US20040096495A1 - Method and apparatus for producing tablets - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for producing tablets Download PDF

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Publication number
US20040096495A1
US20040096495A1 US10/432,612 US43261203A US2004096495A1 US 20040096495 A1 US20040096495 A1 US 20040096495A1 US 43261203 A US43261203 A US 43261203A US 2004096495 A1 US2004096495 A1 US 2004096495A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
lubricant
gas
lubricant powder
powder
concentration
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Abandoned
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US10/432,612
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English (en)
Inventor
Yasushi Watanabe
Kimiaki Hayakawa
Eiichiro Hirota
Kiyoshi Morimoto
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KH Neochem Co Ltd
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Individual
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Assigned to KYOWA HAKKO KOGYO CO., LTD. reassignment KYOWA HAKKO KOGYO CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HAYAKAWA, KIMIAKI, HIROTA, EIICHIRO, MORIMOTO, KIYOSHI, WATANABE, YASUSHI
Publication of US20040096495A1 publication Critical patent/US20040096495A1/en
Priority to US11/808,619 priority Critical patent/US7766638B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C04—CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
    • C04B—LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
    • C04B41/00—After-treatment of mortars, concrete, artificial stone or ceramics; Treatment of natural stone
    • C04B41/009—After-treatment of mortars, concrete, artificial stone or ceramics; Treatment of natural stone characterised by the material treated
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J3/00—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms
    • A61J3/06—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of pills, lozenges or dragees
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2/00—Processes or devices for granulating materials, e.g. fertilisers in general; Rendering particulate materials free flowing in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2/00—Processes or devices for granulating materials, e.g. fertilisers in general; Rendering particulate materials free flowing in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic
    • B01J2/16—Processes or devices for granulating materials, e.g. fertilisers in general; Rendering particulate materials free flowing in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic by suspending the powder material in a gas, e.g. in fluidised beds or as a falling curtain
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J2/00—Processes or devices for granulating materials, e.g. fertilisers in general; Rendering particulate materials free flowing in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic
    • B01J2/22—Processes or devices for granulating materials, e.g. fertilisers in general; Rendering particulate materials free flowing in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic by pressing in moulds or between rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B30—PRESSES
    • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
    • B30B15/00—Details of, or accessories for, presses; Auxiliary measures in connection with pressing
    • B30B15/0005—Details of, or accessories for, presses; Auxiliary measures in connection with pressing for briquetting presses
    • B30B15/0011—Details of, or accessories for, presses; Auxiliary measures in connection with pressing for briquetting presses lubricating means
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C04—CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
    • C04B—LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
    • C04B41/00—After-treatment of mortars, concrete, artificial stone or ceramics; Treatment of natural stone
    • C04B41/45—Coating or impregnating, e.g. injection in masonry, partial coating of green or fired ceramics, organic coating compositions for adhering together two concrete elements
    • C04B41/50—Coating or impregnating, e.g. injection in masonry, partial coating of green or fired ceramics, organic coating compositions for adhering together two concrete elements with inorganic materials
    • C04B41/5022—Coating or impregnating, e.g. injection in masonry, partial coating of green or fired ceramics, organic coating compositions for adhering together two concrete elements with inorganic materials with vitreous materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J3/00—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms
    • A61J3/10—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of compressed tablets
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C04—CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
    • C04B—LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
    • C04B2111/00—Mortars, concrete or artificial stone or mixtures to prepare them, characterised by specific function, property or use
    • C04B2111/00474—Uses not provided for elsewhere in C04B2111/00
    • C04B2111/00836—Uses not provided for elsewhere in C04B2111/00 for medical or dental applications

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tablet production method and to a tablet production apparatus, more specifically to a tablet production method wherein tablets are produced by an external lubrication method in an industrially profitable manner and the countermeasure for a dust explosion in carrying out the tablet production method is adequately taken and to a production apparatus applicable for executing the tablet production method.
  • An intrabuccally rapidly disintegrating tablet has been noticed recently, which is produced by reducing a lubricant powder included therein or by excluding a lubricant powder therein at all in order to quicken the disintegration time of the tablet so that the tablet can be disintegrated in the buccal cavity when contacting with saliva.
  • the tablet production method described in JP-B-41-11273 comprises the steps of charging a fixed amount of material to be tabletted in a die, tabletting by compressing the material charged in the die with a pair of an upper punch and a lower punch, and discharging the produced tablet.
  • a spray nozzle is provided at a predetermined position above the die for spraying a lubricant, and a lubricant is sprayed from the nozzle to apply the lubricant on a lower surface of the upper punch (“lower surface of upper punch” is called “material contacting surface of upper punch” in this specification) and an upper surface of the lower punch (“lower surface of lower punch” is called “material contacting surface of lower punch” in this specification), both punches corresponding to the die which has come to the position where the nozzle is provided. Then the molding material is charged in the die and is compressed to produce a tablet with the upper punch of which the material contacting surface is applied with the lubricant and the lower punch of which material contacting surface is applied with the lubricant to produce a tablet.
  • a diffuser for diffusing a lubricant and a nozzle for spraying air are provided at a predetermined place above a die and a lubricant is diffused on the die which has come to where the diffuser is provided before charging a molding material in the die, thereby placing the lubricant on the material contacting surface of a lower punch provided corresponding to the die. Then a compressed air is injected on the lower punch from the nozzle at the position where the nozzle is provided, thereby blowing up the lubricant placed on the material contacting surface of the lower punch.
  • the blown lubricant is applied on an inner circumference of the die and a material contacting surface of an upper punch.
  • inner circumference of die is called “material contacting surface of die”.
  • material contacting surface of die refers to the inner circumferential wall of the die which is above the material contacting surface of the lower punch inserted in a predetermined position in the die.
  • a spray chamber connected with a pulsating vibration air generator and provided with a spray nozzle for spraying a lubricant is provided above a die.
  • the pulsating vibration air generator is driven to generate a pulsating vibration air in the spray chamber when the die comes to the position where the spray chamber is provided, a lubricant is sprayed from the spray nozzle on each material contacting surface of the die, an upper punch and a lower punch, then the molding material is charged in the die, and the charged molding material is compressed to produce a tablet using the upper punch and the lower punch of which the material contacting surfaces are applied with the lubricant.
  • JP-B-41-11273, JP-A-56-14098 and JP-A-7-124231 are practicable for producing experimentally or producing a small amount of tablets, they have a room for improvement for producing a tablet stably for a long time to meet the requirement of industrial production base.
  • the inventors of the present invention have had a fear that in case of constructing a large scale tablet production apparatus suitable for industrial production base, a lubricant powder may cause a dust explosion while producing a tablet with such a apparatus.
  • the present invention is proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the invention is to provide a tablet production method in which tablets are stably produced for a long time to meet the requirement for profitable industrial production base and there is no fear of dust explosion in case of constructing a large scale tablet production apparatus suitable for industrial production base and to provide a tablet production apparatus to execute the method.
  • the inventors of the present invention have been engaged in the development of a rapidly disintegrating tablet which is quickly disintegrated in a desired place such as an intrabuccally rapidly disintegrating tablet which can be quickly disintegrated in the buccal cavity when contacting with saliva and in the development of an production apparatus for producing such a rapidly disintegrating tablet. They have completed a production apparatus which can be executed in industrial production base.
  • the inventors have thought that there may be a fear of a dust explosion in the production apparatus or around the production apparatus (such as in a factory where the apparatus is provided) because a powder material is used for producing such a tablet when a large amount of externally lubricated tablets is produced by such a production apparatus.
  • FIG. 36 shows the characteristic causes of a dust explosion.
  • the inventors of the present invention have reached the present invention by taking countermeasures for removing the three causes for a dust explosion in a new industrially profitable production method wherein a lubricant powder is applied on each material contacting surface of a die, an upper punch and a lower punch and a molding material is compressed to be molded with the die, the upper punch and the lower punch with their material contacting surfaces lubricated and in a new tablet production apparatus for executing the new production method.
  • a tablet production method comprising the steps of: gas generating step for generating a gas from a gas generation means; lubricant dispersing step for supplying the gas generated from the gas generation means into a lubricant powder discharge means, the discharge means discharging the lubricant powder into the gas for mixing the lubricant powder with the gas in dispersed state, depending on the supply of the gas, thereby discharging the lubricant powder into the gas generated from the gas generation means from the lubricant powder discharge means to mix the lubricant powder with the gas in dispersed state; pneumatic transporting step for pneumatically transporting the lubricant powder mixed with the gas in dispersed state at the lubricant dispersing step into a lubricant application means, the lubricant application means spraying the lubricant powder onto each material contacting surface of a die, an upper punch and a lower punch; lubricant powder applying step for spraying the lubricant powder mixed with the gas in dispersed state onto
  • “Lubricant” used in the specification refers to a stearic adjuvant added for reducing the friction between the die and the punches while compressing (tabletting) the molding material and for preventing tabletting problems such as sticking, capping and laminating, example of which include, stearic acid, aluminum stearate, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, sucrose esters of fatty acid, sodium stearyl phthalamate, talc and so on.
  • “Lower explosion limit oxygen concentration” in the specification refers to the upper oxygen concentration wherein a dust explosion isn't happened even if an ignition energy is applied when a combustible material with enough concentration for explosion (lubricant powder in the specification) exists.
  • “Lubricant powder discharge means, discharging the lubricant powder into the gas for mixing the lubricant powder with the gas in dispersed state, depending on the supply of the gas” refers to a lubricant powder discharge means in which its discharging mechanism of the lubricant powder depends on the gas and a lubricant powder is mixed and dispersed with the gas used for discharging the lubricant powder.
  • lubricant powder discharge means discharging the lubricant powder into the gas generated from the gas generation means from the lubricant powder discharge means to mix the lubricant powder with the gas in dispersed state, depending on the supply of the gas
  • lubricant powder discharge means discharging the lubricant powder into the gas generated from the gas generation means from the lubricant powder discharge means to mix the lubricant powder with the gas in dispersed state, depending on the supply of the gas
  • the elastic membrane is vibrated up and down with its center being an antinode of vibration and its peripheral being a node of vibration by supplying a pneumatic transportation gas under the elastic membrane (the gas flow may be a steady pressure flow or a pulsating vibration flow).
  • the lubricant powder placed on the elastic membrane is discharged through its penetrating aperture into the gas flow under the membrane to be mixed and dispersed with the flow.
  • the amplitude and frequency of the vibration of the elastic membrane with a penetrating aperture are defined by the property (pressure, flow amount and so on) of the gas flow for pneumatic transportation (the gas flow may be a steady pressure flow or a pulsating vibration flow) which is supplied under the elastic membrane.
  • the amount of lubricant powder discharged from the penetrating aperture of the elastic membrane is defined by the vibration amplitude and vibration frequency of the elastic membrane when the size and shape of the aperture are the same.
  • the gas flow for pneumatic transportation (the gas flow may be a steady pressure flow or a pulsating vibration flow) supplied under the elastic membrane having a penetrating aperture is constant, the lubricant powder is pneumatically transported with a constant concentration while always being mixed and dispersed with the gas flow for pneumatic transportation (the gas flow may be a steady pressure flow or a pulsating vibration flow).
  • Transporting system including the gas generation means and the lubricant application means as its initial and end instruments refers to a conduit airtightly connecting the gas generation means, the lubricant powder discharge means, and the lubricant application means in order.
  • Oxygen concentration in the gas existing near the lubricant application means refers to the oxygen concentration in the gas in the space where the gas discharged from the lubricant application means is admixed with air (normal air including oxygen), more specifically in the gas in the space between a port for spraying a lubricant on the upper punch of the tabletting machine and the material contacting surface of the upper punch or in the gas in the space formed by a port for spraying lubricant on the lower punch of the lubricant application means, the die and the lower punch inserted in a predetermined position in the die.
  • air normal air including oxygen
  • the lubricant powder is discharged in the gas depending on the gas to be mixed and dispersed with the gas so that a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be mixed and dispersed with a fixed amount of gas as far as the gas to be mixed and dispersed with the lubricant powder is constant.
  • the lubricant powder with a constant concentration is always supplied to the lubricant application means, enabling a constant application of a fixed amount of lubricant powder on each material contacting surface of the die, the upper punch and the lower punch.
  • the tablet production method is suitable for producing tablets (externally lubricated tablets) at profitable industrial production base.
  • the oxygen concentration in the transporting system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means is under the oxygen concentration of a lower explosion limit, and a dust explosion in the transporting system can be prevented.
  • the oxygen concentration in the gas existing in the system and/or near the lubricant application means of the tablet production method of (1) is set equal to or less than 14%, the system including the gas generation means and the lubricant application means as its initial and end instruments.
  • the oxygen concentration of a lower explosion limit of the lubricant powder is practically defined.
  • the oxygen concentration in the system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means is defined to be equal to or less than 14%, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the transporting system.
  • the oxygen concentration in the system and/or around the lubricant application means is preferably equal to or less than 13%, more preferably equal to or less than 12%, and still more preferably equal to or less than 12%.
  • the oxygen concentration of explosion limit is ideally 0%, therefore it goes without saying that the lower limit thereof is equal to or over 0% so as not to cause a dust explosion.
  • the oxygen concentration in the gas existing in the system and/or near the lubricant application means of the tablet production method of (1) is set equal to or less than 8%, the system including the gas generation means and the lubricant application means as its initial and end instruments.
  • Static safety guide by the National Institute of Industrial Safety recommends keeping the oxygen concentration equal to or less than 8% in order not to cause a dust explosion when the oxygen concentration of lower explosion limit is equal to or above 13% and equal to or less than 14%.
  • the oxygen concentration contained in the gas existing in the system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means and/or around the lubricant application means is set to be equal to or less than 8% in order to clear the static safety guide by the National Institute of Industrial Safety in the tablet production method, thereby preventing dust explosion.
  • the static safety guide by the National Institute of Industrial Safety recommends keeping the oxygen concentration less than 5% in order not to cause a dust explosion when the oxygen concentration of lower explosion limit is equal to or above 11% and equal to or less than 12%.
  • the lower limit of the oxygen concentration contained in the gas is equal to or above 0%.
  • a tablet production method comprising the steps of:
  • gas generating step for generating a gas from a gas generation means
  • lubricant dispersing step for supplying the gas generated from the gas generation means into a lubricant powder discharge means, the discharge means discharging the lubricant powder into the gas for mixing the lubricant powder with the gas in dispersed state, depending on the supply of the gas, thereby discharging the lubricant powder into the gas generated from the gas generation means from the lubricant powder discharge means to mix the lubricant powder with the gas in dispersed state
  • pneumatic transporting step for pneumatically transporting the lubricant powder mixed with the gas in dispersed state at the lubricant dispersing step into a lubricant application means, the lubricant application means spraying the lubricant powder onto each material contacting surface of a die, an upper punch and a lower punch
  • lubricant powder applying step for spraying the lubricant powder mixed with the gas in dispersed state onto each material contacting surface of the die, the upper
  • “Lower explosion limit concentration” in the specification refers to the lowest concentration wherein a combustible material (lubricant powder in this specification) causes a fire diffusion when enough ignition energy is applied in atmosphere.
  • “Lubricant powder concentration in the suction means” specifically means the lubricant powder concentration in parts constructing the suction means such as a suction duct (conduit) when a lubricant powder is mixed and dispersed with the gas admixed with air.
  • This tablet production method comprises the gas generating step, the lubricant discharging step and the compressing step same as those in the embodiment of the present invention (1).
  • this production method is also suitable for a production method of a tablet (externally lubricated tablet) at an industrial production base like the embodiment (1).
  • the lubricant powder concentration in the suction means at the surplus lubricant powder sucking step is set under the concentration of lower explosion limit, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the suction means.
  • the lubricant powder concentration in the suction means of the tablet production method (4) is equal to or less than 70 g/m 3 .
  • the concentration of lower explosion limit of the lubricant powder in the suction means is specifically defined at the surplus lubricant sucking step to be equal to or under 70 g/m 3 , more preferably equal to or under 50 g/m 3 , thereby preventing a dust explosion in the suction means.
  • a noninflammable gas is used as the gas supplied to the lubricant powder discharge means at the lubricant dispersing step of the above-mentioned embodiments (1)-(5).
  • Noninflammable gas used in the specification refers to the gas mainly comprised of nitrogen (N 2 ) in which a fixed amount of oxygen (O 2 ) gas is removed from air, and to inert gas such as nitrogen (N 2 ) gas, helium (He) gas, and argon (Ar) gas.
  • noninflammable gas is used as a supply gas to the lubricant powder discharge means at the lubricant dispersing step so that a dust explosion isn't happened at all in a place (in the instrument) where the gas mixed and dispersed with the lubricant powder doesn't admix with air.
  • a pulsating vibration gas is used as the gas supplied to the lubricant powder discharge means at the lubricant dispersing step of any one of the above-mentioned embodiments (1)-(6).
