rotation of the carrying-in drum 13, and is delivered to the annular conveyance mechanism 20.

The annular conveyance mechanism 20 is a mechanism that conveys along the annular conveyance path while holding the plurality of tablets 9. The annular conveying mechanism 20 has a pair of pulleys 21 and an annular conveying belt 22 that is hung between the pair of pulleys 21. One of the pair of pulleys 21 rotates by the power obtained from the conveyance motor 23. Thereby, the conveyance belt 22 rotates in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 1. At this time, the other side of the pair of pulleys 21 rotates driven by the rotation of the conveyance belt 22.

2 is a partial perspective view of the annular conveyance mechanism 20. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of adsorption holes 221 are formed in the holding surface 220 which is the outer circumferential surface of the conveyance belt 22. The plurality of adsorption holes 221 are arranged at equal intervals in the conveyance direction and the width direction. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the annular conveyance mechanism 20 has a suction mechanism 24 which sucks gas out of the space inside the conveyance belt 22. When the suction mechanism 24 is operated, the space inside the conveyance belt 22 becomes a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. The plurality of tablets 9 are adsorbed and held in the adsorption hole 221 by the negative pressure.

In this way, the plurality of tablets 9 are maintained in a state aligned on the surface of the conveying belt 22 in the conveying direction and the width direction. And the annular conveyance mechanism 20 conveys the plurality of tablets 9 along the annular conveyance path by rotating the conveyance belt 22. Below the four heads 31 described later, the plurality of tablets 9 are conveyed in the horizontal direction.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the annular conveyance mechanism 20 has three 1st blow mechanisms B1 and one 2nd blow mechanism B2. The three first blow mechanisms B1 are the inner side of the conveyance belt 22, the first inclined drum 71, the third inclined drum 73, and the fifth inclined drum 75, which will be described later, and the conveying belt. (22) It is formed in the opposite position, respectively. The three first blow mechanisms B1 are the first inclined drum 71, the third inclined drum 73, and the fifth inclined drum 75 among the plurality of adsorption holes 221 of the conveying belt 22. Gas is injected only into the adsorption hole 221 opposite to. Then, the adsorption hole 221 becomes a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. Thereby, adsorption of the tablet 9 in the adsorption hole 221 is released, and the first inclined drum 71, the third inclined drum 73, and the fifth inclined drum 75 from the conveying belt 22 ), the tablet 9 is delivered.

The second blow mechanism B2 is formed inside the conveyance belt 22 and at a position facing each other via the carry-out chute 81 and the conveyance belt 22 described later. The second blow mechanism B2 injects gas only into the adsorption holes 221 facing the carry-out chute 81 among the plurality of adsorption holes 221 of the conveyance belt 22. Then, the adsorption hole 221 becomes a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. Thereby, adsorption of the tablet 9 in the adsorption hole 221 is released, and the tablet 9 falls from the conveyance belt 22 to the carry-out chute 81.

3: is a figure which looked at the annular conveyance mechanism 20 and the reversing mechanism 70 from the direction of the white arrow V in FIG. 2 and 3, the holding surface 220 of the conveyance belt 22 of this embodiment is the 1st area|region A1 which holds the tablet 9 before inversion by the inversion mechanism 70, and , A second region A2 holding the tablet 9 after inversion. The first region A1 and the second region A2 are adjacent in the width direction. In the present embodiment, in the first region A1 and the second region A2, a plurality of adsorption holes 221 are formed by three rows in the width direction. The tablet 9 carried in by the above-described carry-in mechanism 10 is adsorbed and held in the adsorption hole 221 of the first region A1. Further, the plurality of tablets 9 printed on both sides are transferred to the carrying mechanism 80 from the adsorption hole 221 in the second region A2.

The printing unit 30 is a processing unit that prints on the surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the conveyance belt 22 by an ink jet method. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing unit 30 of this embodiment has four heads 31. The four heads 31 are located above the conveyance belt 22 and are arranged in one row along the conveyance direction of the tablets 9. Each head 31 extends in the width direction over both the first region A1 and the second region A2 of the conveyance belt 22. The four heads 31 discharge ink droplets of different colors (for example, each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) toward the surface of the tablet 9. Then, a multicolor image is recorded on the surface of the tablet 9 by superimposing monochromatic images formed by these respective colors. In addition, as the ink discharged from each of the heads 31, edible ink manufactured from a raw material approved by a Japanese pharmacy office or the Food Sanitation Act is used.

4 is a bottom view of one head 31. In FIG. 4, the conveyance belt 22 and the plurality of tablets 9 held by the conveyance belt 22 are shown by a double-dashed line. As enlarged and shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of nozzles 311 capable of discharging ink droplets are formed on the discharge surface 310 which is the lower surface of the head 31. In this embodiment, a plurality of nozzles 311 are arranged two-dimensionally in the conveying direction and the width direction on the lower surface of the head 31. Each nozzle 311 is arranged so that its position is shifted in the width direction. In this way, when the plurality of nozzles 311 are arranged two-dimensionally, the positions of the respective nozzles 311 in the width direction can be brought close to each other. However, the plurality of nozzles 311 may be arranged in one row along the width direction.

As a method of discharging ink droplets from the nozzle 311, a so-called piezo method is used in which, for example, a piezo element (piezoelectric element) is deformed by applying a voltage to pressurize and discharge ink in the nozzle 311. However, the discharging method of ink droplets may be a so-called thermal method in which the ink in the nozzle 311 is heated and expanded by energizing a heater to discharge it.

The first camera 40 is a processing unit for photographing the surface of the tablet 9 before printing. The 1st camera 40 is located on the downstream side of the conveyance path from the carry-in drum 13, and the upstream side of the conveyance path than the four heads 31. Moreover, the 1st camera 40 spans both the 1st area|region A1 and the 2nd area|region A2. It extends in the width direction. For the first camera 40, for example, a line sensor in which imaging elements such as CCD or CMOS are arranged in the width direction is used. The first camera 40 photographs a plurality of tablets 9 conveyed by the conveying belt 22. The image acquired by photographing is transmitted from the first camera 40 to a control unit 90 to be described later. The control unit 90 determines the presence or absence of the tablet 9, the position of the tablet 9, and the posture of the tablet 9 in each adsorption hole 221, based on the image obtained from the first camera 40. To detect. In addition, the control unit 90 also checks whether or not there are defects such as defects of each tablet 9 based on the image obtained from the first camera 40.

