WO2018074259A1 - Method and device for producing cup - Google Patents

Method and device for producing cup Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018074259A1
WO2018074259A1 PCT/JP2017/036446 JP2017036446W WO2018074259A1 WO 2018074259 A1 WO2018074259 A1 WO 2018074259A1 JP 2017036446 W JP2017036446 W JP 2017036446W WO 2018074259 A1 WO2018074259 A1 WO 2018074259A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cup
sheet
lid
peripheral wall
molding
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2017/036446
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
潤 大山
剛 長池
Original Assignee
株式会社菊水製作所
第一三共株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 株式会社菊水製作所, 第一三共株式会社 filed Critical 株式会社菊水製作所
Publication of WO2018074259A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018074259A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C51/00—Shaping by thermoforming, i.e. shaping sheets or sheet like preforms after heating, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C51/08—Deep drawing or matched-mould forming, i.e. using mechanical means only
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C51/00—Shaping by thermoforming, i.e. shaping sheets or sheet like preforms after heating, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C51/26—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
    • B23K26/36—Removing material
    • B23K26/361—Removing material for deburring or mechanical trimming
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B47/00—Apparatus or devices for forming pockets or receptacles in or from sheets, blanks, or webs, comprising essentially a die into which the material is pressed or a folding die through which the material is moved
    • B65B47/02—Apparatus or devices for forming pockets or receptacles in or from sheets, blanks, or webs, comprising essentially a die into which the material is pressed or a folding die through which the material is moved with means for heating the material prior to forming

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cup having a volume from a sheet and an apparatus for manufacturing such a cup.
  • One of the methods used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations for oral administration is to compress powders that have been homogenized by adding additives such as excipients, binders, and disintegrants to the active ingredients, and then using light.
  • Some tablets are coated with a film coating in consideration of quality deterioration or patient use.
  • it may be difficult to compress a tablet having sufficient hardness necessary for distribution, formulation, and administration in the market, and the physical properties during film coating may be difficult.
  • the quality of the tablet may be impaired because a part of the molded body is damaged by the impact.
  • the solvent used for film coating may affect the stability of the active ingredient.
  • capsules examples include capsules.
  • Capsules are produced, for example, by filling pre-formed capsules with active ingredient powder and sealing them (see Patent Document 1 below).
  • capsules in principle, have only a standard and uniform shape and a standardized size, and it is difficult to obtain a characteristic appearance like a tablet. Furthermore, some capsules can be easily opened, and the contents of the capsules can be replaced.
  • a tablet containing an active ingredient is inserted between two gelatin sheets, and then the two sheets are bonded together and then punched into the shape of a preparation using a mold (the following patent document) 3).
  • a mold the following patent document 3
  • Gelatin is an animal protein although it is widely used in capsules.
  • hypromellose has been used as an alternative from the viewpoint of BSE infection.
  • the remaining portion 13 is bent outward from the edge of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1.
  • a laser whose optical axis is directed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the remaining portion 13, that is, in a direction substantially parallel to the peripheral wall 12. It is conceivable to irradiate the remaining part 13 with the light L.
  • the laser beam L must be precisely applied to the boundary between the remaining portion 13 and the peripheral wall 11, and it is difficult to control the irradiation position. The degree is high.
  • the present invention has been made by paying attention to the above-mentioned problem for the first time, and when forming a cup having a volume from a sheet, it is intended to easily and reliably cut off the remaining part of the sheet remaining in the opening of the cup. The purpose of the period.
  • the cup manufacturing method includes a forming step of forming a cup having a volume from a sheet, and a peripheral wall portion of the cup protruding from the remaining portion of the sheet so as to cut out the remaining portion of the sheet from the cup. And a processing step of irradiating a laser beam from a direction intersecting with respect to.
  • the processing step it is preferable to irradiate a laser beam having an optical axis directed in a direction intersecting a direction in which the rotation axis extends while rotating the sheet including the cup.
  • the cup is protruded from the sheet by moving the sheet relative to the male mold and pressing the sheet against the male mold.
  • the cup manufacturing apparatus includes a molding unit that molds a cup having a volume from a sheet, and a peripheral wall of the cup protruding from the remaining portion of the sheet so as to cut the remaining portion of the sheet from the cup. And a processing unit for irradiating the laser beam from a direction intersecting with.
  • the remaining part of the sheet remaining in the opening of the cup can be easily and reliably excised.
  • the perspective view which shows the powder compression unit and insertion unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment The sectional side view which shows the powder compression unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment.
  • cover molding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment The sectional side view which shows the lid
  • the molded product 3 in which the powder 30 is compressed is wrapped with the wrapping base sheets 10 and 20 to produce a wrapping tablet.
  • a molded product 3 obtained by compressing a powder 30 in advance is inserted into a cup 1 having a volume molded from a sheet 10, and the opening of the cup 1 is sealed with a lid 2 molded from the sheet 20.
  • the powder refers to an aggregate of minute individuals, and is a concept that includes an aggregate of particles such as so-called granules and an aggregate of powders having a shape smaller than the particles. As shown in FIGS.
  • the cups 1 and 2 and the preparation method of the present embodiment include a cup molding step of molding a cup 1 for receiving a molded product 3 from a sheet 10, and a powder.
  • the sheet 10 that is the material of the cup 1 is moved relative to the male mold 507, and the sheet 10 is pressed against the male mold 507, thereby the sheet.
  • the cup 1 having a volume protrudes from 10.
  • the cup 1 having a shape including the bottom wall 12 and the peripheral wall 11 standing along the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 12 is formed.
  • the cup molding process corresponds to the molding process according to the present invention.
  • the sheet 10 used as the material of the cup 1 is a thin film using a thermoplastic polymer material.
  • blend a plasticizer with the material of the said sheet
  • blend titanium oxide with the material of the sheet
  • an unnecessary portion of the unnecessary sheet 10 connected to the cup 1 is roughly cut off by laser processing for irradiating the sheet with the laser beam L, for example.
  • the wavelength of the laser beam L used for cutting the sheet 10 needs to be a wavelength that allows the sheet 10 to absorb the energy of the laser beam L.
  • a laser having a relatively long wavelength for example, a carbon dioxide gas laser having a wavelength of 10.6 ⁇ m or 9.4 ⁇ m is used.
  • the tip (upper end) of the lower punch 603 is inserted from below into a mortar hole 601 provided on the mortar table 602 that passes vertically, and the active ingredient (when the preparation is a pharmaceutical) is inserted into the mortar hole 601 Is filled with the powder 30 containing the main agent), and then the tip (lower end) of the upper punch 604 is inserted into the mortar hole 601 from above, and the powder in the mortar hole 601 is inserted by the upper punch 604 and the lower punch 603.
  • the molded body 3 is obtained by compressing the body 30 (see FIGS. 10 to 12).
  • the powder 30 to be compression-molded comprises an active ingredient and components other than the active ingredient (excipients, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, stabilizers, preservatives, etc. if the tablet is a medicine) May be a mixture of
  • the molded product 3 manufactured in the powder compression process does not necessarily have a necessary and sufficient hardness as a tablet that can be distributed on the market. As long as the shape retaining property can be maintained, the shape can be maintained. That is, in the powder compression step, the powder 30 may be compressed so strongly that the molded product 3 has sufficient hardness as a tablet, and the powder 30 is pressed at such a pressure that the molded product 3 does not easily break or collapse. May be compressed.
  • the bowl-shaped remaining portion 13 extending outward from the opening of the cup 1 is cut off.
  • the laser beam L whose optical axis is directed in a direction intersecting (particularly orthogonal) with respect to the direction in which the rotation axis ⁇ extends is applied to the sheet.
  • Laser processing is performed to irradiate a portion near the edge of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 protruding from the remaining portion 13 from the outside.
  • the cup processing step corresponds to the processing step according to the present invention.
  • the laser L used for cutting the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 is, for example, a carbon dioxide gas laser having a wavelength of 10.6 ⁇ m or 9.4 ⁇ m.
  • the sealing step includes a lid molding step for molding the lid 2 for sealing the opening of the cup 1 from the sheet 20, a lid processing step for cutting off the remaining portion 23 of the sheet 20 from the molded lid 2, and the peripheral wall of the lid 2 And a pressure-bonding step in which pressure is applied to 21 and pressure-bonded to the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1.
  • the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 is inserted is a male mold
  • the sheet 20 that is the material of the lid 2 is moved relative to the cup 1, and the sheet 20 Is pressed against the cup 1 so that the lid 2 having a shape that wraps the cup 1 from the sheet 20 is projected.
  • the lid 2 having a shape including the top wall 22 and the peripheral wall 21 hanging along the outer peripheral edge of the top wall 22 is formed.
  • the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is in close contact with the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1, and the top wall 22 of the lid 2 closes the opening of the cup 1.
  • the lid 2 is formed from the sheet 20 and has a volume for accommodating the molded product 3 and the cup 1, and corresponds to the cup according to the present invention.
  • cover 2 corresponds to the formation process which concerns on this invention.
  • the sheet 20 which is the material of the lid 2 is also a thin film using a thermoplastic polymer material, like the sheet which is the material of the cup 1.
  • a film made of, for example, piperomellose or polyvinyl alcohol is used as the sheet 20.
  • blend a plasticizer with the material of the said sheet
  • blend a titanium oxide with the material of the sheet
  • the adhesive layer 24 may be provided in advance on the side 20 which is in close contact with the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 (see FIGS. 19 and 20). However, it is not essential to provide the adhesive layer 24 on the sheet 20.
  • the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is joined to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1.
  • the adhesive layer 24 is provided on the sheet 20 of the material of the lid 2, due to the heat applied to the sheet 20 at this time, the adhesive layer 24 is separated from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 and the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1. Glue.
  • an unnecessary portion of the unnecessary sheet 20 connected to the lid 2 is roughly cut off by laser processing for irradiating the sheet 20 with laser light L, for example.
  • the opening 23 of the lid 2 in other words, the remaining portion 23 of the bowl-shaped sheet 20 extending outward from the edge of the peripheral wall 21 remains, and the lid 2 has a shape like a hat.
  • the laser L used for cutting the sheet 20 is, for example, a carbon dioxide gas laser having a wavelength of 10.6 ⁇ m or 9.4 ⁇ m.
  • the hook-like remaining portion 23 extending outward from the opening of the lid 2 is cut off.
  • the sheet 20 including the lid 2 is rotated around the various axes ⁇ of the cup 1, and the laser beam L having the optical axis directed in a direction intersecting (particularly orthogonal) to the direction in which the rotation axis ⁇ extends. Is applied to the portion near the edge of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 protruding from the remaining portion 23 of the sheet 20 from outside.
  • the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 is cut or otherwise damaged by the laser light L by focusing the laser light L on the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 and / or adjusting the output of the laser light L.
  • the remaining portion 23 of the sheet 20 is surely cut off from the lid 2 without leaving an unnecessary small piece of the sheet 20 at the opening edge of the lid 2, and the lid 2 having only the top wall 22 and the peripheral wall 21 is completed.
  • the lid processing step cuts the remaining portion 23 of the sheet 20 from the lid 2 that is the cup according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing step according to the present invention. Since the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 and the peripheral wall 21 of the lid are overlapped to complete the peripheral wall of the lapping tablet, the side surface of the wrapped molded product 3 is not exposed.
  • the laser L used for cutting the sheet 20 is, for example, a carbon dioxide gas laser having a wavelength of 10.6 ⁇ m or 9.4 ⁇ m.
  • the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is pressed from the outer side toward the inner side, and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is crimped to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1.
  • the lid 2 is molded from the sheet in the lid molding process, if the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 adheres sufficiently firmly to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1, such crimping may not be performed. .
  • the manufacturing apparatus used for carrying out the manufacturing method of the cups 1 and 2 and the preparation of the present embodiment includes a wrapping capsule forming machine 500 that forms a cup 1 and a lid 2 from a sheet, and a powder.
  • 30 is a set with a powder compression molding machine 600 that molds the molded product 3 from 30.
  • the manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment will be described in detail.
  • the cup molding unit A is in the wrapping capsule molding machine 500 and performs a cup molding process for molding the cup 1 having a volume from the sheet 10.
  • a circular sheet 10 having a predetermined size is cut out from the tape 502 of the sheet 10 that is the material of the cup 1 at the sheet cutting position 501.
  • the cutting of the sheet 10 is performed by irradiating the laser beam L along the outline of the cut sheet 10, for example.
  • the cut sheet 10 is held by the holding mechanism 504 at the forming position 503.
  • the retaining mechanism 504 sandwiches the sheet 10 from above and below by a pair of annular hollow members 505 and 506 that are paired up and down.
  • the lower member 506 of the retaining mechanism 504 can move between the sheet cutting position 501 and the forming position 503, receives the sheet 10 cut out at the sheet cutting position 501, and transports it to the forming position 503.
  • a substantially cylindrical male mold 507 protruding upward is waiting below the retaining mechanism 504. Then, hot air is blown toward the sheet 10 from the duct 508 having a fan, which exists on the side opposite to the male mold 507 as viewed from the sheet 10, that is, above the sheet 10. Warm up. Then, the holding mechanism 504 that holds and holds the sheet 10 descends toward the male mold 507 and presses the sheet 10 against the front end surface (upper end face) of the male mold 507 (FIG. 5).
  • the pressure on the male mold 507 side is reduced more than that on the duct 508 side when viewed from the sheet 10, specifically, the atmosphere below the sheet 10 is sucked, whereby the sheet 10 is moved to the front end (upper end) of the male mold 507.
  • the cup 1 having a volume corresponding to the outer shape of the tip of the male mold 507 is molded so as to protrude upward from the sheet 10.
  • the cup 1 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 11 that follows the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the male mold 507 and a bottom wall 12 that conforms to the shape of the distal end face of the male mold 507.
  • the cup reversing machine 509 has a suction arm 511 protruding from a horizontal support shaft 510 that can be rotated about a horizontal axis along a direction orthogonal thereto, and an opening of the cup 1 that faces downward. It plays a role of inverting the cup 1 so as to face upward.
  • the tip of the suction arm 511 has the same outer shape as the tip of the male mold 507.
  • a suction passage 512 for sucking the atmosphere is formed inside the cup reversing machine 509, and the suction passage 512 is opened at the front end surface of the suction arm 511.
  • the cup reversing machine 509 is positioned immediately below the cup 1 with the suction arm 511 facing upward. Thereafter, the holding mechanism 504 holding the sheet 10 is lowered again, and the tip of the suction arm 511 is inserted into the cup 1. In this state, when the suction passage 512 is sucked to be negative pressure, the sheet 10 including the cup 1 is sucked to the tip surface of the suction arm 511.
  • the excess part of the unnecessary sheet 10 connected to the opening of the cup 1 is irradiated with the laser beam L, and the excess part is cut off (FIG. 7).
  • the laser beam L is irradiated to a position that is slightly outward from the opening edge of the cup 1 along the Z-axis direction, ie, the vertical direction perpendicular to the surplus portion of the sheet 10 (from the top in the illustrated example).
  • scanning is performed to move the irradiation position of the laser light L so as to draw an arc along a circular outline ⁇ having a diameter larger than the opening edge of the cup 1.
  • the suction arm 511 that sucks the cup 1 and the horizontal support shaft 510 are rotated halfway and the suction arm 511 is turned downward to invert the cup 1, and the suction arm 511 and the horizontal
  • the support shaft 510 is displaced laterally along the X-axis direction, and the cup 1 with the opening facing upward is transported to a position directly above the transfer mechanism 513.
  • the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 is raised toward the suction arm 511.
  • the transfer body 514 is formed with a shaft hole 515 opening on the upper surface thereof.
  • the inner diameter of the shaft hole 515 is from the upper surface of the transfer body 514 to a depth substantially equal to the height dimension of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 (for example, to a depth of about 5 mm from the upper surface of the transfer body 514).
  • the outer diameter of the cup 1 is substantially smaller than the outer diameter of the peripheral wall of the cup 1.
  • the transfer body 514 descends and separates from the suction arm 511, and the cup reversing machine 509 returns to the original position (FIG. 9).
  • the male mold 507 rises toward the original position.
  • the transfer mechanism 513 in which the cup 1 is accommodated in the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514 functions to transfer the cup 1 so as to circulate around the units B, C, E, F, G, and H at various places.
  • the powder compression unit B is in the powder compression molding machine 600 and performs a powder compression process for compressing the powder 30 and obtaining the molded product 3 to be loaded in the cup 1.
  • the distal end portion (upper end) of the lower punch 603 is inserted into the mortar hole 601 of the mortar table 602 having the mortar hole 601 penetrating vertically.
  • the height of the lower punch 603 is adjusted to secure a volume for filling the required amount of the powder 30 in the mortar hole 601.
  • the upper punch 604 facing the mortar hole 601 is raised to open the area around the mortar hole 601 on the mortar table 602.
  • the filling device (feed) 605 is moved along the upper surface of the die table 602 so as to cover the die hole 601 of the die table 602 from above, and the powder 30 is filled into the die hole 601 (FIG. 11). . After the filling of the powder 30, the filling device 605 retracts from the area around the die hole 601 on the die table 602.
  • the upper punch 604 is lowered and the tip (lower end) thereof is inserted into the mortar hole 601 from above, and the powder 30 in the mortar 601 is formed by the tip of the upper punch 604 and the tip of the lower punch 603. Are pressed and compressed to form the molded product 3 (FIG. 12).
  • the insertion unit C is in the powder compression molding machine 600 and shares the same components as the powder compression unit B, and inserts the molded product 3 obtained by compressing the powder 30 into the cup 1. Run the insertion process. As shown in FIGS. 10, 13, and 14, in the insertion unit C, after the compression of the powder 30 by the powder compression step is completed, the lower punch 603 is lowered and the tip surface (upper end surface) is formed. Pull away from the bottom surface of product 3. At this time, the molded product 3 formed by compressing the powder 30 remains in the mortar hole 601. Further, the upper punch 604 and the mortar table 602 are raised to secure a space opened laterally along the Y-axis direction below the mortar hole 601.
  • the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 that accommodates the cup 1 in the shaft hole 515 and supports the cup 1 enters the space from below along the Y-axis direction (FIG. 13).
  • the axial hole 515 of the transfer body 514 that has entered the space and the central axis ⁇ of the cup 1 are coaxial with the central axis of the mortar hole 601 of the mortar table 602, that is, from the Z-axis direction in which both central axes are up and down. Look and agree.
  • the upper punch 604 is lowered, and the molded product 3 staying in the mortar 601 is pushed into the cup 1 from above (FIG. 14). As a result, the molded product 3 is inserted into the cup 1. Then, the upper punch 604 is raised again and the transfer body 514 is slightly lowered to retract the transfer body 514 from the space below the mortar table 602. When the transfer body 514 is retracted, the mortar table 602 is lowered to the original position, and the distal end portion of the upper punch 604 comes out of the mortar hole 601. In addition, the lower eyelid 603 is also raised, and the tip part thereof enters the mortar hole 601 again.
  • the cup processing unit E is in the wrapping capsule molding machine 500 and cuts off the remaining portion 13 of the bowl-shaped sheet 10 projecting outward from the opening of the cup 1 in which the molded product 3 is inserted. Operates the cup processing process.