  • the lubricant powder discharge means for discharging a lubricant powder into the gas depending on the gas to be mixed and dispersed with the gas is used as a lubricant powder discharge means.
  • the amount of lubricant powder discharged from the lubricant powder discharge means depends on the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas.
  • the lubricant powder with a constant concentration is always supplied to the lubricant application means so that a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be always applied on each material contacting surface of the die, the upper punch and the lower punch.
  • a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be applied on those material contacting surfaces with this tablet production method.
  • the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas are once determined in such a manner that the amount of lubricant powder to be applied on the material contacting surfaces is designed to be most appropriate, the appropriate amount of lubricant powder applied on the surfaces can be kept only by keeping the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas constant.
  • the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas are once controlled in such a manner that the lubricant powder amount to be applied on each material contacting surface of the die, the upper punch and the lower punch is adjusted so as not to cause tabletting problems such as sticking, capping and laminating and not to cause griding between the die and the punches.
  • tablets can be stably produced for a long time without causing such tabletting problems for the produced tablets and griding between the die and punches only by keeping the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas and also keeping the constant amount of lubricant powder to be applied on the material contacting surfaces of the die and punches.
  • a tablet (externally lubricated tablet) can be produced with this production method at an industrial production base.
  • an antistatic means is further provided for any one of the above mentioned embodiments (1)-(7).
  • an antistatic means is provided for the apparatus to execute the above-mentioned methods (1)-(7), thereby preventing sparks caused by static electricity.
  • An easiest antistatic means is earthening (by earth) the transporting system for executing the pneumatic transporting step of the lubricant powder.
  • a coating compound including an antistat solution or antistat such as cation activator may be painted at least on the transporting system for executing the pneumatic transporting step of the lubricant powder as an antistatic means.
  • a tablet production apparatus comprising: a gas generator; a lubricant powder discharge means for discharging a lubricant powder into a gas generated from the gas generator for mixing the lubricant powder with the gas in dispersed state, depending on the supply of the gas generated from the gas generator; a lubricant application means for spraying the lubricant powder discharged from the lubricant powder discharge means and mixed with the gas from the gas generator in dispersed state onto each material contacting surface of a die, an upper punch and a lower punch; and an oxygen concentration measuring means for measuring the oxygen concentration of the gas existing in transporting system and/or near the lubricant application means, the system including the gas generator and the lubricant application means as its initial and end instruments, wherein the oxygen concentration in the gas existing in the system and/or near the lubricant application means is adjusted based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measuring means, the system including the gas generation means and the lubricant application means as its initial and end instruments.
  • “Lubricant powder discharge means for discharging a lubricant powder into a gas generated from the gas generation means for mixing the lubricant powder with the gas in dispersed state, depending on the supply of the gas generated from the gas generator” in this specification refers to a lubricant powder discharge means in which its discharge mechanism of the lubricant powder depends on the gas and the lubricant powder is mixed and dispersed with the gas used for discharging the lubricant powder.
  • lubricant powder discharge means for discharging a lubricant powder into a gas generated from the gas generation means for mixing the lubricant powder with the gas in dispersed state, depending on the supply of the gas generated from the gas generator refers to a newly constructed device constructed such that an elastic membrane having a penetrating aperture is provided at the bottom of a lubricant powder container.
  • the elastic membrane is vibrated up and down with its center being an antinode of vibration and its peripheral being a node of vibration by supplying gas for pneumatic transportation under the elastic membrane (the gas flow may be a steady pressure flow or a pulsating vibration flow).
  • the lubricant powder placed on the elastic membrane is discharged through its penetrating apertures into the gas flow under the membrane to be mixed and dispersed therewith.
  • the amplitude and frequency of the vibration of the elastic membrane with a penetrating aperture are defined by the property (pressure, flow amount and so on) of the gas flow for pneumatic transportation (the gas flow may be a steady pressure flow or a pulsating vibration flow) which is supplied under the elastic membrane.
  • the amount of lubricant powder discharged from the penetrating apertures of the elastic membrane is defined by the vibration amplitude and vibration frequency of the elastic membrane when the size and shape of the aperture are the same.
  • the gas flow for pneumatic transportation (the gas flow may be a steady pressure flow or a pulsating vibration flow) supplied under the elastic membrane having a penetrating aperture is constant, the lubricant powder is pneumatically transported while always being mixed and dispersed with the gas flow for pneumatic transportation (the gas flow may be a steady pressure flow or a pulsating vibration flow) with a constant concentration.
  • Transporting system including the gas generation means and the lubricant application means as its initial and end instruments refers to a conduit airtightly connecting the gas generation means, the lubricant powder discharge means, the lubricant application means in order.
  • Oxygen concentration in the gas existing near the lubricant application means refers to the oxygen concentration in the gas in the space where the gas discharged from the lubricant application means is admixed with air (normal air including oxygen), more specifically in the gas in the space between a port for spraying lubricant on the upper punch of the lubricant application means and the material contacting surface of the upper punch or in the gas in the space formed by a port for spraying lubricant on the lower punch of the lubricant application means, the die and the lower punch inserted in a predetermined position in the die.
  • air normal air including oxygen
  • Noninflammable gas is generated from the gas generation means.
  • This tablet production method uses the lubricant powder discharge means for discharging the lubricant powder into the gas depending on the gas generated from the gas generation means to be mixed and dispersed with the gas so that a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be mixed and dispersed with a fixed amount of gas as far as the generation amount of gas (flow amount, pressure and so on) generated from the gas generation means is constant.
  • the lubricant powder with a constant concentration is always supplied to the lubricant application means, enabling a constant application of a fixed amount of lubricant powder on each material contacting surface of the die, the upper punch and the lower punch.
  • the tablet production method is suitable for producing tablets (externally lubricated tablets) at an industrial production base.
  • the gas amount generated from the gas generation means is controlled based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measuring means.
  • this tablet production apparatus is constructed such that the gas amount generated from the gas generation means is controlled based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measuring means so that the oxygen amount contained in the gas existing in the space in the transporting system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means and the oxygen amount contained in the gas existing in the space around the lubricant application means are reduced. Therefore, dust explosion is prevented from causing in those spaces.
  • the oxygen concentration in the gas existing in the system and/or near the lubricant application means in the above-mentioned embodiment (9) is set equal to or less than the oxygen concentration of explosion limit, the system including the gas generation means and the lubricant application means as its initial and end instruments.
  • the oxygen concentration in the gas in the system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means or near the lubricant application means is equal to or less than the oxygen concentration of explosion limit by the gas amount generated from the gas generation means, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the transporting system or around the lubricant application means.
  • the oxygen concentration in the gas existing in the system and/or near the lubricant application means in the above-mentioned embodiment (9) is set equal to or less than 14%, the system including the gas generation means and the lubricant application means as its initial and end instruments.
  • the oxygen concentration in the gas around the lubricant application means is practically defined.
  • the oxygen concentration in the system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means and/or around the lubricant application means is defined to be equal to or less than the oxygen concentration of explosion limit, namely 14%, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the system and/or around the lubricant application means.
  • the oxygen concentration in the gas in the system and/or near the lubricant application means is preferably equal to or less than 13%, more preferably equal to or less than 12%, and still more preferably equal to or less than 12%.
  • the oxygen concentration of explosion limit is ideally 0%, therefore the lowest limit thereof is equal to or over 0% so as not to cause a dust explosion.
  • the oxygen concentration in the gas existing in the system and/or near the lubricant application means in the above-mentioned embodiment (9) is equal to or less than 8%, the system including the gas generation means and the lubricant application means as its initial and end transporting system.
  • Static safety guide by the National Institute of Industrial Safety recommends keeping the oxygen concentration equal to or less than 8% in order not to cause a dust explosion when the oxygen concentration of explosion limit is equal to or above 13% and equal to or less than 14%.
  • the oxygen concentration contained in the gas existing in the system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means and/or near the lubricant application means is set to be equal to or less than 8% in order to clear the static safety guide by the National Institute of Industrial Safety in the tablet production method, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the system and/or around the lubricant application means.
  • the static safety guide by the National Institute of Industrial Safety recommends keeping the oxygen concentration equal to or less than 5% in order not to cause a dust explosion when the oxygen concentration of explosion limit is equal to or above 11% and equal to or less than 12%.
  • the lower limit of the oxygen concentration contained in the gas existing in the transporting system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means and/or around the lubricant application means is equal to or above 0% because the ideal oxygen concentration therein is ideally 0%.
  • Other embodiment of the tablet production apparatus comprises a gas generator; a lubricant powder discharge means for discharging a lubricant powder into a gas generated from the gas generator for mixing the lubricant powder with the gas in dispersed state, depending on the supply of the gas generated from the gas generator; a lubricant application means for spraying the lubricant powder discharged from the lubricant powder discharge means and mixed with the gas generated from the gas generator in dispersed state onto each material contacting surface of a die, an upper punch and a lower punch; a suction means for sucking thereinto the lubricant powder sprayed from the lubricant application means; and a lubricant powder concentration measuring means provided in the suction means, for measuring a lubricant powder concentration sucked into the suction means, whereby the concentration of the lubricant powder to be sucked into the suction means is adjusted based on the lubricant powder concentration measured by the lubricant powder concentration measuring
  • the lubricant powder sprayed from the lubricant application means is immediately sucked by means of the suction means. Therefore, the lubricant powder sprayed from the lubricant spray port for upper punch of the lubricant application means to the material contacting surface of the upper punch doesn't scatter around the lubricant application means, thereby preventing a dust explosion around the lubricant application means.
  • the concentration of the lubricant powder to be supplied in the suction means (more specifically in the suction duct of the suction means) is controlled based on the lubricant powder concentration measured by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means.
  • the concentration of the lubricant powder to be supplied in the suction means (more specifically in the suction duct of the suction means) is set to be equal to or under the lower explosion limit concentration, preventing a dust explosion in the suction means (more specifically in the suction duct of the suction means).
  • the lubricant powder concentration to be sucked into the suction means is equal to or less than a lower explosion limit concentration.
  • the concentration of lower explosion limit of the lubricant powder to be supplied in the suction means in the embodiment (13) is specifically defined to be equal to or under 70 g/m 3 , more preferably equal to or under 50 g/m 3 . Therefore, when a tablet is produced with the production apparatus, a dust explosion is prevented in the suction means (more specifically in the suction duct of the suction means).
  • the gas generator in any one of the embodiments (9)-(15) generates a noninflammable gas therefrom.
  • a noninflammable gas is generated from the gas generation means as the gas to be mixed and dispersed with the lubricant powder, preventing a dust explosion in the transporting system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means.
  • the gas generator in any one of the embodiments (9)-(16) generates a pulsating vibration gas therefrom.
  • the pulsating vibration gas is used as a supply gas to be mixed and dispersed with the lubricant powder, and the amount of lubricant powder depends on the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas.
  • a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be applied on each material contacting surfaces of the die, the upper punch and the lower punch with this tablet production method.
  • the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas are once determined in such a manner that the amount of lubricant powder to be applied on the material contacting surfaces makes most suitable, the appropriate amount of lubricant powder applied on the surfaces can be kept only by keeping the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas constant.
  • the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas are controlled in such a manner that the lubricant powder amount to be applied on each material contacting surface of the die, the upper punch and the lower punch is adjusted so as not to cause tabletting problems such as sticking, capping and laminating and not to cause griding between the die and the punches.
  • tablets can be stably produced for a long time without causing such tabletting problems for the produced tablets and griding between the die and punches only by keeping the suitable frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas and also keeping the suitable amount of lubricant powder to be applied on the material contacting surfaces of the die and punches.
  • a tablet (externally lubricated tablet) can be produced with this production apparatus at an industrial production base.
  • Other embodiment of the tablet production apparatus comprises: a gas generator; a lubricant powder discharge means for discharging a lubricant powder into a gas generated from said gas generator for mixing the lubricant powder with said gas in dispersed state, depending on the supply of said gas generated from said gas generator; a lubricant application means for spraying said lubricant powder discharged from said lubricant powder discharge means and mixed with said gas generated from said gas generator in dispersed state onto each material contacting surface of a die, an upper punch and a lower punch; a suction means for sucking thereinto said lubricant powder sprayed from said lubricant application means; and a spray amount measuring means for measuring the lubricant powder concentration at an optional point from said lubricant powder discharge means to said lubricant application means, whereby the flow amount to be sucked into said suction means is adjusted based on the lubricant powder concentration calculated from the amount of said lubricant powder measured by said spray amount measuring means and
  • the lubricant powder concentration is observed by the lubricant powder amount measuring means.
  • the lubricant powder amount mixed and dispersed with the gas generated from the gas generation means is controlled to be under the lower explosion limit concentration, thereby preventing a dust explosion.
  • the concentration of such lubricant powder as to be sucked into the suction means in the above-mentioned apparatus (18) is equal to or less than a lower explosion limit as predetermined.
  • the concentration, of the lubricant powder supplied into the suction means is equal to or less than the lower explosion limit concentration, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the suction means.
  • the concentration of such lubricant powder as to be sucked into the suction means in the above-mentioned embodiment (19) is equal to or less than 70 g/m 3 .
  • the concentration of the lower explosion limit of the lubricant powder to be supplied in the suction means in the above-mentioned embodiment (19) is specifically defined to be equal to or under 70 g/m 3 , more preferably equal to or under 50 g/m 3 . Therefore, when a tablet is produced with this production apparatus, a dust explosion is prevented in the suction means (more specifically in the suction duct of the suction means).
  • the gas generator in the above-mentioned embodiments in (18) or (19) generates a noninflammable gas therefrom.
  • a noninflammable gas is generated from the gas generation means so that a dust explosion isn't caused at all in a place (instrument) where the gas mixing and dispersing the lubricant powder doesn't mix with air.
  • the gas generator in any one of the above-mentioned embodiments (18)-(21) generates a pulsating vibration gas therefrom.
  • an antistatic means is further equipped in any one of the above-mentioned embodiments (9)-(22).
  • the antistatic means is provided so as not to cause sparks derived from static electricity, thereby preventing sparks caused by static electricity.
  • FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows one construction of the tablet production apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagrammatically explaining a first program stored in a control means of the tablet production apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagrammatically explaining a second program stored in a control means of the tablet production apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is an abridgement of an experimental method and its result carried out by Kabushikikaisha Kankyo Eisei Kenkyusho in order to obtain a practical value of a lower explosion limit concentration of a lubricant powder and that of an explosion limit oxygen concentration.
  • FIG. 5 is an abridgement of an experimental method and its result carried out by Kabushikikaisha Kankyo Eisei Kenkyusho in order to obtain a practical value of a lower explosion limit concentration of a lubricant powder and that of an explosion limit oxygen concentration.
  • FIG. 6 is a graph exemplifying a preferable removing capacity of an oxygen removing means used for the tablet production apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows other embodiment of the tablet production apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 diagrammatically shows other embodiment of the tablet production apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 diagrammatically shows other embodiment of the tablet production apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 diagrammatically shows the entire construction of the tablet production apparatus shown in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 11 is an explanatory view exemplifying a positive pulsating vibration gas.
  • FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a lubricant powder discharge means.
  • FIG. 13 is an explanatory detailed view of a lubricant storage hopper
  • FIG. 13 a is an oblique perspective view showing the lubricant storage hopper
  • FIG. 13 b is a plane view showing a substantial part of the lubricant storage hopper shown in FIG. 13 a.
  • FIG. 14 is a plane view diagrammatically showing an elastic membrane.
  • FIG. 15 is a perspective view when an elastic membrane is attached to an elastic membrane installation means used in the lubricant powder discharge means.
  • FIG. 16 is a disjoined perspective view diagrammatically showing the construction of the elastic membrane installation means shown in FIG. 15.
  • FIG. 17 is a sectional view diagrammatically showing the construction of the elastic membrane installation means shown in FIG. 15.
  • FIG. 18 is a plane diagram showing a position of a pulsating vibration gas supply port provided for a dispersion chamber when the dispersion chamber is seen from top
  • FIG. 18 a is an explanatory view showing a preferable position of the pulsating vibration gas supply port for the dispersion chamber
  • FIG. 18 b is an explanatory view showing an actual attachable position of the pulsating vibration gas supply port for the dispersion chamber.
  • FIG. 19 is a plane diagram showing a position of a pulsating vibration gas supply port and its discharge port provided for a dispersion chamber when the dispersion chamber is seen from top
  • FIG. 19 a is an explanatory view showing a preferable position of the pulsating vibration gas supply port and its discharge port for the dispersion chamber
  • FIG. 19 b is an explanatory view showing an actual attachable position of the pulsating vibration gas supply port and its discharge port for the dispersion chamber.
  • FIG. 20 an explanatory view showing the operation of a gas injection means and a material feed valve provided for a lubricant storage hopper of a lubricant powder discharge means.
  • FIG. 21 is a flow chart diagrammatically showing an operation program of a gas injection means and a material feed valve which is stored in a memory of a controller in advance.
  • FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic explanatory view showing the operation of an elastic membrane and a bypass pipe when a positive pulsating vibration gas is supplied in a dispersion chamber.
