WO2021006271A1 - Continuous coating apparatus - Google Patents
Continuous coating apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- WO2021006271A1 WO2021006271A1 PCT/JP2020/026566 JP2020026566W WO2021006271A1 WO 2021006271 A1 WO2021006271 A1 WO 2021006271A1 JP 2020026566 W JP2020026566 W JP 2020026566W WO 2021006271 A1 WO2021006271 A1 WO 2021006271A1
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- Prior art keywords
- powder
- granular material
- continuous coating
- tablet
- housing
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J3/00—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms
- A61J3/06—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of pills, lozenges or dragees
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J2/00—Processes or devices for granulating materials, e.g. fertilisers in general; Rendering particulate materials free flowing in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for coating powders and granules of tablets, foods and the like (hereinafter referred to as tablets and the like), and more particularly to a continuous coating apparatus capable of continuously coating powders and granules.
- a coating device using a rotating drum having a polygonal cross section or a circular cross section (hereinafter, abbreviated as a drum as appropriate) has been known.
- the rotating drum also called a coating pan, rotates around the horizontal axis, and a spray device that supplies the coating liquid is installed inside the drum.
- the tablets and the like put into the drum roll as the drum rotates, and a coating liquid such as a sugar coating liquid is sprayed on the surface thereof from a spray device.
- hot air or cold air is appropriately supplied and exhausted into the rotating drum, passes through the layer of the tablet or the like, and the coating layer is formed on the surface of the tablet or the like.
- Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-230731 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-129382 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-152441 JP-A-59-108607
- the conventional coating device is a batch type device in which a predetermined amount of tablets or the like is put into a rotating drum to perform a coating process, the processing amount is limited, and the device can be disassembled and washed for each batch. There was a problem that the production efficiency was not good because it was necessary.
- the continuous coating device of the present invention is a continuous coating device that continuously performs a coating treatment of powder or granular material, and is a powder or granular material transport path in which the powder or granular material is accommodated and the powder or granular material moves in the continuous coating device.
- a vibration device that applies vibration to the powder or granular material transport path, a plurality of spray guns that are arranged above the powder or granular material transport path and spray a coating liquid on the powder or granular material, and the coating. It has a drying device for heating the powder or granular material sprayed with the liquid and drying the coating liquid, and moves in the powder or granular material transport path according to the vibration applied by the vibration device. It is characterized in that the coating liquid is sprayed on the powder or granular material by the spray gun while heating the powder or granular material by the drying device.
- the powder or granular material in the powder or granular material transport path is moved by vibrating the powder or granular material transport path that can accommodate the powder or granular material (object to be treated) such as tablets. Then, the powder or granular material moving in the powder or granular material transport path is coated with a spray gun arranged above the powder or granular material transport path. As a result, the powder or granular material can be coated while moving in the powder or granular material transport path, and the powder or granular material can be continuously coated.
- the powder or granular material transport path is composed of a semi-cylindrical trough with an open top, and the trough is arranged in a state of being inclined along the longitudinal direction, and the powder in the trough is arranged.
- the granules may be moved up the slope in the trough by the vibration applied by the vibration device.
- the powder or granular material transport path may be formed into a polygonal angular ring shape by a plurality of the troughs formed in a straight line.
- a plurality of rows of the granular material transport paths formed in a square ring are arranged along the radial direction, and between the powder and granular material transport paths of the rows adjacent to each other in the radial direction, one row to the other row. May be provided with a transit portion in which the powder or granular material moves.
- the powder or granular material transport path may be formed by arranging a plurality of linearly formed troughs in parallel.
- the continuous coating device has a housing for accommodating the powder or granular material transport path, an air supply port for supplying a processing gas for heating the powder or granular material into the housing, and discharging the processing gas in the housing.
- An exhaust port may be further provided.
- a far infrared heater that applies far infrared rays to the powder or granular material may be used.
- the powder or granular material transport path is composed of flow trays arranged in a spiral shape, the flow tray is attached, and vibration is applied by the vibration exciter.
- a housing arranged so as to cover the flow tray, an air supply port provided in the housing and supplying a processing gas for heating the powder or granular material in the housing, and the processing gas in the housing.
- the coating liquid is provided by the spray gun while supplying the processing gas into the housing with respect to the powder or granular material that moves in the flow tray in accordance with the vibration of the skirt by providing an exhaust port for discharging the gas. May be sprayed.
- the flow tray may be provided in a plurality of stages in a circular spiral shape (spiral shape having a circular outer shape).
- the flow tray may be provided in a plurality of stages in a polygonal spiral shape (a spiral shape having a polygonal outer shape such as a hexagon, an octagon, or a nonagon).
- the skirt is also formed in a square tube shape.
- the powder or granular material may move upward in the flow tray with the vibration of the skirt.
- the outer diameter of the skirt is increasing downward, and the flow tray is attached to the outer circumference of the skirt so that the outer diameter of the spiral is increasing toward the lower side. Is also good.
- the spray gun may be attached to the side surface of the skirt or the side surface of the housing.
- the flow tray may be formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section with an open upper portion, and one end of the bottom surface portion of the flow tray may be fixed to the side surface portion of the skirt.
- the powder or granular material transport path may be provided with a ventilation hole through which the processed gas can flow.
- the powder or granular material in the powder or granular material transport path is moved by vibrating the powder or granular material transport path for accommodating the powder or granular material, and arranged above the powder or granular material transport path. Since the coating treatment is performed on the powder or granular material moving in the powder or granular material transport path by the spray gun, the powder or granular material can be coated while moving in the powder or granular material transport path. It enables continuous coating treatment of granules. Therefore, unlike the batch type coating apparatus, there is no limitation on the processing amount, and cleaning for each batch is not required, so that efficient coating processing is possible.
- An object of the following embodiments is to provide a continuous coating apparatus capable of continuously performing a coating treatment for tablets and the like.
- FIG. 1 are explanatory views showing a configuration of a continuous coating device 1 (hereinafter, abbreviated as coating device 1) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the coating device 1 performs film coating on a powder or granular material (object to be treated) such as a tablet.
- the coating device 1 has a configuration in which a plurality of stages (about 8 to 12 stages) of flow trays (powder and granular material transport paths) 2 formed in a circular spiral shape are arranged in a cylindrical housing 15. It has become.
- a plurality of spray guns 3 are arranged above the flow tray 2 at predetermined intervals.
- the object to be treated such as the tablet 4 moves while rolling in the flow tray 2 from the bottom to the top due to the vibration applied to the device.
- the coating liquid is sprayed on the tablet 4 moving on the flow tray 2 by the spray gun 3.
- the coating liquid sprayed on the tablet 4 is dried and solidified by the processing gas (dry air) supplied from the upper part of the apparatus, and a coating layer is formed on the surface of the tablet 4.
- the flow tray 2 has a substantially L-shaped cross section with an open top, and is spirally provided so as to be stacked in the vertical direction (spiral tray structure).
- the upper opening width of the flow tray 2 is about 80 to 120 mm, and the height is about 50 to 100 mm.
- the bottom surface portion 2a of the flow tray 2 is provided with a large number of ventilation holes 11 having a diameter of about 3 mm over the front surface.
- the air supply from the upper part of the device passes through the flow tray 2 from the top to the bottom through the ventilation holes 11 and flows to the lower stage side.
- the treatment gas passes through the tablet layer in the flow tray 2, the coating liquid on the surface of the tablet 4 is dried, and the coating layer is formed on the surface of the tablet 4.
- the above dimensions and various numerical values described below are merely examples, and can be variously changed depending on the type, specifications, treatment form, etc. of the tablet 4, and the present invention is not limited to these numerical values.
- the spiral outer diameter of the flow tray 2 is about 800 to 2000 mm.
- the length of the flow tray 2 is set to about 25 to 40 m.
- the height of the entire device is about 1500 to 3000 mm.
- One end edge 2b of the bottom surface portion 2a of the flow tray 2 is fixed to the side surface portion 12a of the cylindrical skirt 12 by welding or the like.
- the flow tray 2 is fixedly supported by the side surface portion 12a of the skirt 12. Tablets 4 are continuously supplied to the lowermost stage of the flow tray 2 from a tablet supply device (object to be processed) (not shown) via a supply duct 18.
- a baffle plate 13 for preventing blow-by of the processing gas is provided on the side surface portion 12a of the skirt.
- the baffle plate 13 is above the flow tray 2 so as to block the flow path of the processing gas in order to prevent the processing gas from above from passing through the ventilation holes 11 and blowing downward along the flow tray 2. It is arranged in.
- about 1 to 4 baffle plates 13 are provided on each stage.
- the skirt 12 is provided to prevent the air supply from the upper part of the device from contributing to the drying of the coating liquid and bypassing the center of the device and exhausting the air. If the spiral flow tray 2 is arranged in the housing 15 without providing the skirt 12, most of the air supply may pass downward through the center of the spiral and be exhausted, which causes a problem that the thermal efficiency is lowered. Therefore, in the coating device 1 according to the present invention, the skirt 12 is provided in the housing 15 so that the air supply from the upper part of the device flows around the skirt 12. As a result, the air supply from above flows into the flow tray 2 arranged on the side surface portion 12a of the skirt without waste, and the thermal efficiency of the device can be improved.
- the skirt 12 is made of thick stainless steel, and the inside of the skirt 12 is hollow.
- the inside of the skirt 12 may be solid, and the tubular shape in the present invention is a concept including a solid form.
- a hollow skirt is preferable in consideration of the weight of the device and inertia.
- a vibration exciter 5 is attached to the lower end of the skirt 12.
- the vibration exciter 5 can apply vibration to the flow tray 2 via the skirt 12.
- the vibration exciter 5 includes a pair of vibration motors symmetrically provided with the skirt 12 interposed therebetween.
- the two vibration motors are arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical axis of the skirt 12.
- An oscillator using an eccentric weight or the like is rotatably arranged in the vibration motor. Torsional vibration is applied to the skirt 12 by appropriately rotating both vibration motors.
- the flow tray 2 also twists and vibrates, and the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 is conveyed from the lower side to the upper side.
- the flow tray 2 and the skirt 12 are housed in a stainless steel housing 15.
- the housing 15 also has a cylindrical shape.
- An opening 16 is provided in the upper part of the housing 15, and an exhaust port 17 is provided in the lower part.
- a processing gas such as hot air, hot air, or cold air can be appropriately supplied to the opening (air supply port) 16 by an air supply device 6 (drying device) such as a blower.
- the exhaust port 17 is connected to an exhaust device (not shown).
- the processing gas supplied from the opening 16 passes between the housing 15 and the skirt 12 and is sucked and exhausted to the outside of the device.
- the baffle plate 13 described above can also be attached to the housing 15 side.
- a plurality of exhaust ports 17 may be provided according to the specifications of the device or the product, and they may be opened and closed as appropriate.
- a plurality of (for example, 50) spray guns 3 are attached to the side surface portion 12a of the skirt 12.
- a needle type two-fluid nozzle is used for the spray gun 3.
- the spray gun 3 is arranged above the flow tray 2 of each stage. As shown in FIG. 3, the spray gun 3 is attached to a gun holder 21 in which a liquid supply pipe and an air pipe are housed.
- a plurality of gun holders 21 are radially arranged on the side surface portion 12a of the skirt (here, four gun holders 21 are arranged on all sides).
- the gun holder 21 is connected to a coating liquid supply device (not shown).
- a needle type spray gun 3 is used, but in the continuous coating apparatus of the present invention, other types of spray guns such as a needleless type and a three-fluid type can also be used.
- the skirt 12 is further provided with a dry state confirmation sensor 22 that detects the dry state of the tablet.
- a dry state confirmation sensor 22 is arranged after each spray gun 3.
- the dry state confirmation sensor 22 for example, an NIR (near infrared) sensor or the like is used.
- the spray gun 3 can individually control the injection amount for each gun.
- a control device (not shown) can grasp the water content (dry state) of the tablet 4 and feedback control the spray amount of the next spray gun 3.
- a vertical movement mechanism (not shown) may be attached to the gun holder 21 and the spray gun 3 may be moved in the vertical direction to adjust the amount of spray for the tablet 4.
- the operation of the vibration device 5 may be controlled based on the detection result of the dry state confirmation sensor 22, and the moving speed of the tablet 4 may be adjusted.
- a film thickness confirmation sensor by weight measurement, Raman spectroscopy, etc. may be provided in each stage after each spray gun 3 to control the end point of the coating process. Further, a temperature measurement sensor may be provided to detect the temperature of the tablet 4. The state of the tablet 4 may be photographed by a camera, the coating state may be controlled by measuring the color tone by image recognition, and the feedback control and the end point management of the spray gun 3 may be performed. The state detection of the tablet 4 by the dry state confirmation sensor 22, the film thickness confirmation sensor, the temperature measurement sensor, the camera, or the like can be performed by any one or in combination of two or more.