  • a turntable 522 for rotating the cup 1 to be processed around its central axis ⁇ is advanced toward the processing position 523 (FIG. 15). 16).
  • the turntable 522 includes a shaft body 524 and a piston 525 that extend in the vertical direction and can rotate about a central axis thereof, that is, a vertical axis, and a motor 526 that serves as a drive source for rotationally driving the shaft body 524.
  • a negative pressure passage 527 extending along the vertical direction and a negative pressure generating space 528 located below the negative pressure passage 527 and communicating with the negative pressure passage 527 are formed.
  • the negative pressure passage 527 opens at the tip end surface (upper end surface) of the shaft body 524.
  • the piston 525 is inserted into the negative pressure generation space 528 from below.
  • the shaft body 524 and the piston 525 are spline-coupled, for example, and the piston 525 can be displaced relative to the shaft body 524 along the vertical direction, while the shaft body 524 rotates around the central axis.
  • the piston 525 and the shaft body 524 rotate together.
  • the volume of the negative pressure generating space 528 expands and contracts as the piston 525 moves up and down relatively with respect to the shaft body 524.
  • the piston 525 is directly connected to the output shaft of the motor 526.
  • the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 that supports the cup 1 in which the molded product 3 is inserted moves above the turntable 522.
  • the center axis of the shaft body 524 is coaxial with the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514 and the center axis ⁇ of the cup 1.
  • the tip end portion (upper end portion) of the shaft body 524 is accommodated in the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514, and the tip end surface is in contact with or in close proximity to the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1. .
  • the tip portion of the shaft body 524 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the transfer body 514, and the cup 13 and the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 are moved up so as to push up the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1. It floats from the upper surface of the transfer body 514.
  • the piston 525 connected to the motor 526 is displaced downward relative to the shaft body 524, and the volume of the negative pressure generating space 528 is expanded to generate a negative pressure.
  • the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 is adsorbed to the tip surface of the shaft body 524 through the passage 527.
  • the laser beam L is emitted from the side along the X-axis direction to a portion near the edge (upper end) of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 in order to cut off the bowl-shaped remaining portion 13 connected to the opening of the cup 1. Irradiate.
  • a mirror (or a 45 ° right angle prism) 529 that reflects the laser beam L and directs its optical axis in the X-axis direction faces the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 levitated from the upper surface of the transfer body 514 from the X-axis direction. Place at height.
  • the motor 526 is activated to rotate the piston 525, the shaft body 524, and the cup 1 adsorbed to the piston 525 around the central axis ⁇ , and the laser light L is sent to the edge of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 via the mirror 529. Irradiate the region near the end (FIG. 17). The irradiation with the laser light L continues until the irradiation position circulates a plurality of times (for example, two times) along the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1. As a result, the remaining portion 13 of the bowl-shaped sheet 10 can be cut off from the opening of the cup 1. The remaining part 13 of the sheet 10 separated from the cup 1 is removed by suction later.
  • the shaft body 524 After cutting the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 from the cup 1, the shaft body 524 is lowered and the transfer body 514 is raised. At this time, since the piston 525 is displaced relatively upward with respect to the shaft body 524, the negative pressure adsorbing the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 on the tip surface of the shaft body 524 disappears. Note that the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 that has been engaged with the periphery of the opening of the shaft hole 515 on the upper surface of the transfer body 514 has already been separated from the cup 1, but as already described, the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514 The inner diameter of the lower portion is narrower than the outer shape of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1.
  • the cup 1 rises together with the transfer body 514 while being supported by the transfer body 514 without falling deeply into the shaft hole 515.
  • the turntable 522 is retracted from the processing position 523.
  • the sealing unit is in the wrapping capsule molding machine 500 and performs a sealing process for sealing the opening of the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 is inserted with the sheet 20.
  • the sealing unit includes a lid forming unit F, a lid processing unit G, and a pressure bonding unit H described below.
  • the lid molding unit F shares the same components as the cup molding unit A, and performs a lid molding process for molding the lid 2 for sealing the opening of the cup 1 from the sheet 20.
  • the holding mechanism that lowers the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 that supports the cup 1 from which the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 is cut off and is located at the forming position 503. Move to a position below 504.
  • the sheet cutting position 501 the circular sheet 20 having a predetermined size is cut out from the tape 530 of the sheet 20 that is the material of the lid 2, and the cut sheet 20 is held by the holding mechanism 504 at the molding position 503 (FIG. 19).
  • the lower member 506 of the retaining mechanism 504 receives the sheet 20 cut out at the sheet cutting position 501 and transports it to the forming position 503.
  • the cutting of the sheet 20 that is the material of the lid 2 is performed by the same laser treatment as the cutting of the sheet 10 that is the material of the cup 1.
  • an adhesive layer 24 may be provided in advance on the downward surface of the sheet 20 that is the material of the lid 2.
  • the support shaft 531 is inserted into the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514 from below the transfer body 514.
  • the support shaft 531 plays a role of supporting the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 is inserted, which is a male mold when the lid 2 is molded from the sheet, from below.
  • a suction passage 532 for sucking the atmosphere is formed inside the support shaft 531, and the suction passage 532 is open to the front end surface (upper end surface) of the support shaft 531.
  • the support shaft 531 raises the bottom surface 12 of the cup 1 to a height substantially equal to the upper surface of the transfer body 514 by raising the tip surface of the support shaft 531 to a height substantially equal to the upper surface of the transfer body 514. It is exposed upward from the shaft hole 515. In this state, the suction passage 532 is sucked to be negative pressure, and the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 is attracted to and fixed to the tip surface of the support shaft 531.
  • thermoplastic sheet 20 is heated by blowing warm air toward the sheet 20 from the duct 508 having a built-in fan on the opposite side of the cup 1 as viewed from the sheet 20, that is, above the sheet 20. To do. Thereafter, the holding mechanism 504 holding and holding the sheet 20 descends toward the male cup 1, and the sheet 20 is inserted into the opening edge (upper edge) of the cup 1 and the molded product 3 inserted into the cup 1. Press against the top surface (FIG. 20). At the same time, the cup 1 side is decompressed more than the duct 508 side as viewed from the sheet 20, more specifically, by sucking the atmosphere below the sheet 20, the sheet 20 is brought into the cup 1 (and the upper surface of the transfer body 514). (Fig. 21).
  • the lid 2 having a volume corresponding to the outer shape of the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 and the upper surface of the molded product 3 is molded so as to protrude upward from the sheet 20.
  • the lid 2 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 21 along the shape of the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 and a top wall 22 along the shape of the upper surface of the molded product 3.
  • the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is bonded to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1, and the lower surface of the top wall 22 is bonded to the upper surface of the molded product 3 inserted in the cup 1.
  • the adhesive layer 24 is provided in advance on the downward surface of the sheet 20 serving as the lid 2, that is, the surface facing the cup 1 and the molded product 3, the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 is formed when the lid 2 is molded.
  • the bottom surface of the top wall 22 having the adhesive layer 24 is adhered to the upper surface of the molded product 3 inserted in the cup 1.
  • the suction of the suction passage 532 of the support shaft 531 is stopped, and the suction of the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 to the front end surface of the support shaft 531 is released.
  • the retaining mechanism 504 rises while sandwiching the sheet 20 on which the lid 2 is formed, and the transfer body 514 also rises following the retaining mechanism 504.
  • the cup 1 and the lid 2 are joined, the sheet 20 integrated with the lid 2 is sandwiched between the retaining mechanisms 504, and the surplus portion of the sheet 20 is placed on the upper surface of the transfer body 514. Therefore, the cup 1 and the lid 2 are also lifted together with the holding mechanism 504 and the transfer body 514 while being exposed upward from the upper surface of the transfer body 514.
  • the excess portion of the unnecessary sheet 20 connected to the opening of the lid 2 is irradiated with the laser light L, and the excess portion is cut off (FIG. 22).
  • the laser beam L is irradiated along the vertical direction perpendicular to the surplus portion of the sheet 20 to the position slightly outward from the opening edge of the lid 2, and the irradiation position of the laser beam L is also the lid 2.
  • the scanning is performed so as to draw an arc along a circular outline ⁇ having a diameter larger than that of the opening edge.
  • seat 20 is cut
  • the remaining portion 23 of the bowl-shaped sheet 20 that is bent from the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 and projects outward is left in the opening of the lid 2 where excess portions of the sheet 20 are cut off.
  • the remaining portion 23 of the sheet 20 engages with the periphery of the opening of the shaft hole 515 on the upper surface of the transfer body 514, and keeps the cup 1 and the lid 2 protruding upward from the upper surface of the transfer body 514.
  • the surplus part of the sheet 20 cut off from the lid 2 is removed by suction later.
  • the transfer body 514 supporting the cup 1 and the lid 2 is slightly lowered, and the support shaft 531 is largely retracted downward.
  • the lid processing unit G shares the same components as the cup processing unit E, and a lid processing step of cutting off the remaining portion 23 of the bowl-shaped sheet 20 projecting outward from the opening of the lid 2 sealing the cup 1. Run. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, in the lid processing unit G, first, the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 that supports the cup 1 and the lid 2 is moved toward the processing position 523 (FIG. 23). The transfer body 514 stands by at a position above the turntable 522. In addition, the turntable 522 is advanced toward the machining position 523.
  • the central axis of the shaft body 524 of the turntable 522 and the central axis ⁇ of the shaft hole 515, the cup 1 and the lid 2 of the transfer body 514 are coaxial. Thereafter, when the transfer body 514 is lowered, the tip end portion of the shaft body 524 is accommodated in the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514, and the tip end surface thereof comes into contact with or very close to the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1. In this state, when the shaft body 524 is raised, the tip of the shaft body 524 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the transfer body 514 and pushes up the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 so that the remaining portion of the cup 1, the lid 2 and the sheet. From the upper surface of the transfer body 514.
  • the piston 525 connected to the motor 526 is displaced downward relative to the shaft body 524, and the volume of the negative pressure generating space 528 is expanded to generate a negative pressure.
  • the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 is adsorbed to the tip surface of the shaft body 524 through the passage 527.
  • the laser beam L is emitted from the side along the X-axis direction to a portion near the edge (lower end) of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 in order to cut off the bowl-shaped remaining portion 23 connected to the opening of the lid 2. Irradiate.
  • a mirror 529 that reflects the laser beam L and directs its optical axis in the X-axis direction is arranged at a height that faces the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 that floats from the upper surface of the transfer body 514 from the X-axis direction.
  • the motor 526 is activated to rotate the piston 525, the shaft body 524, and the cup 1 and the lid 2 adsorbed to the shaft body 524 around the central axis ⁇ , while the laser beam L is covered via the mirror 529. 2 is irradiated to the vicinity of the edge of the peripheral wall 21 (FIG. 24). The irradiation with the laser light L is continued until the irradiation position circulates a plurality of times (for example, two times) along the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2. As a result, the remaining portion 23 of the bowl-shaped sheet 20 can be cut off from the opening of the lid 2. The remaining part 23 of the sheet 20 cut off from the lid 2 is removed by suction later.
  • the crimping unit H presses the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 from the outer side toward the inner side, and crimps the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 following the above-described lid processing step. Performs the crimping process. As shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, in the crimping unit H, the crimping mechanism 533 for pressing the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is attracted to the shaft body 524 of the turntable 522 from the side along the Y-axis direction. Moved to the vicinity of the cup 1 and the lid 2 (FIG. 26).
  • the pressure-bonding mechanism 533 includes a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) pressure-bonding rollers 534 arranged so as to surround the cup 1 and the lid 2, heaters 535 incorporated in the pressure-bonding rollers 534, the pressure-bonding rollers 534, And a roller support 536 that supports the heater 535.
  • Each of the pressure rollers 534 can rotate around the vertical axis.
  • the heater 535 functions to increase the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the pressure roller 534.
  • the roller support 536 includes an air chuck that can horizontally move the pressure-bonding rollers 534 that are supported toward the center of the roller support 536 and horizontally move away from the center.
  • each pressure roller 534 is displaced toward the center of the roller support 536 by an air chuck provided in the roller support 536 (FIG. 27). That is, the outer peripheral surface of each pressure roller 534 is brought into contact with the outer surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2, and the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is sandwiched from the outer side by the pressure roller 534.
  • the shaft body 524 of the turntable 522 adsorbing the cup 1 and the lid 2 is driven to rotate, and the lid 2 and the cup 1 sandwiched between the pressure-bonding rollers 534 are rotated around the central axis ⁇ . Thereby, it is possible to press the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 toward the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 while heating the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 via the pressure roller 534.
  • the air chuck is driven to support each pressure roller 534 as a roller. It is displaced in a direction away from the center of the body 536, and the cup 1 and the lid 2 are released from the pinching pressure by each pressure roller 534. Thereafter, the crimping mechanism 533 is retracted to the original position. Further, the shaft body 524 of the turntable 522 is lowered and the transfer body 514 is raised.
  • the negative pressure adsorbing the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 on the tip surface of the shaft body 524 disappears.
  • the remaining portion 23 of the sheet 20 that has been engaged with the periphery of the opening of the shaft hole 515 on the upper surface of the transfer body 514 has already been separated from the lid 2, but the outer diameter of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2, that is, the completed wrapping tablet. Since the outer diameter of the wrapping tablet is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514, the completed wrapping tablet does not fall into the shaft hole 515, and is transferred while being supported above the upper surface of the transfer body 514. It will rise with the body 514.
  • the heater 535 for heating the pressure roller 534 is not essential. If the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 can be bonded sufficiently firmly to the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 without heating the pressure roller 534, it is not necessary to incorporate the heater 535 in the pressure roller 534.
  • the crimping unit H and the crimping process itself are not essential.
  • the lid forming process when the lid 2 is molded from the sheet using the cup 1 with the molded products 3 and 4 inserted as a male mold, the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is sufficiently strong to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1. If it adheres to, the crimping
  • the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 transfers the completed wrapping tablet to the product collection position in the manufacturing apparatus (the wrapping capsule forming machine 500). Then, the completed wrapping tablet is dropped into a discharge port (chute) installed at the product collection position.
  • a molding process for molding the cups 1 and 2 having a volume from the sheets 10 and 20; , 20 while rotating the sheets 10 and 20 including the cups 1 and 2 in order to cut off the remaining portions 13 and 23, the laser beam L with the optical axis directed in the direction intersecting the direction in which the rotation axis ⁇ extends
  • a processing step for irradiating a portion protruding from the remaining portions 13 and 23 of the sheets 10 and 20 (particularly, near the edge of the peripheral walls 11 and 21).
  • the cups 1 and 2 manufacturing apparatus includes a molding unit (a cup molding unit A and a lid molding unit F) for projecting the cups 1 and 2 having a volume from the sheets 10 and 20, and the cups 1 and 2.
  • a molding unit a cup molding unit A and a lid molding unit F
  • the sheet 10 and 20 is rotated by rotating the sheet including the cups 1 and 2 with the laser beam L having the optical axis directed in the direction intersecting the direction in which the rotation axis ⁇ extends.
  • the processing units (cup processing unit E, lid processing unit G) for irradiating the portions protruding from the remaining portions 13 and 23 are provided.
  • the remaining portions 13 and 23 of the sheets 10 and 20 are reliably cut from the cups 1 and 2 without strictly controlling the irradiation position of the laser light L on the sheets 10 and 20 including the cups 1 and 2. It becomes possible to do.
  • the sheet 10 is moved relative to the male mold 507, and the sheet 10 is pressed against the male mold 507, so that the cup 1 having a volume protrudes from the sheet 10.
  • the male mold 507 is fixed and then the sheet 10 is moved (lowered) toward the male mold 507.
  • the male mold 507 is moved toward the sheet 10 after the sheet 10 is fixed.
  • both the sheet 10 and the male mold 507 may be moved in the direction of approaching each other.
  • the sheet 20 is moved relative to the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 is inserted, and the sheet 20 is pressed against the cup 1 as a male mold.
  • the lid 2 which is a cup is protruded.
  • the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 to be a male mold is inserted is fixed and then the sheet 20 is moved (lowered) toward the cup 1, but the molding is performed after the sheet 20 is fixed.
  • the cup 1 in which the product 3 is inserted may be moved toward the sheet 20, or both the sheet 20 and the cup 1 may be moved in a direction close to each other.
  • a processing step for cutting off the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 from the cup 1 in which the molded product 3 is inserted is performed.
  • the manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment also includes a processing unit (cup processing unit) E that cuts the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 from the cup 1 in which the molded product 3 is inserted. Since the insertion step is performed with the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 left in the opening of the cup 1, the rigidity of the cup 1 can be secured when the molded product 3 is inserted, and the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 is inserted is supported. Cheap.
  • the sheets 10 and 20 that are the materials of the cup 1 and the lid 2 are each a film made of a thermoplastic polymer material, for example, a film made of piperomellose or polyvinyl alcohol. In the case of producing a pharmaceutical preparation, it is a film of a material that dissolves in the body of a person who has taken it.
  • the insertion process of inserting the molded product 3 into the cup 1 is also performed in the powder compression molding machine 600 that performs the powder compression process.
  • an insertion unit D that performs the insertion process is provided in the wrapping capsule molding machine 500.
  • the molded product 3 molded in advance is stored in a magazine 516 that can hold a plurality of molded products 3 in series along the vertical direction.
  • the molded product 3 may be a product obtained by compressing the powder 30 using a powder compression molding machine 600, or compressing the powder 30 using a powder compression molding machine different from the molding machine 600. It may be what you did.
  • the step of compressing the powder 30 to form the molded product 3 corresponds to the powder compression step
  • the powder compression molding machine used to perform the powder compression step is a powder compression unit. It corresponds to.
  • the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 that accommodates and supports the cup 1 in the shaft hole 515 is inserted into the insertion unit C in the powder compression molding machine 600. Instead, it is transferred to the insertion unit D in the wrapping capsule forming machine 500. At this time, the transfer body 514 enters below the base 517 on which the magazine 516 is placed (FIG. 29). An insertion port 518 penetrating in the vertical direction is bored at a position on the base 517 near the magazine 516. The inner diameter of the inlet 518 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the upper end portion of the base 517 that supports the cup 1.
  • the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514 that has entered below the base 517 and the central axis ⁇ of the cup 1 are coaxial with the input port 518 of the base 517. Thereafter, the transfer body 514 is raised, and the upper end thereof is inserted into the charging port 518 of the base 517 from below. At this time, the height of the upper surface of the transfer body 514 is substantially flush with the height of the upper surface of the base 517.
  • the driving body 519 located at the bottom of the magazine 516 advances from the side along the X-axis direction to a position directly above the input port 518 and the transfer body 514.
  • the driving body 519 is a flat member having a thickness of one molded product 3 to be inserted into the cup 1 or slightly smaller than that, and has a catching hole 520 penetrating in the vertical direction at an end thereof.
  • the inner diameter of the capture hole 520 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the molded product 3.
  • the drive body 519 After the pusher 521 that has pushed the molded product 4 into the cup 1 is raised, the drive body 519 is retracted to the original position. At this time, the catching hole 520 of the driving body 519 returns to a position immediately below the plurality of molded products 3 held by the magazine 516 to receive a new molded product 3.