  • FIG. 23 is a plane view diagrammatically showing a rotary type tabletting machine applied to an externally lubricating type tabletting machine used in the present invention.
  • FIG. 24 is a plane view diagrammatically showing enlarged lubricant application means shown in FIG. 24.
  • FIG. 25 is a sectional view diagrammatically showing the construction of the lubricant application means along the line XXIV-XXIV in FIG. 24.
  • FIG. 26 shows the enlarged diagrammatic construction around the suction means (lubricant suction means) shown in FIG. 10.
  • FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing one construction of a pulsating vibration gas generation means.
  • FIG. 28 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing other construction of a pulsating vibration gas generation means.
  • FIG. 29 is a disjoined oblique perspective view diagrammatically explaining other construction of a pulsating vibration gas generation means.
  • FIG. 30 is a plane view diagrammatically showing other embodiment of an elastic membrane used for a lubricant powder discharge means of an externally lubricating type tabletting machine of the present invention.
  • FIG. 31 diagrammatically shows the entire construction of the tablet production apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 32 diagrammatically shows the entire construction of the tablet production apparatus shown in FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 33 diagrammatically shows the entire construction of the tablet production apparatus shown in FIG. 9.
  • FIG. 34 shows the entire construction diagrammatically showing other embodiment of a tablet production apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 35 diagrammatically shows the construction of a spray amount measuring means shown in FIG. 34.
  • FIG. 36 shows characteristic causes explaining the factor to cause a dust explosion.
  • FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows one construction of the tablet production apparatus according to the present invention.
  • Tablet production apparatus (eternally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa has a gas generator G, a lubricant powder discharge means 51 for discharging a lubricant powder to the gas generated from the gas generator G depending on the gas generated from the gas generator G to be mixed and dispersed, a lubricant application means 91 for spraying the lubricant powder mixed and dispersed with the gas generated from the gas generator G on each material contacting surface of a die, an upper punch and a lower punch, an oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a for measuring the oxygen concentration contained in the gas existing around the lubricant application means 91 , and oxygen concentration measuring means 131 b and 131 c for measuring the oxygen concentration in the transporting system from the gas generator G to the lubricant application means 91 .
  • the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 b and 131 c aren't always provided.
  • the member shown with the reference numeral 81 in FIG. 1 is a rotary type tabletting machine.
  • the reference numeral 121 in FIG. 1 refers to a controller which entirely controls and observes the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine).
  • the gas generator G is provided with an oxygen removing means 112 for removing the oxygen in the air to be supplied to a conduit Tm from a blower 111 when the blower 111 and the blowers 111 are driven.
  • blower 111 and the controller 121 are connected with a signal line so as to control the drive amount of blower 111 by the controller 121 .
  • oxygen removing means 112 may be used if the oxygen concentration contained in a compressed air generated from the blower 111 is adequately reduced comparing with the explosion limit oxygen concentration when a compressed air with the flow amount added the maximum value of a spray flow and the maximum value of a control flow is generated from the blower 111 in case of applying a lubricant powder on each material contacting surface of a die (see die 32 . . . in FIG. 23), on each material contacting surface of an upper punch 31 . . . and on each material contacting surface of a lower punch 33 . . . of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 .
  • a conduit T 0 From the blower 111 , a conduit T 0 , the oxygen removing means 112 , the conduit Tm, the lubricant powder discharge means 51 , a conduit T 2 to the lubricant application means 91 of the tablet production means (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa are kept airtightly.
  • a blowport of the blower 111 is connected with one end of the conduit T 0 airtightly, the other end of the conduit TO is connected with a supply port of the oxygen removing means 112 airtightly, a discharge port of the oxygen removing means 112 is connected with one end of the conduit Tm airtightly, the other end of the conduit Tm is connected with a gas supply port (gas supply port 55 a in FIG. 12) of the lubricant powder discharge means 51 airtightly, a discharge port (discharge port 55 b in FIG.
  • the lubricant powder discharge means is connected with the other end of the conduit T 2 airtightly, the other end of the conduit T 2 is connected with a lubricant introduction port of the lubricant spray means 91 airtightly so that gas conduit from the supply port of the blower 111 to the lubricant spray port for upper punch (lubricant spray port for upper punch 94 shown in FIG. 23, FIG. 24 and FIG. 25) of the lubricant spray means 91 is kept airtight.
  • the oxygen removing means 112 is provided with a column charged with a deoxidizer, for example an iron powder, in such a manner that oxygen in the air is removed while being passed in the column.
  • a deoxidizer for example an iron powder
  • oxygen measuring means 131 a , 131 b , 131 c a well-known oxygen concentration measuring means such as an oxygen analyzer (product name: MODEL1100, brand name: ceramatec, product of ADVANCED IONIC TECHNOROGIES INC., importer: AICHI SANGYO TECHNICAL TRADING COMAPNY) may be used.
  • an oxygen analyzer product name: MODEL1100, brand name: ceramatec, product of ADVANCED IONIC TECHNOROGIES INC., importer: AICHI SANGYO TECHNICAL TRADING COMAPNY
  • the oxygen measuring means 131 a , 131 b , 131 c may be an oxygen measuring means which announces an alert when detecting the oxygen concentration above the limit concentration to announce an alert if the oxygen concentration to announce the alert is input in the measuring means in advance.
  • the detected values from the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a , 131 b , 131 c are sent to the controller 121 and the oxygen concentration to announce an alarm may be input in the controller 121 , or an alarm is announced by the controller 121 when each one of the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a , 131 b , 131 c detects the oxygen concentration above the alarm limit.
  • the air supplied from the blower 111 to the conduit T 0 by driving the blower 111 is further supplied to the lubricant powder discharge means 51 via the conduit Tm after removing oxygen in the oxygen removing means 112 .
  • the lubricant powder discharge means 51 is designed to discharge the lubricant powder depending on the gas supplied via the conduit Tm of which oxygen is removed by the oxygen removing means 112 and to mix and disperse the lubricant powder with the gas.
  • the lubricant powder discharged from the lubricant powder discharge means 51 in the gas in which oxygen is removed by the oxygen removing means 112 to be mixed and dispersed together is fed to the lubricant application means 91 via the conduit T 2 .
  • the lubricant application means 91 is provided at a predetermined position (lubricant spray point R 1 in FIG. 23) on a turntable 34 of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 .
  • the lubricant powder supplied to the lubricant application means 91 via the conduit T 2 while being mixed and dispersed in the gas of which oxygen is removed is sequentially applied on each contacting surface of the plural dies (plural dies 32 . . . in FIG. 23) provided on the turntable 34 of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 , each material contacting surface of upper punch 31 correspondingly provided for each one of the plural dies (plural dies 32 . . . in FIG. 23) and each material contacting surface of the lower punch 33 correspondingly provided for each one of plural dies (plural dies 32 . . . in FIG. 23).
  • the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa has a suction means 101 and the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a.
  • the suction means 101 is provided with a dust collector 102 and a suction duct (conduit) T 3 .
  • Signals are sent and received via a signal line (not shown) between the dust collector 102 and the dust controller 121 such that the controller 121 can drive and stop the collector, 102 or control the drive amount at a desirable amount.
  • this tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa
  • suction means 101 when the suction means 101 is driven, surplus lubricant powder, which has been sprayed from the lubricant application means 91 on each material contacting surface of the die, the material contacting surface of the upper punch provided for each one of the plural dies, and the material contacting surface of the lower punch provided for each one of the plural dies, is designed to be sucked and removed by the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 .
  • the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a scattering type powder concentration measuring means 103 a in FIG. 26 is provided for the suction duct (conduit T 3 (more specifically a branch pipe T 3 a in FIG. 26)) of the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 in such a manner that the concentration of the powder (lubricant powder) in the suction duct (conduit T 3 (more specifically a branch pipe T 3 a in FIG. 26)) of the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 is measured when the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 is driven by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a.
  • the value detected by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a is sent to the controller 121 .
  • an antistatic means is provided for each one of the blower 111 , the oxygen removing means 112 , the controller 121 , the lubricant powder discharge means 51 , the rotary tabletting machine 81 and the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 of the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa for preventing the static electricity charge by earthing those means.
  • each one of the blower 111 , the oxygen removing means 112 , the controller 121 , the lubricant powder discharge means 51 , the rotary tabletting machine 81 and the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 is grounded (earthed), however it isn't necessary to ground all of them for preventing the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa from being charged with static electricity. At least one of them may be grounded (earthed).
  • the conduits Tm, T 2 or T 3 may be grounded if necessary. Otherwise the blower 111 , the oxygen removing means 112 , the controller 121 , the lubricant powder discharge means 51 , the rotary tabletting machine 81 , the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 , the conduits Tm, T 2 or T 3 may be done with an antistatic procedure such as applying a paint including an antistat solution or an antistat such as cation activator.
  • a first safety means is provided for the controller 121 of the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa.
  • the first safety means has a first alarm means provided for the controller 121 .
  • a first program is stored to activate the first alarm means in a memory of a processing unit of the controller 121 .
  • FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagrammatically explaining the first program.
  • an alarm buzzer may be provided for the controller 121 so that the alarm buzzer sounds when the oxygen concentration (detected value) detected by the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a becomes the other threshold (oxygen concentration threshold to announce an alarm) Vth2a.
  • an alarm lamp may be provided for the controller 121 so that the alarm lamp is turned on or flashed when the oxygen concentration (detected value) detected by the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a becomes the other threshold (oxygen concentration threshold to announce an alarm) Vth2a.
  • both an alarm buzzer and an alarm light are provided so that the alarm buzzer sounds and simultaneously the alarm lamp is turned on or flashed when the oxygen concentration (detected value) detected by the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a becomes the other threshold (oxygen concentration threshold to announce an alarm) Vth2a.
  • one threshold (oxygen concentration threshold to announce an alarm) Vth2a is input in the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a in advance and the measuring means 131 a itself sounds an alarm and/or flashes an alarm lamp when the oxygen concentration (detected value) detected by the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a becomes the other threshold (oxygen concentration threshold to announce an alarm) Vth2a.
  • a security lamp (not shown) is further provided for the first alarm means (not shown).
  • the security lamp (not shown) is turned on (see step 3 a and step 5 a ).
  • the security lamp (not shown) is turned off (see step 6 a and step 8 a ).
  • One threshold (oxygen concentration threshold to announce an alarm) Vth2a isn't limited if it is smaller than the other threshold (oxygen concentration threshold to automatically stop operation) Vth3a, however, it is selected from under the oxygen concentration recommended by the static safety guide of the National Institute of Industrial Safety corresponding to the oxygen concentration of explosion limit of the used lubricant powder. Generally the half value of the oxygen concentration of explosion limit of the lubricant powder to be used may be selected expecting safety.
  • a second safety means is provided for the controller 121 of the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagrammatically explaining the second program.
  • the second safety means has a second alarm means provided for the controller 121 .
  • a second program is stored to activate the second alarm means in a memory of a processing unit of the controller 121 .
  • the second program is designed to start watching when the value detected by the oxygen concentration measuring means 103 a once becomes below the concentration threshold of lower explosion limit capable of normally working vth1b (for example, concentration threshold of lower explosion limit capable of normally working) after the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa is turned on (see step 3 b , step 6 b , and step 12 b ).
  • an alarm buzzer may be provided for the controller 121 so that the alarm buzzer sounds when the lubricant powder concentration (detected value) detected by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a becomes the other threshold Vth2b (concentration threshold of lower explosion limit to announce an alarm).
  • an alarm lamp may be provided for the controller 121 so that the alarm lamp is turned on or flashed when the lubricant powder concentration (detected value) detected by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a becomes the other threshold Vth2b (concentration threshold of lower explosion limit to announce an alarm).
  • both an alarm buzzer and an alarm light are provided for the controller 121 so that the alarm buzzer sounds and simultaneously the alarm lamp is turned on or flashed when the lubricant powder concentration (detected value) detected by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a becomes the other threshold (concentration threshold of lower explosion limit to announce an alarm) Vth2b.
  • a security lamp (not shown) further provided for the second alarm means (not shown).
  • the security lamp (not shown) is turned on (see step 4 b ).
  • the security lamp (not shown) is turned off (see step 8 b ).
  • the tablet production apparatus Sa uses the lubricant powder discharge means wherein a lubricant powder is discharged in the gas depending on the gas generated from the gas generator G, and is mixed and dispersed with the gas generated from the gas generator G, thereby enabling to mix and disperse a fixed amount of lubricant powder with a fixed amount of gas as far as the generation amount (flow rate, pressure and so on) of the gas generated from the gas generator G is constant.
  • Lubricant powder with a constant concentration is thus designed to be supplied into the lubricant application means 91 of the tablet production apparatus Sa so that a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be always applied on each material contacting surface of the dies 32 . . . , the upper punches 31 . . . , the lower punches 33 . . . .
  • the gas generation amount (flow amount, pressure and so on) generated from the gas generator G is controlled such that the amount of lubricant applied on the dies 32 . . . , the upper punches 31 . . . and the lower punches 32 . . . becomes the amount not to cause tabletting problems such as sticking, capping and laminating and not to generate griding between the dies 32 . . . , the upper punches 31 . . . and the lower punches 33 . . . , tablets are stably produced for a long time only by keeping the gas generation amount constant without causing the tabletting problems and the griding.
  • the tablet production apparatus Sa is used as an apparatus suitable for producing tablets (externally lubricated tablets) at an industrial production base.
  • the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a is provided for measuring the oxygen concentration in the gas around the lubricant application means 91 and the gas amount generated from the gas generator G is controlled based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a.
  • this tablet production apparatus Sa is constructed such that the gas amount generated from the gas generator G is controlled based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a so that the oxygen amount contained in the gas existing in the space in the transporting system from the gas generator G to the lubricant application means 91 and the oxygen amount contained in the gas existing in the space around the lubricant application means 91 are reduced. Therefore, a dust explosion is prevented from causing in the space in the transporting system from the gas generator G to the lubricant application means 91 and around the lubricant application means 91 .
  • the lubricant powder concentration to be supplied in the suction means 101 (more specifically a suction duct (conduit)) T 3 is controlled based on the lubricant powder concentration measured by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a .
  • the lubricant powder concentration to be supplied in the suction means 101 (more specifically a suction duct (conduit)) T 3 is set to be under the lower explosion limit concentration, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the suction means 101 (more specifically a suction duct (conduit)) T 3 .
  • the antistatic means is provided so that the apparatus Sa isn't charged with a static electricity.
  • Powder material to be a raw material of a tablet is prepared when a tablet is produced with the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa.
  • the powder material to be a raw material of a tablet is contained in a powder material storage hopper (not shown) of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 .
  • Lubricant powder is contained in the lubricant powder discharge means 51 .
  • the controller 121 is turned on to actuate the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a and the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a respectively.
  • the rotary type tabletting machine 81 is driven to rotate the turntable 34 , the plural upper punches 31 . . . , and the plural lower punches 34 . . . .
  • blower 111 the oxygen removing means 112 and the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 are driven.
  • the blower 111 When the blower 111 is driven to supply the gas, of which the oxygen is removed by the oxygen removing means 112 , into the lubricant powder discharge means 51 , the lubricant powder is discharged into the gas depending on the supply amount of gas, the supply pressure and/or flow amount of gas supplied to the discharge means 51 and is supplied to the lubricant application means 91 while being mixed and dispersed in the gas.
  • the lubricant powder which is mixed and dispersed with the gas without containing oxygen and is supplied to the lubricant application means 91 is sequentially sprayed on each material contacting surface of the dies (plural dies 32 . . . shown in FIG. 23), each material contacting surface of the upper punches 31 . . . and each material contacting surface of the lower punches 33 . . . which are fed in the lubricant application means 91 by the rotation of the turntable 34 , the upper punches 31 . . . and the lower punches 33 . . . of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 .
  • the lubricant powder is sequentially applied on each material contacting surface of the dies (plural dies 32 . . . shown in FIG. 23), each material contacting surface of the upper punches 31 . . . and each material contacting surface of the lower punches 33 which are fed in the lubricant application means 91 by the rotation of the turntable 34 , the upper punches 31 . . . and the lower punches 33 . . . of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 .
  • the lubricant powder measuring means 103 a is provided for the suction duct (conduit T 3 (more specifically, the branch pipe T 3 a shown in FIG. 26)) of the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 to measure the concentration of the powder (lubricant powder) in the suction duct when the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 is driven.
  • the detected value (concentration of lubricant powder) measured by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a is adjusted to be under one threshold (concentration threshold of lower explosion limit to announce an alarm) Vth2b which is an adequately smaller value than the lower explosion limit concentration of the lubricant powder.
  • the powder material stored in the powder material storage hopper (not shown) of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 is supplied to each space formed with each one of the dies 32 . . . , each one of the lower punches 33 . . . inserted into a predetermined position in each one of the dies 32 . . . .