- the subsequent spraying is canceled, or a discharge port (not shown) is provided for each stage of the flow tray 2, and the coating completion product is taken out from there. Is also good.
- the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 is sprayed with a coating liquid supplied from a coating liquid supply device (not shown) by the spray gun 3.
- the distance between the spray gun 3 and the tablet 4 is about 30 to 60 mm, and the distance between each step is set to about 80 to 120 mm.
- the spray gun 3 is not arranged in the uppermost 1st and 2nd stages and the lowermost 1st and 2nd stages of the flow tray 2, and the lowermost part of the flow tray 2 is preheated and the uppermost part is dried. Each will be applied.
- the coating process is carried out as follows.
- the flow tray 2 of the coating device 1 vibrates together with the skirt 12 due to the vibration applied from the vibration device 5.
- the tablets 4 are continuously charged from the supply duct 18 in a state where the flow tray 2 is vibrated.
- warm air is supplied from the opening 16 into the housing 15.
- the warm air supplied from the opening 16 flows downward along the surface of the skirt 12. Then, the warm air hits the flow tray 2, heats the flow tray 2 itself and the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2, and flows further downward from the ventilation hole 11.
- the tablet 4 supplied from the supply duct 18 to the lower end of the flow tray 2 moves while rolling upward with the vibration of the skirt 12.
- the tablet 4 is first preheated in the preheat treatment stage P at the bottom of the flow tray 2, and then rises to the coating treatment stage C in the middle stage.
- the tablet 4 is conveyed from the bottom to the top of the flow tray 2 with almost no gap. In this case, when the tablets 4 are transported from top to bottom, gaps between the tablets tend to open due to rolling due to their own weight and shape, extrusion by the processing gas, and the like, and the coating liquid tends to adhere to the flow tray 2.
- the coating device 1 that conveys the tablets 4 from the bottom to the top, rolling due to its own weight and shape and extrusion by the processing gas act in the direction of condensing the tablets.
- the coating liquid is less likely to be applied to the flow tray 2 itself, and adhesion of the coating liquid to the tray is suppressed.
- the coating treatment stage C is provided with 6 to 7 stages (generally, a length of about 20 m).
- the coating liquid is sprayed onto the tablets 4 from a plurality of spray guns 3 provided along the stretching direction of the flow tray 2, and the coating treatment is performed. It is also possible to incline the spraying direction of the spray gun 3 toward the moving direction of the tablet 4 and promote the movement of the tablet 4 by the air of the spray gun 3.
- the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 is tumbled and conveyed while receiving the spray of the coating liquid, is appropriately dried by the warm air supplied from the opening 16, and moves upward. After passing through the coating treatment stage C, the tablet 4 reaches the drying treatment stage D at the uppermost stage and is dried with warm air. In the coating device 1, since the flow tray 2 itself is also heated by the processing gas, the tablet 4 is also dried by the heat of the flow tray 2. Then, the tablet 4 that has been dried in the drying treatment stage D is discharged to the outside of the device from the discharge passage 23 provided in the upper part of the housing 15. In the coating device 1, the processing of the tablet 4 is completed in about 150 minutes from loading to discharging.
- the flow tray 2 for coating the tablet 4 is arranged in a spiral shape, and the flow tray 2 is vibrated to convey the tablet 4. Then, the moving tablets 4 are coated with the spray gun 3 arranged along the flow tray 2. As a result, the coating treatment can be performed while transporting the tablet 4 such as a tablet, and the continuous coating treatment of the powder or granular material becomes possible. Therefore, unlike the batch type coating apparatus, there is no limitation on the processing amount, and cleaning for each batch is not required, so that efficient coating processing is possible.
- FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the coating device 31 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the same parts and members as those of the coating apparatus 1 of the first embodiment are designated by the same names or reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
- the spray gun 3 is attached to the inner wall 15a of the housing 15.
- Other configurations It is the same as the coating apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. Similar to the coating device 1 above, a plurality of spray guns 3 are attached above the flow tray 2 of each stage. The spray gun 3 sprays the coating liquid onto the tablets 4 in the flow tray 2 from the housing inner wall 15a side.
- the gun holder 32 is attached to the outer wall 15b of the housing 15 along the vertical direction. The gun holder 32 supplies a coating liquid or the like to the spray gun 3 in each stage from the outside of the housing 15.
- FIG. 5 has a configuration in which a plurality of stages (about 8 to 12 stages) of flow trays 2 formed in a circular spiral shape are arranged in a truncated cone-shaped housing 42. Similar to the previous embodiment, a plurality of spray guns 3 are arranged above the flow tray 2 at predetermined intervals. In the coating device 41, the flow tray 2 is arranged stepwise on the truncated cone-shaped skirt 43. Therefore, it is easy to secure a clearance above the flow tray 2, and the arrangement of the spray gun 3 becomes easier.
- the tablets 4 such as tablets move while rolling in the flow tray 2 from the bottom to the top due to the vibration applied to the device. Therefore, rolling due to its own weight and shape, and extrusion by the processing gas act in the direction of condensing the tablets, and the coating liquid is less likely to adhere to the flow tray 2.
- the coating liquid is sprayed on the tablet 4 moving on the flow tray 2 by the spray gun 3.
- the coating liquid sprayed on the tablet 4 is dried and solidified by the processing gas supplied from the upper part of the apparatus, and a coating layer is formed on the surface of the tablet 4.
- the flow tray 2 has a substantially L-shaped cross section with an open top.
- a large number of ventilation holes 11 having a diameter of about 3 mm are provided on the bottom surface portion 2a of the flow tray 2.
- the flow tray 2 of the coating device 41 is also provided in a spiral shape, but here, the outer diameter of the spiral is arranged in a state of increasing toward the lower stage side.
- the uppermost spiral outer diameter of the flow tray 2 is about 600 to 900 mm, and the lowermost spiral outer diameter is about 1800 to 3000 mm.
- the length of the flow tray 2 is set to about 25 to 40 m.
- the height of the entire device is about 1500 to 2500 mm.
- One end edge 2b of the bottom surface portion 2a of the flow tray 2 is fixed to the side surface portion 43a of the truncated cone-shaped skirt 43 by welding or the like.
- the flow tray 2 is fixedly supported by the side surface portion 43a of the skirt 43.
- the flow trays 2 are installed in a staircase pattern so that the upper and lower trays do not overlap when the device is viewed from above. This makes it easy to visually check the state of the tablets 4 in each stage of the flow tray with a sensor or visually.
- the spray gun 3 can be easily arranged directly above the flow tray 2 while suppressing the lift and inclination of the slope. Therefore, the coating liquid can be sprayed directly below the spray gun 3, and the distance between the spray gun 3 and the tablet 4 can be made constant.
- the side surface portion 43a of the skirt is provided with a baffle plate 13 for preventing blow-by of the processing gas. Also in the coating device 41, the processing gas flows along the side surface portion 43a of the skirt, and the air supply from above flows into the flow tray 2 without waste.
- a hollow center pole 14 having a diameter of about 300 mm is provided in the center of the skirt 43.
- a vibration exciter 5 is attached to the lower end of the center pole 14. By appropriately operating the vibration exciter 5, the center pole 14, the skirt 43, and the flow tray 2 vibrate, and the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 is conveyed from the lower side to the upper side.
- the flow tray 2 and the skirt 43 are housed in a stainless steel housing 42.
- the housing 42 also has a truncated cone shape.
- An opening 16 is provided in the upper part of the housing 42, and an exhaust port 17 is provided in the lower part.
- the opening 16 is connected to the air supply device 6, and the exhaust port 17 is connected to an exhaust device (not shown).
- the processing gas supplied from the opening 16 passes between the housing 15 and the skirt 43, and is sucked and exhausted to the outside of the device.
- the baffle plate 13 can also be attached to the housing 42 side.
- a plurality of spray guns 3 are attached to the side wall 42a of the housing 42.
- the spray gun 3 is arranged above the flow tray 2 of each stage.
- the spray gun 3 is attached to the gun holder 44 in which the liquid supply pipe and the air pipe are housed.
- a plurality of gun holders 44 are radially arranged (here, four in a cross shape) on the housing 42.
- the gun holder 44 is connected to a coating liquid supply device (not shown).
- the housing 42 is further provided with a dry state confirmation sensor 22 that detects the dry state of the tablet.
- a dry state confirmation sensor 22 is arranged after each spray gun 3.
- the spray gun 3 of the coating device 41 can also control the injection amount individually for each gun. Therefore, it is possible to feedback control the spray amount of each spray gun 3 based on the detection result by each dry state confirmation sensor 22.
- the feedback control of the spray gun 3 may be performed using a temperature measurement sensor, a camera, or the like.
- the spray gun 3 may be moved in the vertical direction to adjust the spray amount for the tablet 4.
- the operation of the vibration device 5 may be controlled based on the detection result of the dry state confirmation sensor 22, and the moving speed of the tablet 4 may be adjusted.
- the coating liquid is sprayed onto the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 by the spray gun 3.
- the distance between the spray gun 3 and the tablet 4 is about 30 to 60 mm.
- the distance between each stage is set to about 80 to 120 mm.
- the spray gun 3 is not arranged in the uppermost stage 1 to 2 and the lowermost stage 1 to 2 of the flow tray 2.
- the bottom of the flow tray 2 is used for preheating and the top is used for drying.
- the coating process is carried out in the same process as the coating device 1 described above.
- the flow tray 2 is vibrated by the vibrating device 5, and the tablets 4 are continuously charged from the supply duct 18.
- Warm air is supplied from the opening 16 into the housing 42.
- the warm air supplied from the opening 16 flows downward along the surface of the skirt 43, passes through the flow tray 2, and flows downward.
- the tablet 4 supplied from the supply duct 18 to the flow tray 2 is first preheated in the preheat treatment stage P at the bottom of the flow tray 2, and then rises to the coating treatment stage C in the middle stage.
- the coating treatment stage C is provided with 6 to 7 stages (generally, a length of about 20 m).
- the coating liquid is sprayed from the spray gun 3 onto the tablets 4.
- the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 is tumbled and conveyed while receiving the spray of the coating liquid, is appropriately dried by the warm air supplied from the opening 16, and moves upward.
- the tablet 4 After passing through the coating treatment stage C, the tablet 4 reaches the drying treatment stage D at the uppermost stage and is dried with warm air.
- the tablet 4 after the drying treatment is discharged to the outside of the device from the discharge path 23 provided in the upper part of the housing 42.
- the end point management of the coating process is based on the detection values of various sensors (the above-mentioned dry state confirmation sensor 22, film thickness confirmation sensor, etc.) arranged after each spray gun 3 as in the coating device 1 of the first embodiment. It is done based on. Similar to the above, when the coating completion is confirmed, the subsequent spraying is stopped, or a discharge port (not shown) is provided for each stage of the flow tray 2 and the coating completion product is taken out from there. By discharging the coated product from each stage, it is possible to avoid giving extra vibration to the tablet 4, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of abrasion and cracking.
- various sensors the above-mentioned dry state confirmation sensor 22, film thickness confirmation sensor, etc.
- the flow tray 2 is arranged in a spiral shape and vibrated to convey the tablet 4. Then, the moving tablets 4 are coated with the spray gun 3 arranged along the flow tray 2. As a result, coating can be performed while moving the tablet 4 in the same manner as in the coating devices 1 and 31 described above, and continuous coating treatment of the powder or granular material becomes possible.
- the spray gun 3 since the flow tray 2 is spirally provided so that the lower stage side has an enlarged diameter and is arranged stepwise on the side surface portion 43a of the skirt, the spray gun 3 can be easily arranged and the spray gun 3 can be easily arranged. The layout of the is improved. As a result, the degree of freedom in device design is improved, the maintenance of the device is facilitated, and the man-hours for design and field work can be reduced.
- the coating device 41 of the third embodiment shows a configuration in which the coating liquid is sprayed directly below the spray gun 3, the coating liquid may be sprayed diagonally.
- the coating liquid may be obliquely sprayed onto the flow tray 2 from the spray gun 3 attached to the gun holder 44.
- the upper and lower flow trays 2 are arranged so as to overlap in the radial direction, and the radial dimension of the device is reduced by that amount. ..
- the spray gun 3 may be attached to the skirt 43 side as in the continuous coating device 46 of FIG. It is possible.
- gun holders 47 that also serve as liquid supply passages are projected from the side surface portion 43a of the skirt 43 at predetermined intervals (for example, four are evenly arranged in one stage), and the spray gun 3 is arranged above the flow tray 2.
- a liquid supply pipe 48 for supplying the coating liquid to each gun holder 47 is provided in the skirt 43.
- the upper and lower flow trays 2 also overlap in the radial direction.
- the coating devices 41 and 45 of FIGS. 5 and 8 it is also possible to project the gun holder as shown in FIG. 9 from the gun holder 44 toward the inside of the device and arrange the spray gun 3 there.
- FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a flow tray in the continuous coating device 51 (hereinafter, abbreviated as the coating device 51) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- the flow tray (powder and granular material transport path) 52 is provided discontinuously at each stage.
