WO2020067225A1

WO2020067225A1 - Tablet printing device and tablet printing method

Info

Publication number: WO2020067225A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/037723
Authority: WO
Inventors: 古矢　正明
Original assignee: 芝浦メカトロニクス株式会社
Priority date: 2018-09-28
Filing date: 2019-09-25
Publication date: 2020-04-02
Also published as: TWI727436B; JP2023014394A; JPWO2020067225A1; JP7394200B2; TW202029950A

Abstract

The tablet printing device 1A according to the present embodiment comprises: a transport unit 10 that transports tablets T, each having a mark allowing for front-back discrimination; a detection unit 20 detecting the presence or the absence of the mark; an inversion tube 13a that is connected to the transport unit 10 and is an instance of an inversion route through which the front and back of a tablet T is inverted and returned to the transport unit 10; an inversion nozzle 13b that is an instance of a moving unit that causes, in response to the detection result of the detection unit 20, a tablet T being transported by the transport unit 10 to be moved into the inversion tube 13a so as to unify the front-back orientation of the tablets T on the transport unit 10; and a printing unit 40 for performing printing on the tablet T being transported by the transport unit 10, on the downstream side from the inversion tube 13a in the tablet T transport direction A1.

Description

Tablet printing apparatus and tablet printing method

The embodiment of the present invention relates to a tablet printing apparatus and a tablet printing method.

技術 A technology for printing using an ink-jet type print head to print identification information (an example of information) such as characters and marks on a tablet is known. Tablet printing devices that use this technology transport tablets using a conveyor or other transport device, and eject ink from the nozzles of an inkjet print head that is located above the transport device toward tablets that pass below the print head. Then, the identification information is printed on the tablet.

Tablets with a score line (concave recess) formed on one side are random when the surface with the score line is the front surface and the surface without the score line is the back surface. It is transported in a state. Specifically, the tablet surface in contact with the transport surface of the transport device that transports tablets such as a conveyor belt may be the surface on which the score is formed, or the back surface on which the score is not formed. When printing on a tablet conveyed randomly on the front and back, for example, when printing identification information on the surface of the tablet, align it with the dividing line formed on the surface (for example, parallel to the drawing direction of the dividing line). 2) The identification information may be printed. Also, the identification information may be printed on the back surface of the tablet in alignment with the score line on the front surface.

However, since tablets are transported in a random state with the front and back, when printing identification information on the front surface of the tablet, if the tablet is transported with the back surface facing up, printing on the front surface is not performed Therefore, the printing efficiency is reduced. Further, even when the identification information is printed on the back side of the tablet, if the tablet is transported with the front side up, printing on the back side is not performed, so that the printing efficiency is reduced.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-081050

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a tablet printing apparatus and a tablet printing method capable of improving printing efficiency.

Tablet printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
A transport unit that transports a tablet having a mark that can be distinguished from the front and back,
A detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the mark,
A reversing path connected to the transport section and reversing the front and back of the tablet and returning to the transport section,
According to the detection result of the detection unit, to align the front and back of the tablet on the transport unit, to move the tablet transported by the transport unit to the reverse path,
On the downstream side in the transport direction of the tablet from the reverse path, a printing unit that performs printing on the tablets transported by the transport unit,
Is provided.

Tablet printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention,
A step of transporting a tablet having a mark that can be distinguished from the front and back by a transport unit,
Detecting the presence or absence of the mark,
According to the detection result of the mark, the tablet conveyed by the transport unit is moved to a reversing path in which the front and back of the tablet are reversed and returned to the transport unit so that the front and back of the tablet on the transport unit are aligned. Process and
On the downstream side in the transport direction of the tablet from the reversing path, a step of printing on the tablet transported by the transport unit,
Having.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, printing efficiency can be improved.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a tablet printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a first explanatory diagram for explaining a tablet reversing operation according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a second explanatory diagram for explaining the tablet reversing operation according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a third explanatory diagram for describing the tablet reversing operation according to the first embodiment. It is a perspective view showing a tablet printing device concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a perspective view showing a modification of a tablet printing device concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a perspective view showing a part of tablet printing device concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a perspective view showing a tablet printing device concerning a 4th embodiment. It is a perspective view showing a tablet printing device concerning a 5th embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the reversing part concerning a 5th embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the tablet inversion operation | movement which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a perspective view showing a tablet printing device concerning a 6th embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the reversing part concerning a 6th embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the reversing part concerning a 6th embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the tablet printing device concerning a 7th embodiment. It is a perspective view showing a tablet printing device concerning an 8th embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the tablet printing device concerning a 9th embodiment. It is a perspective view showing an inversion part concerning a 9th embodiment. It is a figure showing an inversion part concerning a 10th embodiment.

<First embodiment>
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Basic configuration)
As shown in FIG. 1, a tablet printing apparatus 1 A according to an embodiment includes a conveyance unit 10, a detection unit 20, an imaging unit 30, a printing unit 40, an imaging unit 50, an imaging unit 60, It comprises a unit 70 and a control unit 80. The detecting unit 20 is for detecting the presence or absence of a dividing line and for detecting an imaging timing, the imaging unit 30 is for detecting a printing position and detecting a dividing line angle, the imaging unit 50 is for inspecting and detecting a dividing line angle, and the imaging unit 60 is The imaging unit 70 is for detecting a printing position, and the imaging unit 70 is for inspection.

The transport unit 10 has two

transport belts

11 and 12, and transports the tablets T supplied to the end of the transport belt 11 from a supply unit (not shown) such as a hopper by the transport belt 11 in the transport direction A1. (In the direction of the arrow A1 in FIG. 1), the tablet T is turned back at the end opposite to the side where the tablet T is supplied, and is returned by the conveyor belt 12 in the conveying direction A2 (in the direction of the arrow A2 in FIG. 1). Convey in a line.

In addition, the tablet T in which the dividing line (straight concave portion) is formed on one side has a random state in which the front and back sides are random when the surface where the dividing line is formed is the front surface and the surface where the dividing line is not formed is the back surface. Conveyed. The dividing line is an example of a mark that can be distinguished from front and back.

The detection unit 20 is located on the downstream side of the transport belt 11 in the transport direction A1 from the position where the tablets T are supplied, and is provided above the transport belt 11. The detection unit 20 detects the presence or absence of a dividing line of the tablet T on the conveyor belt 11 by detecting the light emission of the laser beam (for detecting the presence or absence of the dividing line), and detects the position of the tablet T on the conveyor belt 11 in the conveying direction A1. Detect (for imaging timing). Various laser sensors such as a reflection laser sensor can be used as the detection unit 20. The detection unit 20 is electrically connected to the control unit 80 and transmits a detection signal to the control unit 80. In addition, although the detection unit 20 is used for both detection of presence of a score and detection of arrival of a tablet, separate devices may be provided for each.

搬送 The transport unit 10 is provided with a reversing unit 13 and a reversing unit 14. The reversing unit 13 is located downstream of the position where the detection unit 20 is provided in the transport direction A 1, and is provided for the transport belt 11 of the transport unit 10. The reversing unit 14 is provided at an end on the turnback side of the transporting unit 10 as a path connecting the transporting belt 11 and the transporting belt 12.

The reversing unit 13 has a reversing tube 13a and a reversing nozzle 13b. The reversing tube 13a functions as a reversing path for reversing the tablet T, and the reversing nozzle 13b functions as a moving unit for moving the tablet T to the reversing path.

The reversing tube 13a is bent (twisted) by 180 degrees so that the front and back of the tablet T are reversed while the tablet T passes through the inside of the reversing tube 13a, and is provided with respect to the transport belt 11 of the transport unit 10. ing. The reversing tube 13a has an inlet (an opening for the tablet T) H1 and an outlet (an outlet for the tablet T) H2 (see also FIG. 2). The entrance H1 and the exit H2 are arranged so as to face the side surface of the tablet T conveyed by the conveyance belt 11, and the lower ends of the entrance H1 and the exit H2 are at the height position of the upper surface (conveyance surface) of the conveyance belt 11. (For example, at the same height position). The outlet H2 is located downstream of the inlet H1 in the transport direction A1. When the tablet T moves from the conveyor belt 11 to the reversing tube 13a and passes through the reversing tube 13a, the tablet T is reversed and remains at the same position on the conveyor belt 11 that existed before moving to the reversing unit 13. (The details will be described later).

The reversing nozzle 13b is provided at a position where a gas (for example, air) is blown out toward the inlet H1 of the reversing tube 13a, and moves the tablet T on the conveyor belt 11 toward the inlet H1 of the reversing tube 13a. Through. The gas blowing direction is a direction in which the tablet T on the transport belt 11 is moved in a direction crossing the transport direction A1 in a horizontal plane (for example, a direction orthogonal to). A valve (not shown) for controlling gas blowing by the reversing nozzle 13b is electrically connected to the control unit 80, and its driving is controlled by the control unit 80.

For example, when the tablet T is transported by the transport belt 11 in a state where the back surface on which the score is not formed is up, when the tablet T on the transport belt 11 faces the reversing nozzle 13b, gas is discharged from the reversing nozzle 13b. Be blown out. As shown in FIG. 2, the tablet T on the conveyor belt 11 moves to the reversing tube 13a by the gas blown out by the reversing nozzle 13b, and passes through the reversing tube 13a to be turned upside down as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the return from the reversing tube 13a onto the conveyor belt 11. As a result, when the tablet T passes through the reversing tube 13a from above the conveyor belt 11, the back surface on which the score line is not formed is turned down, that is, the tablet T is returned onto the conveyor belt 11 with the front surface on which the score line is formed being up. .