  • the controller 121 makes the driving amount of suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 larger so that the application amount of lubricant powder on each material contacting surface of the dies 32 . . . , on each material contacting surface of the lower punches 33 . . . , and on each material contacting surface of the upper punches 31 . . . .
  • the tablet production apparatus Sa produces a tablet in earnest at an industrial production base under the conditions determined in mentioned above.
  • the operators can prevent a dust explosion before happens in and around the tablet production apparatus Sa during production of a tablet by inspecting and repairing the apparatus Sa.
  • the gas generator G (more specifically, the blower 111 constructing the gas generator G), the suction means 101 and the rotary type tabletting machine 81 are automatically stopped, thereby preventing a dust explosion in and around the tablet production apparatus Sa.
  • the tablet production apparatus Sa when the lubricant powder concentration (detected value) detected by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a becomes the other threshold (threshold of lower explosion limit concentration to automatically stop operation) Vth3b during production, the gas generator G (more specifically, the blower 111 constructing the gas generator G), the suction means 101 and the rotary type tabletting machine 81 are automatically stopped, thereby preventing a dust explosion in and around the tablet production apparatus Sa.
  • the gas generator G more specifically, the blower 111 constructing the gas generator G
  • the suction means 101 and the rotary type tabletting machine 81 are automatically stopped, thereby preventing a dust explosion in and around the tablet production apparatus Sa.
  • the lubricant powder is discharged in the gas depending on the gas to be mixed and dispersed therein, therefore, a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be mixed and dispersed with a fixed amount of gas as far as the gas to be mixed and dispersed with the lubricant is constant.
  • a fixed amount of lubricant powder is designed to be supplied in the lubricant application means so that a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be applied on each material contacting surface of the dies 32 . . . , the upper punches 31 . . . and the lower punches 33 . . .
  • the amount of lubricant powder is designed to be the amount so as not to cause tabletting problems such as sticking, capping and laminating on the produced tablet and not to generate griding between the dies 32 . . . , the upper punches 31 . . . and the lower punches 32 . . . , tablets are stably produced for a long time only by keeping the gas generation amount (flow amount, pressure and so on) constant without causing such tabletting problems and such griding.
  • the tablet production method is suitable for producing tablets (externally lubricated tablets) at an industrial production base.
  • the oxygen concentration contained in the gas in the transporting system from the gas generation means G to the lubricant application means 91 is designed to be under the oxygen concentration of lower explosion limit, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the system.
  • the oxygen concentration contained in the gas around the lubricant application means 91 is under the oxygen concentration of the lower explosion limit so that a dust explosion isn't occurred even around the lubricant application means 91 .
  • the lubricant powder concentration in the suction means 101 (more specifically the suction duct (conduit) T 3 constructing the suction means 101 ) is under the lower explosion limit concentration at the surplus lubricant powder suction step, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the suction duct 101 .
  • the antistatic means is provided for the tablet production apparatus Sa so that sparks of a static electricity aren't generated. Therefore, a dust explosion is prevented at a tablet production procedure with the tablet production apparatus.
  • the first alarm means (not shown) is provided for the tablet production apparatus Sa to automatically stop the apparatus Sa immediately after the value detected by the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a becomes over the other threshold (threshold of oxygen concentration to automatically stop operation) Vth3a during operation, thereby preventing a dust explosion at a tabletting procedure.
  • the second alarm means (not shown) is provided for the tablet production apparatus Sa to automatically stop the apparatus Sa immediately after the value detected by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a becomes above the other threshold (threshold concentration of lower explosion limit to automatically stop operation) Vth3b so that a dust explosion isn't occurred while producing a tablet with the apparatus Sa.
  • FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are an abridgement of an experimental method and its result carried out by Kabushikikaisha Kankyo Eisei Kenkyusho (address: 6-2 Shintoden 1-chome, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka Pref. Japan) in order to obtain a practical value of the lower explosion limit concentration of the lubricant powder and that of the oxygen concentration of explosion limit.
  • Lubricant powder which was generally used for producing pharmaceutical tablets, namely magnesium stearate (Pharmacopoeia of Japan: product of Junsei Kagaku Co., Ltd, particle size: 10 ⁇ m) was used as a specimen.
  • This experiment was comprised of three kinds of test, an explosion test, an ignition energy test, and an explosion limit oxygen concentration test.
  • a spherical explosion test apparatus with 30 liters, of capacity was used a gunpowder (10 kJ) as an ignition source.
  • the dust concentration in the spherical explosion test apparatus with 30 liters capacity was set as four kinds like 125 g/m 3 , 250 g/m 3 , 500 g/m 3 , 750 g/m 3 , and a test is carried our for each concentration.
  • Conditions of the explosion test was such that the temperature was 21° C. and the moisture content was 21%.
  • Each maximum pressure increase speed (bar/sec) at the dust concentration of 125 g/m 3 , 250 g/m 3 , 500 g/m 3 , 750 g/m 3 was 967.3, 1099.5, 1028.0 and 822.5 respectively.
  • Kst (bar ⁇ m/sec) at the dust concentration of 125 g/m 3 , 250 g/m 3 , 500 g/m 3 , 750 g/m 3 was 300.6, 341.6, 319.4 and 255.6 respectively.
  • the explosion class was evaluated to be “3” based on the Kst (bar ⁇ m/sec) at each dust concentration of 125 g/m 3 , 250 g/m 3 , 500 g/m 3 , 750 g/m 3 .
  • the maximum explosion pressure (bar) was 7.71, 8.68, 8.12 and 7.41 for the dust concentration of 125 g/m 3 , 250 g/m 3 , 500 g/m 3 , 750 g/m 3 respectively.
  • the ignition energy test was carried out with a blow-up type ignition energy measuring device.
  • the ignition energy test was executed for three kinds of the dust concentration in the blow-up type ignition energy measuring device like at 250 g/m 3 , 500 g/m 3 , and 750 g/m 3 .
  • test apparatus is shown with a figure in the column 3 in FIG. 4.
  • the test apparatus has a compressor, a 40 liter tank, a nitrogen tank, a 1.3 liter tank, and the Hartmann type explosion test apparatus.
  • the 40 liter tank and the compressor are connected with a conduit such that the air generated by driving the compressor is supplied in the 40 liter tank.
  • the 40 liter tank and the nitrogen tank are connected with a conduit such that the nitrogen gas generated from the nitrogen tank is supplied to the 40 liter tank.
  • the oxygen concentration contained in the gas in the 40 liter tank is varied by appropriately controlling the driving amount of compressor and the release amount of nitrogen gas from the nitrogen tank.
  • a conduit is connected to the 40 liter tank and is branched into two conduits in its midstream one branch pipe is connected to the 1.3 liter tank, and the other branch pipe is connected to a purge nozzle provided at the upper part of the Hartmann type explosion test apparatus.
  • a valve (purge valve) is provided for the other branch pipe.
  • One end of a conduit is connected to the 1.3 liter tank.
  • the other end of the conduit connected to the 1.3 liter tank is provided under the specimen tray of the Hartmann type explosion test apparatus.
  • a solenoid valve is provided for the conduit connecting the 1.3 liter tank and the Hartmann type explosion test apparatus.
  • the Hartmann type explosion test apparatus has a cylindrical case made of glass (called as explosion cylinder hereinafter) wherein a specimen tray for containing a specimen, a discharge electrode, and an explosion making line are provided in order from bottom to top.
  • explosion cylinder a cylindrical case made of glass
  • the marking line is provided above the discharge electrode with 100 mm distance.
  • High voltage current is designed to be supplied to the discharge electrode to generate discharge from the discharge electrode.
  • Top of the explosion cylinder is designed to be intervened with a filter.
  • the purge nozzle is inserted from the top of the explosion cylinder to its bottom.
  • the explosion limit oxygen concentration of the specimen (magnesium stearate (Pharmacopoeia of Japan: product of Junsei Kagaku Co., Ltd, particle size: 10 ⁇ m)) was equal to or above 11% and equal to or less than 12% when the temperature was equal to or above 20° C. and equal to or less than 21° C. and the moisture content was equal to or above 21% and equal to or less than 35%.
  • the oxygen concentration was preferably controlled equal to or under 8% in order not to cause a dust explosion when the explosion limit oxygen concentration was equal to or above 13% and equal to or less than 14% and it was preferably controlled equal to or under 5% in order not to cause a dust explosion when the explosion limit oxygen concentration was equal to or above 11% and equal to or less than 12%.
  • the oxygen removing means 112 requires the oxygen removal capacity which can adequately reduce the oxygen concentration in the gas lower than the explosion limit oxygen concentration, the gas being used for applying a lubricant powder on each material contacting surface of the die (dies 32 . . . in FIG. 23), each material contacting surface of the upper punches 31 . . . and each material contacting surface of the lower punches 33 . . . of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 from the lubricant application means 91 when a tablet is produced at a normal industrial production base.
  • the rotary type tabletting machine 81 from the lubricant application means 91 were obtained by multiplying 1.2 as a safe factor by the maximum spray flow amount and control flow amount thereof obtained when the inventors have actually produced several kinds of tablets with the tablet production apparatus Sa of the present invention using a commercially available rotary type tabletting machine, the apparatus being able to produce a tablet at an industrial production base without causing tabletting problems on the produced tablets such as sticking, laminating and capping.
  • the tablet production apparatus Sa is actually assembled and a tablet is really produced with the apparatus Sa to measure the oxygen concentration and the lubricant powder concentration in and around the tablet production apparatus Sa.
  • the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 d is provided for measuring the oxygen concentration in the suction duct (conduit) T 3 constructing the suction means 101 of the tablet production apparatus Sa.
  • the oxygen concentration in the transporting system around the oxygen removing means 112 of the tablet production apparatus Sa is measured by the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 c.
  • the oxygen concentration around the lubricant powder discharge means 51 of the tablet production apparatus Sa is measured by the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 b.
  • the oxygen concentration in the transporting system around the lubricant application means 91 of the tablet production apparatus Sa is measured by the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a.
  • the oxygen concentration in the transporting system around the dust collection passage of the tablet production apparatus Sa is measured by the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 d.
  • the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 b , 103 c , and 103 d in FIG. 1 are provided for measuring the lubricant powder concentration in the tablet production apparatus Sa.
  • the lubricant powder concentration in the transporting system around the oxygen removing means 112 of the tablet production apparatus Sa is measured by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 d.
  • the lubricant powder concentration in the transporting system around the lubricant powder discharge means 51 of the tablet production apparatus Sa is measured by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 c.
  • the lubricant powder concentration around the lubricant application means 91 of the tablet production apparatus Sa is measured by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 b.
  • the lubricant powder concentration in the transporting system around the dust collection passage of the tablet production apparatus Sa is measured by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a.
  • the oxygen concentration in the transporting system around the oxygen removing means 112 was equal to or less than 0.5%.
  • the powder concentration around the oxygen removing means 112 was 0 g/m 3 .
  • the oxygen concentration in the transporting system around the lubricant powder discharge means 51 was equal to or less than 0.5%.
  • the powder concentration around the lubricant powder discharge means 51 was 33.5 g/m 3 .
  • the oxygen concentration around the lubricant application means 91 was equal to or less than 0.5%.
  • the powder concentration around the lubricant application means 91 was 33.3 g/m 3 .
  • the oxygen concentration in the transporting system around the dust collection passage was equal to or less than 21%.
  • the powder concentration in the transporting system around the dust collection passage was 0.91 g/m 3 .
  • FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows other construction of the tablet production apparatus according to the present invention.
  • the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sb uses the gas generator Ga in which a pulsating vibration gas generator 41 is further provided for the gas generator G shown in FIG. 1.
  • the gas generator Ga has a blower 111 , an oxygen removing means 112 for removing oxygen in a compressed air to be fed to a conduit Tm when the blower 111 is driven, and the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 .
  • the vibration gas generator 41 is constructed so as to change the gas which is generated by driving the blower 111 of which oxygen is removed by the oxygen removing means 112 to a pulsating vibration gas (pulsating gas with a fixed frequency as shown in FIG. 11 a and FIG. 11 b ).
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 and a controller 121 are connected with a signal line (not shown) to send and receive signals therebetween. Pulsating vibration gas with a desirable frequency and desirable wave shape is generated by driving or stopping the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 or by controlling its drive amount by means of the controller 121 .
  • the blower 111 According to the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sb, the blower 111 , a conduit T 0 , the oxygen removing means 112 , a conduit Tm, the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 , a conduit T 1 , a lubricant powder discharge means 51 , a conduit T 2 , and a lubricant application means 91 are airtightly kept.
  • a blow port of the blower 111 is connected with one end of the conduit T 0 airtightly, the other end of the conduit TO is connected with a supply port of the oxygen removing means 112 airtightly, a discharge port of the oxygen removing means 112 is connected with one end of the conduit Tm airtightly, the other end of the conduit Tm is connected with a gas supply port (gas supply port 42 a in FIG. 32) of the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 airtightly, a gas discharge port (gas discharge port 42 b in FIG.
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 is connected with one end of the conduit T 1 airtightly, the other end of the conduit T 1 is connected with an air supply port of the lubricant powder discharge means 51 airtightly, a discharge port (discharge port 55 b in FIG. 12) of the lubricant powder discharge means is connected with one end of the conduit T 2 airtightly, the other end of the conduit T 2 is connected with a lubricant introduction port of the lubricant spray means 91 airtightly so that the gas passage from the suction port of the blower 111 to the lubricant spray port for upper punch (lubricant spray port for upper punch 94 shown in FIG. 26) of the lubricant spray means 91 is kept airtight.
  • the blower is driven 111 by driving the pulsating vibration gas generator (see pulsating vibration gas generator 41 in FIG. 32).
  • the gas which is sent to the conduit Tm from the blower 111 and of which oxygen is removed by the oxygen removing means 112 is changed into a pulsating vibration gas so as to be supplied to the lubricant powder discharge means 51 .
  • the frequency, amplitude of the pulsating vibration gas generated from the pulsating vibration gas generator are controlled by the controller 121 .
  • the amount of lubricant powder discharged from the lubricant discharge means 51 depends on the frequency of the pulsating vibration gas supplied to the lubricant powder discharge means 51 if the driving amount of blower 111 is constant in case of supplying the pulsating vibration gas to the lubricant powder discharge means 51 .
  • Powder material to be a raw material of a tablet is prepared when a tablet is produced with the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sb.
  • the powder material to be a raw material of a tablet is contained in a powder material storage hopper (not shown) of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 .
  • Lubricant powder is contained in the lubricant powder discharge means 51 .
  • the controller 121 is turned on to actuate the oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a and the lubricant powder measuring means 103 a respectively.
  • the rotary type tabletting machine 81 is driven to rotate the turntable 34 , the plural upper punches 31 . . . , the plural lower punches 34 . . . .
  • blower 111 The blower 111 , the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 and the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 are driven at a desired driving amount.
  • the operation of the tablet production apparatus Sb is the same as that of the tablet production apparatus Sa in that each one of the blower 111 and the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 is driven at a desirable driving amount when the apparatus Sb is operated. They are different in that the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 of the tablet production apparatus Sb is driven at a desirable driving amount and the supply amount of lubricant powder to the lubricant application means 91 is increased by enlarging the driving amount of pulsating vibration gas generator 41 even if the driving amount of blower 11 isn't changed when the supply amount of lubricant powder to the lubricant application means is small.
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 is also stopped other than stopping the blower 111 and the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 .
  • FIG. 8 diagrammatically shows other construction of the tablet production apparatus according to the present invention.
  • This tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sc uses a noninflammable gas generator 111 a as the gas generator Ga and the oxygen removing means 112 which is a necessary part of the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa isn't provided.
  • Other constructions are the same as those of the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa so that the corresponding members have the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted here.
  • noninflammable gas generator 111 a for example, a gas container charged with a noninflammable gas such as nitrogen (N 2 ) gas, helium (He) gas and Argon (Ar) gas is used.
  • a noninflammable gas such as nitrogen (N 2 ) gas, helium (He) gas and Argon (Ar) gas is used.
  • the member shown with the reference numeral v 111 a in FIG. 8 is a valve for controlling the flow amount and pressure of the noninflammable gas supplied to the lubricant powder discharge means 51 from the noninflammable gas generator 111 a.
  • Electromagnetic valve using solenoid is used as the valve 111 a in this embodiment.
  • the valve v 111 a and a controller 121 are connected with a signal line (not shown) to send and receive signals therebetween.
  • the flow amount and pressure of the noninflammable gas generated from the noninflammable gas generator 111 a are controlled by the opening degree of the valve v 111 a by the signal sent from the controller 121 .
  • Powder material to be a raw material of a tablet is prepared when a tablet is produced with the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating tabletting machine) Sc.
  • the powder material to be a raw material of a tablet is contained in a powder material storage hopper (not shown) of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 .
  • Lubricant powder is contained in a lubricant powder discharge means 51 .
  • the controller 121 is turned on to actuate an oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a and a lubricant powder measuring means 103 a respectively.