The second camera 50 is a processing unit for photographing the surface of the tablet 9 after printing. The 2nd camera 50 is located on the downstream side of the conveyance path than the four heads 31, and the upstream side of the conveyance path than the drying mechanism 60. Moreover, the 2nd camera 50 extends in the width direction over both the 1st area|region A1 and the 2nd area|region A2. For the second camera 50, for example, a line sensor in which imaging elements such as CCD or CMOS are arranged in the width direction is used. The second camera 50 photographs a plurality of tablets 9 conveyed by the conveying belt 22. The image acquired by photographing is transmitted from the second camera 50 to the control unit 90 described later. The control unit 90 inspects the quality of the image printed on the surface of the tablet 9 based on the image obtained from the second camera 50.

The drying mechanism 60 is a mechanism for drying ink adhered to the surface of the tablet 9. The drying mechanism 60 is located on the downstream side of the conveyance path from the second camera 50 and on the upstream side of the conveyance path than the reversing mechanism 70 and the carry-out chute 81 described later. Moreover, the drying mechanism 60 extends in the width direction over both the 1st area|region A1 and the 2nd area|region A2. As the drying mechanism 60, a hot air supply mechanism that injects a heated gas (hot air) toward the tablet 9 conveyed by the conveying belt 22 is used, for example. The ink adhered to the surface of the tablet 9 is dried by hot air and fixed to the surface of the tablet 9.

Thus, the tablet printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has four processing units of the printing unit 30, the first camera 40, the second camera 50, and the drying mechanism 60. Each processing unit performs each processing of printing, photographing, and drying on the surface of the tablet 9 at each processing position on the conveyance path.

The reversing mechanism 70 reverses the front and back of the tablet 9 conveyed by the conveyance belt 22, and moves the tablet 9 from the first area A1 to the second area A2. to be. The reversing mechanism 70 is located on the downstream side of the conveyance path from the drying mechanism 60 and the carry-out chute 81 mentioned later, and the upstream side of the conveyance path from the carry-in drum 13.

5 is a top view of the reversing mechanism 70. In FIG. 5, the conveyance trajectory of the tablet 9 is indicated by a broken arrow. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the reversing mechanism 70 of the present embodiment includes a first inclined drum 71, a second inclined drum 72, a third inclined drum 73, and It has four inclined drums 74, a fifth inclined drum 75, and a sixth inclined drum 76.

The first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 are disposed adjacent to each other in the width direction. The third inclined drum 73 and the fourth inclined drum 74 are disposed adjacent to the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 in the width direction on the downstream side of the conveyance path. The 5th inclined drum 75 and the 6th inclined drum 76 are disposed adjacent to the third inclined drum 73 and the fourth inclined drum 74 in the width direction on the downstream side of the conveyance path. Hereinafter, the positions at which the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 are formed on the conveying path of the annular conveying mechanism 20 are referred to as the "first inversion position", the third inclined drum 73 and the third inclined drum 73 The position where the four inclined drum 74 is formed is referred to as a "second inversion position", and the position in which the fifth inclined drum 75 and the sixth inclined drum 76 is formed is referred to as a "third inversion position".

The first inclined drum 71 has a conical first side surface 710 centered on a first axis C1 inclined with respect to the width direction. A part of the first side surface 710 around the first axis C1 faces the first region A1 of the conveyance belt 22 with a small gap. In addition, the first inclined drum 71 is fixed to the output shaft of the first motor 71M. When the first motor 71M is driven, the first inclined drum 71 rotates around the first shaft C1.

The second inclined drum 72 has a conical second side surface 720 centering on the second axis C2 inclined with respect to the width direction. The first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 are disposed adjacent to each other in the width direction so that the top and bottom of each other face each other. A part of the second side surface 720 around the second axis C2 faces the second region A2 of the conveyance belt 22 with a small gap. In addition, another part of the second side surface 720 around the second axis C2 faces the first side surface 710 with a small gap. Moreover, the 2nd inclined drum 72 is fixed to the output shaft of the 2nd motor 72M. When the second motor 72M is driven, the second inclined drum 72 rotates around the second shaft C2.

In this embodiment, the right angle of the first inclined drum 71 and the right angle of the second inclined drum 72 when viewed in the conveyance direction are both 90°. Moreover, the inclination angle of the 1st axis|shaft C1 with respect to the holding surface 220 is 45 degrees. The inclination angle of the second axis C2 with respect to the holding surface 220 is 45°. Accordingly, the first side surface 710 and the second side surface 720 face each other at a position of 90° with respect to the holding surface 220. In this way, if the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 have the same shape and the same size, the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 can be shared as parts. . Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the tablet printing apparatus 1 can be reduced.

A plurality of first adsorption holes 711 are formed in the first side surface 710. In the present embodiment, the plurality of first adsorption holes 711 are formed in an annular shape with the first axis C1 as a center and at equiangular intervals. Similarly, a plurality of second adsorption holes 721 are formed in the second side surface 720. In this embodiment, the plurality of second adsorption holes 721 are formed in an annular shape with the second axis C2 as the center and at equiangular intervals.

The pressure in the inner space of the first inclined drum 71 is maintained at a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure by a suction mechanism not shown. The first inclined drum 71 holds the tablets 9 one by one in the plurality of first adsorption holes 711 by this negative pressure. Similarly, the pressure in the inner space of the second inclined drum 72 is also maintained at a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure by a suction mechanism not shown. The second inclined drum 72 holds the tablets 9 one by one in the plurality of second adsorption holes 721 by this negative pressure.

In addition, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3, a third blowing mechanism B3 is formed inside the first inclined drum 71. The third blow mechanism B3 injects gas only into the first adsorption hole 711 facing the second inclined drum 72 among the plurality of first adsorption holes 711 of the first inclined drum 71 . Then, the first adsorption hole 711 becomes a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. Thereby, adsorption of the tablet 9 in the first adsorption hole 711 is released, and from the first adsorption hole 711 of the first inclined drum 71, the second inclined drum 72 is To the adsorption hole 721, the tablet 9 is delivered.