Here, based on the transport speed of the tablets T by the transport belt 11, the reversing tube 13 a has a position on the transport belt 11 at which the tablets T move from the transport belt 11 to the reversing tube 13 a (a position in the transport direction A1 of the tablet T). The position on the conveyor belt 11 that returns from the reversing tube 13a to the conveyor belt 11 is the same (see FIGS. 2 to 4). In other words, the transport belt 11 moves for the time required for the operation of reversing the tablet T, and the shape, opening position, and the like of the reversing tube 13a are determined in consideration of the moving distance.

戻り Returning to FIG. 1, the reversing unit 14 has a reversing tube 14a and a reversing nozzle 14b. The reversing tube 14a functions as a reversing path for reversing the tablets T, and the reversing nozzle 14b functions as a moving unit for moving the tablets T to the reversing path.

The reversing tube 14a is bent by 180 degrees so that the front and back of the tablet T are reversed while the tablet T passes through the inside of the reversing tube 14a, and forms a transport path (also a reversing path) for the tablet T. Is provided for the transport unit 10. The reversing tube 14a has an inlet H1 and an outlet H2, like the reversing tube 13a described above. The entrance H1 is located at the downstream end of the transport belt 11 in the transport direction A1, and the lower end of the entrance H1 is aligned with the height of the upper surface of the transport belt 11. The outlet H2 is positioned at the upstream end of the transport belt 12 in the transport direction A2, and the lower end of the outlet H2 is aligned with the height of the upper surface of the transport belt 12.

The reversing nozzle 14b is provided at a position where the gas (for example, air) is blown out toward the inlet H1 of the reversing tube 14a, and moves the tablet T on the conveyor belt 11 toward the inlet H1 of the reversing tube 14a. Through. The gas blowing direction is a direction in which the tablet T on the transport belt 11 is moved in a direction crossing the transport direction A1 in a horizontal plane (for example, a direction orthogonal to). A valve (not shown) for controlling the blowing of gas by the reversing nozzle 14b is electrically connected to the control unit 80, and the driving thereof is controlled by the control unit 80.

For example, when the tablet T on the conveyor belt 11 faces the reversing nozzle 14b, gas is blown from the reversing nozzle 14b. The tablet T on the transport belt 11 moves to the reversing tube 14a by the gas blown out by the reversing nozzle 14b, passes through the reversing tube 14a, reverses, and moves from the reversing tube 14a onto the transport belt 12.

The imaging unit 30 is located downstream of the position where the reversing unit 13 is provided in the transport direction A 1, and is provided above the transport belt 11. The imaging unit 30 performs imaging at a timing when the tablet T arrives immediately below the imaging unit 30 based on the above-described position information of the tablet T in the transport direction A1, and the upper surface of the tablet T (the tablet T in the present embodiment). (For detecting the printing position and for detecting the dividing line angle), and transmits the obtained image to the control unit 80. As the imaging unit 30, various cameras having an imaging device such as a CCD (charge coupled device) and a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) can be used. The imaging unit 30 is electrically connected to the control unit 80, and its driving is controlled by the control unit 80. In addition, illumination for imaging is provided as needed.

The printing unit 40 is located downstream of the position where the imaging unit 30 is provided in the transport direction A1, and is provided above both of the two

transport belts

11 and 12. The printing unit 40 can perform printing on both tablets T on each of the

transport belts

11 and 12. The printing unit 40 is an inkjet printhead that includes a plurality of nozzles (not shown) and ejects ink from the nozzles individually. The printing unit 40 is provided such that the alignment direction in which the nozzles are arranged intersects (for example, orthogonally) each of the transport directions A1 and A2 in a horizontal plane. As the printing unit 40, it is possible to use various ink jet print heads having driving elements such as a piezoelectric element, a heating element, and a magnetostrictive element. The printing section 40 is electrically connected to the control section 80, and its driving is controlled by the control section 80.

The imaging unit 50 is configured to transfer the tablets T on the transport belt 12 downstream of the position where the reversing unit 14 is provided and downstream of the position where the printing unit 40 is provided and upstream of the position where the printing unit 40 is provided. The lower surface (the surface of the tablet T in the case of the present embodiment) is provided so as to be imaged. Specifically, a mirror M1 is provided directly below the conveyor belt 12 so as to be inclined, and the imaging unit 50 is provided so as to image the lower surface of the tablet T via the mirror M1. Note that the transport belt 12 of the transport unit 10 has translucency, and the imaging unit 50 can capture an image of the lower surface of the tablet T on the transport belt 12 via the mirror M1. For example, a transparent belt, a ladder-shaped belt, or a belt having countless holes can be used as the transport belt 12 having a light transmitting property. The imaging unit 50 performs imaging at a timing when the tablet T reaches directly above the mirror M1 based on the above-described position information of the tablet T in the transport direction A1, and acquires an image including the lower surface of the tablet T (for inspection and score lines). The obtained image is transmitted to the control unit 80 (for angle detection). As the imaging unit 50, the same one as the above-described imaging unit 30 can be used, and the electrical connection and drive control are the same as those of the above-described imaging unit 30.

The imaging unit 60 is positioned downstream of the position where the reversing unit 14 is provided in the transport direction A2 and upstream of the position where the printing unit 40 is provided in the transport direction A2. Is provided. The imaging unit 60 performs imaging at a timing when the tablet T reaches immediately below the imaging unit 60 based on the above-described position information of the tablet T in the transport direction A1, and the upper surface of the tablet T (the tablet T in the present embodiment). (For printing position detection), and transmits the obtained image to the control unit 80. As the imaging unit 60, the same one as the above-described imaging unit 30 can be used, and the electrical connection and drive control are the same as those of the above-described imaging unit 30.

The imaging unit 70 is located downstream of the position where the printing unit 40 is provided in the transport direction A2, and is provided above the transport belt 12. The imaging unit 70 performs imaging at a timing when the tablet T reaches immediately below the imaging unit 70 based on the above-described position information in the transport direction A1 of the tablet T, and the upper surface of the tablet T (the tablet T in the present embodiment). (For inspection), and transmits the obtained image to the control unit 80. As the imaging unit 70, the same one as the above-described imaging unit 30 can be used, and the electrical connection and drive control are the same as those of the above-described imaging unit 30.

The control unit 80 includes a microcomputer that centrally controls each unit, and a storage unit (neither is shown) that stores processing information, various programs, and the like. The control unit 80 controls the imaging unit 30, the printing unit 40, the imaging unit 50, the imaging unit 60, the imaging unit 70, and the like, and also transmits a signal transmitted from the detection unit 20, the imaging unit 30, the imaging unit 50, The unit 60 receives images and the like transmitted from the imaging unit 70, respectively.

(Printing process)
Next, a printing process (printing process and inspection process) performed by the above-described tablet printing apparatus 1A will be described. In the following printing process, a description will be given of double-sided printing in which identification information is printed on both surfaces of a tablet T having a score line on one surface so as to be aligned with the score line (for example, in parallel to the direction in which the score line extends).

(4) When the tablets T are supplied onto the transport belt 11 of the transport unit 10, the tablets T are transported in a line by the transport belt 11 in a state where the front and back are random. The tablet T on the transport belt 11 is detected by the detection unit 20. At this time, the presence or absence of the score line of the tablet T and the position of the tablet T in the transport direction A1 are detected and input to the control unit 80. The control unit 80 determines whether or not the upper surface of the tablet T on the conveyor belt 11 is the front surface based on the presence / absence information of the dividing line of the tablet T. When it is determined that the upper surface of the tablet T on the conveyor belt 11 is the front surface, even if the target tablet T faces the reversing nozzle 13b, the gas is not blown out by the reversing nozzle 13b. On the other hand, when it is determined that the upper surface of the tablet T on the conveyor belt 11 is not the front surface, when the target tablet T faces the reversing nozzle 13b, gas is blown out by the reversing nozzle 13b.

If the gas is not blown out by the reversing nozzle 13b, the tablet T is transported by the transport belt 11 as it is. On the other hand, when the gas is blown out by the reversing nozzle 13b, the tablets T on the transport belt 11 move from the transport belt 11 to the reversing tube 13a, pass through the reversing tube 13a, reverse, and return to the transport belt 11. . That is, the tablet T in a state where the back surface on which the score line is not formed faces up is returned to the transport belt 11 in a state where the back surface is facing down, that is, the surface where the score line is formed is facing up. Therefore, the tablet T, which is transported with the back side without the score line formed thereon, faces up when passing through the reversing tube 13a, the surface on which the score line is formed becomes the upper surface. All the tablets T on the transport belt 11 on the downstream side of A1 are transported with the surface facing upward.

Next, the tablet T on the conveyor belt 11 is imaged by the imaging unit 30 at a timing based on the above-described position information of the tablet T in the transport direction A1, that is, at a timing when the tablet T reaches immediately below the imaging unit 30 (print position). The captured image is transmitted to the control unit 80 for detection and for detection of a secant angle). Based on the image transmitted from the imaging unit 30, print data based on positional deviation information of the tablet T (for example, positional deviation of the tablet T in the X direction, the Y direction, and the θ direction), information on an angle at which a dividing line is formed, and the like. Is generated and stored by the control unit 80. Based on the print data, the printing conditions (such as ink ejection position and ejection speed) for the tablet T are set by the control unit 80 and stored. The print data is print data for printing identification information (an example of information) in alignment with a dividing line.