  • Rotary type tabletting machine 81 is driven to rotate a turntable 34 , plural upper punches 31 . . . , plural lower punches 34 . . . .
  • valve v 111 a provided for the noninflammable gas generator 111 a is opened at a desirable degree and a suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 is driven at a desirable amount.
  • the operation of the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating tabletting machine) Sc is the same as that of the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating tabletting machine) Sa other than the valve v 111 a of the inflammable gas generator 111 a is preferably opened when the apparatus Sc is operated and the valve v 111 a is closed when the apparatus Sc is stopped (including automatically stop). So the explanation of the same constructions is omitted here.
  • FIG. 9 diagrammatically shows other construction of the tablet production apparatus according to the present invention.
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 is further connected to the gas generator Ga of the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sb using the inflammable gas generator 111 a as the gas generator Gb.
  • Other constructions are the same as those of the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sc shown in FIG. 8 so that the corresponding members have the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted here.
  • Powder material to be a raw material of a tablet is prepared when a tablet is produced with the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating tabletting machine) Sd.
  • the powder material to be a raw material of a tablet is contained in a powder material storage hopper (not shown) of a rotary type tabletting machine 81 .
  • Lubricant powder is contained in a lubricant powder discharge means 51 .
  • a controller 121 is turned on to actuate an oxygen concentration measuring means 131 a and a lubricant powder concentration measuring means 103 a respectively.
  • the rotary type tabletting machine 81 is driven to rotate a turntable 34 , plural upper punches 31 . . . , plural lower punches 34 . . . .
  • a valve v 111 a provided for the noninflammable gas generator 111 a is opened at a desirable degree and each one of the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 and a suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 is driven at a desirable amount.
  • the operation of the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating tabletting machine) Sc is the same as that of the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating tabletting machine) Sc other than the valve v 111 a of the inflammable gas generator 111 a is preferably opened and the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 is driven at a desirable driving amount when the apparatus Sd is operated.
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 is driven at a desirable driving amount and the supply amount of lubricant powder to the lubricant application means 91 is small, if the driving amount to the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 is increased, the supply amount of lubricant powder to the lubricant application means 91 is increased even if the opened degree of the valve v 111 a isn't changed.
  • the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 is stopped with the valve v 111 a closed and further the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 is stopped.
  • Other constructions are the same as the tablet production apparatus Sc, therefore, the explanation of the same operations is omitted here.
  • FIG. 10 diagrammatically shows the entire construction of the tablet production apparatus (called as “externally lubricating type tabletting machine” hereinafter) Sb.
  • the externally lubricating type tabletting machine Sb has a pulsating vibration gas generator 41 , a lubricant powder discharge means 51 , a rotary type tabletting machine 81 , a lubricant application means 91 provided at a fixed position of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 , a lubricant suction means 101 for sucking surplus lubricant among the lubricant sprayed from the lubricant application means 91 , a blower 111 , an oxygen removing means 112 , and a controller 121 for controlling and observing the entire externally lubricating type tabletting machine S.
  • blower 111 and the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 of the externally lubricating type tabletting machine S are connected with a conduit Tm in such a manner that a compressed air generated by driving the blower 111 is supplied to the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 after the oxygen in the compressed air is removed by the oxygen removing means 112 .
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 and the lubricant powder discharge means 51 are connected with a conduit T 1 .
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 changes the compressed gas which is supplied via the conduit Tm after its oxygen is removed into a positive pulsating vibration gas to supply the conduit T 1 .
  • FIG. 11 is an explanatory view exemplifying a positive pulsating vibration gas.
  • Pulsating vibration gas means air wave of which pressure is changed.
  • “Positive” means that the pressure is higher than the pressure (atmospheric pressure) out of the externally lubricating type tabletting machine S.
  • the positive pulsating vibration gas supplied in the conduit T 1 may be a pulsating vibration gas of which the peak amplitude is positive and the valley is atmospheric pressure as shown in FIG. 11 a or may be a positive pulsating vibration gas of which the peak and valley are positive as shown in FIG. 11 b.
  • the lubricant powder discharge means 51 and the lubricant application means 91 are connected with a conduit T 2 .
  • the lubricant powder thus supplied with the positive pulsating vibration gas to the conduit T 2 is pneumatically transported in the conduit T 2 together with the positive pulsating vibration gas to be supplied in the lubricant application means 91 and to be sequentially sprayed on the surface S 31 (lower face) of the upper punch 31 , the surface S 32 (inner circumference) of the die 32 and the surface S 33 (upper face) of the lower punch 33 contained in the lubricant application means 91 .
  • the lubricant application means 91 and the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 are connected with a conduit T 3 .
  • FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a lubricant powder discharge means.
  • the lubricant powder discharge means 51 has a lubricant storage hopper 52 , a cylindrical body 53 aitightly connected to a material discharge port 52 a of the lubricant storage hopper 52 , a material feed valve 54 provided for the material discharge port 52 a of the hopper 52 so as to open and close the port 52 a , an elastic membrane Et provided to from the bottom of the cylindrical body 53 , and a dispersion chamber 55 airtightly connected under the cylindrical body 53 via the elastic membrane Et.
  • Gas injection means 56 , 56 are provided in the lubricant storage hopper 52 around the material discharge port 52 a.
  • FIG. 13 is an explanatory detailed view of the lubricant storage hopper 52
  • FIG. 13 a is an oblique perspective view showing the lubricant storage hopper 52
  • FIG. 13 b is a plane view showing a substantial part of the lubricant storage hopper 52 shown in FIG. 13 a.
  • Each one of the gas injections means 56 , 56 is provided in a substantially tangential direction against the inner circumference of the lubricant storage hopper 52 .
  • each one of the gas generator 56 , 56 is provided at the upper outer circumference of the material discharge port 52 a in the area of a corn part 52 d of the lubricant storage hopper 52 and in a substantially tangential direction against the material discharge port 52 a.
  • each injection port 56 a . . . of the gas injection means 56 . . . is arranged in such a manner that gas is injected in the same rotational direction.
  • the reference numeral 52 c in FIG. 12 is a cover detachably provided for the material feed port 52 b of the lubricant storage hopper 52 .
  • the cover 52 c is airtightly attached on the material feed port 52 b of the lubricant storage hopper 52 .
  • a conduit T 4 is connected to the lubricant storage hopper 52 so as to be communicated with atmospheric air.
  • the lubricant storage hopper 52 and the conduit Tm are connected with a conduit T 5 for which a switch valve v 2 and a pressure regulating valve vp 2 are provided.
  • the member shown with F 1 provided for the conduit T 5 is a filter for removing dust in the air supplied in the conduit T 5 .
  • the filter F 1 is provided if necessary.
  • FIG. 12 only shows the conduit T 6 is connected to one of the gas injection means 56 and the conduit T 6 connected to the other gas injection means 56 is omitted.
  • a pressure regulating valve vp 3 is provided for the conduit T 6 .
  • the member shown with F 2 provided for the conduit T 6 is a filter for removing dust in the air supplied in the conduit T 6 .
  • the filter F 2 is provided if necessary.
  • the material feed valve 54 has a plug 54 b and an open-close driving means (actuator) 54 a for moving the plug 54 b up and down.
  • the conduit T 7 is divided into two branch pipes T 7 a , T 7 b to be connected to the open-close driving means (actuator) 54 a of the material feed valve 54 .
  • a switch valve v 3 is provided for the conduit T 7 in such a manner that the plug 54 b of the material feed valve 54 does down to open the material discharge port 52 a of the lubricant storage hopper 52 when the branch pipe T 7 a side of the switch valve v 3 is opened and the branch pipe T 7 b side is closed, and the plug 54 b of the material feed valve 54 does up to close the material discharge port 52 a of the lubricant storage hopper 52 when the branch pipe T 7 b side of the switch valve v 3 is opened and the branch pipe T 7 a side is closed.
  • the member shown with F 3 provided for each one of the branch pipes T 7 a , T 7 b is a filter for removing dust in the air supplied in the conduit T 7 .
  • the filter F 3 is provided if necessary.
  • FIG. 14 is a plane view diagrammatically showing the elastic membrane Et.
  • the elastic membrane Et is made of an elastic material like a synthetic rubber such as a silicone rubber and has a penetrating aperture Eta at the center thereof.
  • the penetrating aperture Eta is formed like a slit.
  • the elastic membrane Et is provided between the cylindrical body 53 and the dispersion chamber 55 by means of an elastic membrane installation means 51 .
  • FIG. 15 is an oblique perspective view when the elastic membrane is attached to the elastic membrane installation means used in the lubricant powder discharge means 51 .
  • FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view diagrammatically showing the construction of the elastic membrane installation means shown in FIG. 15.
  • FIG. 17 is a sectional view diagrammatically showing the construction of the elastic membrane installation means shown in FIG. 15.
  • the elastic membrane installation means 61 has a pedestal 62 , a push-up member 63 and a presser member 64 .
  • the pedestal 62 has an opening h 1 and a ring-like platform S 1 for placing the push-up member 63 is provided at the periphery of the opening h 1 . Further, a V-groove Dv is provided for the pedestal 62 so as to surround the opening h 1 like a ring.
  • the push-up member 63 has an opening h 2 .
  • the push-up member 63 has a stepped part Q 1 at its lower part as shown in FIG. 17 in such a manner that the part Q 1 is positioned on the platform S 1 of the pedestal 62 when the push-up member 63 is placed on the pedestal 62 .
  • a lower extended part Q 2 formed so as to be extended downward from the step part Q 1 of the push-up member 63 is designed to be incorporated in the opening h 1 of the pedestal 62 .
  • the lower extended part Q 2 of the push-up member 63 is precisely processed in such a manner that its outer diameter D 2 is almost the same as or a little smaller than the inside diameter D 1 of the opening h 1 of the pedestal 62 .
  • an inclined plane extending from top to bottom in a sectional view is provided at the periphery of an upper part Q 3 of the push-up member 63 .
  • the presser member 64 has an opening h 3 .
  • a ring-like V-shaped projection Cv is provided for a surface S 4 of the presser member 64 facing the pedestal 62 so as to be engaged in the V-groove Dv on the surface of the pedestal 62 .
  • the member indicated by a numeral 65 in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 shows fastening means such as a bolt.
  • the hole shown as h 4 in FIG. 16 is a fixing hole of the fastening means 65 formed on the pedestal 62
  • the hole shown as h 6 is a fixing hole of the fastening means 65 formed on the presser member 64 , respectively.
  • the hole shown as h 5 in FIG. 16 is a fixing hole of the pedestal 62 for attaching the elastic membrane installation means 61 to a desired device by means of fixing means such as a bolt (not shown).
  • the hole h 7 formed on the presser member 64 is for attaching the elastic membrane installation means 61 to a desired device by means of fixing means such as a bolt (not shown).
  • the inside diameter D 4 of the opening h 3 of the presser member 64 is precisely processed so as to be the same as or a litter larger than the external diameter D 3 of the push-up member 63 .
  • the push-up member 63 is placed on the surface of the pedestal 62 at first for installing the elastic membrane Et on the elastic membrane installation means 61 .
  • the presser member 64 is placed on the push-up member, 63 so as to cover both the push-up member 63 and the elastic membrane Et in such a manner that each fixing hole h 4 . . . on the pedestal 62 is aligned with each fixing hole h 6 . . . on the presser member 64 .
  • the presser member 4 is fastened to the pedestal 62 by screwing each fastening means such as a bolt 65 . . . into each fastening hole h 4 . . . and each corresponding fastening hole h 5 , , , .
  • each fastening means such as a bolt 65 . . . into each fastening hole h 4 . . . and each corresponding fastening hole h 5 , , , .
  • the elastic membrane Et is placed on the push-up member 63 on the pedestal 62 of the elastic membrane installation means 61 and the presser member 64 is fastened to the pedestal 62 so that the elastic membrane Et is pushed upward to the presser member 64 by the push-up member 63 .
  • the elastic membrane Et is expanded from its inside to its periphery by being pushed upward into the presser member 64 .
  • the elastic membrane Et expanded by the push-up member 63 is gradually inserted between the V-groove Dv formed on the pedestal 62 and the V-shaped projection Cv formed on the surface of the presser member 64 facing the pedestal 62 via the space between the periphery P 3 of the push-up member 63 and the surface (inner surface) forming the opening h 3 of the presser member 64 .
  • the elastic membrane Et comes to be held between the periphery P 3 of the push-up member 63 and the inner surface of the opening h 3 of the presser member 64 while being pushed up into the presser member 64 by the push-up member 63 .
  • the elastic membrane Et is further pushed up into the presser member 64 by the push-up member 63 , the expanded part of the elastic membrane Et from inside to outside is held between the V-groove Dv formed on the surface of the pedestal 62 and the V-shaped projection Cv on the surface of the presser member 64 facing the pedestal 62 .
  • the elastic membrane installation means 61 the elastic membrane Et is placed on the push-up member 63 on the pedestal 62 and the presser member 64 is fastened to the pedestal 62 , then the elastic membrane Et is pushed up to the presser member 64 by the push-up member 63 , so that the elastic membrane Et is kept stretched from its inside to outside. Furthermore, the periphery of the elastic membrane Et expanded by the push-up member 63 is held between the V-groove Dv formed on the pedestal 62 and the V-shaped projection Cv provided on the face of the presser member 64 opposing the pedestal 62 . As a result, the elastic membrane installation means 61 can keep the elastic membrane Et stretched only by a simple operation such that the elastic membrane Et is placed on the push-up member 63 on the pedestal 62 and the presser member 64 is fastened to the pedestal 62 .
  • the inclined plane Q 3 enlarging from top to bottom in its section is provided at the periphery of the push-up member 63 of the elastic membrane installation means 61 .
  • the inclined plane Q 3 is an important element of the elastic membrane installation means 61 and is detailed hereunder.
  • the inclined plane Q 3 of which the bottom section is broader than the top section is provided for the periphery of the push-up member 63 of the elastic membrane installation means 61 . Therefore, the expanded part of the elastic membrane Et from inside to outside by being pushed up into the presser member 64 is easily moved into between the V-groove Dv annularly formed on the pedestal 62 and the V-shaped projection Cv annularly formed on the surface of the presser member 64 facing the pedestal 62 .
  • the inclined plane Q 3 of the periphery of the push-up member 63 is designed so as to be enlarged from top to bottom in a section. Therefore, the expanded part of the elastic member Et from inside to outside by the push-up member 63 is guided to the V-groove Dv annularly provided on the pedestal 62 along the surface of the inclined plane Q 3 .
  • each fastening means such as a bolt 65 . . . into each fixing hole h 4 . . . and each corresponding fixing hole h 6 . . . . Accordingly the external diameter of the inclined plane Q 3 of the push-up member 63 gets closer to the inner diameter D 4 of the opening h 3 of the presser member 64 .
  • the elastic membrane Et is placed on the push-up member 63 on the pedestal 62 of the elastic membrane installation means 61 , then the presser member 64 is fastened to the pedestal 62 by means of the fixing means such as a bolt 65 . . . , thereby keeping the elastic membrane Et strained by such simple operations.
  • the elastic membrane Et is attached with the elastic membrane installation means 61 , it is doubly locked between the inclined plane Q 3 of the push-up member 63 and the surface consisting the opening h 3 of the presser member 64 and between the V-shaped projection Cv annularly provided on the surface of the presser member 64 facing the pedestal 62 and the V-groove Dv annularly provided on the pedestal 62 . Thereby, the elastic membrane Et doesn't get slack after the presser member 64 is fastened to the pedestal 62 .
  • the presser member 64 of the elastic membrane installation means 61 on which the elastic membrane Et is attached is airtightly installed at the lower part of the cylindrical body 53 and the pedestal 62 is airtightly provided on the top of the dispersion chamber 55 .
  • a bypass pipe Tv is provided between the dispersion chamber 55 and the cylindrical body 53 as shown in FIG. 10. This bypass pipe Tv is provided for quickly achieving the balance between the pressure in the dispersion chamber 55 and that in the cylindrical body 53 .
  • a level sensor 71 for detecting the amount of lubricant powder stored on the elastic membrane Et in a lower cylindrical body 53 b is provided for the lower cylindrical body 53 b .
  • the level sensor 71 has a light emitting element 71 a for generating light such as infrared rays and visible rays and a light receiving element 71 b for receiving the light generated from the light emitting element 71 a .
  • the light emitting element 71 a and the light receiving element 71 b are provided to be opposed each other so as to interpose the lower cylindrical body 53 b.
  • the amount of lubricant powder stored on the elastic membrane Et in the lower cylindrical body 53 b can be detected at a position Hth (at height where the level sensor 71 is provided above the elastic membrane Et).
  • the material feed valve 54 moves up and down depending on the detected values of the level sensor 71 so as to open and close the discharge port 52 a of the lubricant storage hopper 52 . More specifically according to the lubricant powder discharge means 51 , the light emitting element 71 a of the level sensor 71 is turned on while the lubricant powder discharge means 51 is driven. When the light from the light emitting element 71 a doesn't come to be received in the light receiving element 71 b (off), the material feed valve 54 is moved up to close the discharge port 52 a of the lubricant storage hopper 52 .