In addition, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3, a fourth blow mechanism B4 is formed inside the second inclined drum 72. The fourth blow mechanism B4 is a second adsorption hole 721 facing the second region A2 of the conveyance belt 22 among the plurality of second adsorption holes 721 of the second inclined drum 72 Only inject gas. Then, the second adsorption hole 721 becomes a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. Thereby, adsorption of the tablet 9 in the second adsorption hole 721 is released, and from the second adsorption hole 721 of the second inclined drum 72, the second region ( The tablet 9 is delivered to the adsorption hole 221 of A2).

The adsorption force of the plurality of second adsorption holes 721 of the second inclined drum 72 may be slightly larger than the adsorption force of the plurality of first adsorption holes 711 of the first warp drum 71. Then, when the tablet 9 is transferred from the first adsorption hole 711 of the first inclined drum 71 to the second adsorption hole 721 of the second inclined drum 72, the tablet 9 is removed. This will not look good. However, the adsorption force of the plurality of first adsorption holes 711 of the first inclined drum 71 and the adsorption force of the plurality of second adsorption holes 721 of the second warp drum 72 may be the same.

The third inclined drum 73 and the fourth inclined drum 74 have a structure equivalent to the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72, and the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum Like (72), it is arrange|positioned adjacently. However, the 3rd inclined drum 73 and the 4th inclined drum 74 are 2nd downstream of a conveyance path than the 1st delivery position in which the 1st inclined drum 71 and the 2nd inclined drum 72 are arrange|positioned. It is placed in the delivery position. In addition, the 3rd inclined drum 73 and the 4th inclined drum 74 are more than the 1st inclined drum 71 and the 2nd inclined drum 72, by one of the arrangement intervals of the width direction of the tablet 9 , It is arranged at a position that is shifted in the width direction. The third inclined drum 73 is fixed to the output shaft of the third motor 73M. The fourth inclined drum 74 is fixed to the output shaft of the fourth motor 74M.

The fifth inclined drum 75 and the sixth inclined drum 76 also have a structure equivalent to that of the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72, and the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum Like (72), it is arrange|positioned adjacently. However, the 5th inclined drum 75 and the 6th inclined drum 76 are the 3rd downstream of the conveyance path than the 2nd delivery position in which the 3rd inclined drum 73 and the 4th inclined drum 74 are arrange|positioned. It is placed in the delivery position. In addition, the 5th inclined drum 75 and the 6th inclined drum 76 are more than the 3rd inclined drum 73 and the 4th inclined drum 74, by one of the arrangement intervals of the width direction of the tablet 9 , It is arranged at a position that is shifted in the width direction. The fifth inclined drum 75 is fixed to the output shaft of the fifth motor 75M. The sixth inclined drum 76 is fixed to the output shaft of the sixth motor 76M.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tablet 9 held in the adsorption hole 221 of the first position W1 in the width direction of the conveyance belt 22 and conveyed to the first inversion position is the first inclined drum ( 71). The first inclined drum 71 rotates while adsorbing and holding the tablet 9 received from the conveyance belt 22 in the first adsorption hole 711 of the first side surface 710, and the second inclined drum 72 ) To pass on. Thereafter, the second inclined drum 72 rotates while adsorbing and holding the tablet 9 received from the first inclined drum 71 in the second adsorption hole 721 of the second side surface 720, and is conveyed. It transmits to the adsorption hole 221 of the 2nd position W2 of the width direction of the belt 22. Thereby, while the position in the width direction of the tablet 9 moves from the first position W1 belonging to the first region A1 to the second position W2 belonging to the second region A2, the tablet (9) The front and back are reversed.

Similarly, the third inclined drum 73 and the fourth inclined drum 74 are from the third position W3 belonging to the first region A1 to the fourth position W4 belonging to the second region A2. Thus, while moving the position of the tablet 9 in the width direction, the front and back of the tablet 9 are reversed. In addition, similarly, the 5th inclined drum 75 and the 6th inclined drum 76 are from the 5th position W5 belonging to the 1st area A1, and the 6th position belonging to the 2nd area A2 ( With W6), while moving the position of the tablet 9 in the width direction, the front and back of the tablet 9 are reversed.

The carrying mechanism 80 is a mechanism for carrying out a plurality of tablets 9 from the annular conveyance mechanism 20 to the outside of the tablet printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the carry-out mechanism 80 includes a carry-out chute 81 and a carry-out conveyor (not shown). The carry-out chute 81 is located on the downstream side of the conveyance path from the drying mechanism 60 and on the upstream side of the conveyance path than the reversing mechanism 70. Moreover, the carry-out chute 81 faces the 2nd area|region A2 of the conveyance belt 22. When the tablet 9 adsorbed in the adsorption hole 221 of the second region A2 reaches the position of the discharge chute 81, the adsorption of the tablet 9 is released by the second blow mechanism B2. . Thereby, from the 2nd area|region A2 of the conveyance belt 22, the tablet 9 falls on the upper surface of the carry-out conveyor passing through the carry-out chute 81. And the dropped tablet 9 is carried out to the outside of the tablet printing apparatus 1 by the carry-out conveyor.

The control unit 90 is a means for controlling the operation of each unit in the tablet printing apparatus 1. 6 is a block diagram showing the connection between the control unit 90 and each unit in the tablet printing apparatus 1. As conceptually shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 90 is constituted by a computer having a processor 91 such as a CPU, a memory 92 such as RAM, and a storage unit 93 such as a hard disk drive. In the storage unit 93, a computer program (CP) for executing a print process is installed.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 90 includes the above-described carry-in mechanism 10 (including the feeder 11, the carry-in conveyor 12, and the carry-in drum 13), an annular transfer mechanism ( 20) (including the conveyance motor 23, the suction mechanism 24, the first blow mechanism (B1), and the second blow mechanism (B2)), the printing unit 30 (four heads 31) Including), the first camera 40, the second camera 50, the drying mechanism 60, the reversing mechanism 70 (the first motor 71M-the sixth motor 76M), the third blowing mechanism B3 ), a fourth blow mechanism (B4), a suction mechanism), and a carry-out mechanism 80, respectively, so that communication is possible. Moreover, the control part 90 is also connected so that communication is possible with the sensor 25 mentioned later. The control unit 90 temporarily reads and outputs the computer program (CP) or data stored in the storage unit 93 to the memory 92, and the processor 91 performs arithmetic processing on the basis of the computer program CP. By implementing, the operation of each of the above units is controlled. Thereby, the conveyance processing and printing processing of the plurality of tablets 9 proceed.