Next, the tablet T on the conveyor belt 11 is moved at a timing based on the above-described position information of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1, that is, at a timing when the tablet T reaches immediately below the printing unit 40, based on the above-described print data and printing conditions. The printing is performed by the printing unit 40. Ink is appropriately ejected from each nozzle in the printing unit 40, and identification information such as characters (for example, alphabets, katakana, and numbers) and marks (for example, symbols and figures) is aligned on the dividing line on the upper surface (front surface) of the tablet T ( For example, it is printed (parallel to the direction in which the score lines extend). In addition, since all the tablets T passing directly below the imaging unit 30 are in a state where the surface on which the dividing line is formed faces upward, printing is performed only on the surface of the tablets T on the transport belt 11. Will be

Thereafter, when the tablet T on which the identification information is printed is located at the downstream end of the transport belt 11 in the transport direction A1, that is, when the tablet T on the transport belt 11 faces the reversing nozzle 14b, the gas flows from the reversing nozzle 14b. Is blown out. The tablets T on the transport belt 11 move from the transport belt 11 to the reversing tube 14a, pass through the reversing tube 14a, reverse, and move to the transport belt 12. In other words, the tablet T in a state where the front surface on which the score line is formed faces upward is moved to the transport belt 12 with the front surface facing downward, that is, the back surface where the score line is not formed. Become. Therefore, when the tablet T is conveyed with the front surface on which the score is formed facing upward, when passing through the reversing tube 14a, the back surface on which the score is not formed becomes the upper surface, and thus the tablet T is conveyed in the conveying direction from the reversing tube 14a. All the tablets T on the transport belt 12 downstream of A2 are transported with the back surface facing upward.

Next, the tablet T on the transport belt 12 is moved at the timing based on the position information in the transport direction A2 based on the position information in the transport direction A1 of the tablet T, that is, the tablet T is located directly above the mirror M1 and directly below the imaging unit 60. At the timing of reaching, the image is captured by the image capturing unit 50 (for inspection and for detecting the dividing line angle), and also by the image capturing unit 60 (for detecting the print position), and the captured image is transmitted to the control unit 80. . Based on the image transmitted from the imaging unit 50, the print inspection information indicating the print position of the print pattern of the tablet T is generated and stored by the control unit 80. Based on the print inspection information, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the tablet T is printed, and the control unit 80 stores print quality result information (inspection result) indicating the result of the print quality for each tablet T. For example, it is determined whether a print pattern is printed at a predetermined position on the tablet T. In addition, based on each image transmitted from the imaging unit 60 or the imaging unit 50, the positional deviation information of the tablet T (for example, the positional deviation of the tablet T in the X, Y, and θ directions), the angle at which the dividing line is formed Print data based on such information is generated and stored by the control unit 80. Based on the print data, the printing conditions for the tablet T are set by the control unit 80 and stored. The print data is print data for printing identification information (an example of information) in alignment with a dividing line.

Next, at the timing based on the above-described position information in the transport direction A2, that is, at the timing when the tablet T arrives immediately below the printing unit 40, the tablets T on the transport belt 12 are printed based on the above-described print data and printing conditions. 40 is printed. In the printing unit 40, ink is appropriately ejected from each nozzle, and identification information such as characters and marks is printed on the upper surface (back surface) of the tablet T in such a manner that the identification information is aligned with the dividing line (for example, parallel to the extending direction of the dividing line). You. In addition, since all the tablets T on the transport belt 12 are transported in a state in which the back surface on which the score lines are not formed faces up, printing is performed only on the back surface of the tablet T on the transport belt 12. Will be However, printing is performed only on tablets T that have passed the above-described inspection, and printing is not performed on tablets T that have failed the inspection.

Next, the tablet T on the transport belt 12 is imaged by the imaging unit 70 at a timing based on the above-described position information of the tablet T in the transport direction A2, that is, at a timing when the tablet T reaches directly below the imaging unit 70 (inspection). The captured image is transmitted to the control unit 80. Based on the image transmitted from the imaging unit 70, the print inspection information indicating the print position of the print pattern of the tablet T is generated and stored by the control unit 80. Based on the print inspection information, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the tablet T is printed, and the control unit 80 stores print quality result information (inspection result) indicating the result of the print quality for each tablet T. For example, it is determined whether a print pattern is printed at a predetermined position on the tablet T. Thereafter, the non-defective and defective tablets T are collected separately.

According to such a printing process, printing on both sides of the tablet T is performed by one printing unit 40 while the tablet T reciprocates between the two

conveyor belts

11 and 12. The tablet T is transported by the transport unit 10 in a state where the front and back are random, and during the transport, the upper surface of the tablet T is aligned with the surface on which the score line is formed. That is, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the upper surface of the tablet T on the conveyor belt 11 is the front surface, and when it is determined that the upper surface is not the surface, when the determination target tablet T faces the reversing nozzle 13b, Gas is blown out from the reversing nozzle 13b. When the gas is blown out, the tablets T on the transport belt 11 move from the transport belt 11 to the reversing tube 13a, pass through the reversing tube 13a, reverse, and return to the transport belt 11. As a result, the tablet T, which is transported in a state where the upper surface is not the front surface, that is, the back surface on which the score line is not formed is up after passing through the reversing tube 13a, is transported from the reversing tube 13a. All the tablets T on the conveyor belt 11 on the downstream side in the direction A1 are in a state in which the surface faces upward. In this manner, when the tablet T is transported with the front and back aligned, and printing is performed on the front surface of the tablet T, the printing is performed on all the tablets T. Therefore, when the tablet T is transported without the front and back aligned. The printing efficiency can be improved as compared with. Similarly, when printing on the back surface of the tablet T, printing is performed on all tablets T, so that printing efficiency can be improved as compared with the case where the tablet T is transported without aligning the front and back. . Note that, as described above, the printing on the back surface of the tablet T may not be performed on the tablet T that has failed the inspection based on the image acquired by the imaging unit 50. .

As described above, according to the first embodiment, according to the detection result of the dividing line (an example of a mark) of the tablet T, the transporting unit 10 transports the tablet T so that the front and back of the tablet T transported by the transporting unit 10 are aligned. By moving the tablet T to be inverted to the reversing tube 13a, the tablet T can be transported with its front and back aligned. For example, it is possible to transport all of the tablets T transported in a state where the front and back are random, with the surface facing upward. Therefore, it is possible to transport the tablet T with the front and back aligned, and when printing on the surface of the tablet T, it is possible to execute printing for all the tablets T. The printing efficiency can be improved as compared with the case where T is transported. Also, when printing on the back side of the tablet T, it is possible to perform printing on all the tablets T in the same manner, so that the printing efficiency is higher than when the tablet T is transported without aligning the front and back sides. Can be improved.

In the tablet printing apparatus 1A described above, the printing unit 40 is provided above both of the two

transport belts

11 and 12, but when printing is performed on one side of the tablet T, any one of the transport belts is used. What is necessary is just to be provided above a belt. For example, when printing is performed only on the surface of the tablets T, printing is performed on the surfaces of all the tablets T in the printing unit 40 provided above the transport belt 11. At this time, the tablets T are conveyed in such a manner that the entire surface thereof is on the upper surface on the upstream side of the imaging unit 30 so as to face the upper surface. Therefore, the imaging unit 30 detects the direction of the dividing line of the tablets T, and the printing unit 40 can perform printing on all tablets T according to the direction of the dividing line. Further, when printing is performed only on the back surface of the tablets T, printing is performed on the back surfaces of all the tablets T in the printing unit 40 provided above the transport belt 12. At this time, the tablets T are conveyed to the conveyor belt 12 with the front and back aligned in the reversing section 13 provided on the conveyor belt 11. Therefore, the direction of the dividing line of the tablet T can be detected in the imaging unit 50. In the printing unit 40 of the transport belt 12, printing can be performed on the back surface side of all the tablets T in accordance with the direction of the score line. As described above, since the front and back of the tablet T are aligned upstream of the imaging unit that detects the direction of the dividing line, it is sufficient to provide one printing unit 40, and the effect of saving space and ink in the apparatus can be obtained.

In addition to the reciprocating movement of the tablet T by the two

conveyor belts

11 and 12, it is also possible to further transport the tablet T in the direction of the arrow A1 after the inversion by the inverting unit 14. When the tablet T is reciprocated, the supply portion and the collection portion of the tablet T can be brought close to each other, and workability can be improved.

In the related art, when the tablet T is transported in a state where the front and back are random, in some cases, the tablet T is not printed by the print head that comes first, and after the tablet T is turned over, another tablet T is turned over. Printing may be performed by the print head. However, if the front and back of the tablet T are aligned upstream of the print head to which the tablet T first comes, printing will not be performed as described above, so that printing efficiency can be improved. In addition, there is no need to perform a timing at which ejection is not performed, so that ink drying at the nozzle tip of the print head can be suppressed. When performing one-sided printing, the print head 40 can be united by aligning the front and back of the tablet T on the upstream side of the print head 40. If the printing pattern is different between the front and back of the tablet T, or if the ink printed on the front and back of the tablet T is different, it is effective to align the front and back before printing.

<Second embodiment>
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment (transport table, two discharge units, and unprinted collection unit) will be described, and other descriptions will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the transport unit 10 of the tablet printing apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment includes a transport table 15, a discharge unit 16, an unprinted collection unit 17, and a discharge unit 18. I have.

The transport table 15 is formed in a disk shape, and is provided at the downstream end of the transport belt 11 in the transport direction A1. The transfer table 15 is formed so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 15a, and is configured to adsorb the upper surface of the tablet T discharged from the reversing tube 14a of the reversing portion 14 by the lower surface (see FIG. 6). ). The transport table 15 sucks the upper surface of the tablet T discharged from the outlet H2 of the reversing tube 14a, rotates about the rotation shaft 15a, and then releases the suction when the tablet T is positioned above the transport belt 12, The tablets T discharged from the reversing tube 14a are supplied to the transport belt 12.