  • the transfer body 514 supporting the cup 1 in which the molded product 3 is inserted descends, and its upper end portion escapes from the charging port 518. Thereafter, the transfer body 514 moves above the turntable 522 in the cup processing unit E.
  • the production method and production method of the preparation according to the present invention are also useful for the production of a compounding agent for blending a plurality of types of powders and a layering agent for laminating a plurality of types of powders.
  • a compounding agent or a laminating agent in which two or more active ingredients are enclosed in the cup 1 can be easily produced by inserting a plurality of molded products into one cup 1. It is also conceivable to enclose a powder, a film, or the like that is not compression molded into the cup 1 together with one or a plurality of molded products.
  • the cup 1 is filled with non-compressed powder, liquid, sol, gel, etc., and the cup 1 is sealed with a lid 2. It is also allowed to manufacture.
  • the contents of the wrapping capsule including the cup 1 and the lid 2 as elements are not limited to a molded product obtained by compressing powder.
  • the molding machine constituting the powder compression unit B in the above embodiment is the vertical powder compression molding machine 600, a rotary powder compression molding machine may be adopted as the molding machine constituting the powder compression unit. Good.
  • a laser device for performing a cutting process a laser device for performing a process of cutting out the sheet 20 that is a material of the lid 2 from the tape 530, a laser device for performing a process of cutting an excess portion of the sheet 20, and the lid 2
  • a laser apparatus for performing the process of cutting off the remaining portion 23 from the opening edge is common, and a mirror (or prism) 529 is used to change the direction of the optical axis of the laser light L when the remaining portions 13 and 23 are cut off. It was. However, it is not always necessary to perform these processes using the same laser device, and it goes without saying that a plurality of laser devices may be mounted to improve the production capacity.
  • the laser beam L with the optical axis directed in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the rotation axis ⁇ extends extends outside the region near the edges of the peripheral walls 11, 21. Irradiated from the direction.
  • the optical axis of the laser beam L irradiated to the portion near the edge of the peripheral walls 11 and 21 may be tilted from the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis ⁇ .
  • the peripheral walls 11 and 21, the bottom wall 12 or the top wall 22 of the cups 1 and 2 It is also possible to form through holes, non-through holes, grooves, cuts, or the like. In that case, it is conceivable to make a hole or a hole or to reduce the thickness of a part of the cup 1 or 2 by laser processing that irradiates the cup 1 or 2 with the laser beam L.
  • the preparation of the above embodiment has a perfect circle shape in plan view
  • the shape of the preparation is not limited to this.
  • the present invention is applied to the production of a triangular, quadrilateral, hexagonal or other polygonal preparation in a plan view, or a shape that is not a regular polygonal shape in a plan view, specifically a preparation having an elliptical shape or a teardrop shape in a plan view. It is also possible to do.
  • a processing step of cutting off the remaining portions 13 and 23 of the sheets 10 and 20 from the cups 1 and 2 is performed.
  • the rotation axis ⁇ is simply set at the center of the peripheral walls 11, 21, the cups 1, 2 are rotated, and the laser light L is irradiated near the edge of the peripheral walls 11, 21 from the outside.
  • the cups 1 and 2 are rotated. It is necessary to change the axis ⁇ in a timely manner.
  • the peripheral walls 11 and 21 of the cups 1 and 2 in the illustrated example include a rounded chamfered corner portion 91 (represented by a solid line) and a side portion 92 (represented by a chain line) that connects two adjacent corner portions 91 to each other. It is.
  • the outer surfaces of the corner portion 91 and the side portion 92 are both partially cylindrical. That is, each of the corner portion 91 and the side portion 92 has a partially arcuate outline in a plan view. In plan view, the radius of curvature of the contour of the corner 91 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the contour of the side 92.
  • the processing units E and G which operate a process process rotate the sheet
  • the directed laser light L was applied to the peripheral walls 11 and 21 of the cups 1 and 2 protruding from the remaining portions 13 and 23 of the sheets 10 and 20.
  • the processing unit without rotating the sheets 10 and 20 including the cups 1 and 2, the laser light L having the optical axis directed in the direction intersecting the peripheral walls 11 and 21 of the cups 1 and 2, It is also conceivable to irradiate the peripheral walls 11 and 21.
  • the optical axis of the laser beam L is rotated (oscillated) around an axis parallel or substantially parallel to the peripheral walls 11 and 21 in the course of the processing step.
  • scanning is performed to displace the irradiation position of the laser light along the peripheral walls 11 and 21.
  • the laser light is adjusted in accordance with the movement of the irradiation position of the laser light L (expansion / contraction of the optical path length to the irradiation position) so that the energy of the laser light L irradiated to the peripheral walls 11 and 21 is uniform regardless of the irradiation position. It is necessary to increase or decrease the focal length of L and / or the output of the laser beam L.
  • the peripheral walls 11 and 21 of the cups 1 and 2 in the illustrated example include a rounded chamfered corner portion 91 and a side portion 92 that connects two adjacent corner portions 91 to each other.
  • the focal length of the laser light L and / or the output of the laser light L is emitted when irradiating L (FIG. 33 (I)) and when irradiating the side 92 with the laser light L (FIG. 33 (II)).
  • the control conditions for increase / decrease will be changed.
  • the peripheral walls 11 and 21 have a circular shape in plan view as in the above embodiment, the peripheral walls 11 and 21 are divided into a plurality of parts (90 around an axis parallel to the peripheral walls 11 and 21).
  • the laser beam L irradiation and the remaining part are changed while changing the focal length of the laser beam L and / or the control condition of increase / decrease in the output of the laser beam L for each part. 13 and 23 can be cut out.
  • the object to be manufactured using the manufacturing method or the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to medicine. You may utilize this invention for manufacture of formulations other than a pharmaceutical.

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to simply and reliably cut off the remainder of a sheet present on an opening of a cup having a certain volume, when the cup is moulded from the sheet. A method for producing a cup according to the present invention is provided with: a moulding step in which a cup having a certain volume is moulded from a sheet; and a processing step in which a part of the circumferential wall of the cup, said part protruding from the remainder of the sheet, is irradiated with a laser beam from a direction intersecting the circumferential wall, in order to cut the remainder of the sheet from the cup.

Description

カップの製造方法及び製造装置Cup manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus
　本発明は、シートから容積を持つカップを製造する方法及びそのようなカップの製造装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cup having a volume from a sheet and an apparatus for manufacturing such a cup.
　経口投与する医薬の製剤を製造するにあたり、用いられる方法のひとつとして、有効成分に賦形剤や結合剤、崩壊剤等の添加剤を加えて均質化した粉体を圧縮成形した後、光による品質の劣化あるいは患者の使用を考慮してフィルムコーティングを施して錠剤化するものがある。しかしながら、有効成分の種類によっては、市場において流通しまたは処方、投薬するのに必要十分な硬度を有した錠剤を打錠することが困難であることもある他、フィルムコーティングの際の物理的な衝撃によって成形体の一部が破損するために錠剤の品質が損なわれることがある。また、フィルムコーティングの際に使用する溶媒により、有効成分の安定性に影響を及ぼすこともある。 One of the methods used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations for oral administration is to compress powders that have been homogenized by adding additives such as excipients, binders, and disintegrants to the active ingredients, and then using light. Some tablets are coated with a film coating in consideration of quality deterioration or patient use. However, depending on the type of active ingredient, it may be difficult to compress a tablet having sufficient hardness necessary for distribution, formulation, and administration in the market, and the physical properties during film coating may be difficult. The quality of the tablet may be impaired because a part of the molded body is damaged by the impact. In addition, the solvent used for film coating may affect the stability of the active ingredient.
　錠剤以外の態様の製剤としては、カプセル剤が挙げられる。カプセル剤は、例えば、予め成形したカプセルに有効成分の粉体を充填して封止し製造される（下記特許文献１を参照）。だが、カプセル剤には、原則として定型の画一的な形状及び規格化されたサイズのものしか存在せず、錠剤のように特徴のある外観を得ることが困難である。さらに、カプセルによっては開封が容易なものがあり、カプセルの内容物を入れ替えることができる。 Examples of preparations other than tablets include capsules. Capsules are produced, for example, by filling pre-formed capsules with active ingredient powder and sealing them (see Patent Document 1 below). However, capsules, in principle, have only a standard and uniform shape and a standardized size, and it is difficult to obtain a characteristic appearance like a tablet. Furthermore, some capsules can be easily opened, and the contents of the capsules can be replaced.
　一方で、熱可塑性フィルムで成形したカップに充填した粉体を、杵で圧縮してから封止することで製造される態様のものがある（下記特許文献２を参照）。 On the other hand, there is an embodiment manufactured by compressing a powder filled in a cup formed of a thermoplastic film with a scissors and then sealing (see Patent Document 2 below).
　あるいは、二枚のゼラチンシートの間に有効成分を含む錠剤を挿入後、二枚のシートを接着した上で金型を以て製剤の形状に打ち抜くことで製造される態様のものもある（下記特許文献３を参照）。この製剤を製造するためには、別の装置を用いて予め錠剤を製造しておく必要がある。ゼラチンは、カプセル剤に汎用されてはいるものの動物性タンパクであり、近年ではＢＳＥ感染の観点よりヒプロメロースが代替として使用されている。 Alternatively, there is also an embodiment in which a tablet containing an active ingredient is inserted between two gelatin sheets, and then the two sheets are bonded together and then punched into the shape of a preparation using a mold (the following patent document) 3). In order to manufacture this formulation, it is necessary to manufacture a tablet beforehand using another apparatus. Gelatin is an animal protein although it is widely used in capsules. In recent years, hypromellose has been used as an alternative from the viewpoint of BSE infection.
特開平１０－１９２３７０号公報Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-192370 特許第４４１７２４６号公報Japanese Patent No. 4417246 特開２００９－１９６９５８号公報JP 2009-196958 A
　シートから容積を持つカップを作製する、例えば図３４に示すような底壁１２から周壁１１が起立した形状のカップ１を成形するとき、その開口部即ち周壁１１の縁端に鍔状にシートが残る。よって、このシートの残部１３をカップ１から切除する必要が生じる。 When a cup having a volume is produced from a sheet, for example, when the cup 1 having a shape in which the peripheral wall 11 stands from the bottom wall 12 as shown in FIG. Remain. Therefore, it is necessary to cut off the remaining portion 13 of the sheet from the cup 1.
　残部１３は、カップ１の周壁１１の縁端から外側方に屈曲している。残部１３をカップ１から切り取るための典型的な方法としては、図３４に示しているように、残部１３に対し略直交する方向から、即ち周壁１２と略平行な方向に光軸を向けたレーザ光Ｌを残部１３に照射することが考えられる。しかし、カップ１に余分なシートの小片を残さないようにするには、レーザ光Ｌを残部１３と周壁１１との境界に精密に照射しなければならず、そのような照射位置の制御の難易度は高い。 The remaining portion 13 is bent outward from the edge of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1. As a typical method for cutting off the remaining portion 13 from the cup 1, as shown in FIG. 34, a laser whose optical axis is directed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the remaining portion 13, that is, in a direction substantially parallel to the peripheral wall 12. It is conceivable to irradiate the remaining part 13 with the light L. However, in order not to leave an extra small piece of sheet on the cup 1, the laser beam L must be precisely applied to the boundary between the remaining portion 13 and the peripheral wall 11, and it is difficult to control the irradiation position. The degree is high.
　本発明は、上記の問題に初めて着目してなされたものであり、シートから容積を持つカップを成形する際に当該カップの開口部に存留するシートの残部を簡便かつ確実に切除することを所期の目的としている。 The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above-mentioned problem for the first time, and when forming a cup having a volume from a sheet, it is intended to easily and reliably cut off the remaining part of the sheet remaining in the opening of the cup. The purpose of the period.
　本発明に係るカップの製造方法は、シートから容積を持つカップを成形する成形工程と、前記カップから前記シートの残部を切り取るべく、シートの残部から突出しているカップの周壁の部位に、当該周壁に対して交差する方向からレーザ光を照射する加工工程とを具備する。 The cup manufacturing method according to the present invention includes a forming step of forming a cup having a volume from a sheet, and a peripheral wall portion of the cup protruding from the remaining portion of the sheet so as to cut out the remaining portion of the sheet from the cup. And a processing step of irradiating a laser beam from a direction intersecting with respect to.
　このような方法によれば、カップを含むシートに対するレーザ光の照射位置を厳密に制御しなくとも、カップからシートの残部を確実に除去することが可能となる。 According to such a method, it is possible to reliably remove the remainder of the sheet from the cup without strictly controlling the irradiation position of the laser beam on the sheet including the cup.
　前記加工工程では、カップを含むシートを回転させつつ、その回転軸の伸びる方向に対して交差する方向に光軸を向けたレーザ光を照射することが好ましい。 In the processing step, it is preferable to irradiate a laser beam having an optical axis directed in a direction intersecting a direction in which the rotation axis extends while rotating the sheet including the cup.
　前記成形工程では、例えば、前記シートを雄型に対して相対的に移動させ、シートを雄型に押し当てることで、シートから容積を持つカップを突出させる。 In the molding step, for example, the cup is protruded from the sheet by moving the sheet relative to the male mold and pressing the sheet against the male mold.
　本発明に係るカップの製造装置は、シートから容積を持つカップを成形する成形ユニットと、前記カップから前記シートの残部を切り取るべく、シートの残部から突出しているカップの周壁の部位に、当該周壁に対して交差する方向からレーザ光を照射する加工ユニットとを具備する。 The cup manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention includes a molding unit that molds a cup having a volume from a sheet, and a peripheral wall of the cup protruding from the remaining portion of the sheet so as to cut the remaining portion of the sheet from the cup. And a processing unit for irradiating the laser beam from a direction intersecting with.
　本発明によれば、シートから容積を持つカップを成形する際に当該カップの開口部に存留するシートの残部を簡便かつ確実に切除できる。 According to the present invention, when a cup having a volume is formed from a sheet, the remaining part of the sheet remaining in the opening of the cup can be easily and reliably excised.
本発明の一実施形態のカップ及び製剤の製造方法の概要を示す模式図。The schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary of the manufacturing method of the cup and formulation of one Embodiment of this invention. 同実施形態の製造方法の概要を示す模式図。The schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary of the manufacturing method of the embodiment. 同実施形態のカップ及び製造装置の全景を示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the whole view of the cup and manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置のカップ成形ユニットを示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the cup formation unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置のカップ成形ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the cup shaping | molding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置のカップ成形ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the cup shaping | molding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置のカップ成形ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the cup shaping | molding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置のカップ成形ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the cup shaping | molding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置のカップ成形ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the cup shaping | molding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の粉体圧縮ユニット及び挿入ユニットを示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the powder compression unit and insertion unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の粉体圧縮ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the powder compression unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の粉体圧縮ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the powder compression unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の挿入ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the insertion unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の挿入ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the insertion unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置のカップ加工ユニットを示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the cup processing unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置のカップ加工ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the cup processing unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置のカップ加工ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the cup processing unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の蓋成形ユニットを示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the lid | cover molding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の蓋成形ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the lid | cover molding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の蓋成形ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the lid | cover molding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の蓋成形ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the lid | cover molding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の蓋成形ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the lid | cover molding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の蓋加工ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the lid processing unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の蓋加工ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the lid processing unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の圧着ユニットを示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the crimping | compression-bonding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の圧着ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the crimping | compression-bonding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の圧着ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the crimping | compression-bonding unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の第二の挿入ユニットを示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the 2nd insertion unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の第二の挿入ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the 2nd insertion unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 同実施形態の製造装置の第二の挿入ユニットを示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the 2nd insertion unit of the manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment. 本発明の変形例を示す側断面図。The sectional side view which shows the modification of this invention. 本発明の変形例を示す平面図。The top view which shows the modification of this invention. 本発明の変形例を示す平面図。The top view which shows the modification of this invention. 本発明と比較されるシートの残部の切除方法を示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the cutting method of the remainder of the sheet | seat compared with this invention.
　以下、本発明の実施の形態を、図面を参照して説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
　＜概要＞はじめに、本実施形態におけるカップ１、２及び製剤の製造方法のあらましを述べる。本実施形態では、粉体３０を圧縮した成形品３をラッピングの基剤シート１０、２０により包んでラッピング錠を製造する。ラッピング錠は、シート１０から成形した容積を持つカップ１に、予め粉体３０を圧縮して得た成形品３を挿入した後、当該カップ１の開口部をシート２０から成形した蓋２で封止してなる製剤である。粉体とは、微小個体の集合体をいい、いわゆる顆粒などの粒体の集合体と、粒体より小なる形状の粉末の集合体とを包括した概念である。図１及び図２に示しているように、本実施形態のカップ１、２及び製剤の製造方法は、シート１０から成形品３を収容するためのカップ１を成形するカップ成形工程と、粉体３０を圧縮してラッピング錠の内容物となる成形品３を成形する粉体圧縮工程と、カップ１に成形品３を挿入する挿入工程と、成形品３を挿入したカップ１からシート１０の残部１３を切り取るカップ加工工程と、成形品３を挿入したカップ１の開口部をシート２０により封止する封止工程とを具備している。 <Outline> First, an overview of the manufacturing method of the cups 1 and 2 and the preparation in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the molded product 3 in which the powder 30 is compressed is wrapped with the wrapping base sheets 10 and 20 to produce a wrapping tablet. In the wrapping tablet, a molded product 3 obtained by compressing a powder 30 in advance is inserted into a cup 1 having a volume molded from a sheet 10, and the opening of the cup 1 is sealed with a lid 2 molded from the sheet 20. It is a formulation that stops. The powder refers to an aggregate of minute individuals, and is a concept that includes an aggregate of particles such as so-called granules and an aggregate of powders having a shape smaller than the particles. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cups 1 and 2 and the preparation method of the present embodiment include a cup molding step of molding a cup 1 for receiving a molded product 3 from a sheet 10, and a powder. A powder compression step of forming a molded product 3 which is the contents of a wrapping tablet by compressing 30; an insertion step of inserting the molded product 3 into the cup 1; and the remainder of the sheet 10 from the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 is inserted And a sealing process for sealing the opening of the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 is inserted with the sheet 20.
　カップ成形工程では、図１（Ｉ）に示すように、カップ１の材料となるシート１０を雄型５０７に対して相対的に移動させ、シート１０を雄型５０７に押し当てることで、当該シート１０から容積を持つカップ１を突出させる。これにより、底壁１２と、底壁１２の外周縁に沿って起立した周壁１１とを備えた形状のカップ１が成形される。カップ成形工程は、本発明に係る成形工程に該当する。 In the cup forming step, as shown in FIG. 1I, the sheet 10 that is the material of the cup 1 is moved relative to the male mold 507, and the sheet 10 is pressed against the male mold 507, thereby the sheet. The cup 1 having a volume protrudes from 10. Thereby, the cup 1 having a shape including the bottom wall 12 and the peripheral wall 11 standing along the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 12 is formed. The cup molding process corresponds to the molding process according to the present invention.