<2. About the flow of processing>

Subsequently, the flow of the print processing using the tablet printing apparatus 1 described above will be described. Hereinafter, the processing performed on any one tablet 9 will be described in order. However, this tablet printing apparatus 1 processes while conveying a plurality of tablets 9 sequentially. Therefore, inside the tablet printing apparatus 1, a plurality of tablets 9 are present at the same time.

7 is a flowchart showing a flow of printing processing in the tablet printing apparatus 1. When the tablet 9 is put into the tablet printing apparatus 1, first, the carrying mechanism 10 carries the tablet 9 into the annular conveyance mechanism 20 (step S1). The carried tablet 9 is adsorbed and held in the adsorption hole 221 of the first region A1 of the conveyance belt 22. And along with the rotation of the conveyance belt 22, the tablet 9 is conveyed along an annular conveyance path.

Hereinafter, in the state where the tablet 9 is held in the adsorption hole 221 of the first region A1, the surface facing the outside of the tablet 9 is referred to as a "first surface". In addition, in the state where the tablet 9 is held in the adsorption hole 221 of the first region A1, the surface adsorbed to the adsorption hole 221 is referred to as a "second surface". However, this "first surface" and "second surface" have no relation to 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 only on one side, among the plurality of tablets 9 held in the first region A1, the side having a secant becomes the first side. (9) And, the tablet 9 in which the side without securing becomes the first side may be mixed.

When the tablet 9 reaches the lower side of the first camera 40, the first camera 40 photographs the first surface of the tablet 9. Thereby, image data of the first surface of the tablet 9 is acquired. The acquired image data is transmitted from the first camera 40 to the control unit 90. Further, the control unit 90 performs pre-printing inspection of the first surface based on the image data received from the first camera 40 (step S2). Specifically, the presence or absence of the tablet 9 in the adsorption hole 221, the front and back of the tablet 9, the rotational attitude of the tablet 9 around the vertical axis, and the position of the tablet 9 with respect to the adsorption hole 221 The misalignment, the presence or absence of shape defects of the tablet 9, etc. are inspected.

Next, when the tablet 9 reaches the lower side of the printing section 30, the four heads 31 discharge ink droplets toward the first side of the tablet 9. Thereby, printing is performed on the first side of the tablet 9. As a result, an image is printed on the first surface of the tablet 9 (step S3). At this time, the control unit 90 adjusts the image to be printed on each tablet 9 based on the inspection result of step S2 described above. For example, an appropriate image is selected according to the front and back of each tablet 9 among the images for the surface and the image for the back surface, and the selected image is rotated according to the rotational posture of each tablet 9. Then, based on the adjusted image, a print signal is input to the head 31. As a result, on the first side of each tablet 9, an appropriate image is printed in an appropriate posture.

Subsequently, when the tablet 9 reaches the lower side of the second camera 50, the second camera 50 photographs the first surface of the tablet 9. Thereby, image data of the first surface of the tablet 9 is acquired. The acquired image data is transmitted from the second camera 50 to the control unit 90. Further, the control unit 90 performs inspection after printing of the first surface based on the image data received from the second camera 50 (step S4). Specifically, the control unit 90 compares the image data received from the second camera 50 with the data of a normal image prepared in advance, for example, so that the image printed on the first side of each tablet 9 It is determined whether or not is normal.

Subsequently, when the tablet 9 reaches the position of the drying mechanism 60, the drying mechanism 60 sprays hot air toward the first surface of the tablet 9. Thereby, the ink adhered to the first surface of the tablet 9 is dried, and the ink is fixed to the first surface (step S5).

Thereafter, when the tablet 9 reaches the first inversion position to the third inversion position, the inversion mechanism 70 moves the position of the tablet 9 in the width direction, and the front and back of the tablet 9 are moved. Invert (step S6). Specifically, the tablet 9 conveyed in the first position W1 in the width direction is at the second position W2 in the width direction by the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 Go to. The tablet 9 conveyed at the third position W3 in the width direction is moved to the fourth position W4 in the width direction by the third inclined drum 73 and the fourth inclined drum 74. The tablet 9 conveyed at the fifth position W5 in the width direction is moved to the sixth position W6 in the width direction by the fifth inclined drum 75 and the sixth inclined drum 76. Thereby, the plurality of tablets 9 are moved from the adsorption hole 221 of the first area A1 of the annular conveyance mechanism 20 to the adsorption hole 221 of the second area A2. At this time, the tablet 9 is adsorbed and held in the adsorption hole 221 of the second region A2 with the second surface facing outward.

Subsequently, when the tablet 9 reaches the lower side of the first camera 40, the first camera 40 photographs the second surface of the tablet 9. Thereby, image data of the second surface of the tablet 9 is acquired. The acquired image data is transmitted from the first camera 40 to the control unit 90. Further, the control unit 90 performs pre-printing inspection of the second surface based on the image data received from the first camera 40 (step S7). Specifically, the presence or absence of the tablet 9 in the adsorption hole 221, the front and back of the tablet 9, the rotational attitude of the tablet 9 around the vertical axis, and the position of the tablet 9 with respect to the adsorption hole 221 The misalignment, the presence or absence of shape defects of the tablet 9, etc. are inspected.

Next, when the tablet 9 reaches the lower side of the printing unit 30, the four heads 31 discharge ink droplets toward the second side of the tablet 9. Thereby, printing is performed on the second side of the tablet 9. As a result, an image is printed on the second surface of the tablet 9 (step S8). At this time, the control unit 90 adjusts the image to be printed on each tablet 9 based on the inspection result of step S7 described above. For example, an appropriate image is selected according to the front and back of each tablet 9 among the images for the surface and the image for the back surface, and the selected image is rotated according to the rotational posture of each tablet 9. Then, based on the adjusted image, a print signal is input to the head 31. As a result, on the second side of each tablet 9, an appropriate image is printed in an appropriate posture.