The imaging unit 50 is provided so as to capture an image of the lower surface of the tablet T sucked by the transport table 15 (the surface of the tablet T in the present embodiment). The imaging unit 50 performs imaging at a timing when the tablet T reaches immediately above the imaging unit 50, acquires an image including the lower surface of the tablet T (for inspection and for detecting a secant angle), and transmits the acquired image to the control unit 80. Send to

The discharge section 16 has a discharge tube 16a and a discharge nozzle 16b. The discharge tube 16a functions as a discharge path for discharging the tablets T, and the discharge nozzle 16b functions as a moving unit that moves the tablets T to the discharge path. The discharging unit 16 discharges the rejected tablets T based on the image transmitted from the imaging unit 50 in accordance with the control by the control unit 80. The rejected tablet T is, for example, a tablet that has not been printed at the correct position by the printing unit 40 or that has been printed in a shape different from the characters or marks to be printed (not reusable). Tablet). The control unit 80 compares the identification information actually printed on the tablet T in the printing unit 40 with the data of the identification information to be printed by the printing unit 40 based on the image captured by the imaging unit 50. Then, the acceptability of the tablet T is determined. At this time, the control unit 80 also determines whether or not there is printing on the tablet T, and grasps an unprinted tablet (reusable tablet) T.

The discharge tube 16a is positioned downstream of the position where the transfer table 15 is provided in the transfer direction A2 and upstream of the position where the imaging unit 60 is provided in the transfer direction A2. It is provided so that T can be discharged. The discharge tube 16a has an inlet H1 and an outlet H2. The lower end of the entrance H1 is aligned with the height of the upper surface of the conveyor belt 12, and the exit H2 is located in a collection box (not shown).

The discharge nozzle 16b is provided at a position where the gas (for example, air) is blown out toward the inlet H1 of the discharge tube 16a, and moves the tablet T on the transport belt 12 toward the inlet H1 of the discharge tube 16a. And discharged. The gas blowing direction is a direction in which the tablets T on the transport belt 12 are moved in a direction (for example, a direction orthogonal to) the transport direction A2 in a horizontal plane. A valve (not shown) for controlling the blowing of gas by the discharge nozzle 16b is electrically connected to the control unit 80, and the driving thereof is controlled by the control unit 80.

(4) The unprinted collection section 17 has a collection tube 17a and a collection nozzle 17b. The collection tube 17a functions as a collection path for collecting the tablets T, and the collection nozzle 17b functions as a moving unit that moves the tablets T to the collection path. The unprinted collection unit 17 discharges the tablets T determined to be unprinted (reusable) by the inspection based on the image transmitted from the imaging unit 50 in accordance with the control by the control unit 80, as described above.

Note that the configuration of the collection tube 17a and the collection nozzle 17b is basically the same as the configuration of the discharge tube 16a and the discharge nozzle 16b, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, the collection tube 17a and the collection nozzle 17b, that is, the unprinted collection unit 17 is located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction A2 from the position where the discharge unit 16 is provided and in the conveyance direction A2 from the position where the imaging unit 60 is provided. Is provided on the upstream side.

The discharge section 18 has a discharge tube 18a and a discharge nozzle 18b. The discharge tube 18a functions as a discharge path for discharging the tablets T, and the discharge nozzle 18b functions as a moving unit that moves the tablets T to the discharge path. The discharge unit 18 discharges the tablets T that have failed the inspection based on the image transmitted from the imaging unit 70 in accordance with the control by the control unit 80. The control unit 80 performs the same process as described above based on the image captured by the imaging unit 70, and determines whether the tablet T is acceptable.

Note that the configurations of the discharge tube 18a and the discharge nozzle 18b are basically the same as those of the discharge tube 16a and the discharge nozzle 16b, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, the discharge tube 18a and the discharge nozzle 16b, that is, the discharge unit 18 are provided downstream of the position where the imaging unit 70 is provided in the transport direction A2.

The printing process (printing process and inspection process) performed by the tablet printing apparatus 1B having such a configuration is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the tablets T on the conveyor belt 12 are discharged by the discharge unit 16 or the discharge unit 18 or collected by the unprinted collection unit 17 according to the inspection result of the tablets T. As described above, it is possible to collect the tablets T that have failed the inspection only by providing the discharging unit 16, the unprinted collecting unit 17, and the discharging unit 18 having a simple configuration. Further, the rejected tablets T, that is, the tablets T that cannot be reused and the tablets T that can be reused can be separately collected.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, it is possible to collect the tablets T that have failed the inspection simply by providing the discharge unit 16, the unprinted collection unit 17, and the discharge unit 18 having a simple configuration. The simplification of the device can be realized as compared with the case of providing.

Here, a description will be given of a modification of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the height position of the conveyor belt 12 is lower than the height position of the conveyor belt 11. This makes it possible to smoothly move the tablets T from the transport belt 11 at a higher position to the transport belt 12 at a lower position, so that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of clogging of the tablets T in the reversing tube 14a. In addition, it is possible to suppress a decrease in transport efficiency due to a poor transport of the tablet T.

<Third embodiment>
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, differences (shutters) from the first embodiment will be described, and other descriptions will be omitted. However, members having the same reference numerals according to the present embodiment as those according to the other embodiments are basically the same as the other embodiments (that is, unless otherwise specified) (the same applies to the following embodiments). Is).

錠剤 As shown in FIG. 7, the tablet printing apparatus 1C according to the third embodiment is provided with two shutters S1 and S2. The tablets T are supplied to the conveyor belt 11 from the supply unit 11a.

The shutter S1 is provided at an upstream end of the transport belt 11 in the transport direction A1. The shutter S1 is formed so as to be movable between a closed position where the tablet T supplied from the supply unit 11a is dammed and an open position where the tablet T supplied from the supply unit 11a flows to the transport belt 11. ing. When the shutter S1 moves to the above-described closing position, that is, when the shutter S1 is closed, the supply of the tablet T from the supply unit 11a to the transport belt 11 is restricted. The shutter S1 is electrically connected to the control unit 80, and its driving is controlled by the control unit 80.

The shutter S2 is provided so as to close the outlet H2 of the reversing tube 13a. The shutter S2 is formed so as to be movable between a closed position where the tablet T moving on the reversing tube 13a is dammed and an open position where the tablet T moving on the reversing tube 13a flows to the transport belt 11. . When the shutter S2 moves to the above-described closed position, that is, when the shutter S2 is closed, the passage of the tablet T through the reversing tube 13a is restricted. The shutter S2 is electrically connected to the control unit 80, and its driving is controlled by the control unit 80.

In the tablet printing apparatus 1C having such a configuration, if the shutter S1 is closed every time a predetermined time elapses, the shutter S2 is opened while the supply of the tablets T to the transport belt 11 is stopped, and the reversing tube 13a is opened. The tablets T stored inside are collectively returned to the transport belt 11. Normally, the shutter S2 is closed. Therefore, when the tablets T on the transport belt 11 are moved to the reversing tube 13a by the gas blown out from the reversing nozzle 13b, the tablets T stay in the reversing tube 13a. That is, the reversing tube 13a holds the tablets T in the reversing tube 13a, and transfers the tablets T retained in the reversing tube 13a to the conveying belt 11 while the supply of the tablets T to the conveying belt 11 is stopped. Will be back. When returning the tablet T retained in the reversing tube 13a to the transport belt 11, gas may be blown from the reversing nozzle 13b.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since it is possible to change the timing of returning the tablet T from the reversing tube 13a to the transport belt 11, the position on the transport belt 11 for returning the tablet T from the reversing tube 13a to the transport belt 11 can be adjusted.

In the third embodiment described above, the shutter S2 is opened to collectively return the plurality of tablets T to the transport belt 11, but a stopper is provided on the front side of the shutter S2 so that the transport belt 11 The tablets T to be returned may be returned to the conveyor belt 11 at intervals. Further, the distance may be adjusted to be uniform. According to this, since a plurality of tablets T are transported at intervals, it is possible to prevent the tablets T from being clogged in downstream steps of the imaging unit 30, the printing unit 40, and the like.

<Fourth embodiment>
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, a difference (transport unit) from the first embodiment will be described, and other description will be omitted.

錠剤 As shown in FIG. 8, the tablet printing apparatus 1D according to the fourth embodiment includes three

transport units

91, 92, and 93. Each

transport unit

91, 92, 93 is provided in a horizontal state. In FIG. 8, the transport section 91 is disposed on the left side of the upper end of the transport section 92, and the transport section 93 is disposed on the left side of the lower end of the transport section 92.

The transport unit 91 has a transport belt 91a, the transport unit 92 has a transport belt 92a, and the transport unit 93 has a transport belt 93a. Two transport paths P1 and P2 are provided on each of the

transport belts

92a and 93a. The transport path P1 is on the far side on the paper surface of FIG. 8 and extends in the belt extending direction. The transport path P2 is on the near side on the paper surface in FIG. 8 and extends in the belt extending direction. These transport paths P1 and P2 are formed by a plurality of suction holes (not shown) arranged in a line. A suction chamber (not shown) is provided inside each of the

transport belts

91a, 92a, 93a, and the tablets T are sucked by suction of the suction chamber through suction holes. The

transport units

91, 92, and 93 are synchronized, and the location can be specified by an encoder or the like even when the tablet T moves between the transport units.