　カップ１の材料となるシート１０は、熱可塑性高分子材料を用いた薄いフィルムである。製造対象の製剤が経口投与する医薬である場合には、医薬に使用可能な素材、例えばピプロメロースまたはポリビニルアルコール等を素材とするフィルムをシート１０として採用する。なお、薄いフィルム状のシート１０を製造するにあたり、当該シート１０の材料に可塑剤を配合してもよい。また、シート１０の材料に、ラッピング錠の内容物が光に曝されることを抑制するための遮光剤として、例えば酸化チタンを配合しても構わない。 The sheet 10 used as the material of the cup 1 is a thin film using a thermoplastic polymer material. When the preparation to be manufactured is a medicine to be administered orally, a film made of a material that can be used for the medicine, such as piperomellose or polyvinyl alcohol, is adopted as the sheet 10. In addition, when manufacturing the thin film-like sheet | seat 10, you may mix | blend a plasticizer with the material of the said sheet | seat 10. FIG. Moreover, you may mix | blend titanium oxide with the material of the sheet | seat 10 as a light-shielding agent for suppressing that the content of the wrapping tablet is exposed to light, for example.
　しかる後、図１（II）に示すように、カップ１に連なる不要なシート１０の余剰部位を、例えば当該シートにレーザ光Ｌを照射するレーザ加工によって大まかに切り落とす。この段階では、カップ１の開口部、換言すれば周壁１１の縁端から、外側方に延出した鍔状のシート１０の残部１３が存留し、カップ１がちょうど帽子のような形状をなす。シート１０の切断に使用するレーザ光Ｌの波長は、シート１０がそのレーザ光Ｌのエネルギを吸収できるような波長である必要がある。シート１０の透明性が高い場合には、比較的長波長のレーザ、例えば波長１０．６μｍまたは９．４μｍの炭酸ガスレーザを用いる。 Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1 (II), an unnecessary portion of the unnecessary sheet 10 connected to the cup 1 is roughly cut off by laser processing for irradiating the sheet with the laser beam L, for example. At this stage, the remaining portion 13 of the bowl-shaped sheet 10 extending outward from the opening of the cup 1, in other words, the edge of the peripheral wall 11, remains, and the cup 1 has a shape like a hat. The wavelength of the laser beam L used for cutting the sheet 10 needs to be a wavelength that allows the sheet 10 to absorb the energy of the laser beam L. When the transparency of the sheet 10 is high, a laser having a relatively long wavelength, for example, a carbon dioxide gas laser having a wavelength of 10.6 μm or 9.4 μm is used.
　粉体圧縮工程では、臼テーブル６０２に設けた上下に貫通する臼孔６０１に下方から下杵６０３の先端部（上端部）を挿入し、その臼孔６０１に有効成分（製剤が医薬である場合には、主薬）を含む粉体３０を充填した後、臼孔６０１に上方から上杵６０４の先端部（下端部）を挿入して、上杵６０４及び下杵６０３により臼孔６０１内の粉体３０を圧縮して成形品３を得る（図１０ないし図１２を参照）。圧縮成形される粉体３０は、有効成分と、有効成分以外の成分（錠剤が医薬である場合には、賦形剤、結合剤、崩壊剤、滑沢剤、安定剤、保存剤等）との混合物であることがある。また、粉体圧縮工程において製造する成形品３は、必ずしも市場に流通可能な錠剤として必要十分な硬度を有している必要はなく、カップ１に収容されるまでの間、粉体３０の分量や形状を維持できる程度の保形性が担保されていればよい。つまり、粉体圧縮工程では、成形品３が錠剤として十分な硬度を有するほどに強力に粉体３０を圧縮してもよく、成形品３が容易に欠損または崩壊しない程度の圧力で粉体３０を圧縮してもよい。 In the powder compression step, the tip (upper end) of the lower punch 603 is inserted from below into a mortar hole 601 provided on the mortar table 602 that passes vertically, and the active ingredient (when the preparation is a pharmaceutical) is inserted into the mortar hole 601 Is filled with the powder 30 containing the main agent), and then the tip (lower end) of the upper punch 604 is inserted into the mortar hole 601 from above, and the powder in the mortar hole 601 is inserted by the upper punch 604 and the lower punch 603. The molded body 3 is obtained by compressing the body 30 (see FIGS. 10 to 12). The powder 30 to be compression-molded comprises an active ingredient and components other than the active ingredient (excipients, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, stabilizers, preservatives, etc. if the tablet is a medicine) May be a mixture of In addition, the molded product 3 manufactured in the powder compression process does not necessarily have a necessary and sufficient hardness as a tablet that can be distributed on the market. As long as the shape retaining property can be maintained, the shape can be maintained. That is, in the powder compression step, the powder 30 may be compressed so strongly that the molded product 3 has sufficient hardness as a tablet, and the powder 30 is pressed at such a pressure that the molded product 3 does not easily break or collapse. May be compressed.
　挿入工程では、図１（III）に示すように、カップ１の開口部を上方に向けた状態で、
粉体圧縮工程を通じて得た成形品３を上方からカップ１内に挿入する。 In the insertion step, as shown in FIG. 1 (III), with the opening of the cup 1 facing upward,
The molded product 3 obtained through the powder compression process is inserted into the cup 1 from above.
　カップ加工工程では、図１（IV）に示すように、カップ１の開口部から外側方に延出する鍔状の残部１３を切り落とす。その際には、カップ１を含むシート１０を軸α回りに回転させつつ、その回転軸αの伸びる方向に対して交差（特に、直交）する方向に光軸を向けたレーザ光Ｌを、シート１０の残部１３から突出しているカップ１の周壁１１の縁端近傍の部位に外側方から照射するレーザ加工を行う。このような加工により、カップ１の開口縁に不要なシート１０の小片を残すことなく、カップ１からシート１０の残部１３を確実に切り取り、底壁１２及び周壁１１のみを有したカップ１を完成させることができる。カップ加工工程は、本発明に係る加工工程に該当する。シート１０の残部１３の切断に使用するレーザＬは、例えば波長１０．６μｍまたは９．４μｍの炭酸ガスレーザとする。 In the cup processing step, as shown in FIG. 1 (IV), the bowl-shaped remaining portion 13 extending outward from the opening of the cup 1 is cut off. At that time, while rotating the sheet 10 including the cup 1 around the axis α, the laser beam L whose optical axis is directed in a direction intersecting (particularly orthogonal) with respect to the direction in which the rotation axis α extends is applied to the sheet. Laser processing is performed to irradiate a portion near the edge of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 protruding from the remaining portion 13 from the outside. By such processing, the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 is surely cut from the cup 1 without leaving an unnecessary piece of the sheet 10 at the opening edge of the cup 1, and the cup 1 having only the bottom wall 12 and the peripheral wall 11 is completed. Can be made. The cup processing step corresponds to the processing step according to the present invention. The laser L used for cutting the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 is, for example, a carbon dioxide gas laser having a wavelength of 10.6 μm or 9.4 μm.
　封止工程は、シート２０からカップ１の開口部を封止するための蓋２を成形する蓋成形工程と、成形した蓋２からシート２０の残部２３を切り取る蓋加工工程と、蓋２の周壁２１に圧力を加えてこれをカップ１の周壁１１に圧着する圧着工程とを含む。蓋成形工程では、図２（Ｖ）に示すように、成形品３を挿入したカップ１を雄型とし、蓋２の材料となるシート２０をカップ１に対して相対的に移動させ、シート２０をカップ１に押し当てることで、当該シート２０からカップ１を包み込むような形状をなす蓋２を突出させる。これにより、頂壁２２と、頂壁２２の外周縁に沿って垂下した周壁２１とを備えた形状の蓋２が成形される。同時に、蓋２の周壁２１の内面がカップ１の周壁１１の外面に密接し、蓋２の頂壁２２がカップ１の開口を閉塞する。なお、この蓋２は、シート２０から成形されて成形品３及びカップ１を収容する容積を持つものであり、本発明に係るカップに該当する。そして、この蓋２を成形する蓋成形工程は、本発明に係る成形工程に該当する。 The sealing step includes a lid molding step for molding the lid 2 for sealing the opening of the cup 1 from the sheet 20, a lid processing step for cutting off the remaining portion 23 of the sheet 20 from the molded lid 2, and the peripheral wall of the lid 2 And a pressure-bonding step in which pressure is applied to 21 and pressure-bonded to the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1. In the lid forming step, as shown in FIG. 2 (V), the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 is inserted is a male mold, the sheet 20 that is the material of the lid 2 is moved relative to the cup 1, and the sheet 20 Is pressed against the cup 1 so that the lid 2 having a shape that wraps the cup 1 from the sheet 20 is projected. Thereby, the lid 2 having a shape including the top wall 22 and the peripheral wall 21 hanging along the outer peripheral edge of the top wall 22 is formed. At the same time, the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is in close contact with the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1, and the top wall 22 of the lid 2 closes the opening of the cup 1. The lid 2 is formed from the sheet 20 and has a volume for accommodating the molded product 3 and the cup 1, and corresponds to the cup according to the present invention. And the lid | cover formation process which shape | molds this lid | cover 2 corresponds to the formation process which concerns on this invention.
　蓋２の材料となるシート２０もまた、カップ１の材料となるシートと同様、熱可塑性高分子材料を用いた薄いフィルムである。製造対象の製剤が経口投与する医薬である場合、例えばピプロメロースまたはポリビニルアルコール等を素材とするフィルムをシート２０として採用する。なお、薄いフィルム状のシート２０を製造するにあたり、当該シート２０の材料に可塑剤を配合してもよい。また、シート２０の材料に、ラッピング錠の内容物が光に曝されることを抑制するための遮光剤として、例えば酸化チタンを配合しても構わない。 The sheet 20 which is the material of the lid 2 is also a thin film using a thermoplastic polymer material, like the sheet which is the material of the cup 1. When the preparation to be manufactured is a medicine to be administered orally, a film made of, for example, piperomellose or polyvinyl alcohol is used as the sheet 20. In addition, when manufacturing the thin film-like sheet | seat 20, you may mix | blend a plasticizer with the material of the said sheet | seat 20. FIG. Moreover, you may mix | blend a titanium oxide with the material of the sheet | seat 20 as a light-shielding agent for suppressing that the content of a wrapping tablet is exposed to light, for example.
　蓋２の材料となるシート２０には、カップ１の周壁１１の外面に密接する内面となる側に、予め接着層２４を設けていることがある（図１９、図２０を参照）。但し、シート２０に接着層２４を設けることは必須ではない。 The adhesive layer 24 may be provided in advance on the side 20 which is in close contact with the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 (see FIGS. 19 and 20). However, it is not essential to provide the adhesive layer 24 on the sheet 20.
　蓋成形工程にて蓋２を成形する過程では、蓋２の周壁２１の内面がカップ１の周壁１１の外面に接合する。蓋２の材料のシート２０に接着層２４を設けている場合には、このときにシート２０に加わる熱により、当該接着層２４が蓋２の周壁２１の内面とカップ１の周壁１１の外面とを接着する。 In the process of molding the lid 2 in the lid molding process, the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is joined to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1. In the case where the adhesive layer 24 is provided on the sheet 20 of the material of the lid 2, due to the heat applied to the sheet 20 at this time, the adhesive layer 24 is separated from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 and the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1. Glue.
　しかる後、図２（VI）に示すように、蓋２に連なる不要なシート２０の余剰部位を、例えば当該シート２０にレーザ光Ｌを照射するレーザ加工によって大まかに切り落とす。この段階では、蓋２の開口部、換言すれば周壁２１の縁端から外側方に延出した鍔状のシート２０の残部２３が存留し、蓋２がちょうど帽子のような形状をなす。既に述べた通り、シート２０の切断に使用するレーザＬは、例えば波長１０．６μｍまたは９．４μｍの炭酸ガスレーザとする。 After that, as shown in FIG. 2 (VI), an unnecessary portion of the unnecessary sheet 20 connected to the lid 2 is roughly cut off by laser processing for irradiating the sheet 20 with laser light L, for example. At this stage, the opening 23 of the lid 2, in other words, the remaining portion 23 of the bowl-shaped sheet 20 extending outward from the edge of the peripheral wall 21 remains, and the lid 2 has a shape like a hat. As already described, the laser L used for cutting the sheet 20 is, for example, a carbon dioxide gas laser having a wavelength of 10.6 μm or 9.4 μm.
　次いで、蓋加工工程では、図２（VII）に示すように、蓋２の開口部から外側方に延出
する鍔状の残部２３を切り落とす。その際には、蓋２を含むシート２０をカップ１諸共軸α回りに回転させつつ、その回転軸αの伸びる方向に対して交差（特に、直交）する方向に光軸を向けたレーザ光Ｌを、シート２０の残部２３から突出している蓋２の周壁２１の縁端近傍の部位に外側方から照射するレーザ加工を行う。その際、レーザ光Ｌの焦点を蓋２の周壁２１に合わせることで、及び／または、レーザ光Ｌの出力を調整することで、カップ１の周壁１１がレーザ光Ｌによる切断その他の損傷を受けないようにする。このような加工により、蓋２の開口縁に不要なシート２０の小片を残すことなく、蓋２からシート２０の残部２３を確実に切り取り、頂壁２２及び周壁２１のみを有した蓋２を完成させることができる。蓋加工工程は、本発明に係るカップたる蓋２からシート２０の残部２３を切り取るものであり、本発明に係る加工工程に該当する。カップ１の周壁１１及び蓋の周壁２１が重なり合ってラッピング錠の周壁が完成することから、ラッピングされた成形品３の側面が剥き出しになることはない。既に述べた通り、シート２０の切断に使用するレーザＬは、例えば波長１０．６μｍまたは９．４μｍの炭酸ガスレーザとする。 Next, in the lid processing step, as shown in FIG. 2 (VII), the hook-like remaining portion 23 extending outward from the opening of the lid 2 is cut off. At that time, the sheet 20 including the lid 2 is rotated around the various axes α of the cup 1, and the laser beam L having the optical axis directed in a direction intersecting (particularly orthogonal) to the direction in which the rotation axis α extends. Is applied to the portion near the edge of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 protruding from the remaining portion 23 of the sheet 20 from outside. At that time, the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 is cut or otherwise damaged by the laser light L by focusing the laser light L on the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 and / or adjusting the output of the laser light L. Do not. By such processing, the remaining portion 23 of the sheet 20 is surely cut off from the lid 2 without leaving an unnecessary small piece of the sheet 20 at the opening edge of the lid 2, and the lid 2 having only the top wall 22 and the peripheral wall 21 is completed. Can be made. The lid processing step cuts the remaining portion 23 of the sheet 20 from the lid 2 that is the cup according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing step according to the present invention. Since the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 and the peripheral wall 21 of the lid are overlapped to complete the peripheral wall of the lapping tablet, the side surface of the wrapped molded product 3 is not exposed. As already described, the laser L used for cutting the sheet 20 is, for example, a carbon dioxide gas laser having a wavelength of 10.6 μm or 9.4 μm.
　さらに、圧着工程では、蓋２の周壁２１を外側方から内側方に向けて押圧し、蓋２の周壁２１の内面をカップ１の周壁１１の外面に対して圧着する。但し、圧着工程の実施は必須ではない。蓋成形工程にてシートから蓋２を成形するときに、蓋２の周壁２１の内面がカップ１の周壁１１の外面に十分に強固に付着するのであれば、このような圧着を行わなくともよい。 Furthermore, in the crimping step, the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is pressed from the outer side toward the inner side, and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is crimped to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1. However, it is not essential to perform the crimping process. When the lid 2 is molded from the sheet in the lid molding process, if the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 adheres sufficiently firmly to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1, such crimping may not be performed. .
　以上の工程を経て、図２（VIII）に示すようなラッピング錠、即ち粉体３０を圧縮した成形品３をカップ１及び蓋２からなるラッピングカプセルで包んだ製剤が完成する。 Through the above steps, a wrapping tablet as shown in FIG. 2 (VIII), that is, a preparation in which a molded product 3 obtained by compressing a powder 30 is wrapped with a wrapping capsule including a cup 1 and a lid 2 is completed.
　図３に示すように、本実施形態のカップ１、２及び製剤の製造方法を実施するために使用する製造装置は、シートからカップ１及び蓋２を成形するラッピングカプセル成形機５００と、粉体３０から成形品３を成形する粉体圧縮成形機６００との組である。以降、本実施形態の製造装置に関して詳述する。 As shown in FIG. 3, the manufacturing apparatus used for carrying out the manufacturing method of the cups 1 and 2 and the preparation of the present embodiment includes a wrapping capsule forming machine 500 that forms a cup 1 and a lid 2 from a sheet, and a powder. 30 is a set with a powder compression molding machine 600 that molds the molded product 3 from 30. Hereinafter, the manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment will be described in detail.
　＜カップ成形ユニット＞カップ成形ユニットＡは、ラッピングカプセル成形機５００内にあって、シート１０から容積を持つカップ１を成形するカップ成形工程を営む。図４ないし図９に示すように、カップ成形ユニットＡにおいては、まず、シート切り出し位置５０１において、カップ１の材料となるシート１０のテープ５０２から所定寸法の円形状のシート１０を切り出す。シート１０の切り出しは、例えば切り出されるシート１０の輪郭に沿ってレーザ光Ｌを照射することで行う。そして、その切り出したシート１０を、成形位置５０３において保定機構５０４により保定する。保定機構５０４は、上下に対をなす環状の中空の部材５０５、５０６によりシート１０を上下から挟持するものである。保定機構５０４の下側の部材５０６は、シート切り出し位置５０１と成形位置５０３との間を移動することが可能であり、シート切り出し位置５０１において切り出したシート１０を受け取り、成形位置５０３まで運搬する。 <Cup Molding Unit> The cup molding unit A is in the wrapping capsule molding machine 500 and performs a cup molding process for molding the cup 1 having a volume from the sheet 10. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, in the cup forming unit A, first, a circular sheet 10 having a predetermined size is cut out from the tape 502 of the sheet 10 that is the material of the cup 1 at the sheet cutting position 501. The cutting of the sheet 10 is performed by irradiating the laser beam L along the outline of the cut sheet 10, for example. Then, the cut sheet 10 is held by the holding mechanism 504 at the forming position 503. The retaining mechanism 504 sandwiches the sheet 10 from above and below by a pair of annular hollow members 505 and 506 that are paired up and down. The lower member 506 of the retaining mechanism 504 can move between the sheet cutting position 501 and the forming position 503, receives the sheet 10 cut out at the sheet cutting position 501, and transports it to the forming position 503.