Subsequently, when the tablet 9 reaches the lower side of the second camera 50, the second camera 50 photographs the second surface of the tablet 9. Thereby, image data of the second surface of the tablet 9 is acquired. The acquired image data is transmitted from the second camera 50 to the control unit 90. Further, the control unit 90 performs inspection after printing of the second surface based on the image data received from the second camera 50 (step S9). Specifically, the control unit 90 compares the image data received from the second camera 50 with the data of a normal image prepared in advance, for example, so that the image printed on the second side of each tablet 9 It is determined whether or not is normal.

Subsequently, when the tablet 9 reaches the position of the drying mechanism 60, the drying mechanism 60 sprays hot air toward the second surface of the tablet 9. Thereby, the ink adhered to the second surface of the tablet 9 is dried, and the ink is fixed to the second surface (step S10).

After that, when the tablet 9 reaches the position of the carry-out chute 81, the tablet 9 falls from the conveyance belt 22 through the carry-out chute 81 to the carry-out conveyor. And the tablet 9 is carried out to the outside of the tablet printing apparatus 1 by the carry-out conveyor (step S11).

As described above, the tablet printing apparatus 1 conveys the tablet 9 along the annular conveyance path. In addition, in a part of the conveyance path, a reversing mechanism 70 for inverting the front and back of the tablet 9 and moving the position of the tablet 9 in the width direction is provided. For this reason, with respect to both sides of the tablet 9, at the same position in the conveying direction, photographing by the first camera 40, printing by the printing unit 30, photographing by the second camera 50, and Each process of drying by the drying mechanism 60 can be performed. Therefore, compared with the case where these treatments for the first side and these treatments for the second side are performed at different positions, the number of parts of the tablet printing apparatus 1 can be reduced. Moreover, the tablet printing apparatus 1 can be downsized.

In particular, in this embodiment, the front and back of the tablet 9 is reversed and movement in the width direction is realized using a pair of inclined drums. According to this mechanism, it is possible to reverse the front and back of the tablet 9 and move in the width direction without changing the position in the conveyance direction. Therefore, the length in the conveyance direction required for the reversing mechanism 70 can be suppressed. Thereby, the tablet printing apparatus 1 can be further downsized.

<3. About configuration to prevent unnecessary contact of tablets>

As described above, in the annular conveyance mechanism 20, the tablet printing apparatus 1 conveys the plurality of tablets 9 in multiple rows, while in the first reversal position to the third reversal position, the tablet 9 The position of the tablet 9 in the width direction is changed while the front and back of the tablet 9 are reversed. In that case, it is necessary to prevent unnecessary contact between the tablets 9 or between the tablets 9 and the reversing mechanism 70. Hereinafter, various configurations for preventing unnecessary contact between the tablets 9 or between the tablets 9 and the inversion mechanism 70 in the vicinity of the inversion mechanism 70 will be described.

<3-1. About the convex part of the inclined drum>

8 is a side view of the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72. As shown in FIG. 8, the first side surface 710 of the first inclined drum 71 has a first convex portion 712 protruding outward. Then, a first adsorption hole 711 is formed in the first convex portion 712. The first convex portion 712 is formed only in a part of the conical first side surface 710 in the bus line direction. The first convex portion 712 may be a single annular protrusion centered on the first axis C1. Alternatively, the plurality of first convex portions 712 may be arranged in an annular shape with the first axis C1 as the center.

Similarly, the second side surface 720 of the second inclined drum 72 has a second convex portion 722 protruding outward. Then, a second adsorption hole 721 is formed in the second convex portion 722. The second convex portion 722 is formed only in a part of the conical second side surface 720 in the bus line direction. The second convex portion 722 may be a single annular projection centering on the second axis C2. Alternatively, the plurality of second convex portions 722 may be arranged in an annular shape centering on the second axis C2.

As shown in FIG. 8, the 1st convex part 712 is the conveyance belt 22 so that it can receive the tablet 9 conveyed in the 1st position W1 in the width direction of the annular conveyance mechanism 20. ) Is close to the holding surface 220 of. Moreover, the 2nd convex part 722 is close to the holding surface 220 of the conveyance belt 22 so that the tablet 9 can be delivered to the 2nd position W2 in the width direction of the annular conveyance mechanism 20 do. However, other portions of the side surfaces of the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 do not protrude. For this reason, the tablets 9 conveyed at different positions W3 to W6 in the width direction of the annular conveyance mechanism 20 do not contact the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72. Thus, the tablet 9, which does not need to perform transfer between the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72, will pass through the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72. I can.

8, the dimension in the width direction of the tablet 9 to be conveyed is set to D, the arrangement interval of the plurality of tablets 9 in the width direction is set to P, and the first convex portion 712 is The width in the busbar direction in the side surface 710 and the width in the busbar direction in the second side surface 720 of the second convex portion 722 are A. In this case, it is preferable that the first convex portion 712 and the second convex portion 722 satisfy the dimensional relationship of the following equation (1).

P> A/2 + D/2 (One)

If the relationship of this equation (1) is satisfied, it is possible to prevent the tablets 9 conveyed in adjacent rows in the width direction from contacting the first convex portion 712 or the second convex portion 722. Therefore, the tablet 9 which does not need to be transferred between the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 is brought into contact with the first convex portion 712 and the second convex portion 722. It can be conveyed to the downstream side of the conveyance path without work.

The 3rd inclined drum 73, the 4th inclined drum 74, the 5th inclined drum 75, and the 6th inclined drum 76 are also provided with the same convex part. Thereby, unnecessary contact between the plurality of tablets 9 conveyed by the annular conveyance mechanism 20 and these inclined drums 73 to 76 can be prevented.

<3-2. About block members>

3, 5, and 8, the first inclined drum 71 has a first block member 714. The first block member 714 is at a position on the downstream side (for example, 90° downstream) in the rotational direction than a position facing the second inclined drum 72 around the first inclined drum 71 , Is disposed close to the first side (710). The first block member 714 is fixed to the non-rotating shaft of the first inclined drum 71 and the case of the first motor 71M. For this reason, even when the first inclined drum 71 is rotated, the first block member 714 is held non-rotating.