The transport unit 91 adsorbs the upper surface of the tablets T which are transported in a line in a random state with the transport belt 91a, transports the tablets T in the transport direction A1 in a line, and supplies the tablets T to the transport path P1 of the transport unit 92. I do. The transport section 91 transports the tablets T so as to be suspended below the transport belt 91a. The transport section 92 adsorbs the lower surface of the tablets T supplied from the transport section 91 by the transport belt 92a, transports the tablets T in a row in the transport direction A1 along the transport path P1 with the front and back randomly, and the reversing section. 13 to make all the tablets T face up in the middle of conveyance (that is, the tablet T whose back surface is up on the conveyance belt 92a based on the detection result of the detection unit 20a described later). It is moved to the reversing unit 13). Thereafter, the tablets T, the surfaces of which are all upward, are conveyed downstream with the rotation of the conveyor belt 92a and supplied to the conveyance path P1 of the conveyance section 93 (the printing target in the printing section 40 of the conveyance path P1 is the tablet). T surface).

The transport section 93 transports the tablets T supplied from the transport section 92 in a row in the transport direction A2 along the transport path P1 (at this time, the back surfaces of all the tablets T are on the upper side), and the transport section 93 transports the tablets T in the middle. To make all the tablets T face up and move from the transport path P1 to the transport path P2 (the outlet H2 of the reversing section 13 faces the transport path P2), and transport along the transport path P2. The sheet is conveyed in a line in the direction A2 and supplied to the conveying path P2 of the conveying section 92. The transport unit 92 sucks the tablets T supplied from the transport unit 93 by the transport belt 92a and transports the tablets T in a line along the transport path P2 (the printing target in the printing unit 40 of the transport path P2 is the back surface of the tablets T. ). When the tablet T is delivered from the transport unit 92 to the transport unit 93, the tablet T is inverted.

検出 A detection unit 20a is provided for the transport unit 91. The detection unit 20a is located below the transport unit 91, and is provided so as to capture an image of the lower surface of the tablet T which is transported with the upper surface being sucked by the transport unit 91. The detection unit 20a is for detecting the presence or absence of a secant line.

The reversing unit 13, the detection unit 20b, the imaging unit 30, the printing unit 40, and the imaging unit 50a are provided so as to be arranged in the transport direction A1 in this order with respect to the transport path P1 of the transport unit 92. . In the transport path P2 of the transport unit 92, the detection unit 20b, the imaging unit 60, the printing unit 40, and the imaging unit 70 are provided so as to be arranged in the transport direction A1 in that order. The reversing unit 13 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment. The detection unit 20b is for detecting an imaging timing. The imaging unit 30 is for detecting a printing position and for detecting a secant angle, the imaging unit 50a is for inspection, the imaging unit 60 is for detecting a printing position, and the imaging unit 70 is for inspection.

反転 A reversing unit 13 for reversing and moving the tablet T from the transport path P1 to the transport path P2 in the transport unit 93 is provided. The reversing section 13 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the reversing tube 13a is formed so as to reverse and move the tablet T from the transport path P1 to the transport path P2. Further, a detection unit 20b and an imaging unit 50b are provided for the transport path P2 of the transport unit 93. The detection unit 20b is for detecting an imaging timing, and the imaging unit 50b is for detecting a secant angle.

In the tablet printing apparatus 1D having such a configuration, the tablets T, which have been transported in a random state with their front and back sides, are adsorbed on the upper surface by the transport belt 91a of the transport unit 91 and transported in a line in the transport direction A1, and are detected by the detection unit 20a. The presence or absence of the dividing line is detected. Then, the suction of the transport belt 91 a is released at the end of the transport section 91, so that the sheet is supplied to the transport path P 1 of the transport section 92. The tablets T supplied from the transport section 91 to the transport path P1 of the transport section 92 are sucked by the transport belt 92a of the transport section 92 and transported in a line in the transport direction A1 along the transport path P1. In the reversing unit 13, the tablet T being conveyed with the back face up is reversed according to the detection result of the detection unit 20a, and the tablet T is turned up (see the first embodiment). ). That is, the tablets T for which the detection unit 20 a has detected the presence of the dividing line are in a state where the back surface faces upward on the transport unit 92, and these tablets T are inverted by the inversion unit 13. In the transport path P1 on the downstream side of the reversing unit 13 in the transport direction A1, the tablets T are all transported with their surfaces facing upward.

When the tablet T on the transport path P1 of the transport unit 92 is detected by the detection unit 20b (for imaging timing), the transport path P1 is detected at a timing based on the detection, that is, at a timing when the tablet T arrives immediately below the imaging unit 30. The upper surface of the upper tablet T is imaged by the imaging unit 30 (for printing position detection), printing is performed by the printing unit 40 based on the image, and the upper surface of the printed tablet T is imaged by the imaging unit 50a (for inspection). An image is taken and the quality of the print is checked (see the first embodiment). Note that the detection unit 20a of the transport unit 92 may be omitted by making the detection unit 20a of the transport unit 91 also function as a position detector. In addition, by providing the detection unit 20b in the transport unit 92 on the upstream side of the reversing unit 13 in the transport direction, it is possible to perform both detection of tablets and detection of the presence or absence of a score line.

After the inspection, the tablets T sucked and transported by the transport belt 92a of the transport unit 92 are supplied to the transport path P1 of the transport unit 93 below the transport unit 92. When the tablet T is delivered from the transport unit 92 to the transport unit 93, the tablet T is inverted. The tablets T supplied from the transport section 92 to the transport path P1 of the transport section 93 are adsorbed by the transport belt 93a of the transport section 93 and transported in a line in the transport direction A2 along the transport path P1. In the reversing unit 13, all the tablets T are reversed from the back surface to the front surface so that the front surface faces upward, and further moves from the transport path P 1 to the transport path P 2. The tablets T that have moved to the transport path P2 are adsorbed by the transport belt 93a of the transport section 93 and transported in a line in the transport direction A2 along the transport path P2.

When the tablet T on the transport path P2 of the transport unit 93 is detected by the detection unit 20b (for imaging timing), the transport path P2 is detected at a timing based on the detection, that is, at a timing when the tablet T arrives immediately below the imaging unit 50b. The upper surface of the upper tablet T is imaged by the imaging unit 50b (for detecting the dividing line angle), the angle of the dividing line is detected, and supplied to the conveying path P2 of the conveying unit 92. When the tablet T is delivered from the transport section 93 to the transport section 92, the tablet T is inverted. The tablets T supplied to the transport path P2 are sucked by the transport belt 92a of the transport section 92 and transported in a line along the transport path P2. The angle information of the dividing line obtained by the imaging unit 50b is printed with the identification information aligned with the dividing line on the back surface when the paper is conveyed with the back surface on which the dividing line is not formed facing up in printing in a later process. Used to

When the tablet T on the transport path P2 of the transport unit 92 is detected by the detection unit 20b (for imaging timing), the upper surface of the tablet T on the transport path P2 is captured at the timing based on the detection by the imaging unit 60 (for print position detection). ), Printing is performed by the printing unit 40 based on the image, the upper surface of the printed tablet T is imaged by the imaging unit 70 (for inspection), and the quality of the printing is inspected (first). See the embodiment). Thereafter, the non-defective and defective tablets T are collected separately.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

<Fifth embodiment>
A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, in the fifth embodiment, a difference (transport unit) from the first embodiment will be described, and the other description will be omitted.

錠剤 As shown in FIG. 9, the tablet printing apparatus 1E according to the fifth embodiment includes three

transport units

101, 102, and 103. Each

transport unit

101, 102, 103 is provided in a horizontal state. In FIG. 9, the transport unit 101 is disposed on the left of the upper end of the transport unit 102, and the transport unit 103 is disposed on the left of the lower end of the transport unit 102. The

transport units

101, 102, and 103 are the same as those in the fourth embodiment (including synchronization and speed). For example, the transport unit 101 is similar to the transport unit 91 according to the fourth embodiment. The tablet T is adsorbed on the lower surface of 101a and transported.

(4) The transport unit 101 adsorbs the upper surface of the tablets T transported in four rows with the front and back in a random manner by the transport belt 101a, transports the tablets T in four rows in the transport direction A1, and supplies the tablets T to the transport unit 102. The transport unit 102 adsorbs the lower surface of the tablet T supplied from the transport unit 101 by the transport belt 102a, transports the tablets T in four rows in the transport direction A1 in a state where the front and back are random, and in the middle of transport by the reversing unit 13A. All tablets T are supplied to the transport unit 103 with the surface of the tablet T facing up (the surface of the tablet T is a printing target). The transport unit 103 adsorbs the lower surface of the tablet T supplied from the transport unit 102 by the transport belt 103a and transports the tablets T in four rows in the transport direction A2 (the back surface of the tablet T is a printing target).

二つ Two detection units 20a are provided at positions facing the surface of the transport unit 101 on which the tablets T are transported. At a position facing the surface of the transport unit 102 on which the tablet T is transported, the reversing unit 13A, the two detection units 20b, the two imaging units 30, the printing unit 40, and the two imaging units 50 are arranged in that order. Are provided so as to line up in the transport direction A1. For the transport unit 103, two detection units 20b, two imaging units 60, a printing unit 40, and two imaging units 70 are provided so as to be arranged in the transport direction A2 in that order. In addition, for example, drying sections 90 are individually provided at positions facing the surfaces of the

transport sections

102 and 103 on which the tablets T are transported, for example, positioned below the respective sections. The drying section 90 dries the ink applied to the tablet T or the tablet T itself by radiant heat, wind, or the like. Each drying unit 90 is electrically connected to the control unit 80, and its driving is controlled by the control unit 80.

Each detection unit 20a is located below the transport unit 101, and is provided so as to capture an image of the lower surface of the tablet T which is transported with the upper surface being sucked by the transport unit 101. These detectors 20a are for detecting the presence or absence of a secant line. The printing unit 40 has the same configuration as the printing unit 40 according to the first embodiment. The detection unit 20b is for detecting the imaging timing of the tablet T. The imaging unit 30 is for detecting a printing position and for detecting a dividing line angle, and the imaging unit 50 is for detecting and detecting a dividing line angle. The imaging unit 60 is for detecting a printing position, and the imaging unit 70 is for inspection.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the reversing unit 13A has four reversing tubes 13a, four reversing nozzles 13b, two non-reversing tubes 13c, and two non-reversing nozzles 13d. doing. The reversing tube 13a functions as a reversing path for reversing the tablet T, the non-reversing tube 13c functions as a non-reversing path for flowing the tablet T without reversing it, and the reversing

nozzles

13b and 13d move the tablet T to move. Functions as a unit.