- the flow tray 2 is integrally formed from the lower end to the upper end (start point to end point), whereas in the coating device 51, the flow tray 52 is divided for each stage and each is formed.
- a step portion 53 is provided between the steps.
- Other configurations are the same as those of the previous embodiment, and the configuration of the fourth embodiment can be applied to any of the coating devices 1, 31, and 41.
- the tablet 4 moving on the flow tray 52 once flows down from the top to the bottom at the step portion 53 provided at the end of each step, moves to the next step, and then rises further. That is, when the tablet 4 is moved to the next stage, the tablet 4 rolls while falling downward at the step portion 53.
- the coating device 51 the inversion and stirring of the tablet 4 are promoted, the coating treatment efficiency is improved, and the treatment time is shortened.
- FIGS. 11 and 12 are explanatory views showing a configuration of a continuous coating device 81 (hereinafter, abbreviated as a coating device 81) according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- the coating device 81 has a configuration in which the transport path of the tablet 4 is not a multi-stage spiral but a linear groove-shaped member (trough), and a plurality of them are arranged in parallel. There is.
- two stainless steel troughs 82 and 83 are arranged side by side.
- the troughs (powder and granular material transport paths) 82 and 83 which serve as the flow paths of the tablets 4, are semi-cylindrical members whose upper surfaces are open, and their cross sections are formed in an inverted trapezoidal shape.
- the troughs 82 and 83 are held from below by the box-shaped housing 84.
- a vibration exciter 5 is attached to each of the troughs 82 and 83.
- Troughs 82 and 83 are tilted about 2 ° along the longitudinal direction, and both are tilted in opposite directions. That is, the trough 82 is inclined with one end side 82a facing up and the other end side 82b facing down. On the other hand, the trough 83 is inclined with one end side 83a down and the other end side 83b up. The one end side 82a of the trough 82 is arranged above the one end side 83a of the trough 83. The other end side 83b of the trough 83 is arranged above the other end side 82b of the trough 82.
- Bridges 85a and 85b connecting both troughs 82 and 83 are provided at both ends of the troughs 82 and 83. The spaces in both troughs 82 and 83 are communicated by the bridges 85a and 85b. Further, a tablet discharge port 86 is provided on the other end side of the trough 82. The tablet discharge port 86 is closed during the coating treatment and is opened after the treatment is completed, from which the coated tablet 4 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus.
- a fixed hood 89 is attached above the troughs 82 and 83 via a flexible joint 88.
- An air supply port 90 is provided in the center of the fixed hood 89.
- the air supply port 90 is connected to the air supply device 6.
- the processing gas is supplied from the air supply device 6 into the fixed hood 89 via the air supply port 90.
- the processing gas supplied into the fixed hood 89 flows into the troughs 82 and 83.
- the bottom surface 87 of the troughs 82 and 83 is provided with a large number of ventilation holes 11 over the entire length.
- the processing gas that has passed through the ventilation holes 11 flows into the housing 84 below the troughs 82, 83.
- the housing 84 is provided with an exhaust port 91.
- the processing gas that has flowed into the housing 84 is discharged to the outside of the device from the exhaust port 91.
- a spray gun 3 (3a, 3b) and a far-infrared heater (drying device) 92 (92a, 92b) are provided above both troughs 82 and 83.
- the coating liquid is sprayed on the tablets 4 in the troughs 82 and 83 by the spray guns 3a and 3b.
- the processing gas is supplied from the top to the bottom in the same direction as the spray in order to prevent the droplets sprayed from the spray gun 3 from scattering. However, it is also possible to supply the processing gas from bottom to top.
- the tablet 4 sprayed with the coating liquid is dried by the processing gas supplied from the air supply device 6 and the heat generated by the far-infrared heater 92.
- dry state confirmation sensors 22 22a, 22b for detecting the dry state of the tablet 4 are further provided.
- a sensor using electromagnetic waves is used as the dry state confirmation sensor 22.
- the tablet 4 is supplied to the other end side 82b of the trough 82.
- the trough 82 is vibrated by the vibrating device 5, and the tablet 4 supplied to the other end side 82b moves in the trough 82 while rolling toward the one end side 82a due to the vibration.
- a baffle 93 is provided in the troughs 82 and 83 so as to obstruct the path of the tablet 4, and the tablet 4 in the trough 82 moves to one end side 82a while being agitated by the baffle 93.
- the coating liquid is sprayed on the front and back surfaces of the tablet 4 that rolls in the trough 82 by the spray gun 3a.
- the tablet 4 sprayed with the coating liquid is dried by the processing gas and the far-infrared heater 92a.
- the tablet 4 moves up an inclination toward one end side 82a located above.
- the uncoated tablet 4 does not move ahead of the others, but the tablet 4 moves so as to be pushed from behind, enabling effective coating treatment.
- the tablet 4 that has reached the one end side 82a moves to the one end side 83a of the trough 83 through the bridge 85a. Since the one end side 82a of the trough 82 is located above the one end side 83a of the trough 83, the tablet 4 flows down the bridge 85a and moves to the trough 83 side.
- the trough 83 is also vibrated by the vibrating device 5, and the tablet 4 supplied to the one end side 83a moves in the trough 83 while rolling toward the other end side 83b with the vibration.
- the coating liquid is sprayed onto the tablet 4 by the spray gun 3b, and dried by the processing gas and the far-infrared heater 92b. The drying treatment may be performed on either the treated gas or the far infrared rays.
- the tablet 4 that has reached the other end side 83b flows down to the other end side 83b of the trough 82 through the bridge 85b and moves.
- the dry state of the tablets 4 in the troughs 82 and 83 is detected by the dry state confirmation sensor 22. While checking the dry state of the tablet 4, spraying and drying the coating liquid are repeated. Then, a predetermined amount of the coating liquid is sprayed on the tablet 4, and the treatment is terminated when the tablet 4 is sufficiently dried.
- the tablet 4 for which the coating treatment has been completed is discharged from the tablet discharge port 86 to the outside of the device.
- the coating device 81 by arranging a plurality of linear inclined troughs 82, 83 in parallel, continuous coating treatment of tablets can be performed in a compact configuration.
- the tablets may be sequentially sent to the trough in the subsequent stage without returning the tablets to the trough in the previous stage.
- the tablets may be preheated before spraying the coating liquid.
- the tablets 4 are heated with a treatment gas or far infrared rays without operating the spray guns 3a and 3b, and the coating liquid is sprayed when the tablets 4 are warmed to a predetermined temperature.
- a continuous coating device 101 (hereinafter, abbreviated as the coating device 101) in which linear stainless steel troughs similar to the trough of the fifth embodiment are arranged in a square ring shape will be described.
- 13 to 15 are explanatory views showing the configuration of the coating device 101 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- the coating apparatus 101 has a structure in which troughs 102 and 103 are arranged in two rows inside and outside in a hexagonal shape, and the apparatus is made compact while ensuring the flow path length.
- the troughs (powder and granular material transport paths) 102 and 103 that serve as the flow path of the tablet 4 are formed in a semi-cylindrical shape having an inverted trapezoidal cross section.
- the six troughs 102a to 102f are arranged on the inside, and the six troughs 103a to 103f are arranged on the outside. Vibration is applied to the troughs 102 and 103 by a vibration device 5 using a vibration motor.
- the tablet 4 supplied to the inner trough 102a moves counterclockwise in FIG. 13 due to vibration, and moves to the outer trough 103a at the trough 102f.
- the tablet 4 that has moved to the trough 103a also moves counterclockwise, reaches the trough 103f, and is discharged from the tablet discharge port 104 to the outside of the device.
- the tablets 4 moving in the troughs 102 and 103 are sprayed with a coating solution and dried.
- the coating device 101 includes a tablet transport unit 105 provided with troughs 102 and 103, and a transport drive unit 106 that applies vibration while supporting the tablet transport unit 105.
- troughs 102a to 102f and troughs 103a to 103g are housed and installed in a steel housing 107.
- the inner troughs 102a to 102f are provided at positions higher than the outer troughs 103a to 103g. Since the troughs 102 and 103 are subjected to rotational vibration by the vibrating device 5, centrifugal force acts on the tablets 4 in the troughs 102 and 103. Therefore, in the coating device 101, the trough 102 is installed at a position higher than the trough 103 in order to move the tablet from the inner trough 102 to the outer trough 103.
- each trough such as troughs 102a and 103a is inclined upward by about 2 ° toward the traveling direction of the tablet 4 so that the downstream side is upward.
- a transit portion 108 is formed between the inner trough 102f and the outer trough 103a, and is connected by a bridge 109.
- the tablet 4 moves from the inner trough 102f to the inner trough 103a via the bridge 109. That is, the tablet 4 that has reached the trough 102f on the upper side flows down in the bridge 109 and moves to the trough 103a on the lower side.
- FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the transit portion 108.
- the downstream end of the trough 102f is closed by an end wall 111.
- the side wall 112 on the outer peripheral side of the trough 102f is notched at an end, and a tablet outlet 113 is formed.
- a bridge 109 extends from the tablet outlet 113 toward the trough 103a.
- the bridge 109 has a U-shaped cross section, and one side wall 109a is integrally formed with the end wall 111 of the trough 102f.
- the other side wall 109b is connected to the side wall 112 at the tablet outlet 113.
- the bottom surface 114 of the bridge 109 is formed flush with the bottom surface 115 of the trough 102f.
- a bridge 109 is inserted from the trough 102f on the trough 103a side of the transit portion 108.
- the upstream end of the trough 103a is closed by an end wall 116.
- the end of the side wall 117 on the inner peripheral side of the trough 103a is also cut out, and the tablet inflow port 118 is formed.
- a bridge 109 is inserted into the tablet inlet 118 from the trough 102f.
- a bridge receiver 119 extends below the bridge 109.
- a circular housing cover 121 and a fixed frame 122 are attached above the housing 107.
- the housing cover 121 is removable from the fixed frame 122.
- the housing cover 121 is transparently formed of polycarbonate so that the state of the coating treatment can be grasped.
- the fixed frame 122 is made of steel, and the fixed frame 122 and the housing 107 are airtightly connected by a flexible joint 123 made of silicon.
- the fixed frame 122 is fixed to the four pedestal columns 125 via the support arm 124.
- An air supply / exhaust port (air supply port) 126 is provided in the center of the fixed frame 122, penetrates the housing cover 121, and opens above the device.
- the air supply device 6 supplies the processing gas to the air supply / exhaust port 126.
- an exhaust pipe (not shown) is connected to the air supply / exhaust port 126.
- supply / exhaust ports (exhaust ports) 128 are provided for each of the outer troughs 103a to 103f.
- a valve 129 for opening and closing the air supply / exhaust port 128 is attached to the air supply / exhaust port 128.
- the processing gas is supplied from the air supply device 6 into the housing 107 via the air supply / exhaust port 126.
- the processing gas is supplied to the troughs 102 and 103.
- no ventilation hole is provided on the bottom surface of the trough 102 on the inner peripheral side.
- the processing gas hits the trough 102 and the tablet 4 flowing in the trough 102, and is used for heating (preheating) the tablet 4.
- a ventilation hole 11 is provided on the bottom surface of the trough 103.
- the processing gas that has entered the trough 103 escapes downward from the vent 11 while drying the tablet 4.
- the processing gas flows through the stainless steel trough support housing 131 to which the trough 103 is attached, and is discharged from the air supply / exhaust port 128 to the outside of the device.
- the fixed frame 122 is provided with a spray gun 3 (3a to 3f) and a far-infrared heater (drying device) 92 (92a to 92e, 92f to 92k).
- a spray gun 3 (3a to 3f) and a far-infrared heater (drying device) 92 (92a to 92e, 92f to 92k).
- About 1 to 3 spray guns 3a to 3f (1 in this device) are arranged above the troughs 103a to 103f according to the device specifications.
- One far-infrared heater 92a to 92e and 92f to 92k are arranged above the troughs 102a to 102f and 103a to 103f.
- the coating liquid is sprayed on the tablet 4 in the trough 103 by the spray gun 3.
- the tablet 4 sprayed with the coating liquid is dried by the processing gas supplied from the air supply / exhaust port 126 and exiting through the ventilation holes 11 and the heat generated by the far-infrared heater 92. Also in the coating device 101, dry state confirmation sensors 22a to 22f are provided above the troughs 103a to 103f.
- the housing 107 is supported by a vibration shaft 132 attached to the bottom.
- the vibration shaft 132 is attached to the vibration table 133 of the transport drive unit 106.
- the vibration table 133 is provided with a vibration device 5.
- a pair (two) of vibration devices (vibration motors) 5 are provided to apply rotational vibration to the housing 107.
- the vibration table 133 is attached to the support column 135 via the vibration isolation spring 134.
- the tablet 4 is supplied to the inner trough 102a by the feeder 136.
- the tablet 4 supplied to the trough 102a moves while rolling counterclockwise from the trough 102a to the trough 102f due to vibration.