　成形位置５０３では、上方に向けて突出した略円柱状をなす雄型５０７が、保定機構５０４の下方に待機している。その上で、シート１０から見て雄型５０７とは反対側、即ちシート１０の上方に存在する、ファンを内蔵したダクト５０８より、シート１０に向けて温風を吹き付けて熱可塑性のシート１０を加温する。そして、シート１０を挟持して保定した保定機構５０４が、雄型５０７に向けて降下し、シート１０を雄型５０７の先端面（上端面）に押し当てる（図５）。それとともに、シート１０から見て雄型５０７側をダクト５０８側よりも減圧する、具体的にはシート１０の下方の雰囲気を吸引することで、シート１０を雄型５０７の先端部（上端部）に吸着させる（図６）。結果、雄型５０７の先端部の外形に対応した形状の容積を持つカップ１が、シート１０から上方に突出するように成形される。このカップ１は、雄型５０７の先端部の外周面の形状に沿った円筒状をなす周壁１１と、雄型５０７の先端面の形状に沿った底壁１２とを有するものとなる。 At the molding position 503, a substantially cylindrical male mold 507 protruding upward is waiting below the retaining mechanism 504. Then, hot air is blown toward the sheet 10 from the duct 508 having a fan, which exists on the side opposite to the male mold 507 as viewed from the sheet 10, that is, above the sheet 10. Warm up. Then, the holding mechanism 504 that holds and holds the sheet 10 descends toward the male mold 507 and presses the sheet 10 against the front end surface (upper end face) of the male mold 507 (FIG. 5). At the same time, the pressure on the male mold 507 side is reduced more than that on the duct 508 side when viewed from the sheet 10, specifically, the atmosphere below the sheet 10 is sucked, whereby the sheet 10 is moved to the front end (upper end) of the male mold 507. (Fig. 6). As a result, the cup 1 having a volume corresponding to the outer shape of the tip of the male mold 507 is molded so as to protrude upward from the sheet 10. The cup 1 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 11 that follows the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the male mold 507 and a bottom wall 12 that conforms to the shape of the distal end face of the male mold 507.
　カップ１をシート１０から突出させて成形した後、保定機構５０４がそのシート１０を挟持したまま雄型５０７から離反するように上昇する。次いで、雄型５０７が下方に大きく退避し、保定機構５０４の直下にカップ反転機５０９がＸ軸方向に沿った側方より進入する。カップ反転機５０９は、水平軸回りに回動可能な水平支軸５１０から、これに直交する方向に沿って吸着アーム５１１を突出させたものであり、下方を向いているカップ１の開口部を上方に向けるようにカップ１を反転させる役割を担っている。吸着アーム５１１の先端部は、雄型５０７の先端部と同等の外形をなす。カップ反転機５０９の内部には、雰囲気を吸引するための吸引通路５１２を形成してあり、その吸引通路５１２は吸着アーム５１１の先端面に開口している。カップ反転機５０９は、その吸着アーム５１１を上に向けた姿勢でカップ１の直下に位置づける。しかる後、シート１０を挟持した保定機構５０４が再度降下して、カップ１内に吸着アーム５１１の先端部を挿入する。その状態で吸引通路５１２を吸引して負圧化すると、カップ１を含むシート１０が吸着アーム５１１の先端面に吸着される。 After the cup 1 is protruded from the sheet 10 and molded, the retaining mechanism 504 is lifted away from the male mold 507 while holding the sheet 10. Next, the male mold 507 is largely retracted downward, and the cup reversing machine 509 enters from the side along the X-axis direction directly below the retaining mechanism 504. The cup reversing machine 509 has a suction arm 511 protruding from a horizontal support shaft 510 that can be rotated about a horizontal axis along a direction orthogonal thereto, and an opening of the cup 1 that faces downward. It plays a role of inverting the cup 1 so as to face upward. The tip of the suction arm 511 has the same outer shape as the tip of the male mold 507. A suction passage 512 for sucking the atmosphere is formed inside the cup reversing machine 509, and the suction passage 512 is opened at the front end surface of the suction arm 511. The cup reversing machine 509 is positioned immediately below the cup 1 with the suction arm 511 facing upward. Thereafter, the holding mechanism 504 holding the sheet 10 is lowered again, and the tip of the suction arm 511 is inserted into the cup 1. In this state, when the suction passage 512 is sucked to be negative pressure, the sheet 10 including the cup 1 is sucked to the tip surface of the suction arm 511.
　続いて、カップ１の開口部に連なる不要なシート１０の余剰部位にレーザ光Ｌを照射して、当該余剰部位を切り落とす（図７）。このとき、シート１０の余剰部位と直交するＺ軸方向即ち上下方向に沿って（図示例では、上方から）、カップ１の開口縁よりもやや外側方に偏倚した位置にレーザ光Ｌを照射するとともに、そのレーザ光Ｌの照射位置をカップ１の開口縁よりも径の大きな円形状の輪郭βに沿って弧を描くように移動させる走査を行う。これにより、レーザ光Ｌの照射位置の軌跡に沿ってシート１０が切断される。シート１０の余剰部位を切り落としたカップ１の開口部には、カップ１の周壁１１から屈曲して外側方に張り出した鍔状のシート１０の残部１３が存留することとなる。カップ１から切り離されたシート１０の余剰部位は、後に吸引して除去される。 Subsequently, the excess part of the unnecessary sheet 10 connected to the opening of the cup 1 is irradiated with the laser beam L, and the excess part is cut off (FIG. 7). At this time, the laser beam L is irradiated to a position that is slightly outward from the opening edge of the cup 1 along the Z-axis direction, ie, the vertical direction perpendicular to the surplus portion of the sheet 10 (from the top in the illustrated example). At the same time, scanning is performed to move the irradiation position of the laser light L so as to draw an arc along a circular outline β having a diameter larger than the opening edge of the cup 1. Thereby, the sheet | seat 10 is cut | disconnected along the locus | trajectory of the irradiation position of the laser beam L. FIG. The remaining portion 13 of the bowl-shaped sheet 10 bent from the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 and projecting outward is left in the opening of the cup 1 where the excess portion of the sheet 10 is cut off. The surplus portion of the sheet 10 separated from the cup 1 is removed by suction later.
　シートの余剰部位を切り落とした後、カップ１を吸着している吸着アーム５１１及び水平支軸５１０を半回転させて吸着アーム５１１を下に向けることでカップ１を反転させるとともに、吸着アーム５１１及び水平支軸５１０をＸ軸方向に沿って側方に変位させて、開口部を上に向けたカップ１を移送機構５１３の直上の位置まで運搬する。そして、移送機構５１３の移送体５１４を吸着アーム５１１に向けて上昇させる。移送体５１４には、その上面に開口する軸孔５１５を形成してある。軸孔５１５の内径は、移送体５１４の上面からカップ１の周壁１１の高さ寸法に略等しい深さまで（例えば、移送体５１４の上面から約５ｍｍの深さまで）の部分ではカップ１の周壁１１の外径に略等しいが、それよりも下方の部分ではカップ１の周壁の外径よりも狭くなっている。移送体５１４が上昇すると、下を向く吸着アーム５１１の先端部及びこれに吸着しているカップ１が移送体５１４の軸孔５１５内に収まる（図８）。しかして、カップ反転機５０９の吸引通路５１２の吸引を停止することにより、吸着アーム５１１から移送体５１４にカップ１を受け渡すことができる。このとき、カップ１の開口縁から外側方に延出する鍔部１３が、移送体５１４の上面における軸孔５１５の開口の周縁に係合する。その後、移送体５１４が下降して吸着アーム５１１から離間し、カップ反転機５０９は原位置に帰還する（図９）。また、雄型５０７が原位置に向けて上昇する。移送体５１４の軸孔５１５にカップ１を収容した移送機構５１３は、向後、このカップ１を各所のユニットＢ、Ｃ、Ｅ、Ｆ、Ｇ、Ｈを巡回するように移送する働きをする。 After cutting off the surplus portion of the sheet, the suction arm 511 that sucks the cup 1 and the horizontal support shaft 510 are rotated halfway and the suction arm 511 is turned downward to invert the cup 1, and the suction arm 511 and the horizontal The support shaft 510 is displaced laterally along the X-axis direction, and the cup 1 with the opening facing upward is transported to a position directly above the transfer mechanism 513. Then, the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 is raised toward the suction arm 511. The transfer body 514 is formed with a shaft hole 515 opening on the upper surface thereof. The inner diameter of the shaft hole 515 is from the upper surface of the transfer body 514 to a depth substantially equal to the height dimension of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 (for example, to a depth of about 5 mm from the upper surface of the transfer body 514). The outer diameter of the cup 1 is substantially smaller than the outer diameter of the peripheral wall of the cup 1. When the transfer body 514 rises, the tip end portion of the suction arm 511 facing downward and the cup 1 adsorbed thereto are accommodated in the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514 (FIG. 8). Therefore, the cup 1 can be transferred from the suction arm 511 to the transfer body 514 by stopping the suction of the suction passage 512 of the cup reversing machine 509. At this time, the flange 13 extending outward from the opening edge of the cup 1 engages with the peripheral edge of the opening of the shaft hole 515 on the upper surface of the transfer body 514. Thereafter, the transfer body 514 descends and separates from the suction arm 511, and the cup reversing machine 509 returns to the original position (FIG. 9). In addition, the male mold 507 rises toward the original position. The transfer mechanism 513 in which the cup 1 is accommodated in the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514 functions to transfer the cup 1 so as to circulate around the units B, C, E, F, G, and H at various places.
　＜粉体圧縮ユニット＞粉体圧縮ユニットＢは、粉体圧縮成形機６００内にあって、粉体３０を圧縮してカップ１に装填するべき成形品３を得る粉体圧縮工程を営む。図１０ないし図１２に示すように、粉体圧縮ユニットＢにおいては、まず、上下に貫通した臼孔６０１を有している臼テーブル６０２の臼孔６０１に下方から下杵６０３の先端部（上端部）を挿入し、かつその下杵６０３の高さを調整して、臼孔６０１内に所要量の粉体３０を充填するための容積を確保する。このとき、臼孔６０１に上方から臨む上杵６０４は上昇させて、臼テーブル６０２上の臼孔６０１の周囲の領域を開放しておく。そして、臼テーブル６０２の臼孔６０１に上方から覆い被さるように充填装置（フィードシュ）６０５を臼テーブル６０２の上面に沿って移動させ、臼孔６０１内に粉体３０を充填する（図１１）。粉体３０の充填を終えた充填装置６０５は、臼テーブル６０２上の臼孔６０１の周囲の領域から退避する。 <Powder Compression Unit> The powder compression unit B is in the powder compression molding machine 600 and performs a powder compression process for compressing the powder 30 and obtaining the molded product 3 to be loaded in the cup 1. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, in the powder compression unit B, first, the distal end portion (upper end) of the lower punch 603 is inserted into the mortar hole 601 of the mortar table 602 having the mortar hole 601 penetrating vertically. And the height of the lower punch 603 is adjusted to secure a volume for filling the required amount of the powder 30 in the mortar hole 601. At this time, the upper punch 604 facing the mortar hole 601 is raised to open the area around the mortar hole 601 on the mortar table 602. Then, the filling device (feed) 605 is moved along the upper surface of the die table 602 so as to cover the die hole 601 of the die table 602 from above, and the powder 30 is filled into the die hole 601 (FIG. 11). . After the filling of the powder 30, the filling device 605 retracts from the area around the die hole 601 on the die table 602.
　次に、上杵６０４を下降させてその先端部（下端部）を臼孔６０１に上方から挿入し、上杵６０４の先端部と下杵６０３の先端部とで臼孔６０１内の粉体３０を押圧、圧縮して、成形品３を成形する（図１２）。 Next, the upper punch 604 is lowered and the tip (lower end) thereof is inserted into the mortar hole 601 from above, and the powder 30 in the mortar 601 is formed by the tip of the upper punch 604 and the tip of the lower punch 603. Are pressed and compressed to form the molded product 3 (FIG. 12).
　＜挿入ユニット＞挿入ユニットＣは、粉体圧縮成形機６００内にあって、粉体圧縮ユニットＢと同じ構成要素を共用し、粉体３０を圧縮して得た成形品３をカップ１に挿入する挿入工程を営む。図１０、図１３及び図１４に示すように、挿入ユニットＣにおいては、粉体圧縮工程による粉体３０の圧縮の完了後、下杵６０３を下降させて、その先端面（上端面）を成形品３の下面から引き離す。このとき、粉体３０を圧縮してなる成形品３は臼孔６０１内に留まる。さらに、上杵６０４及び臼テーブル６０２を上昇させて、臼孔６０１の下方にＹ軸方向に沿って側方に開放した空間を確保する。しかる後、その空間に、軸孔５１５にカップ１を収容して当該カップ１を支持している移送機構５１３の移送体５１４が、Ｙ軸方向に沿って下方より進入する（図１３）。当該空間に進入した移送体５１４の軸孔５１５及びカップ１の中心軸αは、臼テーブル６０２の臼孔６０１の中心軸と同軸となる、即ち双方の中心軸が上下方向であるＺ軸方向から見て一致する。 <Insertion Unit> The insertion unit C is in the powder compression molding machine 600 and shares the same components as the powder compression unit B, and inserts the molded product 3 obtained by compressing the powder 30 into the cup 1. Run the insertion process. As shown in FIGS. 10, 13, and 14, in the insertion unit C, after the compression of the powder 30 by the powder compression step is completed, the lower punch 603 is lowered and the tip surface (upper end surface) is formed. Pull away from the bottom surface of product 3. At this time, the molded product 3 formed by compressing the powder 30 remains in the mortar hole 601. Further, the upper punch 604 and the mortar table 602 are raised to secure a space opened laterally along the Y-axis direction below the mortar hole 601. Thereafter, the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 that accommodates the cup 1 in the shaft hole 515 and supports the cup 1 enters the space from below along the Y-axis direction (FIG. 13). The axial hole 515 of the transfer body 514 that has entered the space and the central axis α of the cup 1 are coaxial with the central axis of the mortar hole 601 of the mortar table 602, that is, from the Z-axis direction in which both central axes are up and down. Look and agree.
　次いで、移送体５１４を若干ながら持ち上げつつ、上杵６０４を下降させて、臼孔６０１内に滞留している成形品３をカップ１内に上方から突き込む（図１４）。結果、カップ１内に成形品３が挿入される。そして、上杵６０４を再び上昇させるとともに、移送体５１４を若干降下させて、移送体５１４を臼テーブル６０２の下方の空間から退避させる。移送体５１４が退避したら、臼テーブル６０２が原位置まで下降し、上杵６０４の先端部が臼孔６０１から抜け出る。また、下杵６０３も上昇して、その先端部が再び臼孔６０１内に進入する。 Next, while lifting the transfer body 514 slightly, the upper punch 604 is lowered, and the molded product 3 staying in the mortar 601 is pushed into the cup 1 from above (FIG. 14). As a result, the molded product 3 is inserted into the cup 1. Then, the upper punch 604 is raised again and the transfer body 514 is slightly lowered to retract the transfer body 514 from the space below the mortar table 602. When the transfer body 514 is retracted, the mortar table 602 is lowered to the original position, and the distal end portion of the upper punch 604 comes out of the mortar hole 601. In addition, the lower eyelid 603 is also raised, and the tip part thereof enters the mortar hole 601 again.
　＜カップ加工ユニット＞カップ加工ユニットＥは、ラッピングカプセル成形機５００内にあって、成形品３が挿入されたカップ１の開口部から外側方に張り出している鍔状のシート１０の残部１３を切り落とすカップ加工工程を営む。図１５ないし図１７に示すように、カップ加工ユニットＥにおいては、まず、加工対象であるカップ１をその中心軸α回りに回転させるための回転台５２２を加工位置５２３に向けて進出させる（図１６）。回転台５２２は、上下方向に伸長しその中心軸即ち鉛直軸回りに回転可能な軸体５２４及びピストン５２５と、軸体５２４を回転駆動する駆動源となるモータ５２６とを備えている。軸体５２４の内部には、上下方向に沿って延伸する負圧通路５２７と、負圧通路５２７の下方に位置して負圧通路５２７に連通する負圧発生空間５２８とを形成してある。負圧通路５２７は、軸体５２４の先端面（上端面）に開口する。ピストン５２５は、負圧発生空間５２８に下方から挿入している。軸体５２４とピストン５２５とは、例えばスプライン結合しており、軸体５２４に対してピストン５２５が相対的に上下方向に沿って変位可能である一方、軸体５２４が中心軸回りに回転するときにはピストン５２５と軸体５２４とが一体となって回転する。負圧発生空間５２８の容積は、ピストン５２５が軸体５２４に対して相対的に上下動することで拡縮する。また、ピストン５２５は、モータ５２６の出力軸と直結している。 <Cup Processing Unit> The cup processing unit E is in the wrapping capsule molding machine 500 and cuts off the remaining portion 13 of the bowl-shaped sheet 10 projecting outward from the opening of the cup 1 in which the molded product 3 is inserted. Operates the cup processing process. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, in the cup processing unit E, first, a turntable 522 for rotating the cup 1 to be processed around its central axis α is advanced toward the processing position 523 (FIG. 15). 16). The turntable 522 includes a shaft body 524 and a piston 525 that extend in the vertical direction and can rotate about a central axis thereof, that is, a vertical axis, and a motor 526 that serves as a drive source for rotationally driving the shaft body 524. Inside the shaft body 524, a negative pressure passage 527 extending along the vertical direction and a negative pressure generating space 528 located below the negative pressure passage 527 and communicating with the negative pressure passage 527 are formed. The negative pressure passage 527 opens at the tip end surface (upper end surface) of the shaft body 524. The piston 525 is inserted into the negative pressure generation space 528 from below. The shaft body 524 and the piston 525 are spline-coupled, for example, and the piston 525 can be displaced relative to the shaft body 524 along the vertical direction, while the shaft body 524 rotates around the central axis. The piston 525 and the shaft body 524 rotate together. The volume of the negative pressure generating space 528 expands and contracts as the piston 525 moves up and down relatively with respect to the shaft body 524. The piston 525 is directly connected to the output shaft of the motor 526.
　成形品３が挿入されたカップ１を支持する移送機構５１３の移送体５１４は、回転台５２２の上方に移動する。このとき、軸体５２４の中心軸と、移送体５１４の軸孔５１５及びカップ１の中心軸αとが同軸となる。しかる後、移送体５１４を下降させると、軸体５２４の先端部（上端部）が移送体５１４の軸孔５１５内に収まり、その先端面がカップ１の底壁１２に当接または極近接する。その状態で、軸体５２４を上昇させると、軸体５２４の先端部が移送体５１４の上面よりも上方に突出し、カップ１の底壁１２を突き上げるようにしてカップ１及びシート１０の残部１３を移送体５１４の上面から浮上させる。同時に、モータ５２６に連結しているピストン５２５が軸体５２４に対して相対的に下方に変位することとなり、負圧発生空間５２８の容積が拡大して負圧を生じ、その負圧が負圧通路５２７を介してカップ１の底壁１２を軸体５２４の先端面に吸着させる。 The transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 that supports the cup 1 in which the molded product 3 is inserted moves above the turntable 522. At this time, the center axis of the shaft body 524 is coaxial with the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514 and the center axis α of the cup 1. Thereafter, when the transfer body 514 is lowered, the tip end portion (upper end portion) of the shaft body 524 is accommodated in the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514, and the tip end surface is in contact with or in close proximity to the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1. . In this state, when the shaft body 524 is raised, the tip portion of the shaft body 524 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the transfer body 514, and the cup 13 and the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 are moved up so as to push up the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1. It floats from the upper surface of the transfer body 514. At the same time, the piston 525 connected to the motor 526 is displaced downward relative to the shaft body 524, and the volume of the negative pressure generating space 528 is expanded to generate a negative pressure. The bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 is adsorbed to the tip surface of the shaft body 524 through the passage 527.