The transport unit 102 has four transport paths L1 to L4 so that the tablets T can be transported in four rows. The reversing tubes 13a are provided for each row of the transport paths L1 to L4. The reversing tubes 13a provided in the transport paths L1 and L2 located at the upper end side of the transport belt 102a in FIG. 11 (on the paper surface) are formed so as to extend to the upper end side in FIG. The reversing tubes 13a provided in the conveyance paths L3 and L4 located at the lower end side in FIG. 11 of 102a are formed so as to extend to the lower end side in FIG. Of the two reversing tubes 13a extending to the upper end in FIG. 11 of the transport belt 102a, the reversing tube 13a on the upstream side in the transport direction A1 is for the transport path L1, and the reversing tube 13a on the downstream side is for the transport path L2. . Also, of the two reversing tubes 13a extending to the lower end in FIG. 11 of the transport belt 102a, the upstream reversing tube 13a is for the transport path L4, and the downstream reversing tube 13a is for the transport path L3.

The non-inverting tubes 13c are provided for each of the two rows at both ends of the four rows. One non-reversing tube 13c is provided at the upper end of the transport belt 102a in FIG. 11, and the non-reversing tube 13c is for the transport path L1. One non-reversing tube 13c is provided at the lower end in FIG. 11 of the transport belt 102a, and this non-reversing tube 13c is for the transport path L4. Each non-reversing tube 13c is provided upstream of each reversing tube 13a in the transport direction A1, and moves the tablet T to be transported to the downstream side in the transport direction A1 without reversing.

Here, for example, a tablet Ta (see FIG. 11) located on the transport path L3 with the back surface facing upward, and a tablet Tb (see FIG. 11) located on the transport path L4 with the front surface facing upward. However, in the case where the tablets are conveyed in the same state in the conveying direction A1, that is, when they are conveyed side by side, the gas blown from the reversing nozzle 13b is used to move the tablets Ta in the conveying path L3 to the reversing tube 13a. Also, the tablets Tb in the transport path L4 become an obstacle. For this reason, before moving the tablet Ta of the conveyance path L3 to the reversing tube 13a, the tablet Tb of the conveyance path L4 was moved to the non-reversing tube 13c by the gas blown from the non-reversing nozzle 13d, and the back surface was turned up. The state in which the tablets Ta in the transport path L3 in the state and the tablets Tb in the transport path L4 in the state in which the surface faces upward are eliminated is eliminated. Thus, the gas Ta blown from the reversing nozzle 13b can move the tablet Ta on the transport path L3 to the reversing tube 13a. The tablet Tb in the transport path L4 is moved by the gas blown out from the non-inverting nozzle 13d, passes through the non-inverting tube 13c with the surface thereof facing upward, and moves to the transport path L4.

In the case where the tablets T are transported in four rows in a state where the front and back are random, the reversing part 13A has the back surface of the four rows of tablets T turned up according to the presence or absence of the dividing line (the front and back of the tablet T). The tablets T in the state are selectively inverted, and all the tablets T conveyed in four rows with the front and back in a random state are in a state in which the front surface is up. As a result, all the tablets T are transported on the transport belt 102a on the downstream side of the reversing section 13A in the transport direction A1 with the surface thereof facing upward.

In the tablet printing apparatus 1E having such a configuration, the tablets T that have been transported in four rows to the transport unit 101 with the front and back randomly arranged are adsorbed by the transport belt 101a of the transport unit 101 and transported in four rows in the transport direction A1. Then, it is supplied to the transport unit 102. During this process, the presence / absence of a dividing line on the lower surface of the tablet T being suction-conveyed by the carrying belt 101a of the carrying unit 101 is detected by each detecting unit 20a (for detecting the presence / absence of a dividing line). The tablets T supplied from the transport unit 101 to the transport unit 102 are sucked by the transport belt 102a of the transport unit 102 and transported in four rows in the transport direction A1. In the reversing unit 13A, the tablet T being conveyed with the back face up is reversed according to the detection result of each detection unit 20a, and the tablet T is brought into a state with the front face up. All tablets T are transported downstream from the reversing section 13A in the transport direction A1 with their surfaces facing upward.

When the tablets T on the conveyor belt 102a are detected by the respective detection units 20b (for imaging timing), the timing based on the detection, that is, the timing at which the tablets T arrive immediately below the imaging unit 30, causes the tablets T on the conveyor belt 102a to be detected. The upper surface of the tablet T is imaged by each imaging unit 30 (for printing position detection), and printing is performed by the printing unit 40 together in four rows based on those images. (For inspection and for detecting the secant angle), and the quality of the print is inspected.

After the inspection, the tablets T sucked and transported by the transport belt 102a of the transport unit 102 pass above the drying unit 90, and are supplied to the transport unit 103 in four rows below the transport unit 102. The tablets T supplied from the transport unit 102 to the transport unit 103 are sucked by the transport belt 103a of the transport unit 103 and transported in four rows in the transport direction A2.

When the tablets T on the transport belt 103a are detected by the detection units 20b (for imaging timing), the timing based on those detections, that is, the timing at which the tablets T arrive immediately below the imaging unit 60, is set on the transport belt 103a. The upper surface of the tablet T is imaged by each imaging unit 60 (for printing position detection), and printing is performed by the printing unit 40 together in four rows based on those images. (For inspection), and the quality of the print is inspected. Thereafter, the non-defective and defective tablets T are separated and collected.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, by performing printing on the tablets T conveyed in four rows together in four rows, it is possible to increase the amount of printing per unit time, so that printing efficiency can be improved.

In the present embodiment, similarly to the fourth embodiment, by providing the detection unit 20b on the upstream side in the transport direction of the reversing unit 13A, the detection of the presence or absence of the score line and the detection of the tablet position can be performed. .

<Sixth embodiment>
A sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the sixth embodiment, the differences (transport unit) from the first embodiment will be described, and other descriptions will be omitted.

錠剤 As shown in FIG. 12, the tablet printing apparatus 1F according to the fifth embodiment includes five

transport units

111, 112, 113, 114, and 115. The transport section 113 is provided in a vertical state in the longitudinal direction, and the

transport sections

111, 112, 114, and 115 are provided in a horizontal state. 12, the transport unit 111 is disposed on the left of the lower end of the transport unit 113, and the transport unit 112 is disposed on the right of the lower end of the transport unit 113. In addition, the transport unit 114 is provided on the upper right side of the transport unit 113, and the transport unit 115 is provided on the upper left side of the transport unit 113.

The transport unit 111 is a state in which the tablets T are attracted by the transport belt 111a and transported in two rows in the transport direction A1 in a random state, and all tablets T are turned upside down during transport by the reversing unit 13B. And supply it to the transport unit 113. Similarly to the transport unit 111, the transport unit 112 also sucks the tablets T with the transport belt 112a in a random state and transports the tablets T in two rows in the transport direction A2. Is supplied to the transport unit 113 with the back surface facing upward.

The transport unit 113 sucks the tablets T supplied from the transport unit 111 by the transport belt 113a, transports the tablets T in two rows in the transport direction A3 (the surface of the tablets T is a printing target), and supplies the tablets T to the transport unit 114. The transport unit 113 sucks the tablets T supplied from the transport unit 112 by the transport belt 113b, transports the tablets T in two rows in the transport direction A4 (the surface of the tablets T is a printing target), and supplies the tablets T to the transport unit 115. I do.

The transport unit 114 attracts the tablets T supplied from the transport unit 113 by the transport belt 114a and transports the tablets T in two rows in the transport direction A1 (the back side of the tablets T is on the upper side). With the surface of the tablet T facing upward, the tablet T is sucked by the transport belt 114b, transported in two rows in the transport direction A2, and returned to the transport unit 113. Also, the transport unit 115 attracts the tablets T supplied from the transport unit 113 by the transport belt 115a and transports the tablets T in two rows in the transport direction A2 (the back surface of the tablets T is upward), and the transport unit 115A transports the tablets T in the middle. Then, all the tablets T are brought into a state in which the front surface is turned up, and the tablets T are sucked by the transport belt 115b, transported in two rows in the transport direction A1, and returned to the transport unit 113.

(4) The transport unit 113 attracts the tablets T supplied from the transport unit 114 by the transport belt 113b and transports the tablets T in two rows in the transport direction A4 (the back surface of the tablets T is a printing target). The transport unit 113 sucks the tablets T supplied from the transport unit 115 by the transport belt 113a and transports the tablets T in two rows in the transport direction A3 (the back surface of the tablets T is a printing target). During the transportation, the non-defective and defective tablets T are collected separately (a collection unit is not shown).

反転 As shown in FIG. 13, the reversing section 13B has two reversing sections 13 (reversing tube 13a and reversing nozzle 13b) according to the first embodiment. One reversing section 13B is provided corresponding to one of the two rows in which the tablets T are transported, and the other reversing section 13B is provided corresponding to the other row.

反転 As shown in FIG. 14, the reversing unit 14A has two reversing units 14 (reversing tube 14a and reversing nozzle 14b) according to the first embodiment. One reversing section 14A is provided corresponding to one of the two rows in which the tablets T are transported, and the other reversing section 14B is provided corresponding to the other row.