- the tablet 4 moves up the gradient from the upstream side to the downstream side.
- the tablet 4 supplied to the trough 102a moves up the slope of the trough 102a toward the trough 102b.
- the tablet 4 that reaches the end of the trough 102a flows down from the trough 102a to the trough 102b.
- the tablet 4 that has entered the trough 102b moves up the slope in the same manner, and the tablet 4 repeatedly moves to the trough 102f. At that time, in the trough 102, the tablet 4 is preheated by the processing gas and the far-infrared heaters 92a to 92e.
- the processing gas is always supplied into the housing 107 during the coating process.
- the valve 129 of the trough 103 is appropriately closed as necessary.
- the valve 129 is opened in order from the trough 103 into which the tablet 4 has flowed in, or the valve 129 of the trough 103 in which the tablet 4 has disappeared after the coating is completed is closed.
- the processing gas supplied into the housing 107 from being short-circuited from the air supply / exhaust port 128 and blown through without being subjected to drying of the tablet 4.
- the tablet 4 that has reached the trough 102f flows down the bridge 109 of the transit portion 108 and moves to the outer trough 103a.
- the tablet 4 that has moved to the trough 103a moves counterclockwise to the trough 103 g with vibration as described above.
- the coating liquid is sprayed on the tablet 4 by the spray guns 3a to 3f.
- the tablet 4 is heated by the processing gas and the far-infrared heater 92 g to 92 k.
- the drying treatment may be performed on either the treated gas or the far infrared rays.
- the dry state of the tablet 4 in the trough 103 is inspected by the dry state confirmation sensor 22.
- the spray amount of each of the spray guns 3a to 3f is adjusted based on the dry state of the tablet 4 detected by the sensors 22a to 22f.
- the tablet 4 for which the coating treatment has been completed is discharged from the tablet discharge port 104 to the outside of the device.
- the coating device 101 by arranging a plurality of troughs 102 and 103 in an annular shape, it is possible to continuously coat tablets in a compact configuration while ensuring the flow path length. Further, unlike a batch type coating device, there is no limitation on the processing amount, and cleaning for each batch is not required, so that efficient coating processing is possible. For example, compared with the case where the same amount of coating liquid is sprayed in the drum type coating device, the coating process can be performed in about 1/6 of the time in the coating device 101 (when spraying 43 L: 2 hours ⁇ 20 minutes). ). Further, the coating device 101 does not need to be equipped with a vibration device for each trough, and the whole can be vibrated by one vibration device 5. Therefore, the device configuration can be simplified and the device price can be reduced.
- the spray gun 3 is arranged only on the trough 103 side, but the spray gun 3 may also be arranged on the trough 102 side.
- the number of the spray gun 3 and the far-infrared heater 92 is not limited to one in each trough, and it is possible to provide two or more of them in one trough.
- the number of the dry state confirmation sensors 22 is the same, and two or more may be provided in one trough.
- the number of troughs and the number of rows can be changed as appropriate according to the equipment specifications, and the troughs can be arranged in polygons other than hexagons (triangles, quadrangles, octagons, etc.), or in three or more rows inside and outside. It is also possible to do it.
- each trough may be formed in an arc shape, and a plurality of troughs may be arranged in an annular shape.
- the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.
- the treatment gas such as warm air is directly applied to the preheat treatment stage P.
- the supply path 61 for supplying to the coating treatment stage C may be provided.
- the processing gas is supplied to the flow tray 2 from an air supply port (air supply port) 62 with a louver provided on the surface of the skirt.
- an air supply duct 63 may be provided on the inner surfaces of the skirts 12 and 43 as the processing gas supply path 61 (FIG. 18A). Further, the skirts 12 and 43 may have a double structure, and a ventilation portion 66 may be provided between the outer wall 64 and the inner wall 65 to allow the processed gas to flow (FIG. 18 (b)). Further, the air supply tube 67 may be provided from the center pole 14 toward the skirt surface (FIG. 18 (c)), and various configurations can be adopted.
- FIG. 18 the configuration in which the supply path 61 and the like are provided on the tapered skirt 43 as in the third embodiment is shown, but the supply path 61 and the like are also provided for the straight cylindrical skirt such as the skirt 12. It is possible to provide.
- a center pole 14 as shown in FIG. 5 may be provided at the center of the skirt 12, and an air supply tube 67 may be provided from there toward the surface of the skirt.
- the center pole 14 may be provided in the skirt 12 to give vibration to the center pole 14.
- a heating device such as a far-infrared heater is arranged in the housings 15 and 42 as a drying device, and the skirts 12,43 and the flow trays 2,52 themselves.
- a heating device may be provided.
- a case may be arranged on the outside of the housings 15,42, and at that time, a heat insulating material may be arranged between the housings 15,42 and the case. ..
- the vibration method of the flow trays 2,52 not only the vibration of the skirts 12,43 but also the method of directly exciting the flow trays 2,52 itself or the whole device is adopted.
- the skirts 12, 43 may be divided into a plurality of skirts 12 and 43 in the vertical direction for each step or a plurality of steps, and a vibration exciting device may be provided so as to individually apply vibration to each divided skirt.
- a vibration exciting device may be provided so as to individually apply vibration to each divided skirt.
- Such a divided structure is suitable when the height of the skirt is high, or when there is a difference in the outer diameter of the skirt or the outer diameter of the flow tray between the upper and lower sides like the skirt 43.
- the vibration application by the vibration device can be used for other than the coating process, such as filling the housing with a cleaning liquid to apply vibration.
- the gun holders 21 and 45 may be arranged spirally above the flow trays 2 and 52 along the tray instead of radially, and the spray guns 3 may be attached thereto at predetermined intervals.
- a baffle for stirring and rolling the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 may be attached.
- the baffle can be provided in various forms, such as being provided directly in the flow trays 2,52 or being inserted from the skirts 12,43, housings 15,42 into the tablet layer in the flow trays 2,52. The baffle appropriately obstructs the flow of the tablet 4 moving in the flow trays 2, 52, and promotes stirring and rolling of the tablet 4.
- FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing an example of a configuration in which a flow tray 71 having an arc-shaped cross section is used and the gun holder 72 is spirally arranged along the flow tray 71.
- a baffle 74 extends from the housing 73 into the flow tray 71.
- the tablet 4 is supplied to the flow tray 71 from the supply tray 75 provided at the bottom of the apparatus.
- the tablet 4 is supplied to the supply tray 75 from the supply duct 18.
- a supply tray may be provided at the bottom of the device, and tablets may be supplied from the supply tray.
- the present invention can be applied not only to the coating of tablets but also to the coating of foods such as confectionery and gum. It can also be used not only for film coating but also for sugar coating of tablets and confectionery.
- the flow tray is water-cooled with a refrigerant such as a water stream, or cold air is supplied via a skirt to air-cool the flow tray in order to prevent the sugar coating from adhering to the flow tray.
- Continuous coating device 2 Flow tray (powder and granular material transport path) 2a Bottom part 2b One end edge 3 Spray gun 3a-3f Spray gun 4 Tablets (powder / granules: object to be treated) 5 Vibration device 6 Air supply device (drying device) 11 Vent hole 12 Skirt 12a Side part 13 Baffle plate 14 Center Pole 15 Housing 15a Inner wall 15b Outer wall 16 Opening (air supply port) 17 Exhaust port 18 Supply duct 21 Gun holder 22 Dry condition confirmation sensor 22a to 22f Dry condition confirmation sensor 23 Discharge path 31 Continuous coating device 32 Gun holder 41 Continuous coating device 42 Housing 42a Side wall 43 Skirt 43a Side surface 44 Gun holder 45 Continuous coating device 46 Continuous Coating device 47 Gun holder 48 Liquid supply pipe 51 Continuous coating device 52 Flow tray (powder and granular material transport path) 53 Stepped part 61 Supply path 62 Air supply port (air supply port) 63 Air supply duct 64 Outer wall 65 Inner wall 66 Ventilation part 67 Air supply pipe 71 Flow tray
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Abstract
This continuous coating apparatus 101 has: troughs 102, 103 that are respectively arranged in a hexagonal configuration; a vibration device 5 for applying vibration to the troughs 102, 103; a plurality of spray guns 3 that are disposed above the troughs 102, 103 and that are for spraying a coating liquid on tablets 4 within the troughs 102, 103; and a housing 107 that has the troughs 102, 103 housed therein. Hot air is fed into the housing 107 through an air supply and exhaust opening 126. The hot air fed into the housing 107 is discharged through another air supply and exhaust opening 128. Further, a far-infrared heater 92 is provided above the troughs 102, 103. A desired coating treatment is performed by spraying, from the spray guns 3, a coating liquid on tablets 4 that are being transferred within the troughs 102, 103 in conjunction with the vibration applied thereto by the vibration device 5 while the hot air is being fed to the tablets.
Description
本発明は、錠剤や食品等の粉粒体(以下、錠剤等と称する)に対しコーティング処理を行う装置に関し、特に、粉粒体のコーティング処理を連続的に行い得る連続コーティング装置に関する。
The present invention relates to an apparatus for coating powders and granules of tablets, foods and the like (hereinafter referred to as tablets and the like), and more particularly to a continuous coating apparatus capable of continuously coating powders and granules.
従来より、医薬品や食品等の製造装置として、多角形断面や円形断面の回転ドラム(以下、適宜ドラムと略記する)を用いたコーティング装置が知られている。回転ドラムはコーティングパンとも呼ばれ、水平軸線を中心に回転し、ドラム内部にはコーティング液を供給するスプレー装置が設置される。ドラム内に投入された錠剤等は、ドラムの回転に伴って転動し、その表面にはスプレー装置から糖衣液等のコーティング液が噴霧される。コーティング液の噴霧と共に、回転ドラム内には適宜、熱風や冷風が供給・排気され、錠剤等の層を通過して、錠剤等の表面にコーティング層が形成される。
Conventionally, as a manufacturing device for pharmaceuticals and foods, a coating device using a rotating drum having a polygonal cross section or a circular cross section (hereinafter, abbreviated as a drum as appropriate) has been known. The rotating drum, also called a coating pan, rotates around the horizontal axis, and a spray device that supplies the coating liquid is installed inside the drum. The tablets and the like put into the drum roll as the drum rotates, and a coating liquid such as a sugar coating liquid is sprayed on the surface thereof from a spray device. Along with the spraying of the coating liquid, hot air or cold air is appropriately supplied and exhausted into the rotating drum, passes through the layer of the tablet or the like, and the coating layer is formed on the surface of the tablet or the like.
しかしながら、従来のコーティング装置は、回転ドラム内に錠剤等を所定量投入してコーティング処理を行うバッチ式の装置であるため、処理量が限られ、さらに、1バッチごとに装置の分解や洗浄が必要となるため生産効率が良くないという問題があった。
However, since the conventional coating device is a batch type device in which a predetermined amount of tablets or the like is put into a rotating drum to perform a coating process, the processing amount is limited, and the device can be disassembled and washed for each batch. There was a problem that the production efficiency was not good because it was necessary.
本発明の連続コーティング装置は、粉粒体のコーティング処理を連続的に実施する連続コーティング装置であって、前記粉粒体が収容され、その中を前記粉粒体が移動する粉粒体搬送路と、前記粉粒体搬送路に対し振動を付与する加振装置と、前記粉粒体搬送路の上方に配され、前記粉粒体にコーティング液を噴霧する複数個のスプレーガンと、前記コーティング液が噴霧された前記粉粒体を加温し、前記コーティング液を乾燥させる乾燥装置と、を有し、前記加振装置によって付与される振動に伴って前記粉粒体搬送路内を移動する前記粉粒体に対し、前記乾燥装置によって前記粉粒体を加温しつつ、前記スプレーガンにより前記コーティング液を噴霧することを特徴とする。
The continuous coating device of the present invention is a continuous coating device that continuously performs a coating treatment of powder or granular material, and is a powder or granular material transport path in which the powder or granular material is accommodated and the powder or granular material moves in the continuous coating device. A vibration device that applies vibration to the powder or granular material transport path, a plurality of spray guns that are arranged above the powder or granular material transport path and spray a coating liquid on the powder or granular material, and the coating. It has a drying device for heating the powder or granular material sprayed with the liquid and drying the coating liquid, and moves in the powder or granular material transport path according to the vibration applied by the vibration device. It is characterized in that the coating liquid is sprayed on the powder or granular material by the spray gun while heating the powder or granular material by the drying device.
本発明にあっては、錠剤等の粉粒体(被処理物)を収容可能な粉粒体搬送路を振動させることにより、粉粒体搬送路内の粉粒体を移動させる。そして、粉粒体搬送路内を移動する粉粒体に対し、粉粒体搬送路の上方に配したスプレーガンによってコーティング処理を実施する。これにより、粉粒体搬送路内を移動させながら粉粒体をコーティング処理することができ、粉粒体の連続的なコーティング処理が可能となる。
In the present invention, the powder or granular material in the powder or granular material transport path is moved by vibrating the powder or granular material transport path that can accommodate the powder or granular material (object to be treated) such as tablets. Then, the powder or granular material moving in the powder or granular material transport path is coated with a spray gun arranged above the powder or granular material transport path. As a result, the powder or granular material can be coated while moving in the powder or granular material transport path, and the powder or granular material can be continuously coated.