When the transfer of the tablet 9 from the first inclined drum 71 to the second inclined drum 72 fails, the tablet 9 is further rotated while being adsorbed and held in the first adsorption hole 711 do. However, the tablet 9 contacts the first block member 714 before approaching the holding surface 220 of the annular conveyance mechanism 20 again. Then, the tablet 9 in contact with the first block member 714 is removed from the first adsorption hole 711 and is moved downward of the first inclined drum 71. Thereby, the tablet 9 which failed to transfer from the first inclined drum 71 to the second inclined drum 72 approaches the holding surface 220 of the annular conveying mechanism 20 again, and the subsequent tablet 9 ) Can be prevented.

In particular, the first block member 714 of the present embodiment has a cylindrical side surface. The cylindrical side surface includes an inclined surface 714a inclined with respect to the rotational direction of the first inclined drum 71. The tablet 9 which has failed to deliver is moved away toward the outer peripheral side of the first inclined drum 71 by contacting the inclined surface 714a of the first block member 714. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the tablets 9 falling against the first block member 714 from coming into contact with the subsequent tablets 9 held by the first inclined drum 71.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 8, the 2nd inclined drum 72 has a 2nd block member 724. The second block member 724 is at a position on the downstream side (for example, 90° downstream) in the rotational direction than at a position opposite to the conveyance belt 22 around the second inclined drum 72. It is disposed close to the two side (720). The second block member 724 is fixed to the non-rotating shaft of the second inclined drum 72 and the case of the second motor 72M. For this reason, even when the second inclined drum 72 is rotated, the second block member 724 is held non-rotating.

When the delivery of the tablet 9 from the second inclined drum 72 to the annular conveyance mechanism 20 fails, the tablet 9 rotates further while being adsorbed and held in the second adsorption hole 721. However, the tablet 9 contacts the second block member 724 before approaching the first inclined drum 71 again. Then, the tablet 9 in contact with the second block member 724 leaves the second adsorption hole 721 and falls below the second inclined drum 72. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the tablet 9 that failed to transfer from the second inclined drum 72 to the annular conveying mechanism 20 to approach the first inclined drum 71 again and contact the subsequent tablet 9. I can.

In particular, the second block member 724 of the present embodiment has a cylindrical side surface. The cylindrical side surface includes an inclined surface 724a inclined with respect to the rotational direction of the second inclined drum 72. The tablet 9 which has failed to deliver is moved away toward the outer peripheral side of the second inclined drum 72 by contacting the inclined surface 724a of the second block member 724. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the tablets 9 falling against the second block member 724 from coming into contact with the subsequent tablets 9 held by the second inclined drum 72.

9 is a side view of the first inclined drum 71, the second inclined drum 72, and a mechanism for supporting these drums. As indicated by the broken line in FIG. 9, the reversing mechanism 70 of the present embodiment has an adjustment mechanism 77 that adjusts the gap in the width direction of the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72. . The adjustment mechanism 77 is located below the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72. As the adjustment mechanism 77, a mechanism having a ball screw extending in the width direction and a nut moving in the width direction by rotation of the ball screw is used, for example. Depending on the type of tablet 9 to be processed, when the interval in the width direction of the tablets 9 in the annular conveyance mechanism 20 is changed, the administrator of the tablet printing apparatus 1 is the adjustment mechanism 77 ) Is operated to adjust the spacing of the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 in the width direction.

Moreover, the reversing mechanism 70 of this embodiment has a cover 78 covering the upper part of the adjustment mechanism 77, and the collection box 79. The cover 78 is located between the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 and the adjustment mechanism 77. The collection box 79 is located below the adjustment mechanism 77. The tablets 9 removed by the first block member 714 or the second block member 724 described above are collected in the collection box 79 directly or after contacting the cover 78. Since the upper part of the adjustment mechanism 77 is covered with the cover 78, the tablet 9 does not enter the adjustment mechanism 77. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the mixing of the tablet 9 into the gap between each member in the adjustment mechanism 77.

As shown in FIG. 9, the cover 78 of this embodiment has a 1st cover 781 and a 2nd cover 782. The first cover 781 is fixed to the first inclined drum 71. The second cover 782 is fixed to the second inclined drum 72. Each of the first cover 781 and the second cover 782 is a mountain-shaped plate extending in the width direction, and partially overlap each other. When the adjustment mechanism 77 is operated, the first cover 781 and the second cover 782 move relative to each other in the width direction while maintaining a state where they partially overlap each other. For this reason, regardless of the gap in the width direction of the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72, the first cover 781 and the second cover 782 are, as a whole, a series without gaps in the width direction. It constitutes the cover 78 of. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the tablets 9 from being shaken from being mixed into the adjustment mechanism 77 regardless of the interval between the first inclined drum 71 and the second inclined drum 72 in the width direction.

In addition, in the third inclined drum 73, the fourth inclined drum 74, the fifth inclined drum 75, and the sixth inclined drum 76, the first block member 714 and the second block member The same block member as (724) is formed. Therefore, also in these inclined drums 73-76, the tablet 9 which failed to deliver can be removed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the tablet 9 which has failed to be delivered and the subsequent tablet 9 from coming into contact with each other.

Further, below the third inclined drum 73 and the fourth inclined drum 74 and below the fifth inclined drum 75 and the sixth inclined drum 76, the adjustment mechanism 77, the cover ( 78), and the same adjustment mechanism as the collection box 79, a cover, and a collection box are provided. Thereby, the spacing in the width direction of the third inclined drum 73 and the fourth inclined drum 74 and the spacing in the width direction of the fifth inclined drum 75 and the sixth inclined drum 76 are adjusted according to the situation. I can. Moreover, the tablet 9 can be recovered in the recovery box 79 while preventing the tablet 9 removed by the block member from being mixed into the adjustment mechanism 77.