  • the material feed valve 54 is moved down to open the discharge port 52 a of the hopper 52 until the light isn't received by the light receiving element 71 b (off), thereby always storing substantially the same quantity of lubricant powder is always stored on the elastic membrane Et in the lower cylindrical body 53 b while the lubricant powder discharge means 51 is driven.
  • the inner shape of the dispersion chamber 55 is designed to be approximately tubular so as to make a positive pulsating vibration gas swirl therein.
  • a dispersion chamber 55 of which inner shape is tubular is used, however, its shape isn't limited as far as a positive pulsating vibration gas easily swirls therein. Therefore, the inner shape isn't limited to be approximately tubular.
  • the lower cylindrical body 53 b of the cylindrical body 53 is made of clear resin, specifically a light permeable material such as glass, acrylate resin, polycarbonate resin, and so on.
  • the lower cylindrical body 53 b is made of polycarbonate resin and its inner circumferential wall is mirror finished.
  • the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a is provided at a lower part of the dispersion chamber 55 in substantially a tangential direction against the inside perimeter of the chamber 55 .
  • the discharge port 55 b is provided at an upper part of the dispersion chamber 55 in substantially a tangential direction against the inside perimeter of the chamber 55 .
  • a conduit T 5 is connected to the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a and a conduit (for example see the conduit T 6 in FIG. 12) is connected to the pulsating vibration gas discharge port 55 b.
  • the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a is provided at a lower part of the dispersion chamber 55 in substantially a tangential direction against the inside perimeter of the chamber 55 and the discharge port 55 b is provided at an upper part of the dispersion chamber 55 in substantially a tangential direction against the inside perimeter of the chamber 55 .
  • the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a of the dispersion chamber 55 and the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 are connected with the conduit T 1 to supply a positive pulsating vibration gas generated from the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 into the dispersion chamber 55 via the conduit T 1 when the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 is driven.
  • FIG. 18 is a plane view diagrammatically showing the position of the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a provided for the dispersion chamber 55 when the chamber 55 is seen from top
  • FIG. 18 a is an explanatory view showing a preferable position for providing the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a against the dispersion chamber 55
  • FIG. 18 b is an explanatory view showing an actual attachable position for providing the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a against the dispersion chamber 55 .
  • FIG. 18 a and FIG. 18 b diagrammatically show the directions of the swirling positive pulsating vibration gas generated in the dispersion chamber 55 .
  • the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a is preferably provided in a substantially tangential direction (a direction shown with a dashed line Lt in FIG. 18 a ) against the inside perimeter of the dispersion chamber 55 in order to generate a swirling positive pulsating vibration gas in the dispersion chamber 55 .
  • the supply port 55 a isn't always provided in a tangential direction against the inside perimeter of the dispersion chamber 55 as shown in FIG. 18 a . It may be provided in an equivalent direction (namely, in a direction parallel to the tangential direction (for example a dashed line Lt in FIG. 18 b ) against the inner circumference of the dispersion chamber 55 ) to the tangential direction (a direction shown with a dashed line Lt in FIG. 18 b ) as far as one dominant swirling flow is generated in the dispersion chamber 55 .
  • the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a is provided in a direction into a center line of the dispersion chamber 55 as shown with an imaginary line Lc in FIG. 18 b , two swirls, both of which don't seem a dominant flow, are generated when the inner shape of the dispersion chamber 55 is approximately cylindrical. Therefore, it isn't preferable to provide the supply port 55 a in such a position considering generation of the swirling positive pulsating vibration gas in the dispersion chamber 55 .
  • FIG. 19 is a plane view diagrammatically showing the position of the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a and its discharge port 55 b provided for the dispersion chamber 55 when the chamber 55 is seen from top
  • FIG. 19 a is an explanatory view showing a preferable position for providing the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a and its discharge port 55 b against the dispersion chamber 55
  • FIG. 19 b is an explanatory view showing an actual attachable position for providing the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a and its discharge port 55 b against the dispersion chamber 55 .
  • FIG. 19 a and FIG. 19 b diagrammatically show directions of the swirling positive pulsating vibration gas generated in the dispersion chamber 55 .
  • the discharge port 55 b When the discharge port 55 b is provided for the dispersion chamber 55 as shown in FIG. 19 a , the position of the port 55 b becomes opposite to the direction of the swirling pulsating vibration gas (movement of the air flow) generated in the chamber 55 . In such a case, the discharge efficiency of the lubricant powder fluidized by being dispersed in air from the discharge port 55 b can be set low.
  • the port 55 b is preferably provided in a forward direction of the swirling positive pulsating vibration gas generated in the dispersion chamber 55 like the discharge port 55 b 1 or 55 b 2 illustrated in FIG. 19 b.
  • the inner shape of the dispersion chamber 55 is designed to be approximately tubular so as to make a positive pulsating vibration gas swirl therein.
  • a dispersion chamber 55 of which inner shape is tubular is used, however, its shape isn't limited as long as a positive pulsating vibration gas easily swirls therein. Therefore, the inner shape isn't limited to be approximately tubular.
  • the member shown with the reference numeral 72 in FIG. 12 is a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the lubricant storage hopper 52 and the reference numeral 73 shows a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the cylindrical body 53 .
  • the controller 121 and the member, v 1 , v 2 , v 3 , v 5 , v 6 , v 7 , vp 1 , vp 2 , vp 3 , 41 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 102 , 111 are connected with signal lines respectively so as to drive, stop, or control each of them.
  • FIG. 20 diagrammatically explains the operation of the gas injection means 56 , 56 and the material feed valve 54 provided for the lubricant storage hopper 52 of the lubricant powder discharge means 51 .
  • FIG. 21 is a flow chart diagrammatically showing an operation program of the gas injection means 56 , 56 and the material feed valve 54 which are stored in a memory of the controller 121 in advance.
  • the discharge port 52 a of the lubricant storage hopper 52 is closed by the material feed valve 54 of the lubricant powder discharge means 51 .
  • blower 111 is driven and a rotary cam 45 of the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 is rotated at a predetermined rotary speed so that a positive pulsating vibration gas with a fixed flow amount, pressure and frequency and a desirable wave shape is generated in the conduit T 1 .
  • Each one of the pressure control valves vp 1 , vp 2 , vp 3 , vp 4 is controlled.
  • the switching valve v 1 , v 2 , v 3 are closed at a first stage.
  • Level sensor 71 is actuated (see step 1 ) and pressure sensors 72 , 73 are turned on respectively (see steps 2 and 3 ).
  • the controller 121 When the controller 121 receives the signal showing the light emitted from the light emitting element 71 a of the level sensor 71 has been received in the light receiving element 71 b , the controller 121 decides that the height H of the lubricant powder on the elastic membrane Et is under a threshold Hth (see step 4 ).
  • the controller 121 opens the switching valve v 1 to keep the pressure control valve vp 3 opened for a predetermined time at step 6 . Then gas is injected from the gas injection means 56 , 56 for a fixed time to break a caked portion of the lubricant powder stored in the lubricant storage hopper 52 even if caking is caused therein (see FIG. 20 b )
  • Pressure (Pr 52 ) in the lubricant storage hopper 52 measured by the pressure sensor 72 and the pressure (Pr 53 ) in the cylindrical body 53 measured by the pressure sensor 73 are sent to the controller 121 .
  • the material feed valve 54 is closed. Namely in this embodiment, the controller 121 closes the branch pipe T 7 a side of the switch valve v 3 and opens the branch pipe T 7 b side (see step 10 ).
  • the controller 121 detects the pressure (Pr 52 ) in the lubricant storage hopper 52 is higher than the pressure (Pr 53 ) in the cylindrical body 53 (Pr 52 >Pr 53 ), the controller 121 opens the switching valve v 1 until the pressure (Pr 52 ) becomes equal to the pressure (Pr 53 ).
  • the controller 121 closes the switching valve v 1 again (see step 7 and step 8 ).
  • the controller 121 closes the material feed valve 54 . Namely in this embodiment the controller 121 closes the branch pipe T 7 a side of the switch valve v 3 and opens the branch pipe T 7 b side (see step 5 ).
  • the controller 121 detects the pressure (Pr 52 ) in the lubricant storage hopper 52 is lower than the pressure (Pr 53 ) in the cylindrical body 53 (Pr 52 ⁇ Pr 53 ), the controller 121 opens the switching valve v 2 until the pressure (Pr 52 ) becomes equal to the pressure (Pr 53 ).
  • the controller 121 closes the switching valve v 2 again (see step 7 and step 8 ).
  • the controller 121 closes the material feed valve 54 . Namely in this embodiment the controller 121 closes the branch pipe T 7 a side of the switch valve v 3 and opens the branch pipe T 7 b side (see step 5 ).
  • FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic explanatory view showing the operation of the elastic membrane Et and the bypass pipe Tv when the positive pulsating vibration gas is supplied in the dispersion chamber 55 .
  • the positive pulsating vibration gas supplied in the conduit T 1 is further supplied in the dispersion chamber 55 from the pulsating vibration gas supply port 55 a.
  • the positive pulsating vibration gas supplied to the dispersion chamber 55 becomes a positive pulsating vibration gas swirling upwardly like a convolution such as a tornado therein, then is discharged from the discharge port 55 b.
  • the swirling positive pulsating vibration gas generated in the dispersion chamber 55 doesn't lose its nature as a pulsating vibration gas so that the elastic membrane Et vibrates according to the frequency, amplitude, and wave shape of the positive pulsating vibration gas.
  • a penetrating aperture Eta becomes V-shaped with its upper end opened in the sectional view and a part of the lubricant powder stored on the elastic membrane Et in the cylindrical body 53 falls in the V-shaped aperture Eta.
  • this lubricant powder discharge means 51 an air communication passage between the cylindrical body 53 and the dispersion chamber 55 is formed with two systems in this lubricant discharge means 51 : the penetrating aperture Eta of the elastic membrane Et and the bypass pipe Tv. Therefore, the air can pass between the cylindrical body 53 and the dispersion chamber 55 via an available system.
  • the air communication passage between the cylindrical body 53 and the dispersion chamber 55 is comprised of two lines: the penetrating aperture Eta of the elastic membrane Et and the bypass pipe Tv, the air can flow therebetween via an available one.
  • the lubricant powder discharge means 51 is constructed such that the bypass pipe Tv is provided between the dispersion chamber 55 and the cylindrical body 53 . Therefore, the time required for balancing the pressure in the cylindrical body 53 and the pressure in the dispersion chamber 55 when the positive pulsating vibration gas is supplied to the dispersion chamber 55 is reduced so that the responsibility of the vertical vibration of the elastic membrane Et to the vibration of the positive pulsating vibration gas becomes superior. As a result, the powder material can be smoothly discharged via the penetrating aperture Eta.
  • the up and down vibration of the elastic membrane Et with its center being antinode and its periphery being node depends on the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the positive pulsating vibration air supplied in the dispersion chamber 55 .
  • the lubricant powder discharge means 51 also has an advantage that if the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the positive pulsating vibration gas supplied to the dispersion chamber 55 are controlled, the amount of powder supplied to a desired place (instruments and so on) can be easily changed.
  • the positive pulsating vibration gas becomes a swirl directing upward in the dispersion chamber 55 . Even if the aggregated particles with a large diameter are contained in the lubricant powder discharged to the dispersion chamber 55 , most of all can be broken and dispersed to be small particles by being caught in the positive pulsating vibration gas swirling in the dispersion chamber 55 .
  • the positive pulsating vibration gas in the dispersion chamber 55 becomes an upward swirling flow so that the dispersion chamber 55 has a size classification function like a cyclone.
  • the lubricant powder with a predetermined particle size can be discharged to the conduit T 2 from the discharge port 55 b.
  • the aggregated particles with a large diameter keep swirling in the lower part of the dispersion chamber 55 and are pulverized into a predetermined particle size by being caught in the positive pulsating vibration gas swirling in the chamber 55 , and they are discharged to the conduit T 2 from the discharge port 55 , thereby preventing a large lubricant powder from being sprayed in the lubricant application means 91 .
  • the lubricant powder supplied to the conduit T 2 connected to the discharge port 55 b is pneumatically transported to the other end e 2 of the conduit T 2 by means of the positive pulsating vibration gas.
  • the lubricant powder can be discharged from the other end e 2 of the conduit T 2 while keeping the original concentration of the lubricant powder discharged in the conduit T 2 from the discharge port 55 b of the dispersion chamber 55 , thereby enabling an accurate control of the quantitativeness of the lubricant powder sprayed from the other end e 2 of the conduit T 2 .
  • the lubricant powder discharge means 51 Furthermore, according to the lubricant powder discharge means 51 , almost the same amount of lubricant powders is always placed on the elastic membrane Et (where the level sensor 71 is provided (height Hth where the level sensor 62 is provided above the membrane Et)) while operating the lubricant powder discharge-means 51 .
  • the amount of lubricant powder discharged from the penetrating aperture Eta of the elastic membrane Et doesn't vary depending on the change in the amount of lubricant powder placed on the elastic membrane Et. Accordingly, the lubricant powder discharge means 51 can supply a fixed amount of lubricant powders to the lubricant application means 91 .
  • this lubricant powder discharge means 51 the elastic membrane Et is stretched by means of the elastic membrane installation means 61 as shown in FIG. 15, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17.
  • the quantitativenes of this lubricant powder discharge means 51 isn't damaged because of a loosed elastic membrane Et.
  • FIG. 23 is a plane view diagrammatically showing the rotary type tabletting machine 81 .
  • the tabletting machine 81 has a turntable 34 rotatable around a rotary axis, plural upper dies (upper punches 31 . . . in FIG. 10), and plural lower dies (lower punches 33 . . . in FIG. 10).
  • plural dies 32 . . . are provided and a pair of the upper punch 31 . . . and the lower punch 33 . . . are provided for each one of the plural dies 32 . . . in such a manner that they rotate synchronously.
  • plural upper punches 31 . . . are constructed so as to move up and down in a rotary axis direction at a predetermined position by a cam mechanism (not shown) and the lower punches 33 . . . are also constructed so as to move up and down in a rotary axis direction at a predetermined position by means of a cam mechanism (see cam mechanism in FIG. 10).
  • the member shown as a reference numeral 36 in FIG. 10 and FIG. 23 indicates a feed shoe for charging a molding material in each die 32 . . ., 37 shows a scraper for making the molding material charged in each die 32 . . . at a fixed quantity, and 38 is a tablet discharge scraper provided for discharging the produced tablet t into a discharge sheet 39 .
  • the reference numeral R 1 in FIG. 23 is a lubricant powder spray point.
  • the lubricant application means 91 is provided at the lubricant powder spray point R 1 in the externally lubricating type tabletting machine S. More specifically, the lubricant application means 91 is fixedly provided on the turntable 34 in such a manner that a lubricant powder is applied on each surface of the dies 32 , the upper punches 31 . . . , the lower punches 33 . . . which are sequentially accomodated in the lubricant application means 91 according to the rotation of the turntable 34 , the upper punches 31 . . . , and the lower punches 33 . . . . Application method on each surfaces thereof are detailed later.
  • the position shown as R 2 in FIG. 23 is a molding material charge point where the molding material m is charged by the feed shoe 36 in the space formed by the die 32 and the lower punch 33 inserted in a fixed position in the die 32 .
  • the position R 3 in FIG. 23 is a pre-tabletting point where a fixed amount of molding material charged in the space formed with the die 32 and the lower punch 33 and scraped by the scraper 37 is preliminary tabletted by means of a pair of the upper punch 31 and the lower punch 33 .
  • the position R 4 in FIG. 23 is a main tabletting point where the pre-tabletted molding material is fully compressed to be a tablet t by means of the pair of the upper punch 31 and the lower-punch 33 .
  • the position R 5 in FIG. 23 is a tablet discharge point where the tablet t discharged out of the die 32 by inserting the upper face of the lower punch 33 into the upper face of the die 32 is fed to a discharge chute 39 by a scraper 38 for discharging a tablet.
  • FIG. 24 is a plane view diagrammatically showing enlarged lubricant application means 91 shown in FIG. 23.
  • FIG. 25 is a sectional view diagrammatically showing the construction of the lubricant application means 91 along the line XXIV-XXIV in FIG. 24.
  • the lubricant application means 91 is fixedly provided for a predetermined position above the turntable 34 of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 .
  • the face S 91 a (bottom) which is an opposing side against the turntable 34 of the lubricant application means 91 is arranged to be in contact with the face S 34 of the turntable 34 or to have a minute gap with the face S 34 . Therefore, the turntable 34 is rotated in such a manner that it rubs on the bottom S 91 a or without having any gap therebetween.
  • the lubricant application means 91 has a lubricant introduction port 91 a for connecting the conduit T 2 on an outer face S 91 b.