前記連続コーティング装置において、前記粉粒体搬送路を、上部が開口した半筒状のトラフにて構成し、前記トラフを、長手方向に沿って傾斜した状態で配置し、前記トラフ内の前記粉粒体を、前記加振装置によって付与される振動により、前記トラフ内の傾斜を上るように移動させるようにしても良い。
In the continuous coating device, the powder or granular material transport path is composed of a semi-cylindrical trough with an open top, and the trough is arranged in a state of being inclined along the longitudinal direction, and the powder in the trough is arranged. The granules may be moved up the slope in the trough by the vibration applied by the vibration device.
前記粉粒体搬送路を、直線状に形成された複数個の前記トラフにより多角形の角環状に形成しても良い。この場合、角環状に形成された前記粉粒体搬送路を径方向に沿って複数列配置し、径方向に隣接する列の前記粉粒体搬送路の間に、一方の列から他方の列に前記粉粒体が移動する乗継部を設けても良い。また、前記粉粒体搬送路を、直線状に形成された複数個の前記トラフを並列に配置して形成しても良い。
The powder or granular material transport path may be formed into a polygonal angular ring shape by a plurality of the troughs formed in a straight line. In this case, a plurality of rows of the granular material transport paths formed in a square ring are arranged along the radial direction, and between the powder and granular material transport paths of the rows adjacent to each other in the radial direction, one row to the other row. May be provided with a transit portion in which the powder or granular material moves. Further, the powder or granular material transport path may be formed by arranging a plurality of linearly formed troughs in parallel.
前記連続コーティング装置に、前記粉粒体搬送路を収容するハウジングと、前記ハウジング内に前記粉粒体を加温する処理気体を供給する給気口と、前記ハウジング内の前記処理気体を排出する排気口と、をさらに設けても良い。
The continuous coating device has a housing for accommodating the powder or granular material transport path, an air supply port for supplying a processing gas for heating the powder or granular material into the housing, and discharging the processing gas in the housing. An exhaust port may be further provided.
また、前記乾燥装置として、前記粉粒体に対し遠赤外線を付与する遠赤外線ヒータを用いても良い。
Further, as the drying device, a far infrared heater that applies far infrared rays to the powder or granular material may be used.
一方、前記連続コーティング装置において、前記粉粒体搬送路を、螺旋状に配置されたフロートレイにて構成し、前記フロートレイが取り付けられ、前記加振装置によって振動が付与される筒状のスカートと、前記フロートレイを覆うように配されたハウジングと、前記ハウジングに設けられ、該ハウジング内に前記粉粒体を加温する処理気体を供給する給気口と、該ハウジング内の前記処理気体を排出する排気口と、を設け、前記スカートの振動に伴って前記フロートレイ内を移動する前記粉粒体に対し、前記処理気体を前記ハウジング内に供給しつつ、前記スプレーガンにより前記コーティング液を噴霧するようにしても良い。
On the other hand, in the continuous coating device, the powder or granular material transport path is composed of flow trays arranged in a spiral shape, the flow tray is attached, and vibration is applied by the vibration exciter. A housing arranged so as to cover the flow tray, an air supply port provided in the housing and supplying a processing gas for heating the powder or granular material in the housing, and the processing gas in the housing. The coating liquid is provided by the spray gun while supplying the processing gas into the housing with respect to the powder or granular material that moves in the flow tray in accordance with the vibration of the skirt by providing an exhaust port for discharging the gas. May be sprayed.
前記連続コーティング装置において、前記フロートレイは、円形螺旋状(外形が円形となった螺旋状)に複数段設けても良い。なお、前記フロートレイを多角形螺旋状(外形が、例えば、六角形、八角形、九角形などの多角形となった螺旋状)に複数段設けても良い。その場合、スカートも角筒形状に形成することが好ましい。
In the continuous coating device, the flow tray may be provided in a plurality of stages in a circular spiral shape (spiral shape having a circular outer shape). In addition, the flow tray may be provided in a plurality of stages in a polygonal spiral shape (a spiral shape having a polygonal outer shape such as a hexagon, an octagon, or a nonagon). In that case, it is preferable that the skirt is also formed in a square tube shape.
また、前記粉粒体が、前記スカートの振動に伴って前記フロートレイ内を上方に向かって移動するようにしても良い。さらに、前記スカートはその外径が下方に向かって拡径しており、前記フロートレイは、前記スカートの外周に取り付けられ、螺旋の外径が下段側に向かって拡径しているようにしても良い。
Further, the powder or granular material may move upward in the flow tray with the vibration of the skirt. Further, the outer diameter of the skirt is increasing downward, and the flow tray is attached to the outer circumference of the skirt so that the outer diameter of the spiral is increasing toward the lower side. Is also good.
加えて、前記スプレーガンを、前記スカートの側面部又は前記ハウジングの側面部に取り付けても良い。また、前記フロートレイを、上部が開口した断面略L字形に形成し、該フロートレイの底面部の一端を、前記スカートの側面部に固定しても良い。
In addition, the spray gun may be attached to the side surface of the skirt or the side surface of the housing. Further, the flow tray may be formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section with an open upper portion, and one end of the bottom surface portion of the flow tray may be fixed to the side surface portion of the skirt.
さらに、前記粉粒体搬送路に、前記処理気体が流通可能な通気孔を設けても良い。
Further, the powder or granular material transport path may be provided with a ventilation hole through which the processed gas can flow.
本発明の連続コーティング装置によれば、粉粒体を収容する粉粒体搬送路を振動させることにより粉粒体搬送路内の粉粒体を移動させ、粉粒体搬送路の上方に配したスプレーガンによって、粉粒体搬送路内を移動する粉粒体に対しコーティング処理を実施するようにしたので、粉粒体搬送路内を移動させながら粉粒体をコーティング処理することができ、粉粒体の連続的なコーティング処理が可能となる。したがって、バッチ式のコーティング装置のように、処理量の制限がなく、また、各バッチごとの洗浄等も必要ないため、効率良いコーティング処理が可能となる。
According to the continuous coating apparatus of the present invention, the powder or granular material in the powder or granular material transport path is moved by vibrating the powder or granular material transport path for accommodating the powder or granular material, and arranged above the powder or granular material transport path. Since the coating treatment is performed on the powder or granular material moving in the powder or granular material transport path by the spray gun, the powder or granular material can be coated while moving in the powder or granular material transport path. It enables continuous coating treatment of granules. Therefore, unlike the batch type coating apparatus, there is no limitation on the processing amount, and cleaning for each batch is not required, so that efficient coating processing is possible.
以下の実施形態の目的は、錠剤等のコーティング処理を連続的に実施可能な連続コーティング装置を提供することにある。
An object of the following embodiments is to provide a continuous coating apparatus capable of continuously performing a coating treatment for tablets and the like.
(実施の形態1)
以下、本発明の実施の形態について説明する。図1~3は、本発明の実施の形態1である連続コーティング装置1(以下、コーティング装置1と略記する)の構成を示す説明図である。コーティング装置1は、錠剤等の粉粒体(被処理物)に対しフイルムコーティングを行う。図19に示すように、コーティング装置1は、円筒形状のハウジング15内に、円形螺旋状に形成したフロートレイ(粉粒体搬送路)2を複数段(8~12段程度)配した構成となっている。フロートレイ2の上方には、所定の間隔で複数個のスプレーガン3が配置されている。 (Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. 1 to 3 are explanatory views showing a configuration of a continuous coating device 1 (hereinafter, abbreviated as coating device 1) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Thecoating device 1 performs film coating on a powder or granular material (object to be treated) such as a tablet. As shown in FIG. 19, the coating device 1 has a configuration in which a plurality of stages (about 8 to 12 stages) of flow trays (powder and granular material transport paths) 2 formed in a circular spiral shape are arranged in a cylindrical housing 15. It has become. A plurality of spray guns 3 are arranged above the flow tray 2 at predetermined intervals.
以下、本発明の実施の形態について説明する。図1~3は、本発明の実施の形態1である連続コーティング装置1(以下、コーティング装置1と略記する)の構成を示す説明図である。コーティング装置1は、錠剤等の粉粒体(被処理物)に対しフイルムコーティングを行う。図19に示すように、コーティング装置1は、円筒形状のハウジング15内に、円形螺旋状に形成したフロートレイ(粉粒体搬送路)2を複数段(8~12段程度)配した構成となっている。フロートレイ2の上方には、所定の間隔で複数個のスプレーガン3が配置されている。 (Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. 1 to 3 are explanatory views showing a configuration of a continuous coating device 1 (hereinafter, abbreviated as coating device 1) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The
コーティング装置1では、錠剤4等の被処理物は、装置に付与される振動により、下から上に向かってフロートレイ2内を転動しつつ移動する。フロートレイ2上を移動する錠剤4には、スプレーガン3によってコーティング液が噴霧される。錠剤4に噴霧されたコーティング液は、装置上部から供給される処理気体(乾燥エア)によって乾燥固化され、錠剤4の表面にコーティング層が形成される。
In the coating device 1, the object to be treated such as the tablet 4 moves while rolling in the flow tray 2 from the bottom to the top due to the vibration applied to the device. The coating liquid is sprayed on the tablet 4 moving on the flow tray 2 by the spray gun 3. The coating liquid sprayed on the tablet 4 is dried and solidified by the processing gas (dry air) supplied from the upper part of the apparatus, and a coating layer is formed on the surface of the tablet 4.
フロートレイ2は、上部が開口した断面略L字形状となっており、垂直方向に積み上がる形で螺旋状に設けられている(スパイラルトレイ構造)。フロートレイ2の上部開口幅は約80~120mm、高さは約50~100mm程度に形成されている。フロートレイ2の底面部2aには、前面に亘って直径3mm程度の通気孔11が多数設けられている。装置上部からの給気は、この通気孔11を通ってフロートレイ2を上から下に抜け、下段側に流通する。これにより、処理気体がフロートレイ2内の錠剤層を通過し、錠剤4の表面のコーティング液を乾燥させ、錠剤4の表面にコーティング層が形成される。なお、上記寸法や以下に述べる各種数値はあくまでも例示であり、錠剤4の種類や仕様、処理形態等により種々変更可能であって、本発明はこれらの数値には限定されない。
The flow tray 2 has a substantially L-shaped cross section with an open top, and is spirally provided so as to be stacked in the vertical direction (spiral tray structure). The upper opening width of the flow tray 2 is about 80 to 120 mm, and the height is about 50 to 100 mm. The bottom surface portion 2a of the flow tray 2 is provided with a large number of ventilation holes 11 having a diameter of about 3 mm over the front surface. The air supply from the upper part of the device passes through the flow tray 2 from the top to the bottom through the ventilation holes 11 and flows to the lower stage side. As a result, the treatment gas passes through the tablet layer in the flow tray 2, the coating liquid on the surface of the tablet 4 is dried, and the coating layer is formed on the surface of the tablet 4. The above dimensions and various numerical values described below are merely examples, and can be variously changed depending on the type, specifications, treatment form, etc. of the tablet 4, and the present invention is not limited to these numerical values.
フロートレイ2の螺旋外径は約800~2000mm程度となっている。装置全体では、フロートレイ2の長さは約25~40m程度に設定されている。装置全体の高さは、1500~3000mm程度となっている。フロートレイ2の底面部2aは、その一端縁2bが、円筒形状のスカート12の側面部12aに溶接等により固定されている。フロートレイ2は、スカート12の側面部12aに固定支持されている。フロートレイ2の最下段には、図示しない錠剤供給装置(被処理物供給装置)から、サプライダクト18を介して錠剤4が連続的に供給される。
The spiral outer diameter of the flow tray 2 is about 800 to 2000 mm. In the entire apparatus, the length of the flow tray 2 is set to about 25 to 40 m. The height of the entire device is about 1500 to 3000 mm. One end edge 2b of the bottom surface portion 2a of the flow tray 2 is fixed to the side surface portion 12a of the cylindrical skirt 12 by welding or the like. The flow tray 2 is fixedly supported by the side surface portion 12a of the skirt 12. Tablets 4 are continuously supplied to the lowermost stage of the flow tray 2 from a tablet supply device (object to be processed) (not shown) via a supply duct 18.