<3-3. About sensor>

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the annular conveyance mechanism 20 of this embodiment has a sensor 25 which detects the tablet 9 which failed to deliver to the reversing mechanism 70. The sensor 25 is located on the downstream side of the conveyance path from the reversing mechanism 70 and on the upstream side of the conveyance path than the carry-in drum 13. Moreover, the sensor 25 is formed in the position facing the 1st area|region A1 of the conveyance belt 22. The sensor 25 detects the presence of the tablet 9 conveyed while being held in the adsorption hole 221 of the first region A1 of the conveying belt 22 at the position, and detects it, and generates a detection signal. It transmits to the control part 90.

When transfer of the tablet 9 from the first area A1 of the conveyance belt 22 to the first inclined drum 71, the third inclined drum 73, or the fifth inclined drum 75 fails , The tablet 9 is conveyed to the downstream side of the conveying path while being adsorbed and held in the adsorption hole 221 of the conveyance belt 22. However, the tablet 9 is detected by the sensor 25 before approaching the carrying drum 13 again. When the sensor 25 detects the tablet 9, it transmits a detection signal to the control unit 90. When receiving the detection signal from the sensor 25, the control unit 90 stops the conveyance of the tablet 9 by the annular conveyance mechanism 20 by stopping the conveyance motor 23.

In this way, the tablets 9 which have failed to be transferred from the conveying belt 22 to the first inclined drum 71, the third inclined drum 73, or the fifth inclined drum 75 are returned to the carry-in drum 13 ) To prevent contact with the subsequent tablet 9.

Further, a mechanism for removing the tablets 9 may be provided on the downstream side of the conveyance path from the sensor 25 and on the upstream side of the conveyance path from the carry-in drum 13. In addition, when receiving the detection signal from the sensor 25, the control unit 90 may operate the mechanism to remove the tablet 9 that has failed to deliver. As the mechanism for removing the tablet 9, for example, a blow mechanism similar to the first blow mechanism B1 or the second blow mechanism B2 may be used.

<4. Variation example>

As mentioned above, although the main embodiment of this invention was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, all of the first inclined drum 71 to the sixth inclined drum 76 had conical side surfaces. However, the shape of the side surfaces of the first inclined drum 71 to the sixth inclined drum 76 may be a polygonal shape such as a square weight, a hexagonal weight, and an octagonal weight.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, four heads 31 were formed in the printing unit 30. However, the number of heads 31 included in the printing unit 30 may be 1 to 3, or may be 5 or more.

In addition, the tablet printing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment is a processing unit that performs processing on the tablet 9 on the conveyance path of the annular conveyance mechanism 20, and includes a printing unit 30 and a first camera 40. ), a second camera 50, and a drying mechanism 60. However, the tablet printing apparatus 1 may be provided with only a part of these processing units. Moreover, the tablet printing apparatus 1 may be provided with another processing part.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the tablet 9 is conveyed along an annular conveying path has been described. However, the granular material conveying apparatus of the present invention may move the position in the width direction of the granular material while conveying the granular material along a non-annular conveying path, while inverting the granular material in a part of the conveying path. .

In addition, the configuration of the details in the apparatus may be different from the respective drawings of the present application. Moreover, you may suitably combine each element which appeared in the said embodiment and the modification example, within the range where contradiction does not arise.

<5. Another aspect of the invention (Part 1)>

In addition, if ``restricting the contact of the granular material that has failed to transfer and the granular material that follows'' is set as the first task, the ``first convex part'' and ``the second convex part'' are not required as essential requirements, and instead , Invention in which the "first block member" and "second block member" are essential requirements can be extracted from the above embodiments.

The present invention is, for example, ``a conveying mechanism that conveys a plurality of granular objects in a state arranged in the width direction, and a reversal position on the conveying path of the conveying mechanism, while inverting the front and back of the granular objects, A reversing mechanism for moving a position of the granular material in a width direction, wherein the reversing mechanism comprises: a first inclined drum having a conical or angular first side surface centered on a first axis inclined with respect to the width direction; A second inclined drum adjacent to the first inclined drum in the width direction and having a conical or angular second side surface centered on a second axis inclined with respect to the width direction, the first side surface, It has a first adsorption hole, the second side surface has a second adsorption hole, and the first inclined drum holds the granular material conveyed at a first position in the width direction of the conveyance mechanism, and the first adsorption hole While being adsorbed and maintained, it rotates about the first axis to deliver the granular material to the second adsorption hole, and the second inclined drum absorbs the granular material transferred from the first adsorption hole, and the second adsorption While being adsorbed to the ball, it rotates around the second axis to deliver the granular material to a second position in the width direction of the conveying mechanism, and the first inclined drum is more than a position facing the second inclined drum. A non-rotating first block member adjacent to the first side surface is further provided on a downstream side in the rotational direction, and the second inclined drum is located downstream in the rotational direction than a position facing the conveyance mechanism. It becomes a granular material conveying apparatus which further has a non-rotating 2nd block member approaching 2 side surfaces."

According to the present invention, when the transfer of the granular material from the first inclined drum to the second inclined drum fails, the granular material remaining in the first adsorption hole is removed by the first block member. Further, when the transfer of the granular material from the second inclined drum to the conveying mechanism fails, the granular material remaining in the second adsorption hole is removed by the second block member. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the granular material that has failed to be delivered from contacting the subsequent granular material. In addition, in the present invention, it is also possible to combine the elements described in the above-described embodiments and modifications.

<6. Another aspect of the invention (Part 2)>

In addition, if ``detecting granular objects that failed to be transmitted'' is set as the first task, ``first convex part'' and ``second convex part'' are not required, and instead, ``sensor'' is required. The invention as a requirement can be extracted from the above embodiments.

The present invention is, for example, ``a conveying mechanism that conveys a plurality of granular objects in a state arranged in the width direction, and a reversal position on the conveying path of the conveying mechanism, while inverting the front and back of the granular objects, A reversing mechanism for moving a position of the granular material in a width direction, wherein the reversing mechanism comprises: a first inclined drum having a conical or angular first side surface centered on a first axis inclined with respect to the width direction; A second inclined drum adjacent to the first inclined drum in the width direction and having a conical or angular second side surface centered on a second axis inclined with respect to the width direction, the first side surface, It has a first adsorption hole, the second side surface has a second adsorption hole, and the first inclined drum holds the granular material conveyed at a first position in the width direction of the conveyance mechanism, and the first adsorption hole While being adsorbed and maintained, it rotates about the first axis to deliver the granular material to the second adsorption hole, and the second inclined drum absorbs the granular material transferred from the first adsorption hole, and the second adsorption While being adsorbed to the ball, it rotates around the second axis to deliver the granular material to a second position in the width direction of the conveying mechanism, and the conveying mechanism is in a conveying direction from a position opposite to the first inclined drum. It becomes a granular material conveying apparatus which has a sensor which detects a granular material on the downstream side of ".