　カップ加工工程では、カップ１の開口部に連なる鍔状の残部１３を切り落とすべく、カップ１の周壁１１の縁端（上端）近傍の部位に、Ｘ軸方向に沿った側方からレーザ光Ｌを照射する。そのために、レーザ光Ｌを反射してその光軸をＸ軸方向に向けるミラー（または、４５°直角プリズム）５２９を、移送体５１４の上面から浮上したカップ１の周壁１１にＸ軸方向から臨む高さに配置する。そして、モータ５２６を起動してピストン５２５、軸体５２４及びこれに吸着しているカップ１をその中心軸α回りに回転させながら、レーザ光Ｌをミラー５２９を介してカップ１の周壁１１の縁端近傍の部位に照射する（図１７）。レーザ光Ｌの照射は、その照射位置がカップ１の周壁１１に沿って複数周回（例えば、二周）巡回するまで続行する。この結果、鍔状をなすシート１０の残部１３をカップ１の開口部から切り落とすことができる。カップ１から切り離されたシート１０の残部１３は、後に吸引して除去される。 In the cup processing step, the laser beam L is emitted from the side along the X-axis direction to a portion near the edge (upper end) of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 in order to cut off the bowl-shaped remaining portion 13 connected to the opening of the cup 1. Irradiate. For this purpose, a mirror (or a 45 ° right angle prism) 529 that reflects the laser beam L and directs its optical axis in the X-axis direction faces the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 levitated from the upper surface of the transfer body 514 from the X-axis direction. Place at height. Then, the motor 526 is activated to rotate the piston 525, the shaft body 524, and the cup 1 adsorbed to the piston 525 around the central axis α, and the laser light L is sent to the edge of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 via the mirror 529. Irradiate the region near the end (FIG. 17). The irradiation with the laser light L continues until the irradiation position circulates a plurality of times (for example, two times) along the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1. As a result, the remaining portion 13 of the bowl-shaped sheet 10 can be cut off from the opening of the cup 1. The remaining part 13 of the sheet 10 separated from the cup 1 is removed by suction later.
　カップ１からシート１０の残部１３を切り取った後、軸体５２４は下降し、かつ移送体５１４は上昇する。このとき、ピストン５２５が軸体５２４に対して相対的に上方に変位することから、カップ１の底壁１２を軸体５２４の先端面に吸着していた負圧が消失する。なお、移送体５１４の上面における軸孔５１５の開口の周縁に係合していたシート１０の残部１３が既にカップ１から切り離されているが、既に述べた通り、移送体５１４の軸孔５１５の下方の部分においてその内径がカップ１の周壁１１の外形よりも狭くなっている。このため、カップ１は、軸孔５１５内に深く落ち込むことなく、移送体５１４に支持されながら移送体５１４とともに上昇することになる。軸体５２４が移送体５１４の軸孔５１５から下方に脱出した後、回転台５２２は加工位置５２３から退避する。 After cutting the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 from the cup 1, the shaft body 524 is lowered and the transfer body 514 is raised. At this time, since the piston 525 is displaced relatively upward with respect to the shaft body 524, the negative pressure adsorbing the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 on the tip surface of the shaft body 524 disappears. Note that the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 that has been engaged with the periphery of the opening of the shaft hole 515 on the upper surface of the transfer body 514 has already been separated from the cup 1, but as already described, the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514 The inner diameter of the lower portion is narrower than the outer shape of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1. For this reason, the cup 1 rises together with the transfer body 514 while being supported by the transfer body 514 without falling deeply into the shaft hole 515. After the shaft body 524 escapes downward from the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514, the turntable 522 is retracted from the processing position 523.
　＜封止ユニット＞封止ユニットは、ラッピングカプセル成形機５００内にあって、成形品３が挿入されたカップ１の開口部をシート２０により封止する封止工程を営む。本実施形態にあって、封止ユニットは、以下に述べる蓋成形ユニットＦ、蓋加工ユニットＧ及び圧着ユニットＨを含む。 <Sealing Unit> The sealing unit is in the wrapping capsule molding machine 500 and performs a sealing process for sealing the opening of the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 is inserted with the sheet 20. In this embodiment, the sealing unit includes a lid forming unit F, a lid processing unit G, and a pressure bonding unit H described below.
　蓋成形ユニットＦは、カップ成形ユニットＡと同じ構成要素を共用し、シート２０からカップ１の開口部を封止するための蓋２を成形する蓋成形工程を営む。図１８ないし図２２に示すように、蓋成形ユニットＦにおいては、シート１０の残部１３を切り落としたカップ１を支持する移送機構５１３の移送体５１４を降下させ、かつ成形位置５０３に所在する保定機構５０４の下方の位置まで移動させる。一方で、シート切り出し位置５０１において、蓋２の材料となるシート２０のテープ５３０から所定寸法の円形状のシート２０を切り出し、切り出したシート２０を成形位置５０３において保定機構５０４により保定する（図１９）。その際には、保定機構５０４の下側の部材５０６が、シート切り出し位置５０１において切り出したシート２０を受け取り、成形位置５０３まで運搬する。蓋２の材料となるシート２０の切り出しは、カップ１の材料となるシート１０の切り出しと同様のレーザ処理により行う。なお、蓋２の材料となるシート２０の下向面に、予め接着層２４を設けていることがある。 The lid molding unit F shares the same components as the cup molding unit A, and performs a lid molding process for molding the lid 2 for sealing the opening of the cup 1 from the sheet 20. As shown in FIGS. 18 to 22, in the lid forming unit F, the holding mechanism that lowers the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 that supports the cup 1 from which the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 is cut off and is located at the forming position 503. Move to a position below 504. On the other hand, at the sheet cutting position 501, the circular sheet 20 having a predetermined size is cut out from the tape 530 of the sheet 20 that is the material of the lid 2, and the cut sheet 20 is held by the holding mechanism 504 at the molding position 503 (FIG. 19). ). At that time, the lower member 506 of the retaining mechanism 504 receives the sheet 20 cut out at the sheet cutting position 501 and transports it to the forming position 503. The cutting of the sheet 20 that is the material of the lid 2 is performed by the same laser treatment as the cutting of the sheet 10 that is the material of the cup 1. Note that an adhesive layer 24 may be provided in advance on the downward surface of the sheet 20 that is the material of the lid 2.
　次に、移送体５１４の下方から、当該移送体５１４の軸孔５１５に支持軸５３１を挿入する。支持軸５３１は、シートから蓋２を成形する際に雄型となる、成形品３が挿入されたカップ１を下方より支持する役割を担う。支持軸５３１の内部には、雰囲気を吸引するための吸引通路５３２を形成してあり、その吸引通路５３２は支持軸５３１の先端面（上端面）に開口している。支持軸５３１は、その先端面を移送体５１４の上面に略等しい高さまで上昇させることで、カップ１の底壁１２を移送体５１４の上面に略等しい高さまで持ち上げ、カップ１を移送体５１４の軸孔５１５から上方に露出させる。そして、その状態で吸引通路５３２を吸引して負圧化し、カップ１の底壁１２を支持軸５３１の先端面に吸着して固定する。 Next, the support shaft 531 is inserted into the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514 from below the transfer body 514. The support shaft 531 plays a role of supporting the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 is inserted, which is a male mold when the lid 2 is molded from the sheet, from below. A suction passage 532 for sucking the atmosphere is formed inside the support shaft 531, and the suction passage 532 is open to the front end surface (upper end surface) of the support shaft 531. The support shaft 531 raises the bottom surface 12 of the cup 1 to a height substantially equal to the upper surface of the transfer body 514 by raising the tip surface of the support shaft 531 to a height substantially equal to the upper surface of the transfer body 514. It is exposed upward from the shaft hole 515. In this state, the suction passage 532 is sucked to be negative pressure, and the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 is attracted to and fixed to the tip surface of the support shaft 531.
　しかして、シート２０から見てカップ１とは反対側、即ちシート２０の上方に存在する、ファンを内蔵したダクト５０８より、シート２０に向けて温風を吹き付けて熱可塑性のシート２０を加温する。その後、シート２０を挟持して保定した保定機構５０４が、雄型となるカップ１に向けて降下し、シート２０をカップ１の開口縁（上縁）及びカップ１に挿入された成形品３の上面に押し当てる（図２０）。それとともに、シート２０から見てカップ１側をダクト５０８側よりも減圧する、具体的にはシート２０の下方の雰囲気を吸引することで、シート２０をカップ１（及び、移送体５１４の上面）に吸着させる（図２１）。結果、カップ１の周壁１１の外面及び成形品３の上面の外形に対応した形状の容積を持つ蓋２が、シート２０から上方に突出するように成形される。この蓋２は、カップ１の周壁１１の外周の形状に沿った円筒状をなす周壁２１と、成形品３の上面の形状に沿った頂壁２２とを有するものとなる。そして、蓋２の成形時、蓋２の周壁２１の内面がカップ１の周壁１１の外面に接合し、かつ頂壁２２の下面がカップ１に挿入されている成形品３の上面に接合する。特に、蓋２となるシート２０の下向面、即ちカップ１及び成形品３に臨む側の面に予め接着層２４を設けている場合には、蓋２の成形時にその周壁２１の内面がカップ１の周壁１１の外面に接着されるとともに、当該接着層２４を有する頂壁２２の下面がカップ１に挿入されている成形品３の上面に接着される。 Thus, the thermoplastic sheet 20 is heated by blowing warm air toward the sheet 20 from the duct 508 having a built-in fan on the opposite side of the cup 1 as viewed from the sheet 20, that is, above the sheet 20. To do. Thereafter, the holding mechanism 504 holding and holding the sheet 20 descends toward the male cup 1, and the sheet 20 is inserted into the opening edge (upper edge) of the cup 1 and the molded product 3 inserted into the cup 1. Press against the top surface (FIG. 20). At the same time, the cup 1 side is decompressed more than the duct 508 side as viewed from the sheet 20, more specifically, by sucking the atmosphere below the sheet 20, the sheet 20 is brought into the cup 1 (and the upper surface of the transfer body 514). (Fig. 21). As a result, the lid 2 having a volume corresponding to the outer shape of the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 and the upper surface of the molded product 3 is molded so as to protrude upward from the sheet 20. The lid 2 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 21 along the shape of the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 and a top wall 22 along the shape of the upper surface of the molded product 3. When the lid 2 is molded, the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is bonded to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1, and the lower surface of the top wall 22 is bonded to the upper surface of the molded product 3 inserted in the cup 1. In particular, when the adhesive layer 24 is provided in advance on the downward surface of the sheet 20 serving as the lid 2, that is, the surface facing the cup 1 and the molded product 3, the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 is formed when the lid 2 is molded. The bottom surface of the top wall 22 having the adhesive layer 24 is adhered to the upper surface of the molded product 3 inserted in the cup 1.
　蓋２をシート２０から突出させて成形した後、支持軸５３１の吸引通路５３２の吸引を停止し、カップ１の底壁１２の支持軸５３１の先端面への吸着を解除する。そして、保定機構５０４が蓋２を成形したシート２０を挟持したまま上昇し、移送体５１４も保定機構５０４に追従して上昇する。このとき、カップ１と蓋２とが接合し、その蓋２と一体となっているシート２０が保定機構５０４に挟持されており、しかもシート２０の余剰部位が移送体５１４の上面に載置されていることから、カップ１及び蓋２もまた移送体５１４の上面から上方に露出した状態で保定機構５０４及び移送体５１４とともに上昇することとなる。 After forming the lid 2 protruding from the sheet 20, the suction of the suction passage 532 of the support shaft 531 is stopped, and the suction of the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 to the front end surface of the support shaft 531 is released. Then, the retaining mechanism 504 rises while sandwiching the sheet 20 on which the lid 2 is formed, and the transfer body 514 also rises following the retaining mechanism 504. At this time, the cup 1 and the lid 2 are joined, the sheet 20 integrated with the lid 2 is sandwiched between the retaining mechanisms 504, and the surplus portion of the sheet 20 is placed on the upper surface of the transfer body 514. Therefore, the cup 1 and the lid 2 are also lifted together with the holding mechanism 504 and the transfer body 514 while being exposed upward from the upper surface of the transfer body 514.
　続いて、蓋２の開口部に連なる不要なシート２０の余剰部位にレーザ光Ｌを照射して、当該余剰部位を切り落とす（図２２）。このとき、シート２０の余剰部位と直交する上下方向に沿って、蓋２の開口縁よりもやや外側方に偏倚した位置にレーザ光Ｌを照射するとともに、そのレーザ光Ｌの照射位置も蓋２の開口縁よりも径の大きな円形状の輪郭βに沿って弧を描くように移動させる走査を行う。これにより、レーザ光Ｌの照射位置の軌跡に沿ってシート２０が切断される。シート２０の余剰部位を切り落とした蓋２の開口部には、蓋２の周壁２１から屈曲して外側方に張り出した鍔状のシート２０の残部２３が存留する。このシート２０の残部２３は、移送体５１４の上面における軸孔５１５の開口の周縁に係合し、カップ１及び蓋２を移送体５１４の上面から上方に突出した状態に保つ。蓋２から切り離されたシート２０の余剰部位は、後に吸引して除去される。 Subsequently, the excess portion of the unnecessary sheet 20 connected to the opening of the lid 2 is irradiated with the laser light L, and the excess portion is cut off (FIG. 22). At this time, the laser beam L is irradiated along the vertical direction perpendicular to the surplus portion of the sheet 20 to the position slightly outward from the opening edge of the lid 2, and the irradiation position of the laser beam L is also the lid 2. The scanning is performed so as to draw an arc along a circular outline β having a diameter larger than that of the opening edge. Thereby, the sheet | seat 20 is cut | disconnected along the locus | trajectory of the irradiation position of the laser beam L. FIG. The remaining portion 23 of the bowl-shaped sheet 20 that is bent from the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 and projects outward is left in the opening of the lid 2 where excess portions of the sheet 20 are cut off. The remaining portion 23 of the sheet 20 engages with the periphery of the opening of the shaft hole 515 on the upper surface of the transfer body 514, and keeps the cup 1 and the lid 2 protruding upward from the upper surface of the transfer body 514. The surplus part of the sheet 20 cut off from the lid 2 is removed by suction later.
　シート２０の余剰部位を切り落とした後、カップ１及び蓋２を支持する移送体５１４がやや降下するとともに、支持軸５３１が下方に大きく退避する。 After cutting off the surplus part of the sheet 20, the transfer body 514 supporting the cup 1 and the lid 2 is slightly lowered, and the support shaft 531 is largely retracted downward.
　蓋加工ユニットＧは、カップ加工ユニットＥと同じ構成要素を共用し、カップ１を封止した蓋２の開口部から外側方に張り出している鍔状のシート２０の残部２３を切り落とす蓋加工工程を営む。図２３及び図２４に示すように、蓋加工ユニットＧにおいては、まず、カップ１及び蓋２を支持する移送機構５１３の移送体５１４を加工位置５２３に向けて移動させる（図２３）。この移送体５１４は、回転台５２２の上方の位置で待機する。並びに、回転台５２２を加工位置５２３に向けて進出させる。加工位置５２３にあって、回転台５２２の軸体５２４の中心軸と、移送体５１４の軸孔５１５、カップ１及び蓋２の中心軸αとは同軸となる。しかる後、移送体５１４を下降させると、軸体５２４の先端部が移送体５１４の軸孔５１５内に収まり、その先端面がカップ１の底壁１２に当接または極近接する。その状態で、軸体５２４を上昇させると、軸体５２４の先端部が移送体５１４の上面よりも上方に突出し、カップ１の底壁１２を突き上げるようにしてカップ１、蓋２及びシートの残部を移送体５１４の上面から浮上させる。同時に、モータ５２６に連結しているピストン５２５が軸体５２４に対して相対的に下方に変位することとなり、負圧発生空間５２８の容積が拡大して負圧を生じ、その負圧が負圧通路５２７を介してカップ１の底壁１２を軸体５２４の先端面に吸着させる。 The lid processing unit G shares the same components as the cup processing unit E, and a lid processing step of cutting off the remaining portion 23 of the bowl-shaped sheet 20 projecting outward from the opening of the lid 2 sealing the cup 1. Run. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, in the lid processing unit G, first, the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 that supports the cup 1 and the lid 2 is moved toward the processing position 523 (FIG. 23). The transfer body 514 stands by at a position above the turntable 522. In addition, the turntable 522 is advanced toward the machining position 523. At the processing position 523, the central axis of the shaft body 524 of the turntable 522 and the central axis α of the shaft hole 515, the cup 1 and the lid 2 of the transfer body 514 are coaxial. Thereafter, when the transfer body 514 is lowered, the tip end portion of the shaft body 524 is accommodated in the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514, and the tip end surface thereof comes into contact with or very close to the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1. In this state, when the shaft body 524 is raised, the tip of the shaft body 524 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the transfer body 514 and pushes up the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 so that the remaining portion of the cup 1, the lid 2 and the sheet. From the upper surface of the transfer body 514. At the same time, the piston 525 connected to the motor 526 is displaced downward relative to the shaft body 524, and the volume of the negative pressure generating space 528 is expanded to generate a negative pressure. The bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 is adsorbed to the tip surface of the shaft body 524 through the passage 527.
　蓋加工工程では、蓋２の開口部に連なる鍔状の残部２３を切り落とすべく、蓋２の周壁２１の縁端（下端）近傍の部位に、Ｘ軸方向に沿った側方からレーザ光Ｌを照射する。そのために、レーザ光Ｌを反射してその光軸をＸ軸方向に向けるミラー５２９を、移送体５１４の上面から浮上した蓋２の周壁２１にＸ軸方向から臨む高さに配置する。そして、モータ５２６を起動してピストン５２５、軸体５２４、並びに軸体５２４に吸着しているカップ１及び蓋２をその中心軸α回りに回転させながら、レーザ光Ｌをミラー５２９を介して蓋２の周壁２１の縁端近傍の部位に照射する（図２４）。レーザ光Ｌの照射は、その照射位置が蓋２の周壁２１に沿って複数周回（例えば、二周）巡回するまで続行する。この結果、鍔状をなすシート２０の残部２３を蓋２の開口部から切り落とすことができる。蓋２から切り離されたシート２０の残部２３は、後に吸引して除去される。 In the lid processing step, the laser beam L is emitted from the side along the X-axis direction to a portion near the edge (lower end) of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 in order to cut off the bowl-shaped remaining portion 23 connected to the opening of the lid 2. Irradiate. For this purpose, a mirror 529 that reflects the laser beam L and directs its optical axis in the X-axis direction is arranged at a height that faces the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 that floats from the upper surface of the transfer body 514 from the X-axis direction. Then, the motor 526 is activated to rotate the piston 525, the shaft body 524, and the cup 1 and the lid 2 adsorbed to the shaft body 524 around the central axis α, while the laser beam L is covered via the mirror 529. 2 is irradiated to the vicinity of the edge of the peripheral wall 21 (FIG. 24). The irradiation with the laser light L is continued until the irradiation position circulates a plurality of times (for example, two times) along the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2. As a result, the remaining portion 23 of the bowl-shaped sheet 20 can be cut off from the opening of the lid 2. The remaining part 23 of the sheet 20 cut off from the lid 2 is removed by suction later.