スカート側面部12aには、処理気体の吹き抜け防止用の邪魔板13が設けられている。邪魔板13は、上方からの処理気体が通気孔11を通らず、フロートレイ2に沿って下方に吹き抜けてしまうのを防止するため、処理気体の流路を塞ぐように、フロートレイ2の上方に配されている。コーティング装置1では、邪魔板13は、各段に1~4枚程度設けられている。
A baffle plate 13 for preventing blow-by of the processing gas is provided on the side surface portion 12a of the skirt. The baffle plate 13 is above the flow tray 2 so as to block the flow path of the processing gas in order to prevent the processing gas from above from passing through the ventilation holes 11 and blowing downward along the flow tray 2. It is arranged in. In the coating device 1, about 1 to 4 baffle plates 13 are provided on each stage.
スカート12は、装置上部からの給気がコーティング液の乾燥に寄与せず、装置中央をバイパスして排気されてしまうことを防止すべく設けられている。スカート12を設けることなく螺旋状のフロートレイ2をハウジング15内に配すると、給気の多くが螺旋中央を下方に抜けて排気されてしまうおそれがあり、熱効率が低下するという問題が生じる。そこで、本発明によるコーティング装置1では、ハウジング15内にスカート12を設け、装置上部からの給気がスカート12の周囲を流れるよう構成する。これにより、スカート側面部12aに配したフロートレイ2に対し、上方からの給気が無駄なく流れ込み、装置の熱効率向上が図られる。
The skirt 12 is provided to prevent the air supply from the upper part of the device from contributing to the drying of the coating liquid and bypassing the center of the device and exhausting the air. If the spiral flow tray 2 is arranged in the housing 15 without providing the skirt 12, most of the air supply may pass downward through the center of the spiral and be exhausted, which causes a problem that the thermal efficiency is lowered. Therefore, in the coating device 1 according to the present invention, the skirt 12 is provided in the housing 15 so that the air supply from the upper part of the device flows around the skirt 12. As a result, the air supply from above flows into the flow tray 2 arranged on the side surface portion 12a of the skirt without waste, and the thermal efficiency of the device can be improved.
スカート12は、厚手のステンレス鋼にて形成されており、スカート12の内部は中空となっている。スカート12の内部は中実でも良く、本発明における筒状は中実形態も含む概念である。ただし、装置重量やイナーシャを考慮すると中空状のスカートが好ましい。スカート12の下端部には加振装置5が取り付けられている。加振装置5は、スカート12を介してフロートレイ2に振動を付与できる。加振装置5は、スカート12を挟んで対称に設けられた一対の振動モータを備えている。2つの振動モータは、スカート12の垂直軸に対し傾斜した状態で配置されている。振動モータには、偏心ウエイト等を用いた振動子が回転自在に配されている。両振動モータを適宜回転させることにより、スカート12にねじり振動が付与される。スカート12の振動に伴い、フロートレイ2も同様にねじり振動し、フロートレイ2内の錠剤4が下方から上方に向けて搬送される。
The skirt 12 is made of thick stainless steel, and the inside of the skirt 12 is hollow. The inside of the skirt 12 may be solid, and the tubular shape in the present invention is a concept including a solid form. However, a hollow skirt is preferable in consideration of the weight of the device and inertia. A vibration exciter 5 is attached to the lower end of the skirt 12. The vibration exciter 5 can apply vibration to the flow tray 2 via the skirt 12. The vibration exciter 5 includes a pair of vibration motors symmetrically provided with the skirt 12 interposed therebetween. The two vibration motors are arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical axis of the skirt 12. An oscillator using an eccentric weight or the like is rotatably arranged in the vibration motor. Torsional vibration is applied to the skirt 12 by appropriately rotating both vibration motors. Along with the vibration of the skirt 12, the flow tray 2 also twists and vibrates, and the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 is conveyed from the lower side to the upper side.
フロートレイ2及びスカート12は、ステンレス製のハウジング15内に収容されている。前述のように、ハウジング15もまた円筒形状となっている。ハウジング15の上部には開口部16、下部には排気口17が設けられている。開口部(給気口)16には、ブロア等の給気装置6(乾燥装置)により、熱風や温風、冷風などの処理気体を適宜供給できる。排気口17は、図示しない排気装置と接続されている。開口部16から供給された処理気体は、ハウジング15とスカート12と間を通り、装置外に吸引排気される。なお、前述の邪魔板13は、ハウジング15側に取り付けることも可能である。また、排気口17は、装置や製品の仕様に応じて複数個設けても良く、それらを適宜開閉可能としても良い。
The flow tray 2 and the skirt 12 are housed in a stainless steel housing 15. As mentioned above, the housing 15 also has a cylindrical shape. An opening 16 is provided in the upper part of the housing 15, and an exhaust port 17 is provided in the lower part. A processing gas such as hot air, hot air, or cold air can be appropriately supplied to the opening (air supply port) 16 by an air supply device 6 (drying device) such as a blower. The exhaust port 17 is connected to an exhaust device (not shown). The processing gas supplied from the opening 16 passes between the housing 15 and the skirt 12 and is sucked and exhausted to the outside of the device. The baffle plate 13 described above can also be attached to the housing 15 side. Further, a plurality of exhaust ports 17 may be provided according to the specifications of the device or the product, and they may be opened and closed as appropriate.
スカート12の側面部12aには、複数個(例えば、50個)のスプレーガン3が取り付けられている。スプレーガン3には、ニードルタイプの2流体ノズルが使用されている。スプレーガン3は、各段のフロートレイ2の上方に配されている。図3に示すように、スプレーガン3は、給液配管やエア配管が収容されたガンホルダ21に取り付けられている。ガンホルダ21は、スカート側面部12aに放射状に複数本(ここでは四方に4本)配されている。ガンホルダ21は、図示しないコーティング液供給装置に接続されている。本実施の形態ではスプレーガン3としてニードルタイプのものを用いているが、本発明の連続コーティング装置においては、ニードルレスタイプや3流体タイプなど他の種類のスプレーガンも使用可能である。
A plurality of (for example, 50) spray guns 3 are attached to the side surface portion 12a of the skirt 12. A needle type two-fluid nozzle is used for the spray gun 3. The spray gun 3 is arranged above the flow tray 2 of each stage. As shown in FIG. 3, the spray gun 3 is attached to a gun holder 21 in which a liquid supply pipe and an air pipe are housed. A plurality of gun holders 21 are radially arranged on the side surface portion 12a of the skirt (here, four gun holders 21 are arranged on all sides). The gun holder 21 is connected to a coating liquid supply device (not shown). In the present embodiment, a needle type spray gun 3 is used, but in the continuous coating apparatus of the present invention, other types of spray guns such as a needleless type and a three-fluid type can also be used.
スカート12にはさらに、錠剤の乾燥状態を検出する乾燥状態確認センサ22が設けられている。乾燥状態確認センサ22は、各スプレーガン3の後段に1つずつ配されている。乾燥状態確認センサ22としては、例えば、NIR(近赤外線)センサなどが使用される。コーティング装置1では、スプレーガン3は、1ガンごとに個別に噴射量がコントロール可能となっている。例えば、各乾燥状態確認センサ22による検出結果に基づき、図示しない制御装置により、錠剤4の水分量(乾燥状態)を把握し、次のスプレーガン3のスプレー量をフィードバック制御可能である。ガンホルダ21に上下動機構(図示せず)を取り付け、スプレーガン3を上下方向に移動させて錠剤4に対するスプレー量を調整しても良い。また、乾燥状態確認センサ22の検出結果に基づいて加振装置5の動作を制御し、錠剤4の移動速度を調整しても良い。
The skirt 12 is further provided with a dry state confirmation sensor 22 that detects the dry state of the tablet. One dry state confirmation sensor 22 is arranged after each spray gun 3. As the dry state confirmation sensor 22, for example, an NIR (near infrared) sensor or the like is used. In the coating device 1, the spray gun 3 can individually control the injection amount for each gun. For example, based on the detection result of each dry state confirmation sensor 22, a control device (not shown) can grasp the water content (dry state) of the tablet 4 and feedback control the spray amount of the next spray gun 3. A vertical movement mechanism (not shown) may be attached to the gun holder 21 and the spray gun 3 may be moved in the vertical direction to adjust the amount of spray for the tablet 4. Further, the operation of the vibration device 5 may be controlled based on the detection result of the dry state confirmation sensor 22, and the moving speed of the tablet 4 may be adjusted.
各スプレーガン3の後段に、重量測定やラマン分光測定等による膜厚確認センサを各段ごとに設け、コーティング処理の終点管理を行っても良い。さらに、温度測定センサを設けて錠剤4の温度を検出しても良い。カメラにより錠剤4の状態を撮影し、画像認識による色調測定などを行ってコーティング状態を管理し、スプレーガン3のフィードバック制御や終点管理を行っても良い。乾燥状態確認センサ22や膜厚確認センサ、温度測定センサ、カメラなどによる錠剤4の状態検出は、何れかひとつ、あるいは、複数併用して行うことが可能である。膜厚確認センサ等によりコーティング終了が確認された場合は、その後のスプレーを取りやめたり、フロートレイ2の各段ごとに排出ポート(図示せず)を設け、そこからコーティング終了品を取り出したりしても良い。コーティング処理が終了した錠剤4を適宜その段から排出することにより、錠剤4に余分な振動を付与することを避けることができ、摩損や割れ欠けの発生を未然に防止可能となる。
A film thickness confirmation sensor by weight measurement, Raman spectroscopy, etc. may be provided in each stage after each spray gun 3 to control the end point of the coating process. Further, a temperature measurement sensor may be provided to detect the temperature of the tablet 4. The state of the tablet 4 may be photographed by a camera, the coating state may be controlled by measuring the color tone by image recognition, and the feedback control and the end point management of the spray gun 3 may be performed. The state detection of the tablet 4 by the dry state confirmation sensor 22, the film thickness confirmation sensor, the temperature measurement sensor, the camera, or the like can be performed by any one or in combination of two or more. When the coating completion is confirmed by the film thickness confirmation sensor, etc., the subsequent spraying is canceled, or a discharge port (not shown) is provided for each stage of the flow tray 2, and the coating completion product is taken out from there. Is also good. By appropriately discharging the tablet 4 after the coating treatment from the stage, it is possible to avoid applying extra vibration to the tablet 4, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of abrasion and cracking.
フロートレイ2内の錠剤4には、スプレーガン3により、図示しないコーティング液供給装置から送給されるコーティング液が噴霧される。コーティング装置1では、スプレーガン3と錠剤4との距離は30~60mm程度となって各段の間隔は、80~120mm程度に設定されている。スプレーガン3は、フロートレイ2の最上段1~2段と最下段1~2段には配されておらず、フロートレイ2の最下段部は予熱加温、最上段部は乾燥加温にそれぞれ充当される。
The tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 is sprayed with a coating liquid supplied from a coating liquid supply device (not shown) by the spray gun 3. In the coating device 1, the distance between the spray gun 3 and the tablet 4 is about 30 to 60 mm, and the distance between each step is set to about 80 to 120 mm. The spray gun 3 is not arranged in the uppermost 1st and 2nd stages and the lowermost 1st and 2nd stages of the flow tray 2, and the lowermost part of the flow tray 2 is preheated and the uppermost part is dried. Each will be applied.
コーティング装置1では、次のようにしてコーティング処理が実施される。コーティング装置1のフロートレイ2は、加振装置5から付与される振動によりスカート12と共に振動している。フロートレイ2を振動させた状態にて、サプライダクト18から錠剤4が連続的に投入される。また、ハウジング15内には、開口部16から温風が供給される。開口部16から供給された温風は、スカート12の表面に沿って下方に流れる。そして、温風はフロートレイ2に当たり、フロートレイ2自体やその中の錠剤4を加温し、通気孔11からさらに下方へと流れる。
In the coating device 1, the coating process is carried out as follows. The flow tray 2 of the coating device 1 vibrates together with the skirt 12 due to the vibration applied from the vibration device 5. The tablets 4 are continuously charged from the supply duct 18 in a state where the flow tray 2 is vibrated. In addition, warm air is supplied from the opening 16 into the housing 15. The warm air supplied from the opening 16 flows downward along the surface of the skirt 12. Then, the warm air hits the flow tray 2, heats the flow tray 2 itself and the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2, and flows further downward from the ventilation hole 11.
サプライダクト18からフロートレイ2の下端部に供給された錠剤4は、スカート12の振動に伴って上方に転動しつつ移動する。移動に際し、錠剤4は、まずフロートレイ2の最下段部の予熱処理段Pにて予熱され、中段のコーティング処理段Cに上昇する。図3に示すように、錠剤4は、フロートレイ2をほとんど隙間なく下から上へと搬送される。この場合、錠剤4を上から下へと搬送すると、自重や形状による転がりや、処理気体による押し出しなどにより、錠剤同士の隙間があきやすく、コーティング液がフロートレイ2に付着しやすい傾向がある。その点、錠剤4を下から上へと搬送する当該コーティング装置1では、自重や形状による転がりや、処理気体による押し出しは、錠剤同士を密集させる方向に作用する。その結果、コーティング液がフロートレイ2自体にかかりにくくなり、トレイへのコーティング液の付着が抑えられる。
The tablet 4 supplied from the supply duct 18 to the lower end of the flow tray 2 moves while rolling upward with the vibration of the skirt 12. Upon movement, the tablet 4 is first preheated in the preheat treatment stage P at the bottom of the flow tray 2, and then rises to the coating treatment stage C in the middle stage. As shown in FIG. 3, the tablet 4 is conveyed from the bottom to the top of the flow tray 2 with almost no gap. In this case, when the tablets 4 are transported from top to bottom, gaps between the tablets tend to open due to rolling due to their own weight and shape, extrusion by the processing gas, and the like, and the coating liquid tends to adhere to the flow tray 2. In that respect, in the coating device 1 that conveys the tablets 4 from the bottom to the top, rolling due to its own weight and shape and extrusion by the processing gas act in the direction of condensing the tablets. As a result, the coating liquid is less likely to be applied to the flow tray 2 itself, and adhesion of the coating liquid to the tray is suppressed.