  • the lubricant powder dispersed with the positive pulsating vibration air and supplied from the lubricant introduction port 91 a is sent to the face (bottom), opposing the turntable 34 , of the lubricant application means 91 via an aperture 91 h penetrating through the lubricant application means 91 to be sprayed on the surface (upper face) S 33 of the lower punch 33 inserted in the predetermined position in the die 34 of the turntable 34 from a discharge port 91 b of the penetrating aperture 91 h.
  • the lubricant powder dispersed with air is sprayed on the surface (upper face) S 33 of the lower punch 33 in substantially vertical from the discharge port 91 b of the penetrating aperture 91 h.
  • a groove 92 is provided for the surface (bottom) S 91 a of the lubricant spray chamber 91 facing the turntable 34 in the reverse direction of the rotation of the turntable 34 from the discharge port 91 b of the penetrating hole 91 h.
  • the extra lubricant powders accumulated on the surface (upper face) S 33 of the lower punch 33 are blown off by the air supplied together with the lubricant powders.
  • a part of blown-out powders is designed to be applied on the surface S 32 (inner circumference) of the die 32 .
  • the lubricant powder passes through a tubular portion formed by the groove 92 provided on the surface (bottom) of the lubricant application means 91 facing the turntable 34 and by the surface of the turntable 34 to be fed in reverse direction of the rotation of the turntable 34 .
  • a slit 94 is formed at the upper part of the hollow chamber 93 so as to penetrate the lubricant application means 91 .
  • an upper punch accommodation part 95 for sequentially accommodating the upper punches 31 . . . which rotate in synchronism with the turntable 34 along the slit 94 is formed along the rotary orbit of the upper punches 31 . . . .
  • the width W 95 of the upper punch accommodation part 95 is equal to or a little larger than the diameter of the upper punch 31 .
  • a suction head 96 is provided above the slit 94 .
  • the numeral 91 a in FIG. 25 is a connection port to be connected with the conduit T 2 .
  • the size of a suction port H of the suction head 96 is designed so as to cover the entire slit 94 and so as to be a similar shape to the slit 94 .
  • a lubricant powder can be applied taking enough time on the surface (lower face) S 31 of the upper punch 31 on which a lubricant powder has difficulty to be applied while the upper punch 31 moves from the end es to the other end ee of the slit 94 in the upper punch accommodation part 95 .
  • a lubricant suction part 97 is provided for removing the lubricant powder L flown out on the turntable 34 or the lubricant powder exceedingly attached on the surface (upper face) S 33 of the lower punch 33 and on the circumferential wall (inner circumference) S 43 of the die 32 .
  • a suction means such as a blower (not shown) is connected to the lubricant suction part 97 .
  • the suction means (not shown) is driven, the lubricant powder exceedingly attached on the turntable 34 around the die 32 , on the surface (inner circumference) S 32 of the die 32 , and on the surface (upper face) S 33 of the lower punch 33 can be sucked and removed from the suction port 97 a.
  • the suction port 97 a is formed like a slit (long shape) on the surface (bottom) facing the turntable 34 in such a manner that the longitudinal direction substantially directs into the center from the periphery of the turntable 34 and the suction port 97 a bridges the die 32 .
  • the distance between the suction port 97 a and the discharge port 91 b is set to be a little larger than the diameter D 32 of the die 32 .
  • FIG. 26 is a constructional view diagrammatically enlarging around the suction means (lubricant suction means) 101 shown in FIG. 10.
  • the lubricant suction means 101 has a dust collector 102 and a conduit T 3 connected to the dust collector 102 .
  • conduit T 3 One end of the conduit T 3 is connected to the lubricant head 96 of the lubricant application means 91 .
  • the conduit T 3 is connected to the lubricant head 96 of the lubricant application means 91 .
  • the conduit T 3 is branched into two branch pipes T 3 a and T 3 b , integrated into one pipe T 3 c again and connected to the dust collector 102 .
  • a switch valve v 5 and a light scattering type powder concentration measuring means 103 a are provided from the lubricant application means 91 to the dust collector 102 in order.
  • Light permeable type powder concentration measuring means 105 may be provided instead of the light scattering type powder concentration measuring means 103 a.
  • Measurement cell 104 is made of quartz and connected in midstream of the branch pipe T 7 a.
  • the light scattering type measuring means 105 is provided with a laser beam emitting system 105 a for emitting laser beams and a scattering beam receiving system 105 b for receiving the light scattered by an object and emitted from the laser beam emitting system 105 a and is designed to measure the flow rate, particle diameter, particle size distribution and concentration of the object according to the Mie theory.
  • the laser beam emitting system 105 a and the scattering beam receiving system 105 b are opposed so as to interpose the measurement cell 104 in such a manner that the flowrate, particle diameter, particle size distribution and concentration of the powdered material (lubricant powder in this embodiment) running in the branch pipe T 3 a can be measured in the measurement cell 104 .
  • a switch valve v 6 is provided for the branch pipe T 3 b.
  • a switch valve v 7 is provided for the conduit T 7 c.
  • the switch valves v 5 and v 7 are opened while the switch valve v 6 is closed, and then the dust collector 102 is driven.
  • the light permeable type measuring means 105 consisting the light scattering type powder concentration measuring means 103 a is driven to measure the flow rate, particle diameter, particle size distribution, and concentration of the lubricant powder running in the measurement cell 104 , namely in the branch pipe T 3 a.
  • the switch valve v 5 is closed and the switch valve v 6 is opened while keeping the suction means 102 driven for measuring the affection (noise) by the lubricant powder attached in the measurement cell 104 .
  • the lubricant powder sucked in the conduit T 3 from the suction head H is further sucked to the dust collector 102 through the branch pipe T 3 b and the conduit T 3 c so that the lubricant powder doesn't run in the branch pipe T 3 a.
  • the measured value of the affection (noise) by the lubricant powder adhered in the cell 104 is temporarily stored in a memory means of the controller 121 .
  • the switch valve v 5 is opened and the switch valve v 6 is closed while keeping the dust collector 102 driven so as to run the lubricant powder through the branch pipe T 3 a .
  • the powder concentration measuring means 103 a is driven to measure the flow rate and so on of the lubricant powder running in the branch pipe T 3 a .
  • the concentration of the lubricant powder in the lubricant application means 91 is controlled by adjusting the driving amount of dust collector 102 and that of pulsating vibration gas generator 71 based on the obtained compensation value, otherwise the light permeable type measuring means 131 may be used and the driving amount of dust collector 102 and that of pulsating vibration gas generator 71 are appropriately adjusted based on the measured value, thereby controlling the concentration of the lubricant powder in the lubricant application means 91 .
  • predetermined operation conditions are input in the controller 121 .
  • Lubricant powder is contained in the lubricant storage hopper 52 .
  • a molding material is stored in the feed shoe 36 of the rotary type tabletting machine 81 .
  • suction means (not shown) connected to the lubricant suction part 97 is driven if necessary.
  • blower 111 is driven under the operational conditions input in the controller 121 .
  • a rotary cam 45 of the pulsating vibration 85 , gas generator 41 is driven at a fixed rotational speed, thereby supplying a positive pulsating vibration gas with a fixed flow amount, pressure, frequency and wave shape in the conduit T 1 .
  • the level sensor 71 is actuated.
  • the positive pulsating vibration gas generated from the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 is supplied in the dispersion chamber 55 . Therefore, the elastic membrane Et is vibrated up and down to discharge the lubricant powder into the dispersion chamber 55 through the penetrating aperture Eta provided on the elastic membrane Et.
  • the lubricant powder fed in the lubricant application means 91 passes through the penetrating aperture 91 h from the lubricant introduction port 91 a together with the positive pulsating vibration gas and sprayed on the surface (upper face) S 33 of the lower punch 33 inserted in a predetermined position in the die 32 which has come to the lubricant spray point R 1 by the rotation of the turntable 34 from the discharge port 91 b.
  • the lubricant powder is fed through the cylindrical body formed by the groove 92 provided on the surface (bottom), facing the turntable 34 , of the lubricant application means 91 and by the surface of the turntable 34 into a reverse direction of rotation of the turntable 34 and is supplied in the hollow chamber 93 .
  • the lubricant powder fed in the hollow chamber 93 rides on an upward flow uniformly generated above the slit 94 and moves in the suction port H of the suction head 96 when the dust collector 102 is driven.
  • Lubricant powder is applied on the lower face S 31 of the upper punch 31 passing in the upper punch accommodation part 95 while the upper punch 31 moves from the one end es to the other end ee of the slit 94 .
  • Extra lubricant powder is removed from the suction head 96 .
  • a mixture (molding material) is charged in the die 32 in which the lower punch 32 is inserted into a fixed position, the surface S 33 of the lower punch 33 and the surface (inner circumference) S 32 of the die 32 being applied with a lubricant powder.
  • the mixture (molding material) is preliminary tabletted at the pre-tabletting point R 3 by means of the upper punch 31 on which the surface S 31 (lower face) lubricant powder is uniformly applied, the lower punch 33 on which the surface S 33 (upper face) lubricant powder is uniformly applied, and the die 32 on which surface S 32 (inner circumference) lubricant powder is uniformly applied. Then the mixture is compressed at a main tabletting point R 4 to be produced as an effervescent tablet t to be sequentially discharged into the discharge chute 39 at the tablet discharge point R 5 .
  • the concentration of the lubricant powder in the lubricant application means 91 is increased by appropriately controlling the drive amount of blower 111 , dust collector 102 , and pulsating vibration gas generator 41 (generally the frequency of the pulsating vibration gas is enlarged by increasing the drive amount) in order to reduce the frequency of the tabletting problems such as sticking, capping and laminating caused on the produced tablets t . . . .
  • the elastic membrane Et may be replaced with the one with a larger penetrating aperture Eta.
  • each surface of the dies 32 . . . is controlled to be a fixed amount, the amount of lubricant powder transferred to each surface of the tablet t . . . from each surface of the upper punches 31 . . . , each surface of the lower punches 33 . . . , each surface of the dies 32 . . . is reduced. Further, the elastic membrane Et may be replaced with the one having a smaller penetrating aperture Eta.
  • FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the construction of the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 .
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 has a hollow chamber 42 with an air supply port 42 a and an air discharge port 42 b , a valve seat 43 provided in the chamber 42 , a valve plug 44 for opening and closing the valve seat 43 , and a rotary cam 45 for opening and closing the valve plug 44 for the valve seat 43 .
  • a conduit Tm is connected to the air supply port 42 a and a conduit T 1 is connected to the air discharge port 42 b.
  • the member 42 c in FIG. 27 is a pressure regulating port provided for the hollow chamber 42 if required and a pressure regulating valve v 8 is provided for the pressure regulating port 42 c so as to communicate with and block off the atmosphere.
  • the valve plug 44 has a shaft 44 a , under which a rotary roller 46 is rotatably connected.
  • a shaft hole h 41 for containing the shaft 44 a of the valve plug 44 airtightly and movably up and down is provided for a main body 41 a of the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 .
  • the rotary cam 45 has an inside rotary cam 45 a and an outside rotary cam 45 b.
  • a predetermined concavo-convex pattern is formed on each one of the inside rotary cam 45 a and the outside rotary cam 45 b so as to have a space about the distance of the diameter of the rotary roller 46 .
  • the rotary cam 45 which has a concavo-convex pattern suitable for mixing and dispersing a lubricant powder depending on its physical property is used.
  • the rotary roller 46 is rotatably inserted between the inside rotary cam 45 a and the outside rotary cam 45 b of the rotary cam 45 .
  • a member shown as ax in FIG. 27 is a rotary axis of the rotary drive means such as a motor (rotary drive means 41 M in FIG. 10) and the rotary cam 45 is detachably provided for the rotary axis ax.
  • the rotary cam 45 with a concavo-convex pattern suitable for mixing and dispersing a lubricant powder depending on its physical property is attached on the rotary axis ax of the rotary drive means 47 .
  • blower 111 is driven to supply a compressed air to the conduit T 0 .
  • the inflammable gas with a steady pressure supplied in the conduit Tm is supplied to the hollow chamber 42 from the air supply port 42 a after being adjusted to a predetermined flow amount by the flow rate control valve vp 4 .
  • blower 111 and the rotary drive means 47 are driven, so that the rotary cam 45 attached to the rotary axis ax of the rotary drive means 47 is rotated at a fixed rotational speed.
  • the rotary roller 46 is rotated between the inside rotary cam 45 a and the outside rotary cam 45 b of the rotary cam 45 which are rotated at a predetermined rotational speed in such a manner that the rotary roller 46 reproducibly moves up and down according to the concavo-convex pattern of the rotary cam 45 .
  • the valve plug 44 opens and closes the valve seat 43 according to the concavo-convex pattern formed on the rotary cam 45 .
  • the pressure regulating port 42 c and the pressure regulating valve v 8 are provided for the hollow chamber 42 , the pressure of the positive pulsating vibration gas supplied to the conduit T 1 is regulated by appropriately controlling the pressure regulating valve v 8 provided for the pressure regulating port 42 c.
  • the wavelength of the positive pulsating vibration gas fed in the conduit T 1 is properly controlled depending on the concavo-convex pattern of the rotary cam 45 and/or the rotational speed of the rotary cam 45 .
  • the wave shape of the positive pulsating vibration gas is also adjusted by the concavo-convex pattern of the rotary cam 45 .
  • the amplitude of the positive pulsating vibration gas is controlled by adjusting the driving amount of blower 111 , by adjusting the pressure regulating valve vp 4 if it is provided or by adjusting the pressure regulating valve v 8 provided for the pressure regulating port 42 c if they are provided, or by adjusting them in combination.
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator used for the externally lubricating type tabletting machine S isn't limited to the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 and other pulsating vibration gas generator can be used.
  • FIG. 28 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing other embodiment of a pulsating vibration gas generator.
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 A has the same construction as the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 other than the following constructions. Corresponding members have the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted here. 1
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 A has a cylindrical body 132 and a rotary valve 133 attached to a rotary axis 132 a consisting a center axis of the cylindrical body 132 so as to divide a hollow chamber 133 in the cylindrical body 132 into substantially two parts.
  • the rotary axis 132 a is designed to be rotated at a fixed rotational speed by a rotary drive means such as an electric motor (not shown).
  • Conduits Tm and T 1 are connected to the external circumferential wall of the cylindrical body 132 with a fixed space.
  • the blower 111 is driven to supply a fixed amount of compressed air to the conduit Tm for supplying a desired positive pulsating vibration gas to the conduit T 1 by means of the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 A. If the flow rate control valve vp 4 is provided, the flow rate of the compressed air to be fed in the conduit Tm is controlled by adjusting the flow rate control valve vp 4 .
  • the rotary axis 132 a is rotated at a fixed rotational speed by the rotary driving means such as an electric motor (not shown) so that the rotary valve 133 attached to the axis 132 a is rotated at a fixed speed.
  • the rotary driving means such as an electric motor (not shown) so that the rotary valve 133 attached to the axis 132 a is rotated at a fixed speed.
  • FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view diagrammatically showing other embodiment of a pulsating vibration gas generator.
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 B has a cylindrical body 142 and a rotary valve 143 rotatably provided in the body 142 .
  • the cylindrical body 142 is constructed such that one end 142 e is opened and the other end is closed by a cover 142 d and a suction port 142 a and a transmission port 142 b are provided for its circumferential side wall.
  • conduit Tm to be connected to the blower 111 is connected to the suction port 142 a and the conduit T 1 to be connected to the lubricant powder discharge means 51 is connected to the transmission port 142 b.
  • the member shown as 142 c in FIG. 29 is a bearing hole for pivotally providing the rotary valve 143 .
  • the rotary valve 143 is cylindrical with a hollow part h 15 and an opening h 16 is provided on its circumferential wall S 143 .
  • One end 143 e of the rotary valve 143 is opened and the other end is closed by the cover 143 b.
  • a rotary axis 144 is extended in the rotary center of the rotary valve 143 .
  • Rotary drive means such as an electric motor (not shown) is connected to the rotary axis 144 and the rotary valve 143 is rotated around the rotary axis 144 when the rotary drive means (not shown) is driven.
  • the outer diameter of the circumferential wall S 143 of the rotary valve 143 is almost the same as the inner diameter of the cylindrical body 142 in such a manner that the rotary valve 143 is contained in the cylindrical body 142 so that the circumferential wall S 143 of the rotary valve 143 rubs against the inner circumference of the body 142 when the rotary valve 143 is rotated.
  • the member shown as 143 c in FIG. 29 is a rotary axis rotatably contained in the rotary bearing hole 142 c provided for the cover 142 b of the cylindrical body 142 .
  • the rotary valve 143 is rotatably provided in the cylindrical body 142 such that the rotary axis 143 c is attached to the rotary bearing hole 142 c.
  • the rotary valve 143 is rotated at a fixed rotational speed by rotating the rotary axis 144 at a fixed rotational speed by the rotary drive means such as an electric motor (not shown).
  • any one of the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 shown in FIG. 27, the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 A shown in FIG. 28, and the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 B shown in FIG. 29 may be used as the pulsating vibration gas generator for the externally lubricating type tabletting machine S.