検出 A detection unit 20a (for detecting the presence or absence of a dividing line) is provided in the above-described transport unit 111. With respect to the transport belt 113a of the transport unit 113, a detection unit 20b (for detecting an imaging timing), an imaging unit 30 (for detecting a printing position and detecting a dividing line angle), and a printing unit 40 are provided on the right side (in FIG. 12) of the transport belt 113a. , And the imaging unit 60 (for printing position detection) are arranged in the transport direction A3 in that order. For the transport belt 114b of the transport unit 114, a detection unit 20b (for detecting an imaging timing) and an imaging unit 50 (for inspection and for detecting a secant angle) are provided. An imaging unit 70 (for inspection) is provided on the right side (in FIG. 12) of the transport belt 113b of the transport unit 113.

Also, as in the above-described arrangement, a detection unit 20a (for detecting the presence or absence of a split line) is provided for the transport unit 112. With respect to the conveying belt 113b of the conveying unit 113, a detecting unit 20b (for detecting an imaging timing), an imaging unit 30 (for detecting a printing position and detecting a dividing line angle), and a printing unit 40 are provided on the left side (in FIG. 12) of the conveying belt 113b. , And the imaging unit 60 (for printing position detection) are arranged in that order in the transport direction A4. For the transport belt 115b of the transport unit 115, a detection unit 20b (for detecting an imaging timing) and an imaging unit 50 (for inspecting and detecting a secant angle) are provided. An imaging unit 70 (for inspection) is provided on the left side (in FIG. 12) of the transport belt 113a of the transport unit 113.

The printing process (printing process and inspection process) performed by the tablet printing apparatus 1F having such a configuration is basically the same as in the first to fifth embodiments. However, the printing process according to the fourth embodiment is executed simultaneously on the left and right sides of the transport unit 113. For this reason, the printing amount per unit time can be increased, and the printing efficiency can be improved. Further, since it is possible to perform printing on the left side and right side of the transport unit 113 at the same time, even when maintaining each unit related to one of the printings, it is possible to perform printing by each unit related to the other printing, As a result, printing efficiency can be improved.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, the printing efficiency can be improved.

<Seventh embodiment>
A seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the seventh embodiment, only differences from the sixth embodiment (arrangement of each unit) will be described, and other description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, a tablet printing apparatus 1G according to the seventh embodiment includes a transport unit 113 according to the sixth embodiment, in addition to the components of the tablet printing apparatus 1F according to the sixth embodiment. . That is, there are two transport units 113. These transport units 113 are provided in parallel with each other in a vertical state. In FIG. 15, the transport unit 111 and the transport unit 112 are provided in parallel with each other in the horizontal state on the left side of the lower end of each transport unit 113, and the

transport units

114 and 115 are in parallel with each other in the horizontal state. 113 is provided on the left side near the center.

In addition, the detecting unit 20a (for detecting the presence or absence of a dividing line), the detecting unit 20b (for detecting an imaging timing), the imaging unit 30 (for detecting a printing position and detecting the dividing line angle), the printing unit 40, and the detecting unit 20b (for detecting an imaging timing). The imaging unit 50 (for inspection and for detecting the score line angle), the imaging unit 60 (for detecting the printing position), and the imaging unit 70 (for inspection) are aligned with the dividing line of the tablet T in the same manner as in the sixth embodiment. Is provided so that double-sided printing for printing identification information on both sides is possible.

The printing process (printing process and inspection process) performed by the tablet printing apparatus 1G having such a configuration is basically the same as that of the sixth embodiment. However, compared to the sixth embodiment, the drying distance over which the tablet T moves until the surface of the tablet T on which the ink is applied next contacts the

transport belt

114a or 115a is longer. This makes it possible to reliably dry the ink applied to the tablet T, so that the occurrence of printing failure due to undried ink can be suppressed. Further, compared to the sixth embodiment, the number of rows of tablets T to be conveyed can be increased to increase the amount of printing per unit time, and the printing efficiency can be improved.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of printing failure due to undried ink, and to improve the printing efficiency.

<Eighth embodiment>
An eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the eighth embodiment, differences from the seventh embodiment (arrangement of each unit) will be described, and other description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 16, the tablet printing apparatus 1H according to the eighth embodiment includes the same components as the tablet printing apparatus 1G according to the seventh embodiment. On the paper surface of FIG. 16, the transport unit 111 is provided on the left side of the lower end of the transport unit 113 on the far side of the two transport units 113 in the horizontal state, and the transport unit 112 is located on the near side in the horizontal state. 113 is provided on the right side of the lower end. The transport section 114 is provided on the left side near the lower side of the above-described transport section 113 in the horizontal state, and the transport section 115 is provided on the right side near the lower side of the aforementioned transport section 113 in the horizontal state. Have been.

The printing process (printing process and inspection process) performed by the tablet printing apparatus 1H having such a configuration is basically the same as that of the seventh embodiment. However, compared to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to perform printing on the left and right sides of the transport unit 113 at the same time. , Printing can be performed, and as a result, printing efficiency can be improved.

As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of printing failure due to undried ink, and to improve the printing efficiency.

<Ninth embodiment>
The ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that in the ninth embodiment, differences from the eighth embodiment (the arrangement of each unit) will be described, and other descriptions will be omitted.

錠剤 As shown in FIG. 17, the tablet printing apparatus 1I according to the ninth embodiment includes five

transport units

116, 117, 118, 119, and 120. The transport section 117 is provided in a vertical state in the longitudinal direction, and each of the

transport sections

116 and 119 is provided in a horizontal state. In addition, each of the drum-shaped

transport sections

118 and 120 is provided with the transport section 117 and the transport section. 119 is provided. 17, the transport unit 116 is provided on the left side of the lower end of the transport unit 113, and each of the

transport units

118, 119 and 120 is provided at the upper end of the transport unit 113.

The transport unit 116 attracts the tablets T with the transport belt 116a in a random state, and transports the tablets T in four rows in the transport direction A1, and all the tablets T are turned upside down by the reversing unit 13A during the transport. And supply it to the transport unit 117. The transport unit 117 sucks the tablets T supplied from the transport unit 111 by the transport belt 117a, transports the tablets T in four rows in the transport direction A3 (the surface of the tablets T is a printing target), and supplies the tablets T to the transport unit 118. The transport unit 118 sucks the tablets T supplied from the transport unit 117 by the transport belt 118a, transports the tablets T in four rows, and supplies the tablets T to the transport unit 119.

The transport unit 119 attracts the tablets T supplied from the transport unit 118 by the transport belt 119a and transports the tablets T in four rows in the transport direction A2 (the surface of the tablets T is on the upper side). The tablet T is supplied to the transport unit 120 with the back surface facing upward. The transport unit 120 sucks the tablets T supplied from the transport unit 119 by the transport belt 120a and transports the tablets T in four rows. The transport unit 117 sucks the tablets T supplied from the transport unit 120 by the transport belt 117a and transports the tablets T in four rows in the transport direction A4 (the back surface of the tablets T is a printing target). During these transports, the non-defective and defective tablets T are collected separately.

反転 As shown in FIG. 18, the reversing section 14B has four reversing sections 14 (reversing tubes 14a and reversing nozzles 14b) according to the first embodiment. That is, the inversion unit 14 is provided for each column. As a result, the tablets T in the state of the upper surface pass through the inversion tube 14a for each row, so that all the tablets T are in the state of the upper surface in the reverse direction. Note that the configurations of the inverting

units

13A and 14A are the same as those of the above-described fifth embodiment.

(4) Two detectors 20a (for detecting the presence or absence of a split line) are provided for the transport unit 116. On the right side (in FIG. 17) of the transport unit 117, two detecting units 20b (for detecting an imaging timing), two imaging units 30 (for detecting a printing position and a dividing line angle), a printing unit 40, and two The imaging unit 50a (for inspection) and the drying unit 90 are provided so as to be arranged in that order in the transport direction A3. Two detectors 20b (for detecting imaging timing) are provided on the left side (in FIG. 17) of the transport unit 119. Two image pickup units 50b (for detecting a dividing line angle) are provided on the right side (in FIG. 17) of the transport unit 120. On the left side (in FIG. 17) of the transport unit 113, two detecting units 20b (for detecting an imaging timing), two imaging units 60 (for detecting a printing position), a printing unit 40, and two imaging units 70 (for inspection). ), And drying units 90 are provided so as to be arranged in the transport direction A4 in that order.

The printing process (printing process and inspection process) performed by the tablet printing apparatus 1I having such a configuration is basically the same as the other embodiments such as the first to eighth embodiments. However, compared to the case where the drying unit 90 is not provided, the ink applied to the tablet T can be surely dried, so that the occurrence of printing failure due to undried ink can be further suppressed.

よう As described above, according to the ninth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, it is possible to increase the number of types of tablet printing apparatuses that perform printing on both sides of the tablet T, furthermore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of printing defects due to undried ink, and it is possible to improve the printing efficiency.

As described above, two members (each part) are provided for four-row conveyance. Therefore, members are provided for every two rows (that is, one member processes two rows collectively). This is the same in the fifth to ninth embodiments (four-row conveyance), but this is merely an example, and all members may be provided for each row.

<Tenth embodiment>
A tenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the tenth embodiment, differences (inversion units) from the first embodiment will be described, and other descriptions will be omitted.

反転 As shown in FIG. 19, the reversing unit 14C according to the tenth embodiment includes a pair of

inclined drums

14c and 14d.