コーティング処理段Cは6~7段(概ね、20m程度の長さ)設けられている。コーティング処理段Cでは、フロートレイ2の延伸方向に沿って複数設けられたスプレーガン3から錠剤4にコーティング液が噴霧され、コーティング処理が施される。スプレーガン3の噴霧方向を錠剤4の移動方向に傾け、スプレーガン3のエアにより錠剤4の移動を促進することも可能である。
The coating treatment stage C is provided with 6 to 7 stages (generally, a length of about 20 m). In the coating treatment stage C, the coating liquid is sprayed onto the tablets 4 from a plurality of spray guns 3 provided along the stretching direction of the flow tray 2, and the coating treatment is performed. It is also possible to incline the spraying direction of the spray gun 3 toward the moving direction of the tablet 4 and promote the movement of the tablet 4 by the air of the spray gun 3.
フロートレイ2内の錠剤4は、コーティング液の噴霧を受けながら転動搬送され、開口部16から供給される温風にて適宜乾燥されて上方に移動する。コーティング処理段Cを通った後、錠剤4は、最上段部の乾燥処理段Dに至り温風乾燥される。コーティング装置1では、フロートレイ2自体も処理気体により加温されているため、錠剤4は、フロートレイ2の熱によっても乾燥される。そして、乾燥処理段Dにて乾燥処理を施された錠剤4は、ハウジング15の上部に設けられた排出路23から装置外へと排出される。コーティング装置1では、錠剤4の処理は、投入から排出までおよそ150分で完了する。
The tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 is tumbled and conveyed while receiving the spray of the coating liquid, is appropriately dried by the warm air supplied from the opening 16, and moves upward. After passing through the coating treatment stage C, the tablet 4 reaches the drying treatment stage D at the uppermost stage and is dried with warm air. In the coating device 1, since the flow tray 2 itself is also heated by the processing gas, the tablet 4 is also dried by the heat of the flow tray 2. Then, the tablet 4 that has been dried in the drying treatment stage D is discharged to the outside of the device from the discharge passage 23 provided in the upper part of the housing 15. In the coating device 1, the processing of the tablet 4 is completed in about 150 minutes from loading to discharging.
このように、本発明のコーティング装置1は、錠剤4をコーティング処理するフロートレイ2を螺旋状に配し、それを振動させて錠剤4を搬送する。そして、フロートレイ2に沿って配したスプレーガン3により、移動する錠剤4に対してコーティング処理を実施する。これにより、錠剤等の錠剤4を搬送しながらコーティング処理を施すことができ、粉粒体の連続的なコーティング処理が可能となる。したがって、バッチ式のコーティング装置のように、処理量の制限がなく、また、各バッチごとの洗浄等も必要ないため、効率良いコーティング処理が可能となる。
As described above, in the coating device 1 of the present invention, the flow tray 2 for coating the tablet 4 is arranged in a spiral shape, and the flow tray 2 is vibrated to convey the tablet 4. Then, the moving tablets 4 are coated with the spray gun 3 arranged along the flow tray 2. As a result, the coating treatment can be performed while transporting the tablet 4 such as a tablet, and the continuous coating treatment of the powder or granular material becomes possible. Therefore, unlike the batch type coating apparatus, there is no limitation on the processing amount, and cleaning for each batch is not required, so that efficient coating processing is possible.
(実施の形態2)
次に、本発明の実施の形態2である連続コーティング装置31(以下、コーティング装置31と略記する)について説明する。図4は、本発明の実施の形態2であるコーティング装置31の構成を示す説明図である。以下の実施の形態では、実施の形態1のコーティング装置1と同様の部分、部材については同一の名称あるいは符号を付し、その説明は省略する。 (Embodiment 2)
Next, the continuous coating device 31 (hereinafter, abbreviated as the coating device 31) according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of thecoating device 31 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the following embodiments, the same parts and members as those of the coating apparatus 1 of the first embodiment are designated by the same names or reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
次に、本発明の実施の形態2である連続コーティング装置31(以下、コーティング装置31と略記する)について説明する。図4は、本発明の実施の形態2であるコーティング装置31の構成を示す説明図である。以下の実施の形態では、実施の形態1のコーティング装置1と同様の部分、部材については同一の名称あるいは符号を付し、その説明は省略する。 (Embodiment 2)
Next, the continuous coating device 31 (hereinafter, abbreviated as the coating device 31) according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the
図4のコーティング装置31では、スプレーガン3がハウジング15の内壁15aに取り付けられている。その他の構成は。実施の形態1のコーティング装置1と同様である。スプレーガン3は、先のコーティング装置1と同様に、各段のフロートレイ2の上方に複数個取り付けられている。スプレーガン3は、ハウジング内壁15a側からフロートレイ2内の錠剤4にコーティング液を噴霧する。コーティング装置31の場合、ガンホルダ32は、ハウジング15の外壁15bに垂直方向に沿って取り付けられている。ガンホルダ32は、各段のスプレーガン3に対し、ハウジング15の外側からコーティング液等を供給する。
In the coating device 31 of FIG. 4, the spray gun 3 is attached to the inner wall 15a of the housing 15. Other configurations. It is the same as the coating apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. Similar to the coating device 1 above, a plurality of spray guns 3 are attached above the flow tray 2 of each stage. The spray gun 3 sprays the coating liquid onto the tablets 4 in the flow tray 2 from the housing inner wall 15a side. In the case of the coating device 31, the gun holder 32 is attached to the outer wall 15b of the housing 15 along the vertical direction. The gun holder 32 supplies a coating liquid or the like to the spray gun 3 in each stage from the outside of the housing 15.
スプレーガン3をハウジング内壁15aに配し、ガンホルダ32をハウジング15の外側に設けることにより、スプレーガン3やガンホルダ32を装置内に配置しやすくなり、スプレーガン3等のレイアウト性が向上する。その結果、装置設計の自由度が向上すると共に、装置のメンテナンスも容易となり、設計や現場作業の工数削減が可能となる。
(実施の形態3)
図5~7は、本発明の実施の形態3である連続コーティング装置41(以下、コーティング装置41と略記する)の構成を示す説明図である。図5のコーティング装置41は、円錐台形状のハウジング42内に、円形螺旋状に形成したフロートレイ2を複数段(8~12段程度)配した構成となっている。先の実施形態と同様に、フロートレイ2の上方には、所定の間隔で複数個のスプレーガン3が配置されている。コーティング装置41では、フロートレイ2が円錐台形状のスカート43に階段状に配されている。したがって、フロートレイ2上方にクリアランスを確保しやすく、スプレーガン3の配置がさらに容易になる。 By arranging thespray gun 3 on the inner wall 15a of the housing and providing the gun holder 32 on the outside of the housing 15, the spray gun 3 and the gun holder 32 can be easily arranged in the apparatus, and the layout of the spray gun 3 and the like is improved. As a result, the degree of freedom in device design is improved, the maintenance of the device is facilitated, and the man-hours for design and on-site work can be reduced.
(Embodiment 3)
5 to 7 are explanatory views showing the configuration of the continuous coating device 41 (hereinafter, abbreviated as the coating device 41) according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Thecoating device 41 of FIG. 5 has a configuration in which a plurality of stages (about 8 to 12 stages) of flow trays 2 formed in a circular spiral shape are arranged in a truncated cone-shaped housing 42. Similar to the previous embodiment, a plurality of spray guns 3 are arranged above the flow tray 2 at predetermined intervals. In the coating device 41, the flow tray 2 is arranged stepwise on the truncated cone-shaped skirt 43. Therefore, it is easy to secure a clearance above the flow tray 2, and the arrangement of the spray gun 3 becomes easier.
(実施の形態3)
図5~7は、本発明の実施の形態3である連続コーティング装置41(以下、コーティング装置41と略記する)の構成を示す説明図である。図5のコーティング装置41は、円錐台形状のハウジング42内に、円形螺旋状に形成したフロートレイ2を複数段(8~12段程度)配した構成となっている。先の実施形態と同様に、フロートレイ2の上方には、所定の間隔で複数個のスプレーガン3が配置されている。コーティング装置41では、フロートレイ2が円錐台形状のスカート43に階段状に配されている。したがって、フロートレイ2上方にクリアランスを確保しやすく、スプレーガン3の配置がさらに容易になる。 By arranging the
(Embodiment 3)
5 to 7 are explanatory views showing the configuration of the continuous coating device 41 (hereinafter, abbreviated as the coating device 41) according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The
コーティング装置1と同様に、コーティング装置41においても、錠剤等の錠剤4は、装置に付与される振動により下から上に向かってフロートレイ2内を転動しつつ移動する。したがって、自重や形状による転がりや、処理気体による押し出しは、錠剤同士を密集させる方向に作用し、コーティング液がフロートレイ2に付着しにくくなる。フロートレイ2上を移動する錠剤4には、スプレーガン3によってコーティング液が噴霧される。錠剤4に噴霧されたコーティング液は、装置上部から供給される処理気体によって乾燥固化され、錠剤4の表面にコーティング層が形成される。
Similar to the coating device 1, in the coating device 41, the tablets 4 such as tablets move while rolling in the flow tray 2 from the bottom to the top due to the vibration applied to the device. Therefore, rolling due to its own weight and shape, and extrusion by the processing gas act in the direction of condensing the tablets, and the coating liquid is less likely to adhere to the flow tray 2. The coating liquid is sprayed on the tablet 4 moving on the flow tray 2 by the spray gun 3. The coating liquid sprayed on the tablet 4 is dried and solidified by the processing gas supplied from the upper part of the apparatus, and a coating layer is formed on the surface of the tablet 4.
前述同様、フロートレイ2は、上部が開口した断面略L字形状となっている。フロートレイ2の底面部2aには、直径3mm程度の通気孔11が多数設けられている。コーティング装置41もフロートレイ2は螺旋状に設けられているが、ここでは、螺旋の外径が下段側に向かって拡径した状態で配置されている。フロートレイ2の最上段の螺旋外径は約600~900mm、最下段の螺旋外径は約1800~3000mm程度となっている。装置全体では、フロートレイ2の長さは約25~40m程度に設定されている。装置全体の高さは1500~2500mm程度となっている。
Similar to the above, the flow tray 2 has a substantially L-shaped cross section with an open top. A large number of ventilation holes 11 having a diameter of about 3 mm are provided on the bottom surface portion 2a of the flow tray 2. The flow tray 2 of the coating device 41 is also provided in a spiral shape, but here, the outer diameter of the spiral is arranged in a state of increasing toward the lower stage side. The uppermost spiral outer diameter of the flow tray 2 is about 600 to 900 mm, and the lowermost spiral outer diameter is about 1800 to 3000 mm. In the entire apparatus, the length of the flow tray 2 is set to about 25 to 40 m. The height of the entire device is about 1500 to 2500 mm.
フロートレイ2の底面部2aは、その一端縁2bが、円錐台形状のスカート43の側面部43aに溶接等により固定されている。フロートレイ2は、スカート43の側面部43aに固定支持されている。コーティング装置41では、フロートレイ2は、装置を上方から見たとき、上下のトレイが重ならない状態で階段状に設置されている。これにより、フロートレイ各段の錠剤4の状態をセンサや目視にて確認することが容易となる。また、フロートレイ2を円錐台状に設けることにより、スロープの揚程や傾斜を抑えつつ、スプレーガン3をフロートレイ2の直上に容易に配することができる。したがって、コーティング液をスプレーガン3の垂直真下に向けて噴射でき、スプレーガン3と錠剤4との間の距離を一定にできる。
One end edge 2b of the bottom surface portion 2a of the flow tray 2 is fixed to the side surface portion 43a of the truncated cone-shaped skirt 43 by welding or the like. The flow tray 2 is fixedly supported by the side surface portion 43a of the skirt 43. In the coating device 41, the flow trays 2 are installed in a staircase pattern so that the upper and lower trays do not overlap when the device is viewed from above. This makes it easy to visually check the state of the tablets 4 in each stage of the flow tray with a sensor or visually. Further, by providing the flow tray 2 in a truncated cone shape, the spray gun 3 can be easily arranged directly above the flow tray 2 while suppressing the lift and inclination of the slope. Therefore, the coating liquid can be sprayed directly below the spray gun 3, and the distance between the spray gun 3 and the tablet 4 can be made constant.