　圧着ユニットＨは、上記の蓋加工工程に引き続き、蓋２の周壁２１を外側方から内側方に向けて押圧し、蓋２の周壁２１の内面をカップ１の周壁１１の外面に対して圧着する圧着工程を営む。図２５ないし図２７に示すように、圧着ユニットＨにおいては、蓋２の周壁２１を押圧するための圧着機構５３３が、Ｙ軸方向に沿って側方から、回転台５２２の軸体５２４に吸着したカップ１及び蓋２の近傍に移動する（図２６）。圧着機構５３３は、カップ１及び蓋２を取り巻くように配置している複数個（図示例では、三個）の圧着ローラ５３４と、各圧着ローラ５３４に内蔵したヒータ５３５と、それら圧着ローラ５３４及びヒータ５３５を支持するローラ支持体５３６とを有している。圧着ローラ５３４はそれぞれ、鉛直軸回りに回動することが可能である。ヒータ５３５は、圧着ローラ５３４の外周面の温度を高める働きをする。ローラ支持体５３６は、支持している各圧着ローラ５３４を当該ローラ支持体５３６の中央に向かって水平移動させ、また中央から離反するように水平移動させることのできるエアチャックを要素とする。 The crimping unit H presses the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 from the outer side toward the inner side, and crimps the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 following the above-described lid processing step. Performs the crimping process. As shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, in the crimping unit H, the crimping mechanism 533 for pressing the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is attracted to the shaft body 524 of the turntable 522 from the side along the Y-axis direction. Moved to the vicinity of the cup 1 and the lid 2 (FIG. 26). The pressure-bonding mechanism 533 includes a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) pressure-bonding rollers 534 arranged so as to surround the cup 1 and the lid 2, heaters 535 incorporated in the pressure-bonding rollers 534, the pressure-bonding rollers 534, And a roller support 536 that supports the heater 535. Each of the pressure rollers 534 can rotate around the vertical axis. The heater 535 functions to increase the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the pressure roller 534. The roller support 536 includes an air chuck that can horizontally move the pressure-bonding rollers 534 that are supported toward the center of the roller support 536 and horizontally move away from the center.
　圧着工程では、ローラ支持体５３６の中央の直下にカップ１及び蓋２が所在するように圧着機構５３３を位置づけ、ローラ支持体５３６が支持する各圧着ローラ５３４の外周面を蓋２の周壁の外面に臨ませる。そして、ローラ支持体５３６が備えるエアチャックにより各圧着ローラ５３４をローラ支持体５３６の中央に向かって変位させる（図２７）。即ち、各圧着ローラ５３４の外周面を蓋２の周壁２１の外面に接触させ、かつそれら圧着ローラ５３４により蓋２の周壁２１を外側方から挟み付ける。しかる後、カップ１及び蓋２を吸着している回転台５２２の軸体５２４を回転駆動し、圧着ローラ５３４に挟み付けられている蓋２及びカップ１をその中心軸α回りに回転させる。これにより、圧着ローラ５３４を介して蓋２の周壁２１を加温しながらカップ１の周壁１１に向けて押圧することができる。 In the crimping process, the crimping mechanism 533 is positioned so that the cup 1 and the lid 2 are located immediately below the center of the roller support 536, and the outer circumferential surface of each crimping roller 534 supported by the roller support 536 is the outer surface of the circumferential wall of the lid 2. Let us face you. Then, each pressure roller 534 is displaced toward the center of the roller support 536 by an air chuck provided in the roller support 536 (FIG. 27). That is, the outer peripheral surface of each pressure roller 534 is brought into contact with the outer surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2, and the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is sandwiched from the outer side by the pressure roller 534. Thereafter, the shaft body 524 of the turntable 522 adsorbing the cup 1 and the lid 2 is driven to rotate, and the lid 2 and the cup 1 sandwiched between the pressure-bonding rollers 534 are rotated around the central axis α. Thereby, it is possible to press the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 toward the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 while heating the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 via the pressure roller 534.
　蓋２の周壁２１のカップ１の周壁１１に対する圧着が終了し、成形品３、４をカップ１及び蓋２で包んだラッピング錠が完成したら、エアチャックを駆動して各圧着ローラ５３４をローラ支持体５３６の中央から離反する方向に変位させて、各圧着ローラ５３４による挟圧からカップ１及び蓋２を解放する。その後、圧着機構５３３は原位置に退避する。また、回転台５２２の軸体５２４は下降し、かつ移送体５１４は上昇する。このとき、ピストン５２５が軸体５２４に対して相対的に上方に変位することから、カップ１の底壁１２を軸体５２４の先端面に吸着していた負圧が消失する。なお、移送体５１４の上面における軸孔５１５の開口の周縁に係合していたシート２０の残部２３が既に蓋２から切り離されているが、蓋２の周壁２１の外径即ち完成したラッピング錠の外径は移送体５１４の軸孔５１５の内径よりも若干大きいため、完成したラッピング錠は軸孔５１５内に落ち込むことなく、移送体５１４の上面よりも上方に露出した状態に支持されながら移送体５１４とともに上昇することとなる。 When the crimping of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 to the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 is completed, and the wrapping lock that wraps the molded products 3 and 4 with the cup 1 and the lid 2 is completed, the air chuck is driven to support each pressure roller 534 as a roller. It is displaced in a direction away from the center of the body 536, and the cup 1 and the lid 2 are released from the pinching pressure by each pressure roller 534. Thereafter, the crimping mechanism 533 is retracted to the original position. Further, the shaft body 524 of the turntable 522 is lowered and the transfer body 514 is raised. At this time, since the piston 525 is displaced relatively upward with respect to the shaft body 524, the negative pressure adsorbing the bottom wall 12 of the cup 1 on the tip surface of the shaft body 524 disappears. The remaining portion 23 of the sheet 20 that has been engaged with the periphery of the opening of the shaft hole 515 on the upper surface of the transfer body 514 has already been separated from the lid 2, but the outer diameter of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2, that is, the completed wrapping tablet. Since the outer diameter of the wrapping tablet is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514, the completed wrapping tablet does not fall into the shaft hole 515, and is transferred while being supported above the upper surface of the transfer body 514. It will rise with the body 514.
　なお、圧着ユニットＨにおいて、圧着ローラ５３４を加温するヒータ５３５は必須ではない。圧着ローラ５３４を加温せずとも、蓋２の周壁２１をカップ１の周壁１１に十分に強固に接着できるのであれば、ヒータ５３５を圧着ローラ５３４に内蔵することは不要となる。 In the pressure bonding unit H, the heater 535 for heating the pressure roller 534 is not essential. If the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 can be bonded sufficiently firmly to the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1 without heating the pressure roller 534, it is not necessary to incorporate the heater 535 in the pressure roller 534.
　さらには、圧着ユニットＨ及び圧着工程自体も必須ではない。蓋成形工程にて、成形品３、４が挿入されたカップ１を雄型としてシートから蓋２を成形するときに、蓋２の周壁２１の内面がカップ１の周壁１１の外面に十分に強固に接着されるならば、圧着工程を実施せずともよく、圧着機構５３３を含む圧着ユニットＨを廃することができる。 Furthermore, the crimping unit H and the crimping process itself are not essential. In the lid forming process, when the lid 2 is molded from the sheet using the cup 1 with the molded products 3 and 4 inserted as a male mold, the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 of the lid 2 is sufficiently strong to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11 of the cup 1. If it adheres to, the crimping | compression-bonding process does not need to be implemented but the crimping | compression-bonding unit H containing the crimping | compression-bonding mechanism 533 can be abolished.
　最後に、移送機構５１３の移送体５１４が、完成したラッピング錠を、本製造装置（のラッピングカプセル成形機５００）における製品回収位置まで移送する。そして、完成したラッピング錠を、当該製品回収位置に設置している排出口（シュート）に落とし込む。 Finally, the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 transfers the completed wrapping tablet to the product collection position in the manufacturing apparatus (the wrapping capsule forming machine 500). Then, the completed wrapping tablet is dropped into a discharge port (chute) installed at the product collection position.
　本実施形態のカップ１、２の製造方法では、シート１０、２０から容積を持つカップ１、２を成形する成形工程（カップ成形工程、蓋成形工程）と、前記カップ１、２から前記シート１０、２０の残部１３、２３を切り取るべく、カップ１、２を含むシート１０、２０を回転させつつ、その回転軸αの伸びる方向に対して交差する方向に光軸を向けたレーザ光Ｌを、シート１０、２０の残部１３、２３から突出している部位（特に、周壁１１、２１の縁端近傍）に照射する加工工程（カップ加工工程、蓋加工工程）とを具備する。本実施形態におけるカップ１、２の製造装置は、シート１０、２０から容積を持つカップ１、２を突出させる成形ユニット（カップ成形ユニットＡ、蓋成形ユニットＦ）と、前記カップ１、２から前記シート１０、２０の残部を切り取るべく、カップ１、２を含むシートを回転させつつ、その回転軸αの伸びる方向に対して交差する方向に光軸を向けたレーザ光Ｌを、シート１０、２０の残部１３、２３から突出している部位に照射する加工ユニット（カップ加工ユニットＥ、蓋加工ユニットＧ）とを具備する。 In the manufacturing method of the cups 1 and 2 according to the present embodiment, a molding process (a cup molding process and a lid molding process) for molding the cups 1 and 2 having a volume from the sheets 10 and 20; , 20 while rotating the sheets 10 and 20 including the cups 1 and 2 in order to cut off the remaining portions 13 and 23, the laser beam L with the optical axis directed in the direction intersecting the direction in which the rotation axis α extends, And a processing step (a cup processing step, a lid processing step) for irradiating a portion protruding from the remaining portions 13 and 23 of the sheets 10 and 20 (particularly, near the edge of the peripheral walls 11 and 21). The cups 1 and 2 manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a molding unit (a cup molding unit A and a lid molding unit F) for projecting the cups 1 and 2 having a volume from the sheets 10 and 20, and the cups 1 and 2. In order to cut off the remaining portions of the sheets 10 and 20, the sheet 10 and 20 is rotated by rotating the sheet including the cups 1 and 2 with the laser beam L having the optical axis directed in the direction intersecting the direction in which the rotation axis α extends. The processing units (cup processing unit E, lid processing unit G) for irradiating the portions protruding from the remaining portions 13 and 23 are provided.
　本実施形態によれば、カップ１、２を含むシート１０、２０に対するレーザ光Ｌの照射位置を厳密に制御せずとも、カップ１、２からシート１０、２０の残部１３、２３を確実に切除することが可能となる。 According to the present embodiment, the remaining portions 13 and 23 of the sheets 10 and 20 are reliably cut from the cups 1 and 2 without strictly controlling the irradiation position of the laser light L on the sheets 10 and 20 including the cups 1 and 2. It becomes possible to do.
　カップ１の成形工程では、シート１０を雄型５０７に対して相対的に移動させ、シート１０を雄型５０７に押し当てることで、シート１０から容積を持つカップ１を突出させる。上記実施形態では、雄型５０７を固定した上でシート１０を雄型５０７に向けて移動（下降）させるようにしていたが、シート１０を固定した上で雄型５０７をシート１０に向けて移動させてもよいし、シート１０及び雄型５０７の双方を互いに相寄る方向に移動させてもよい。 In the cup 1 molding process, the sheet 10 is moved relative to the male mold 507, and the sheet 10 is pressed against the male mold 507, so that the cup 1 having a volume protrudes from the sheet 10. In the above embodiment, the male mold 507 is fixed and then the sheet 10 is moved (lowered) toward the male mold 507. However, the male mold 507 is moved toward the sheet 10 after the sheet 10 is fixed. Alternatively, both the sheet 10 and the male mold 507 may be moved in the direction of approaching each other.
　また、蓋２の成形工程では、シート２０を成形品３を挿入したカップ１に対して相対的に移動させ、当該カップ１を雄型としてシート２０を押し当てることで、シート２０から容積を持つカップたる蓋２を突出させる。上記実施形態では、雄型となる成形品３を挿入したカップ１を固定した上でシート２０を当該カップ１に向けて移動（下降）させるようにしていたが、シート２０を固定した上で成形品３を挿入したカップ１をシート２０に向けて移動させてもよいし、シート２０及びカップ１の双方を互いに相寄る方向に移動させてもよい。 Further, in the lid 2 molding process, the sheet 20 is moved relative to the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 is inserted, and the sheet 20 is pressed against the cup 1 as a male mold. The lid 2 which is a cup is protruded. In the above embodiment, the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 to be a male mold is inserted is fixed and then the sheet 20 is moved (lowered) toward the cup 1, but the molding is performed after the sheet 20 is fixed. The cup 1 in which the product 3 is inserted may be moved toward the sheet 20, or both the sheet 20 and the cup 1 may be moved in a direction close to each other.
　本実施形態の方法では、前記挿入工程の後、前記封止工程の前に、前記成形品３を挿入した前記カップ１から前記シート１０の残部１３を切り取る加工工程（カップ加工工程）を実施する。即ち、本実施形態の製造装置は、前記成形品３を挿入した前記カップ１から前記シート１０の残部１３を切り取る加工ユニット（カップ加工ユニット）Ｅをも具備する。カップ１の開口部にシート１０の残部１３を残したままで挿入工程を実施することから、成形品３の挿入に際してカップ１の剛性を担保でき、また成形品３が挿入されるカップ１を支持しやすい。 In the method of the present embodiment, after the inserting step, before the sealing step, a processing step (cup processing step) for cutting off the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 from the cup 1 in which the molded product 3 is inserted is performed. . That is, the manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment also includes a processing unit (cup processing unit) E that cuts the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 from the cup 1 in which the molded product 3 is inserted. Since the insertion step is performed with the remaining portion 13 of the sheet 10 left in the opening of the cup 1, the rigidity of the cup 1 can be secured when the molded product 3 is inserted, and the cup 1 into which the molded product 3 is inserted is supported. Cheap.
　カップ１及び蓋２の材料となるシート１０、２０はそれぞれ、熱可塑性高分子材料を素材とするフィルム、例えば、ピプロメロースまたはポリビニルアルコールを素材とするフィルムである。医薬の製剤を製造する場合には、服用した人の体内で溶解する素材のフィルムである。 The sheets 10 and 20 that are the materials of the cup 1 and the lid 2 are each a film made of a thermoplastic polymer material, for example, a film made of piperomellose or polyvinyl alcohol. In the case of producing a pharmaceutical preparation, it is a film of a material that dissolves in the body of a person who has taken it.
　なお、上記実施形態では、粉体圧縮工程を営む粉体圧縮成形機６００において、成形品３をカップ１に挿入する挿入工程をも実施していた。だが、粉体圧縮成形機６００内ではなく、粉体圧縮成形機６００外で挿入工程を実施することも考えられる。 In the above embodiment, the insertion process of inserting the molded product 3 into the cup 1 is also performed in the powder compression molding machine 600 that performs the powder compression process. However, it is conceivable to perform the insertion step outside the powder compression molding machine 600 instead of inside the powder compression molding machine 600.
　その場合には、挿入工程を営む挿入ユニットＤを、例えばラッピングカプセル成形機５００内に設けておく。図２８ないし図３０に示すように、当該挿入ユニットＤにおいては、複数個の成形品３を上下方向に沿って直列させて保持できるマガジン５１６に、予め成形した成形品３を貯留しておく。この成形品３は、粉体圧縮成形機６００を使用して粉体３０を圧縮したものであってもよいし、成形機６００とは異なる粉体圧縮成形機を使用して粉体３０を圧縮したものであってもよい。何れにせよ、当該成形品３を成形するべく粉体３０を圧縮する工程は粉体圧縮工程に該当し、当該粉体圧縮工程を実施するために使用する粉体圧縮成形機は粉体圧縮ユニットに該当する。 In that case, for example, an insertion unit D that performs the insertion process is provided in the wrapping capsule molding machine 500. As shown in FIGS. 28 to 30, in the insertion unit D, the molded product 3 molded in advance is stored in a magazine 516 that can hold a plurality of molded products 3 in series along the vertical direction. The molded product 3 may be a product obtained by compressing the powder 30 using a powder compression molding machine 600, or compressing the powder 30 using a powder compression molding machine different from the molding machine 600. It may be what you did. In any case, the step of compressing the powder 30 to form the molded product 3 corresponds to the powder compression step, and the powder compression molding machine used to perform the powder compression step is a powder compression unit. It corresponds to.
　カップ成形ユニットＡにおけるカップ成形工程を経た後、軸孔５１５にカップ１を収容して支持している移送機構５１３の移送体５１４は、当該カップ１を粉体圧縮成形機６００内の挿入ユニットＣではなくラッピングカプセル成形機５００内の挿入ユニットＤまで移送する。このとき、移送体５１４は、マガジン５１６を載置している基台５１７の下方に進入する（図２９）。基台５１７における、マガジン５１６の傍らの位置には、上下方向に貫通した投入口５１８を穿ってある。投入口５１８の内径は、カップ１を支持する基台５１７の上端部の外径に略等しい。基台５１７の下方に進入した移送体５１４の軸孔５１５及びカップ１の中心軸αは、基台５１７の投入口５１８と同軸となる。その後、移送体５１４を上昇させ、その上端部を基台５１７の投入口５１８に下方から挿入する。このとき、移送体５１４の上面の高さが基台５１７の上面の高さと略面一となる。 After the cup forming process in the cup forming unit A, the transfer body 514 of the transfer mechanism 513 that accommodates and supports the cup 1 in the shaft hole 515 is inserted into the insertion unit C in the powder compression molding machine 600. Instead, it is transferred to the insertion unit D in the wrapping capsule forming machine 500. At this time, the transfer body 514 enters below the base 517 on which the magazine 516 is placed (FIG. 29). An insertion port 518 penetrating in the vertical direction is bored at a position on the base 517 near the magazine 516. The inner diameter of the inlet 518 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the upper end portion of the base 517 that supports the cup 1. The shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514 that has entered below the base 517 and the central axis α of the cup 1 are coaxial with the input port 518 of the base 517. Thereafter, the transfer body 514 is raised, and the upper end thereof is inserted into the charging port 518 of the base 517 from below. At this time, the height of the upper surface of the transfer body 514 is substantially flush with the height of the upper surface of the base 517.
　次に、マガジン５１６の最下部に位置する駆動体５１９が、Ｘ軸方向に沿った側方から投入口５１８及び移送体５１４の直上の位置まで進出する。駆動体５１９は、カップ１に挿入するべき成形品３一個分またはそれよりも若干小さな厚みを有した平板な部材であり、その端部に上下方向に貫通した捕捉孔５２０を穿ってある。捕捉孔５２０の内径は、成形品３の外径に略等しい。駆動体５１９の捕捉孔５２０が、マガジン５１６に保持された複数個の成形品３の直下に位置しているとき、それら複数個の成形品３のうちの最下位の一個が捕捉孔５２０内に落下して捕捉孔５２０に捕捉される。その上で、この駆動体５１９が投入口５１８及び移送体５１４の直上の位置に進出すると、捕捉孔５２０及びこれに捉えている成形品３の中心軸と、移送体５１４の軸孔５１５及びカップ１の中心軸αとが同軸となる。 Next, the drive body 519 located at the bottom of the magazine 516 advances from the side along the X-axis direction to a position directly above the input port 518 and the transfer body 514. The driving body 519 is a flat member having a thickness of one molded product 3 to be inserted into the cup 1 or slightly smaller than that, and has a catching hole 520 penetrating in the vertical direction at an end thereof. The inner diameter of the capture hole 520 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the molded product 3. When the catching hole 520 of the driving body 519 is located immediately below the plurality of molded products 3 held by the magazine 516, the lowest one of the plurality of molded products 3 is in the catching hole 520. It falls and is captured by the capture hole 520. Then, when the drive body 519 advances to a position immediately above the charging port 518 and the transfer body 514, the capture hole 520 and the central axis of the molded product 3 captured thereby, the shaft hole 515 of the transfer body 514, and the cup The central axis α of 1 is coaxial.