The inclined drum 14c has a conical side surface 14c1 around an axis inclined at, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the width direction of the transport belt 11. The inclined drum 14c is provided such that a part of the conical side surface 14c1 is separated from the upper surface of the conveyor belt 11 by a predetermined distance (for example, about the thickness of the tablet T) and is rotatable above the conveyor belt 11 by a motor 14e. Have been. The separation distance from the conveyor belt 11 is set based on the thickness of the tablets T so that the tablets T can be transferred from the conveyor belt 11 to the inclined drum 14c. The inclined drum 14c is fixed to the output shaft (rotary shaft) of the motor 14e, and rotates around the shaft by the rotation of the motor 14e. The motor 14e is electrically connected to the control unit 80, and its driving is controlled by the control unit 80.

側面 A plurality of suction holes H3 are formed in the side surface 14c1 of the inclined drum 14c. These suction holes H3 are provided at equal intervals in an annular shape around the axis of the inclined drum 14c. The pressure in the internal space of the inclined drum 14c is maintained at a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure by a suction mechanism (not shown). The inclined drum 14c holds the tablet T in any of the suction holes H3 by the negative pressure. The above-described suction mechanism is electrically connected to the control unit 80, and the driving thereof is controlled by the control unit 80.

The inclined drum 14d has a conical side surface 14d1 about an axis inclined at, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the width direction of the conveyor belt 12, opposite to the direction in which the inclined drum 14c is inclined. The axis of the inclined drum 14d and the axis of the above-mentioned inclined drum 14c have, for example, a perpendicular positional relationship in a vertical plane. In the inclined drum 14d, a part of the conical side surface 14d1 is separated from the side surface 14c1 of the inclined drum 14c by a predetermined distance (for example, about the thickness of the tablet T). It is provided at a predetermined distance (for example, about the thickness of the tablet T) from the upper surface of the transfer belt 12 and is rotatable by a motor 14f above the conveyor belt 12. The separation distance from the inclined drum 14c is set based on the thickness of the tablet T so that the tablet T can be delivered from the inclined drum 14c to the inclined drum 14d. The separation distance from the transport belt 12 is set so that the tablets T can be delivered from the inclined drum 14d to the transport belt 12. The inclined drum 14d is fixed to the output shaft (rotary shaft) of the motor 14f, and rotates around the shaft by the rotation of the motor 14f. The motor 14f is electrically connected to the control unit 80, and its driving is controlled by the control unit 80.

側面 A plurality of suction holes H4 are formed in the side surface 14d1 of the inclined drum 14d. These suction holes H4 are provided at regular intervals in an annular shape around the axis of the inclined drum 14d. The pressure in the internal space of the inclined drum 14d is maintained at a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure by the suction mechanism described above. The inclined drum 14d holds the tablet T in one of the suction holes H4 by the negative pressure.

ブロー A blow portion 14g is provided inside the inclined drum 14c. The blow unit 14g blows gas to the suction holes H3 of the inclined drum 14c that face the inclined drum 14d. As a result, the suction hole H3 to which the gas is blown has a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, so that the suction of the tablet T by the suction hole H3 is released, and the tablet T is delivered from the inclined drum 14c to the inclined drum 14d. . The blow unit 14g is electrically connected to the control unit 80, and its driving is controlled by the control unit 80.

ブロー A blow unit 14h is also provided inside the inclined drum 14d. The blow unit 14h blows a gas to one of the suction holes H4 of the inclined drum 14d that faces the conveyor belt 12. Accordingly, the suction hole H4 to which the gas is blown has a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, so that the suction of the tablet T by the suction hole H4 is released, and the tablet T is delivered to the transport belt 12 from the inclined drum 14d. . The blow unit 14h is electrically connected to the control unit 80, and its driving is controlled by the control unit 80.

In order to reliably prevent the tablets T from dropping when the tablets T are transferred from the inclined drum 14c to the inclined drum 14d, the suction force of each of the suction holes H4 of the inclined drum 14d is reduced by using the suction holes of the inclined drum 14c. It is desirable to make it larger than the adsorption power of H3.

According to the reversing unit 14C, the tablet T on which the identification information is printed is located at the downstream end of the transport belt 11 in the transport direction A1, that is, the tablet T on the transport belt 11 is moved to the inclined drum 14c. Upon arrival, the tablets T are transferred from the conveyor belt 11 to the inclined drum 14c. The inclined drum 14c is rotated by the motor 14e while sucking and holding the tablet T received from the conveyor belt 11 by any of the suction holes H3 on the side surface 14c1, and delivers the tablet T to the inclined drum 14d by blowing the gas by the blowing unit 14g. The inclined drum 14d is rotated by the motor 14f while adsorbing and holding the tablet T received from the inclined drum 14c in one of the suction holes H4 of the side surface 14d1, and delivers the tablet T to the conveyor belt 12 by blowing the gas by the blowing unit 14h. Thus, the tablets T on the transport belt 11 move from the transport belt 11 to the transport belt 12, and the tablets T are turned upside down. Therefore, the tablet T conveyed in a state in which the front surface on which the score is formed is turned up by the reversing portion 14C, the back surface on which the score is not formed is turned up.

As described above, according to the tenth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the above-described reversing section 14C can be used, and various mechanisms can be used as the reversing section.

<Other embodiments>
In the above description, the use of the score line (straight concave portion) of the tablet T as the mark that can be distinguished from the front and back is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various marks such as a cross formed on the tablet T may be used. It is also possible to use concave portions having various shapes, convex portions having various shapes, or marks formed by printing or drawing.

In addition, in the above description, the information is printed in alignment with the dividing line of the tablet T. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information may be printed according to the dividing line based on the print data.

In the above description, the reversing tube 13a is used as the reversing path, and the reversing nozzle 13b is used as the moving part. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to use a member (for example, a rod-shaped member) that strikes and moves the tablet T as the moving unit.

気体 Also, it is possible to connect a gas nozzle in the middle of the inverting

tubes

13a and 14a and the non-inverting tube 13c. The gas nozzle is formed so as to blow out a gas (for example, air) in a direction to push the tablet T that advances in tubes such as the

inversion tubes

13a and 14a and the non-inversion tube 13c. The tablets T are pushed by the gas blown out by the gas nozzles, and the movement of the tablets T is promoted, so that the tablets T can pass through reliably.

In the above description, the printing unit 40 prints the tablets T conveyed by one and two conveying paths, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided for each conveying path. Thus, by providing a plurality of printing units 40, printing can be performed using different inks.

Here, the above-mentioned tablets may include tablets used for medicine, eating and drinking, washing, industrial use or for aroma. Tablets include uncoated tablets (uncoated tablets), sugar-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, enteric coated tablets, gelatin-encapsulated tablets, multilayer tablets, dry coated tablets, and various types of capsule tablets such as hard capsules and soft capsules. Can be included. Furthermore, the shape of the tablet includes various shapes such as a disk shape, a lens shape, a triangle, and an ellipse. In addition, when the tablet to be printed is for medicine or eating and drinking, edible ink is suitable as the ink to be used. As the edible ink, any of synthetic dye ink, natural dye ink, dye ink, and pigment ink may be used.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. These new embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

1A to 1I Tablet printing device 10 Conveying unit 11 Conveying belt

13a Inverting tube

13b Inverting nozzle 20 Detecting unit 20a Detecting unit 40 Printing unit 92 Conveying unit 92a Conveying belt 102 Conveying unit 102a Conveying belt 111 Conveying unit 111a Conveying belt 112 Conveying unit 112a Conveying Belt 116 Transport section 116a Transport belt H1 Inlet H2 Outlet T Tablet

Claims

A transport unit that transports a tablet having a mark that can be distinguished from the front and back,
A detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the mark,
A reversing path connected to the transport section and reversing the front and back of the tablet and returning to the transport section,
According to the detection result of the detection unit, to align the front and back of the tablet on the transport unit, to move the tablet transported by the transport unit to the reverse path,
On the downstream side in the transport direction of the tablet from the reverse path, a printing unit that performs printing on the tablets transported by the transport unit,
Tablet printing device comprising:
The inversion path has an inlet for the tablet and an outlet for the tablet,
2. The tablet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inlet and the outlet are arranged to face a side surface of the tablet conveyed by the conveyance unit. 3.
The transport unit has a transport belt that transports the tablets,
2. The tablet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reversing path returns the tablet to the same position on the transport belt when the tablet moves from the transport belt to the reverse path. 3.
The inversion path has an inlet for the tablet and an outlet for the tablet,
4. The tablet printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each lower end of the inlet and the outlet is the same as a height position of an upper surface of the conveyor belt. 5.
The inversion path has an inlet for the tablet and an outlet for the tablet,
2. The tablet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is provided downstream of the inlet in a transport direction of the tablet. 3.
The tablet printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reversing path retains the tablet and returns the retained tablet to the transport unit while the supply of the tablet to the transport unit is stopped.
The inversion path is formed of a tube,
The tube according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tube is a tube bent by 180 degrees so that the front and back of the tablet are reversed while the tablet passes through the inside of the tube. A tablet printing apparatus according to claim 1.
The tablet printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the moving unit is a nozzle that blows gas toward an inlet of the tube.
A step of transporting a tablet having a mark that can be distinguished from the front and back by a transport unit,
Detecting the presence or absence of the mark,
According to the detection result of the mark, the tablet conveyed by the transport unit is moved to a reversing path in which the front and back of the tablet are reversed and returned to the transport unit so that the front and back of the tablet on the transport unit are aligned. Process and
On the downstream side in the transport direction of the tablet from the reversing path, a step of printing on the tablet transported by the transport unit,
Tablet printing method having
The transport unit has a transport belt that transports the tablets,
10. The tablet printing method according to claim 9, wherein the reversing path returns the tablet to the same position on the transport belt when the tablet moves from the transport belt to the reverse path.
The tablet printing method according to claim 9, wherein the reversing path holds the tablet and returns the held tablet to the transport unit while the supply of the tablet to the transport unit is stopped.