According to the present invention, when the transfer of the granular material from the conveying mechanism to the first inclined drum fails, the granular material remaining in the conveying mechanism can be detected by the sensor. In addition, in the present invention, it is also possible to combine the elements described in the above-described embodiments and modifications.

1 tablet printing device
9 tablets
10 Carry-in mechanism
11 feeder
12 Carry-in conveyor
13 carrying drum
20 ring transfer mechanism
21 pulley
22 conveying belt
23 Transfer motor
24 suction mechanism
25 sensor
30 printing department
31 head
40 No. 1 camera
50 second camera
60 drying apparatus
70 reversal mechanism
71 first warp drum
71M 1st motor
72 second inclined drum
72M 2nd motor
73 third inclined drum
73M 3rd motor
74 fourth inclined drum
74M fourth motor
75 fifth inclined drum
75M 5th motor
76 sixth inclined drum
76M 6th motor
77 Adjustment Mechanism
78 covers
79 Recovery Box
80 take-out mechanism
81 export suit
90 control
220 maintenance cotton
221 suction hole
710 first aspect
711 No. 1 adsorption hole
712 first convex
714 first block member
714a slope
720 second side
721 2nd adsorption hole
722 second convex
724 second block member
724a slope
781 first cover
782 second cover
A1 first area
A2 second area
B1 first blow mechanism
B2 2nd blow mechanism
B3 third blow mechanism
B4 fourth blow mechanism

Claims (14)

A conveying mechanism for conveying while maintaining a plurality of granular objects arranged in the width direction;
In a reversing position on the conveying path of the conveying mechanism, a reversing mechanism for inverting the front and back of the granular material and moving the position of the granular material in the width direction is provided,
The reversing mechanism,
A first inclined drum having a conical or pyramidal first side surface centered on a first axis inclined with respect to the width direction,
A second inclined drum adjacent to the first inclined drum in the width direction and having a conical or angular second side surface centered on a second axis inclined with respect to the width direction,
The first side,
A first convex portion protruding outward,
Having a first adsorption hole formed in the first convex portion,
The second side,
A second convex portion protruding toward the outside,
Having a second adsorption hole formed in the second convex portion,
The first inclined drum rotates about the first axis while adsorbing and holding the granular material conveyed at the first position in the width direction of the conveying mechanism in the first adsorption hole, and the second adsorption Deliver the prize to the ball,
The second inclined drum rotates about the second axis while adsorbing and holding the granular material transferred from the first adsorption hole to the second adsorption hole, and a second position in the width direction of the transfer mechanism. A granular material conveying device that delivers the granular material to the. The method of claim 1,
The first convex portion is an annular shape centered on the first axis,
The second convex portion is an annular shape centering on the second axis, a granular material conveying device. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The dimension in the width direction of the granular material conveyed by the conveying mechanism is D,
P, an interval in the width direction of a plurality of granular objects conveyed by the conveying mechanism,
When the width of the first convex portion in the bus bar direction in the first side surface and the width in the bus bar direction in the second side surface of the second convex portion are A,
P> A/2 + D/2
A granular material conveying device that satisfies the relationship of. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The reversing mechanism includes a third inclined drum and a fourth inclined drum having a structure equivalent to that of the first inclined drum and the second inclined drum on a downstream side of the conveying path than the first inclined drum and the second inclined drum. Have,
The granular material conveying apparatus, by which the granular material conveyed at the 3rd position in the width direction of the said conveyance mechanism moves to the 4th position in the said width direction by the said 3rd inclined drum and the said 4th inclined drum. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The first inclined drum has a non-rotating first block member that is closer to the first side surface on a downstream side in the rotational direction than a position facing the second inclined drum,
The second inclined drum has a non-rotating second block member that is closer to the second side surface than a position facing the conveying mechanism in the rotational direction. The method of claim 5,
The first block member has a first inclined surface for separating the granular material rotating together with the first suction hole toward the outer circumferential side of the first inclined drum,
The second block member has a second inclined surface for separating the granular material rotating together with the second suction hole toward the outer circumferential side of the second inclined drum. The method according to claim 5 or 6,
The reversing mechanism,
An adjustment mechanism positioned below the first inclined drum and the second inclined drum and adjusting a space between the first inclined drum and the second inclined drum in the width direction,
A granular material conveying device further comprising a cover positioned between the first inclined drum and the second inclined drum and the adjustment mechanism. The method of claim 7,
The cover,
A first cover having a fixed relative position with respect to the first inclined drum,
It has a second cover in which the relative position with respect to the second inclined drum is fixed,
The granular material conveying apparatus which moves relative to the said width direction, said 1st cover and said 2nd cover overlapping each other by the said adjustment mechanism. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The said conveyance mechanism has a sensor which detects a granular material on the downstream side of the said conveyance path from a position facing the said 1st inclined drum, The granular material conveyance apparatus. The method of claim 9,
The granular material conveying apparatus further comprises a control part which stops the said conveyance mechanism based on the detection signal of the said sensor. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The granular material is a tablet, granular material conveying device. As a granular material processing apparatus provided with the granular material conveying apparatus in any one of Claims 1-11,
The conveying mechanism conveys the granular material along the annular conveying path,
A granular material processing apparatus further comprising a processing unit that performs a predetermined treatment on the surface of the granular material at a processing position on the conveyance path. The method of claim 12,
The processing unit,
A granular material processing apparatus comprising a printing unit that prints on the surface of the granular material in an inkjet manner. The method of claim 12 or 13,
The processing unit,
Granular material processing apparatus comprising a camera for photographing the surface of the granular material.

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