　その状態で、投入口５１８の上方に控えている棒状のプッシャー５２１を降下させ、その先端部（下端部）で捕捉孔５２０内の成形品３をカップ１内に上方から突き込む（図３０）。結果、カップ１内に成形品３が挿入される。 In this state, the rod-shaped pusher 521 kept above the charging port 518 is lowered, and the molded product 3 in the catching hole 520 is pushed into the cup 1 from above at the tip (lower end) (FIG. 30). . As a result, the molded product 3 is inserted into the cup 1.
　成形品４をカップ１に押し入れたプッシャー５２１が上昇した後、駆動体５１９が原位置に退避する。このとき、駆動体５１９の捕捉孔５２０が、マガジン５１６に保持された複数個の成形品３の直下の位置に復帰して、新たな一個の成形品３を迎え入れる。成形品３が挿入されたカップ１を支持している移送体５１４は降下し、その上端部が投入口５１８から脱出する。しかる後、移送体５１４は、カップ加工ユニットＥにおける回転台５２２の上方に移動することとなる。 After the pusher 521 that has pushed the molded product 4 into the cup 1 is raised, the drive body 519 is retracted to the original position. At this time, the catching hole 520 of the driving body 519 returns to a position immediately below the plurality of molded products 3 held by the magazine 516 to receive a new molded product 3. The transfer body 514 supporting the cup 1 in which the molded product 3 is inserted descends, and its upper end portion escapes from the charging port 518. Thereafter, the transfer body 514 moves above the turntable 522 in the cup processing unit E.
　なお、本発明は以上に詳述した実施形態に限られるものではない。本発明に係る製剤の製造方法及び製造方法は、複数種類の粉体を配合する配合剤や、複数種類の粉体を積層する積層剤の製造にも有用である。例えば、一個のカップ１に複数個の成形品を挿入することで、二種以上の有効成分をカップ１内に封入した配合剤または積層剤を簡便に製造することができる。また、カップ１内に、一個または複数個の成形品とともに、圧縮成形していない粉体やフィルム等を封入することも考えられる。 Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above. The production method and production method of the preparation according to the present invention are also useful for the production of a compounding agent for blending a plurality of types of powders and a layering agent for laminating a plurality of types of powders. For example, a compounding agent or a laminating agent in which two or more active ingredients are enclosed in the cup 1 can be easily produced by inserting a plurality of molded products into one cup 1. It is also conceivable to enclose a powder, a film, or the like that is not compression molded into the cup 1 together with one or a plurality of molded products.
　カップ１に、粉体を圧縮してなる成形品を挿入するのではなく、圧縮成形していない粉体、液体、ゾル、ゲル等を充填し、そのカップ１を蓋２で封止して製剤を製造することも許される。要するに、カップ１及び蓋２を要素とするラッピングカプセルの内容物は、粉体を圧縮した成形品に限定されない。 Instead of inserting a molded product obtained by compressing powder into the cup 1, it is filled with non-compressed powder, liquid, sol, gel, etc., and the cup 1 is sealed with a lid 2. It is also allowed to manufacture. In short, the contents of the wrapping capsule including the cup 1 and the lid 2 as elements are not limited to a molded product obtained by compressing powder.
　上記実施形態における粉体圧縮ユニットＢを構成する成形機は竪型式粉体圧縮成形機６００であったが、粉体圧縮ユニットを構成する成形機として回転式粉体圧縮成形機を採用してもよい。 Although the molding machine constituting the powder compression unit B in the above embodiment is the vertical powder compression molding machine 600, a rotary powder compression molding machine may be adopted as the molding machine constituting the powder compression unit. Good.
　上記実施形態では、テープ５０２からカップ１の材料となるシート１０を切り出す加工を行うためのレーザ装置、シート１０の余剰部分を切り落とす加工を行うためのレーザ装置、カップ１の開口縁から残部１３を切り落とす加工を行うためのレーザ装置、テープ５３０から蓋２の材料となるシート２０を切り出す加工を行うためのレーザ装置、シート２０の余剰部分を切断する加工を行うためのレーザ装置、及び蓋２の開口縁から残部２３を切り落とす加工を行うためのレーザ装置が共通であり、残部１３、２３を切り落とす加工の際にレーザ光Ｌの光軸の向きを変えるべくミラー（または、プリズム）５２９を用いていた。だが、これらの加工を必ずしも同一のレーザ装置を使用して実行する必要はなく、複数のレーザ装置を実装することで生産能力の向上を目論んでもよいことは言うまでもない。 In the above embodiment, the laser device for cutting the sheet 10 that is the material of the cup 1 from the tape 502, the laser device for cutting the excess portion of the sheet 10, and the remaining portion 13 from the opening edge of the cup 1. A laser device for performing a cutting process, a laser device for performing a process of cutting out the sheet 20 that is a material of the lid 2 from the tape 530, a laser device for performing a process of cutting an excess portion of the sheet 20, and the lid 2 A laser apparatus for performing the process of cutting off the remaining portion 23 from the opening edge is common, and a mirror (or prism) 529 is used to change the direction of the optical axis of the laser light L when the remaining portions 13 and 23 are cut off. It was. However, it is not always necessary to perform these processes using the same laser device, and it goes without saying that a plurality of laser devices may be mounted to improve the production capacity.
　シート１０、２０の残部１３、２３を成形したカップ１、２の周壁１１、２１から切り取る加工工程において、上記実施形態では、図３１（Ｉ）に示すように、カップ１、２を含むシート１０、２０を軸α回りに回転させつつ、その回転軸αの伸びる方向に対して直交または略直交する方向に光軸を向けたレーザ光Ｌを、周壁１１、２１の縁端近傍の部位に外側方から照射していた。だが、図３１（II）に示すように、周壁１１、２１の縁端近傍の部位に照射するレーザ光Ｌの光軸を、回転軸αと直交する方向から傾けても構わない。 In the processing step of cutting the remaining portions 13 and 23 of the sheets 10 and 20 from the peripheral walls 11 and 21 of the cups 1 and 2, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. , 20 is rotated around the axis α, and the laser beam L with the optical axis directed in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the rotation axis α extends extends outside the region near the edges of the peripheral walls 11, 21. Irradiated from the direction. However, as shown in FIG. 31 (II), the optical axis of the laser beam L irradiated to the portion near the edge of the peripheral walls 11 and 21 may be tilted from the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis α.
　カップ１、２により包んだ内容物の溶出性能若しくは徐放性能、またはカップ１、２の溶解性能を調整する目的で、カップ１、２の周壁１１、２１、底壁１２または頂壁２２に、貫通した孔や貫通していない穴、溝、切り込み等を形成することもできる。その場合には、カップ１、２にレーザ光Ｌを照射するレーザ加工により、孔や穴を穿ったり、カップ１、２の一部分の肉厚を薄く削ったりすることが考えられる。 For the purpose of adjusting the elution performance or sustained release performance of the contents wrapped by the cups 1 and 2 or the dissolution performance of the cups 1 and 2, the peripheral walls 11 and 21, the bottom wall 12 or the top wall 22 of the cups 1 and 2 It is also possible to form through holes, non-through holes, grooves, cuts, or the like. In that case, it is conceivable to make a hole or a hole or to reduce the thickness of a part of the cup 1 or 2 by laser processing that irradiates the cup 1 or 2 with the laser beam L.
　上記実施形態の製剤は平面視真円形状をなしていたが、製剤の形状はこれには限定されない。平面視三角形状、四角形状、六角形状その他の多角形状の製剤や、平面視正多角形状でない形状、具体的には平面視楕円形状や涙滴状等をなす製剤の製造に、本発明を適用することも可能である。 Although the preparation of the above embodiment has a perfect circle shape in plan view, the shape of the preparation is not limited to this. The present invention is applied to the production of a triangular, quadrilateral, hexagonal or other polygonal preparation in a plan view, or a shape that is not a regular polygonal shape in a plan view, specifically a preparation having an elliptical shape or a teardrop shape in a plan view. It is also possible to do.
　上記実施形態のように、カップ１、２の周壁１１、２１が平面視真円形状をなす製剤を製造する場合、シート１０、２０の残部１３、２３をカップ１、２から切り落とす加工工程を実施するには、単純に周壁１１、２１の中心に回転軸αを設定してカップ１、２を回転させ、レーザ光Ｌを周壁１１、２１の縁端近傍に外側方から照射すればよい。これに対し、周壁１１、２１が平面視非真円形状をなす製剤を製造する場合における、シート１０、２０の残部１３、２３をカップ１、２から切り落とす加工工程では、カップ１、２の回転軸αを適時変更する必要が生じる。 When manufacturing the formulation in which the peripheral walls 11 and 21 of the cups 1 and 2 form a circular shape in plan view as in the above embodiment, a processing step of cutting off the remaining portions 13 and 23 of the sheets 10 and 20 from the cups 1 and 2 is performed. For this purpose, the rotation axis α is simply set at the center of the peripheral walls 11, 21, the cups 1, 2 are rotated, and the laser light L is irradiated near the edge of the peripheral walls 11, 21 from the outside. On the other hand, in the process of cutting off the remaining portions 13 and 23 of the sheets 10 and 20 from the cups 1 and 2 when the peripheral walls 11 and 21 have a non-circular shape in plan view, the cups 1 and 2 are rotated. It is necessary to change the axis α in a timely manner.
　例えば、図３２に示すような、平面視略三角形状をなす製剤を製造する場合を考える。図示例のカップ１、２の周壁１１、２１には、丸面取りされた角部９１（実線で表す）と、隣接する二つの角部９１同士を繋ぐ辺部９２（鎖線で表す）とが含まれている。角部９１及び辺部９２の外側面は、何れも部分円筒状をなす。即ち、角部９１及び辺部９２はそれぞれ、平面視部分円弧状の輪郭を有している。そして、平面視において、角部９１の輪郭の曲率半径は、辺部９２の輪郭の曲率半径よりも小さい。故に、周壁１１、２１における角部９１にレーザ光Ｌを照射するとき（図３２（Ｉ））と、辺部９２にレーザ光を照射するとき（図３２（II））とで、カップ１、２を回転させる際の回転軸αの位置を変更することとなる。 For example, consider the case of manufacturing a preparation having a substantially triangular shape in plan view as shown in FIG. The peripheral walls 11 and 21 of the cups 1 and 2 in the illustrated example include a rounded chamfered corner portion 91 (represented by a solid line) and a side portion 92 (represented by a chain line) that connects two adjacent corner portions 91 to each other. It is. The outer surfaces of the corner portion 91 and the side portion 92 are both partially cylindrical. That is, each of the corner portion 91 and the side portion 92 has a partially arcuate outline in a plan view. In plan view, the radius of curvature of the contour of the corner 91 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the contour of the side 92. Therefore, when irradiating the laser beam L to the corner 91 in the peripheral walls 11 and 21 (FIG. 32 (I)) and when irradiating the side 92 with the laser beam (FIG. 32 (II)), the cup 1, The position of the rotation axis α when rotating 2 is changed.
　また、上記実施形態では、加工工程を営む加工ユニットＥ、Ｇが、カップ１、２を含むシート１０、２０を回転させつつ、その回転軸αの伸びる方向に対して交差する方向に光軸を向けたレーザ光Ｌを、シート１０、２０の残部１３、２３から突出しているカップ１、２の周壁１１、２１の部位に照射していた。これに対し、加工ユニットにおいて、カップ１、２を含むシート１０、２０を回転させずに、カップ１、２の周壁１１、２１に対して交差する方向に光軸を向けたレーザ光Ｌを、当該周壁１１、２１に照射することも考えられる。 Moreover, in the said embodiment, the processing units E and G which operate a process process rotate the sheet | seats 10 and 20 containing the cups 1 and 2, and set an optical axis in the direction which cross | intersects with the direction where the rotating shaft (alpha) extends. The directed laser light L was applied to the peripheral walls 11 and 21 of the cups 1 and 2 protruding from the remaining portions 13 and 23 of the sheets 10 and 20. On the other hand, in the processing unit, without rotating the sheets 10 and 20 including the cups 1 and 2, the laser light L having the optical axis directed in the direction intersecting the peripheral walls 11 and 21 of the cups 1 and 2, It is also conceivable to irradiate the peripheral walls 11 and 21.
　その場合には、例えば図３３に示すように、加工工程の過程で、レーザ光Ｌの光軸を、周壁１１、２１に対して平行または略平行な軸回りに回転（首振り）させる等して、レーザ光の照射位置を周壁１１、２１に沿って変位させる走査を行う。但し、周壁１１、２１に照射されるレーザ光Ｌのエネルギが照射位置によらず均一となるよう、レーザ光Ｌの照射位置の移動（による照射位置までの光路長の伸縮）に合わせてレーザ光Ｌの焦点距離及び／またはレーザ光Ｌの出力を増減させる必要がある。図示例のカップ１、２の周壁１１、２１には、丸面取りされた角部９１と、隣接する二つの角部９１同士を繋ぐ辺部９２とが含まれており、角部９１にレーザ光Ｌを照射するとき（図３３（Ｉ））と、辺部９２にレーザ光Ｌを照射するとき（図３３（II））とで、レーザ光Ｌの焦点距離及び／またはレーザ光Ｌの出力の増減の制御の条件を変更することとなる。上記実施形態のように、周壁１１、２１が平面視真円形状をなしているとしても、その周壁１１、２１を複数の部分に分けて（周壁１１、２１に対して平行な軸回りに９０°分ずつ四等分する等して）考え、その各部分毎にレーザ光Ｌの焦点距離及び／またはレーザ光Ｌの出力の増減の制御の条件を変更しながら、レーザ光Ｌの照射及び残部１３、２３の切り取りを行うことができる。 In that case, for example, as shown in FIG. 33, the optical axis of the laser beam L is rotated (oscillated) around an axis parallel or substantially parallel to the peripheral walls 11 and 21 in the course of the processing step. Thus, scanning is performed to displace the irradiation position of the laser light along the peripheral walls 11 and 21. However, the laser light is adjusted in accordance with the movement of the irradiation position of the laser light L (expansion / contraction of the optical path length to the irradiation position) so that the energy of the laser light L irradiated to the peripheral walls 11 and 21 is uniform regardless of the irradiation position. It is necessary to increase or decrease the focal length of L and / or the output of the laser beam L. The peripheral walls 11 and 21 of the cups 1 and 2 in the illustrated example include a rounded chamfered corner portion 91 and a side portion 92 that connects two adjacent corner portions 91 to each other. The focal length of the laser light L and / or the output of the laser light L is emitted when irradiating L (FIG. 33 (I)) and when irradiating the side 92 with the laser light L (FIG. 33 (II)). The control conditions for increase / decrease will be changed. Even if the peripheral walls 11 and 21 have a circular shape in plan view as in the above embodiment, the peripheral walls 11 and 21 are divided into a plurality of parts (90 around an axis parallel to the peripheral walls 11 and 21). The laser beam L irradiation and the remaining part are changed while changing the focal length of the laser beam L and / or the control condition of increase / decrease in the output of the laser beam L for each part. 13 and 23 can be cut out.
　本発明に係る製造方法または製造装置を利用して製造する対象は、医薬には限定されない。本発明を、医薬以外の製剤の製造に利用しても構わない。 The object to be manufactured using the manufacturing method or the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to medicine. You may utilize this invention for manufacture of formulations other than a pharmaceutical.
　その他、各部の具体的構成や具体的な処理の手順は、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々変形が可能である。 In addition, the specific configuration of each unit and the specific processing procedure can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
　１…カップ
　１０…シート
　１１…周壁
　１３…シートの残部
　２…蓋
　２０…シート
　２１…周壁
　２３…シートの残部
　Ａ、Ｆ…成形ユニット（カップ成形ユニット、蓋成形ユニット）
　Ｅ、Ｇ…加工ユニット（カップ加工ユニット、蓋加工ユニット）
　α…回転軸 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cup 10 ... Sheet 11 ... Peripheral wall 13 ... Remaining part of sheet 2 ... Lid 20 ... Sheet 21 ... Peripheral wall 23 ... Remaining part of sheet A, F ... Molding unit (cup molding unit, lid molding unit)
E, G ... Processing unit (cup processing unit, lid processing unit)
α ... Rotation axis

Claims (4)

  1. シートから容積を持つカップを成形する成形工程と、
    前記カップから前記シートの残部を切り取るべく、シートの残部から突出しているカップの周壁の部位に、当該周壁に対して交差する方向からレーザ光を照射する加工工程と
    を具備するカップの製造方法。     A molding process for molding a cup having a volume from a sheet;
    A manufacturing method of a cup comprising: a processing step of irradiating a portion of the peripheral wall of the cup protruding from the remaining portion of the sheet with a laser beam from a direction intersecting the peripheral wall so as to cut the remaining portion of the sheet from the cup.
  2. 前記加工工程にて、カップを含むシートを回転させつつ、その回転軸の伸びる方向に対して交差する方向に光軸を向けたレーザ光を照射する請求項１記載のカップの製造方法。 The manufacturing method of the cup of Claim 1 which irradiates the laser beam which orient | assigned the optical axis to the direction which cross | intersects with respect to the direction where the rotating shaft extends, rotating the sheet | seat containing a cup in the said process process.
  3. 前記成形工程にて、前記シートを雄型に対して相対的に移動させ、シートを雄型に押し当てることで、シートから容積を持つカップを突出させる請求項１または２記載のカップの製造方法。 3. The method of manufacturing a cup according to claim 1, wherein in the molding step, the cup is protruded from the sheet by moving the sheet relative to the male mold and pressing the sheet against the male mold. .
  4. シートから容積を持つカップを成形する成形ユニットと、
    前記カップから前記シートの残部を切り取るべく、シートの残部から突出しているカップの周壁の部位に、当該周壁に対して交差する方向からレーザ光を照射する加工ユニットとを具備するカップの製造装置。     A molding unit for molding a cup having a volume from a sheet;
    An apparatus for manufacturing a cup, comprising: a processing unit that irradiates a portion of a peripheral wall of a cup protruding from the remaining portion of the sheet with a laser beam from a direction intersecting the peripheral wall so as to cut the remaining portion of the sheet from the cup.
PCT/JP2017/036446 2016-10-17 2017-10-06 Method and device for producing cup WO2018074259A1 (en)

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JPH07315356A (en) * 1994-05-20 1995-12-05 Suzupatsuku:Kk Container and its manufacture
JP2013059968A (en) * 2011-09-15 2013-04-04 Panasonic Corp Film decorative component

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