  • an elastic membrane Et having one penetrating aperture Eta is explained, however, the elastic membrane isn't limited to the elastic membrane Et having one penetrating aperture Eta.
  • An elastic membrane Et′ with plural penetrating apertures Eta . . . as shown in FIG. 30 may be used.
  • the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sb is mainly explained.
  • the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 is removed from the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sb, it becomes the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sa shown in FIG. 1.
  • the oxygen removing means 112 and the pulsating vibration gas generator 41 are removed and the noninflammable gas generator 111 a is provided instead of the blower 111 , it becomes the tablet production apparatus (externally lubricating type tabletting machine) Sc shown in FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 34 shows the entire construction diagrammatically showing other embodiment of a tablet production apparatus according to the present invention.
  • the tablet production apparatus Se has the same construction as that of the tablet production apparatus Sa in FIG. 31, therefore the same members have the same corresponding reference numerals as the apparatus Sa and their explanations are omitted here.
  • the suction means (dust collector 102 ) is attached to the suction duct 103 and the apparatus Se has the suction means (dust collector 102 ) and the spray amount measuring means 131 for measuring the lubricant powder concentration at an optional position from the lubricant powder discharge means 51 (more specifically the discharge port 55 b of the dispersion chamber 55 ).
  • FIG. 35 diagrammatically shows the construction of a spray amount measuring means 131 .
  • the spray amount measuring means 131 has a body 131 a , a lubricant powder supply pipe 132 connected to a conduit T 2 , and a laser beam emitting system 134 a and a laser beam receiving system 105 b.
  • a laser beam emitting system 105 and a scattering light receiving system 134 b are opposed so as to intervene the lubricant powder supply pipe 132 .
  • the spray amount measuring means 131 also has purge gas supply pipes h 131 , h 131 .
  • Each one of the purge gas supply pipes h 131 , h 131 has light permeable pipes h 131 a , h 131 a and gas supply pipe h 131 b , h 131 b respectively.
  • Each light permeable pipe h 31 a , h 131 a is provided so as to penetrate the body 131 a and light permeable windows 133 , 133 are provided for the external surface of the body 131 a respectively.
  • Each gas supply pipe h 131 b , h 131 b is connected in the midstream of the light permeable pipes h 31 a , h 131 a respectively.
  • a purge gas supply pipe (purge gas supply pipe Tp in FIG. 34) which is branched from the conduit Tm is connected to each gas supply pipe h 131 b , h 131 b.
  • the spray amount measuring means 131 the amount of powder material (lubricant powder in this embodiment) running in the lubricant powder supply pipe 132 is measured at where light permeable pipes h 31 a , h 131 a are provided.
  • the lubricant powder concentration running in the lubricant powder supply pipe 132 is observed by the spray amount measuring means 131 and the amount of lubricant powder is also observed.
  • the lubricant concentration is calculated from the suction flow amount and the lubricant powder amount in the controller 121 . If the calculated lubricant powder concentration reaches its lower explosion limit, the lubricant powder amount mixed and dispersed with the gas generated from the gas generator 111 is controlled to be under the lower explosion limit concentration so as to prevent a dust explosion.
  • the lubricant powder concentration fed in the suction means (dust collector 102 ) is arranged to be under the lower explosion limit, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the suction means (dust collector 102 ).
  • a blower 111 is used as a gas generator 111 in such a manner that the oxygen contained in the compressed air generated from the blower 111 is removed by the oxygen removing means 112 .
  • a noninflammable gas generation means 111 a may be provided like the tablet production apparatus Sd in FIG. 33.
  • the lubricant powder is discharged in the gas depending on the gas to be mixed and dispersed together so that a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be mixed and dispersed with a fixed amount of gas as far as the gas to be mixed and dispersed with the lubricant powder is constant.
  • the lubricant powder with a constant concentration is always supplied to the lubricant application means, enabling constant application of a fixed amount of lubricant powder on each material contacting surface of the die, the upper punch and the lower punch.
  • the amount of lubricant powder applied on the surfaces can be kept most appropriately by making the gas generation amount constant.
  • the tablet production method is suitable for producing tablets (externally lubricated tablets) at a profitable industrial production base.
  • the oxygen concentration in the transporting system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means is under the oxygen concentration of lower explosion limit, preventing a dust explosion in the transporting system.
  • the oxygen concentration in the transporting system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means is equal to or less than 14% so that a dust explosion isn't caused in the transporting system. And/or the oxygen concentration included in the gas around the lubricant-application means is equal to or less than 14%, thus preventing a dust explosion therearound.
  • supposing the oxygen concentration of lower explosion limit is equal to or less than 14%
  • the oxygen concentration contained in the gas existing in the transporting system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means and/or around the lubricant application means is set to be equal to or less than 8% in order to clear the static safety guide by the National Institute of Industrial Safety in the tablet production method, thereby preventing dust explosion.
  • the other embodiment of the tablet production method according to the present invention comprises the gas generating step, the lubricant dispersing step and the tabletting step like the method mentioned above. Therefore, this production method is also suitable for a production method of a tablet (externally lubricated tablet) at an industrial production base like the above-mentioned method.
  • the lubricant powder concentration in the suction means at the surplus lubricant powder sucking step is set to be under the concentration of lower explosion limit, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the suction means.
  • the concentration of the lubricant powder is set under the lower explosion limit namely equal to or under 70 g/m 3 , more preferably equal to or under 50 g/m 3 in the suction means at the surplus lubricant sucking step, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the suction means.
  • a noninflammable gas is used as a supply gas to the lubricant powder discharge means at the lubricant dispersing step so that a dust explosion isn't happened at all in a place (in the instrument) where the gas mixed and dispersed with the lubricant powder doesn't admix with air.
  • a pulsating vibration gas is used as a supply gas to the lubricant powder discharge means at the lubricant dispersing step.
  • the lubricant powder discharge means for discharging a lubricant powder into the gas depending on the gas to be mixed and dispersed with the gas is used as a lubricant powder discharge means. Therefore, when the pulsating vibration gas is used as a supply gas to the lubricant powder discharge means, the amount of lubricant powder discharged from the lubricant powder discharge means depends on the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas.
  • a fixed amount of lubricant powder is designed to be always mixed and dispersed with a fixed amount of gas, thereby enabling to supply the lubricant powder with a constant concentration to the lubricant application means.
  • the lubricant powder with a constant concentration is always supplied to the lubricant application means so that a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be always applied on each material contacting surface of the die, the upper punch and the lower punch. Namely, a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be applied on those material contacting surfaces with this tablet production method.
  • the appropriate amount of lubricant powder applied on the surfaces can be kept only by keeping the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas constant.
  • the antistatic means is further provided for any one of the above mentioned methods, thereby preventing sparks caused by static electricity. Therefore, a dust explosion isn't happened in this tablet production method.
  • the other embodiment of the tablet production apparatus uses the lubricant powder discharge means for discharging the lubricant powder into the gas depending on the gas generated from the gas generator to be mixed and dispersed so that a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be mixed and dispersed in a fixed amount of gas (flow amount, pressure and so on) as far as keeping the gas generation amount. (flow amount, pressure and so on) constant.
  • the lubricant powder with a constant concentration is always supplied to the lubricant application means, enabling a constant application of a fixed amount of lubricant powder on each material contacting surface of the die, the upper punch and the lower punch.
  • the tablet production method is suitable for producing tablets (externally lubricated tablets) at an industrial production base.
  • the gas amount generated from the gas generator is controlled based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measuring means.
  • this tablet production apparatus is constructed such that the gas amount generated from the gas generator is controlled based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measuring means so that the oxygen amount contained in the gas existing in the space in the transporting system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means and the oxygen amount contained in the gas existing in the space around the lubricant application means are reduced. Therefore, a dust explosion is prevented from causing in those spaces.
  • the oxygen concentration in the gas in the transporting system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means and/or around the lubricant application means is equal to or less than the oxygen concentration of lower explosion limit by the gas amount generated from the gas generation means, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the transporting system or around the lubricant application means.
  • the oxygen concentration in the transporting system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means and/or around the lubricant application means is defined to be equal to or less than the oxygen concentration of lower explosion limit, namely 14%, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the transporting system and/or around the lubricant application means.
  • supposing the oxygen concentration of lower explosion limit is equal to or less than 14%
  • the oxygen concentration contained in the gas existing in the transporting system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means and/or around the lubricant application means is set to be equal to or less than 8% in order to clear the static safety guide by the National Institute of Industrial Safety in the tablet production apparatus, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the transporting system and/or around the lubricant application means.
  • the lubricant powder sprayed from the lubricant application means is immediately sucked by means of the suction means. Therefore, the lubricant powder sprayed from the lubricant spray port for upper punch of the lubricant application means to the material contacting surface of the upper punch doesn't scatter around the lubricant application means, thereby preventing a dust explosion around the lubricant application means.
  • the lubricant powder concentration to be supplied in the suction means (more specifically in the suction duct of the suction means) is controlled based on the lubricant powder concentration measured by the lubricant powder concentration measuring means.
  • the lubricant powder concentration to be supplied in the suction means (more specifically in the suction duct of the suction means) is set to be equal to or under the lower explosion limit concentration, preventing a dust explosion in the suction means (more specifically in the suction duct of the suction means).
  • the lubricant powder concentration to be supplied into the suction means is equal to or less than the lower explosion limit concentration so that a dust explosion isn't caused in the suction means (more specifically in the suction duct of the suction means).
  • the lubricant powder concentration to be supplied into the suction means is set under the lower explosion limit of the lubricant powder, namely equal to or under 70 g/m 3 , more preferably equal to or under 50 g/m 3 . Therefore, when a tablet is produced with this production apparatus, a dust explosion is prevented in the suction means (more specifically in the suction duct of the suction means).
  • the noninflammable gas is generated from the gas generation means as the gas to be mixed and dispersed with the lubricant powder, preventing a dust explosion in the transporting system from the gas generation means to the lubricant application means.
  • the pulsating vibration gas is used as a supply gas to be mixed and dispersed with the lubricant powder and the amount of lubricant powder to be mixed and dispersed with the gas depends on the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas.
  • the lubricant powder with a constant concentration is always supplied to the lubricant application means so that a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be always applied on each material contacting surface of the die, the upper punch and the lower punch.
  • a fixed amount of lubricant powder can be applied on the material contacting surfaces of the dies, the upper punches and the lower punches with this tablet production method.
  • the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas is determined in such a manner that the amount of lubricant powder to be applied on the material contacting surfaces makes most appropriate, the appropriate amount of lubricant powder applied on the surfaces can be kept only by keeping the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas constant.
  • the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas are once controlled in such a manner that the lubricant powder amount to be applied on each material contacting surface of the die, the upper punch and the lower punch is adjusted so as not to cause tabletting problems such as sticking, capping and laminating and not to cause griding between the die and the punches.
  • tablets can be stably produced for a long time without causing such tabletting problems for the produced tablets and griding between the die and punches only by keeping the frequency, amplitude and wave shape of the pulsating vibration gas and also keeping the appropriate amount of lubricant powder to be applied on the material contacting surfaces of the die and punches.
  • a tablet (externally lubricated tablet) can be produced with this production method at an industrial production base.
  • the lubricant powder concentration is observed by the spray amount measuring means.
  • the lubricant powder concentration is calculated from the lubricant amount and the suction amount.
  • the lubricant powder amount mixed and dispersed with the gas generated from the gas generator is controlled so as to be under the lower explosion limit concentration, thereby preventing a dust explosion.
  • the concentration of the lubricant powder supplied into the suction means is equal to or less than the lower explosion limit concentration, thereby preventing a dust explosion in the suction means.
  • the concentration of the lubricant powder to be supplied in the suction means is set to be equal to or under the lower explosion limit concentration of the lubricant powder, namely equal to or les than 70 g/m 3 , more preferably equal to or under 50 g/m 3 . Therefore, when a tablet is produced with the production apparatus, a dust explosion is prevented in the suction means (more specifically in the suction duct of the suction means).
  • the noninflammable gas is generated from the gas generator so that a dust explosion isn't caused at all in a place (instrument) where the gas mixing and dispersing the lubricant powder doesn't mix with air.
  • the antistatic means is provided so as not to cause sparks derived from static electricity, thereby preventing sparks caused by static electricity.

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US10/432,612 2000-12-08 2001-12-06 Method and apparatus for producing tablets Abandoned US20040096495A1 (en)

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US20100021540A1 (en) * 2008-02-28 2010-01-28 Abbott Laboratories Tablets and Preparation Thereof
US20150217489A1 (en) * 2014-02-04 2015-08-06 Kikusui Seisakusho Ltd. Compression Molding Machine and Method of Producing Molded Product
US20160370253A1 (en) * 2015-06-19 2016-12-22 Sanyasi R. Kalidindi Powder segregation testing apparatus and method of using
DE102016123279A1 (de) * 2016-12-01 2018-06-07 Fette Compacting Gmbh Verfahren und System zum Zuführen eines Schmier- oder Trennmittels zu Presswerkzeugen einer Tablettenpresse
WO2020260600A1 (en) * 2019-06-26 2020-12-30 Fette Compacting Gmbh System and method for continuous processing of powder products
CN112454971A (zh) * 2020-04-20 2021-03-09 优品优家(深圳)科技有限公司 一种消毒杀菌泡腾片的加工设备
CN112545894A (zh) * 2020-12-05 2021-03-26 钱汉云 一种全自动的药片智能化加工工艺

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US8876510B2 (en) * 2009-08-31 2014-11-04 Sumitomo Bakelite Company Ltd. Molded body production device, molded body production method, and molded body
DE102013105924A1 (de) * 2013-06-07 2014-12-11 Dieffenbacher GmbH Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Presse zur Herstellung von Werkstoffplatten und Verfahren zum Betreiben einer derartigen Presse
BE1025278B1 (fr) * 2016-11-28 2019-01-09 S.A. Lhoist Recherche Et Developpement Procédé de transport pneumatique d’un matériau pulvérulent
CN110840747B (zh) * 2019-11-28 2021-10-01 安徽全康药业有限公司 一种用于制作杜仲雄花药丸的压丸设备及其制备方法
CN111282329B (zh) * 2020-03-05 2021-11-02 山东新昊化工有限公司 一种收料方便的固体化工原料制备用压滤机

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100021540A1 (en) * 2008-02-28 2010-01-28 Abbott Laboratories Tablets and Preparation Thereof
US20150217489A1 (en) * 2014-02-04 2015-08-06 Kikusui Seisakusho Ltd. Compression Molding Machine and Method of Producing Molded Product
US9555563B2 (en) * 2014-02-04 2017-01-31 Kikusui Seisakusho Ltd. Compression molding machine and method of producing molded product
US20160370253A1 (en) * 2015-06-19 2016-12-22 Sanyasi R. Kalidindi Powder segregation testing apparatus and method of using
DE102016123279A1 (de) * 2016-12-01 2018-06-07 Fette Compacting Gmbh Verfahren und System zum Zuführen eines Schmier- oder Trennmittels zu Presswerkzeugen einer Tablettenpresse
EP3335867A1 (de) * 2016-12-01 2018-06-20 Fette Compacting GmbH Verfahren und system zum zuführen eines schmier- oder trennmittels zu presswerkzeugen einer tablettenpresse
DE102016123279B4 (de) 2016-12-01 2019-02-21 Fette Compacting Gmbh Verfahren und System zum Zuführen eines Schmier- oder Trennmittels zu Presswerkzeugen einer Tablettenpresse
US10967597B2 (en) 2016-12-01 2021-04-06 Fette Compacting Gmbh Method and system for feeding a lubricating or releasing agent to pressing tools of a tablet press
WO2020260600A1 (en) * 2019-06-26 2020-12-30 Fette Compacting Gmbh System and method for continuous processing of powder products
EP3756640A1 (de) * 2019-06-26 2020-12-30 Fette Compacting GmbH System und verfahren zur kontinuierlichen herstellung fester darreichungsformen
CN112454971A (zh) * 2020-04-20 2021-03-09 优品优家(深圳)科技有限公司 一种消毒杀菌泡腾片的加工设备
CN112545894A (zh) * 2020-12-05 2021-03-26 钱汉云 一种全自动的药片智能化加工工艺

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US7766638B2 (en) 2010-08-03
EP1350504B1 (de) 2010-08-18
DE60142853D1 (de) 2010-09-30
JPWO2002045650A1 (ja) 2004-04-08
WO2002045650A1 (fr) 2002-06-13
KR20030068170A (ko) 2003-08-19
JP3983669B2 (ja) 2007-09-26
EP1350504A1 (de) 2003-10-08
EP1350504A4 (de) 2005-12-07
WO2002045650A9 (fr) 2003-11-13
ES2351113T3 (es) 2011-01-31
ATE477784T1 (de) 2010-09-15
AU2002221065A1 (en) 2002-06-18
US20080031989A1 (en) 2008-02-07

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