スカート側面部43aには、処理気体の吹き抜け防止用の邪魔板13が設けられている。コーティング装置41においても、処理気体はスカート側面部43aに沿って流れ、上方からの給気がフロートレイ2に無駄なく流れ込む。スカート43の中央には、直径300mm程度の中空のセンターポール14が設けられている。センターポール14の下端部には、加振装置5が取り付けられている。加振装置5を適宜作動させることにより、センターポール14、スカート43及びフロートレイ2が振動し、フロートレイ2内の錠剤4が下方から上方に向けて搬送される。
The side surface portion 43a of the skirt is provided with a baffle plate 13 for preventing blow-by of the processing gas. Also in the coating device 41, the processing gas flows along the side surface portion 43a of the skirt, and the air supply from above flows into the flow tray 2 without waste. A hollow center pole 14 having a diameter of about 300 mm is provided in the center of the skirt 43. A vibration exciter 5 is attached to the lower end of the center pole 14. By appropriately operating the vibration exciter 5, the center pole 14, the skirt 43, and the flow tray 2 vibrate, and the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 is conveyed from the lower side to the upper side.
フロートレイ2及びスカート43は、ステンレス製のハウジング42内に収容されている。ハウジング42もまた円錐台形状となっている。ハウジング42の上部には開口部16、下部には排気口17が設けられている。開口部16は給気装置6と、排気口17は図示しない排気装置とそれぞれ接続されている。開口部16から供給された処理気体は、ハウジング15とスカート43と間を通り、装置外に吸引排気される。邪魔板13は、ハウジング42側に取り付けることも可能である。
The flow tray 2 and the skirt 43 are housed in a stainless steel housing 42. The housing 42 also has a truncated cone shape. An opening 16 is provided in the upper part of the housing 42, and an exhaust port 17 is provided in the lower part. The opening 16 is connected to the air supply device 6, and the exhaust port 17 is connected to an exhaust device (not shown). The processing gas supplied from the opening 16 passes between the housing 15 and the skirt 43, and is sucked and exhausted to the outside of the device. The baffle plate 13 can also be attached to the housing 42 side.
ハウジング42の側壁42aには、複数個のスプレーガン3が取り付けられている。スプレーガン3は、各段のフロートレイ2の上方に配されている。図5~7に示すように、スプレーガン3は、給液配管やエア配管が収容されたガンホルダ44に取り付けられている。ガンホルダ44は、ハウジング42に放射状に複数本(ここでは十字状に4本)配されている。ガンホルダ44は、図示しないコーティング液供給装置に接続されている。
A plurality of spray guns 3 are attached to the side wall 42a of the housing 42. The spray gun 3 is arranged above the flow tray 2 of each stage. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the spray gun 3 is attached to the gun holder 44 in which the liquid supply pipe and the air pipe are housed. A plurality of gun holders 44 are radially arranged (here, four in a cross shape) on the housing 42. The gun holder 44 is connected to a coating liquid supply device (not shown).
ハウジング42にはさらに、錠剤の乾燥状態を検出する乾燥状態確認センサ22が設けられている。乾燥状態確認センサ22は、各スプレーガン3の後段に1つずつ配されている。コーティング装置41のスプレーガン3も、1ガンごとに個別に噴射量がコントロール可能である。したがって、各乾燥状態確認センサ22による検出結果に基づき、各スプレーガン3のスプレー量をフィードバック制御することが可能である。この場合も、温度測定センサやカメラなどを用いて、スプレーガン3のフィードバック制御を行っても良い。また、スプレーガン3を上下方向に移動させて錠剤4に対するスプレー量を調整しても良い。さらに、乾燥状態確認センサ22の検出結果に基づいて加振装置5の動作を制御し、錠剤4の移動速度を調整しても良い。
The housing 42 is further provided with a dry state confirmation sensor 22 that detects the dry state of the tablet. One dry state confirmation sensor 22 is arranged after each spray gun 3. The spray gun 3 of the coating device 41 can also control the injection amount individually for each gun. Therefore, it is possible to feedback control the spray amount of each spray gun 3 based on the detection result by each dry state confirmation sensor 22. In this case as well, the feedback control of the spray gun 3 may be performed using a temperature measurement sensor, a camera, or the like. Further, the spray gun 3 may be moved in the vertical direction to adjust the spray amount for the tablet 4. Further, the operation of the vibration device 5 may be controlled based on the detection result of the dry state confirmation sensor 22, and the moving speed of the tablet 4 may be adjusted.
フロートレイ2内の錠剤4には、スプレーガン3によりコーティング液が噴霧される。コーティング装置41では、スプレーガン3と錠剤4との距離は30~60mm程度となっている。各段の間隔は、80~120mm程度に設定されている。スプレーガン3は、フロートレイ2の最上段1~2段と最下段1~2段には配されていない。フロートレイ2の最下段は予熱加温、最上段は乾燥加温にそれぞれ充当される。
The coating liquid is sprayed onto the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 by the spray gun 3. In the coating device 41, the distance between the spray gun 3 and the tablet 4 is about 30 to 60 mm. The distance between each stage is set to about 80 to 120 mm. The spray gun 3 is not arranged in the uppermost stage 1 to 2 and the lowermost stage 1 to 2 of the flow tray 2. The bottom of the flow tray 2 is used for preheating and the top is used for drying.
コーティング装置41においても、前述のコーティング装置1と同様の工程にてコーティング処理が実施される。まず、加振装置5によりフロートレイ2を振動させ、サプライダクト18より錠剤4を連続的に投入する。ハウジング42内には、開口部16から温風を供給する。開口部16から供給された温風はスカート43の表面に沿って下方に流れ、フロートレイ2を通り抜け下方へと流通する。サプライダクト18からフロートレイ2に供給された錠剤4は、まずフロートレイ2の最下段部の予熱処理段Pにて予熱され、中段のコーティング処理段Cに上昇する。
Also in the coating device 41, the coating process is carried out in the same process as the coating device 1 described above. First, the flow tray 2 is vibrated by the vibrating device 5, and the tablets 4 are continuously charged from the supply duct 18. Warm air is supplied from the opening 16 into the housing 42. The warm air supplied from the opening 16 flows downward along the surface of the skirt 43, passes through the flow tray 2, and flows downward. The tablet 4 supplied from the supply duct 18 to the flow tray 2 is first preheated in the preheat treatment stage P at the bottom of the flow tray 2, and then rises to the coating treatment stage C in the middle stage.
コーティング処理段Cは6~7段(概ね、20m程度の長さ)設けられている。コーティング処理段Cでは、スプレーガン3から錠剤4にコーティング液が噴霧される。フロートレイ2内の錠剤4は、コーティング液の噴霧を受けながら転動搬送され、開口部16から供給された温風にて適宜乾燥されて上方に移動する。コーティング処理段Cを通った後、錠剤4は、最上段部の乾燥処理段Dに至り温風乾燥される。乾燥処理が終わった錠剤4は、ハウジング42の上部に設けられた排出路23から装置外へと排出される。
The coating treatment stage C is provided with 6 to 7 stages (generally, a length of about 20 m). In the coating treatment stage C, the coating liquid is sprayed from the spray gun 3 onto the tablets 4. The tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 is tumbled and conveyed while receiving the spray of the coating liquid, is appropriately dried by the warm air supplied from the opening 16, and moves upward. After passing through the coating treatment stage C, the tablet 4 reaches the drying treatment stage D at the uppermost stage and is dried with warm air. The tablet 4 after the drying treatment is discharged to the outside of the device from the discharge path 23 provided in the upper part of the housing 42.
コーティング処理の終点管理は、実施の形態1のコーティング装置1と同様に、各スプレーガン3の後段に配された各種センサ(前述の乾燥状態確認センサ22や膜厚確認センサ等)の検出値に基づいて行われる。前述同様、コーティング終了が確認された場合は、その後のスプレーを取りやめたり、フロートレイ2の各段ごとに排出ポート(図示せず)を設け、そこからコーティング終了品を取り出したりする。コーティング終了品を各段から排出すれば、錠剤4に余分な振動を付与することを避けることができ、摩損や割れ欠けの発生を未然に防止することが可能となる。
The end point management of the coating process is based on the detection values of various sensors (the above-mentioned dry state confirmation sensor 22, film thickness confirmation sensor, etc.) arranged after each spray gun 3 as in the coating device 1 of the first embodiment. It is done based on. Similar to the above, when the coating completion is confirmed, the subsequent spraying is stopped, or a discharge port (not shown) is provided for each stage of the flow tray 2 and the coating completion product is taken out from there. By discharging the coated product from each stage, it is possible to avoid giving extra vibration to the tablet 4, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of abrasion and cracking.
このように、コーティング装置41にあっては、フロートレイ2を螺旋状に配し、それを振動させて錠剤4を搬送する。そして、フロートレイ2に沿って配したスプレーガン3により、移動する錠剤4に対してコーティング処理を実施する。これにより、前述のコーティング装置1,31と同様に、錠剤4を移動させながらコーティングを行うことができ、粉粒体の連続的なコーティング処理が可能となる。また、コーティング装置41では、フロートレイ2が、下段側が拡径する形で螺旋状に設けられ、スカート側面部43aに階段状に配されているので、スプレーガン3が配置しやすく、スプレーガン3のレイアウト性が向上する。その結果、装置設計の自由度が向上すると共に、装置のメンテナンスも容易となり、設計や現場作業の工数削減を図ることが可能となる。
In this way, in the coating device 41, the flow tray 2 is arranged in a spiral shape and vibrated to convey the tablet 4. Then, the moving tablets 4 are coated with the spray gun 3 arranged along the flow tray 2. As a result, coating can be performed while moving the tablet 4 in the same manner as in the coating devices 1 and 31 described above, and continuous coating treatment of the powder or granular material becomes possible. Further, in the coating device 41, since the flow tray 2 is spirally provided so that the lower stage side has an enlarged diameter and is arranged stepwise on the side surface portion 43a of the skirt, the spray gun 3 can be easily arranged and the spray gun 3 can be easily arranged. The layout of the is improved. As a result, the degree of freedom in device design is improved, the maintenance of the device is facilitated, and the man-hours for design and field work can be reduced.
実施の形態3のコーティング装置41では、コーティング液をスプレーガン3の垂直真下に向けて噴射する構成を示したが、コーティング液を斜め向きに噴射するようにしても良い。例えば、図8の連続コーティング装置45のように、フロートレイ2に対し、ガンホルダ44に取り付けられたスプレーガン3から斜めにコーティング液を噴射しても良い。図8の連続コーティング装置45では、先のコーティング装置41と異なり、上下のフロートレイ2が径方向にオーバーラップする形で配されており、その分、装置の径方向の寸法が削減されている。
Although the coating device 41 of the third embodiment shows a configuration in which the coating liquid is sprayed directly below the spray gun 3, the coating liquid may be sprayed diagonally. For example, as in the continuous coating device 45 of FIG. 8, the coating liquid may be obliquely sprayed onto the flow tray 2 from the spray gun 3 attached to the gun holder 44. In the continuous coating device 45 of FIG. 8, unlike the previous coating device 41, the upper and lower flow trays 2 are arranged so as to overlap in the radial direction, and the radial dimension of the device is reduced by that amount. ..
また、実施の形態3のコーティング装置41では、スプレーガン3をハウジング42側に取り付けた例を示したが、図9の連続コーティング装置46のように、スプレーガン3をスカート43側に取り付けることも可能である。その場合、スカート43の側面部43aに給液路を兼ねたガンホルダ47を所定間隔で突設し(例えば、1段に4個等分に配置)、スプレーガン3をフロートレイ2の上方に配置する。スカート43内には、各ガンホルダ47にコーティング液を供給する給液パイプ48を設ける。
Further, in the coating device 41 of the third embodiment, an example in which the spray gun 3 is attached to the housing 42 side is shown, but the spray gun 3 may be attached to the skirt 43 side as in the continuous coating device 46 of FIG. It is possible. In that case, gun holders 47 that also serve as liquid supply passages are projected from the side surface portion 43a of the skirt 43 at predetermined intervals (for example, four are evenly arranged in one stage), and the spray gun 3 is arranged above the flow tray 2. To do. A liquid supply pipe 48 for supplying the coating liquid to each gun holder 47 is provided in the skirt 43.
図9の連続コーティング装置46もまた、上下のフロートレイ2が径方向にオーバーラップしている。しかし、コーティング装置41のように、上下のフロートレイ2がオーバーラップしない構成にて、スプレーガン3をスカート43側に取り付けることも勿論可能である。図5,8のコーティング装置41,45において、ガンホルダ44から装置内部に向けて図9のようなガンホルダを突設し、そこにスプレーガン3を配置することも可能である。
In the continuous coating device 46 of FIG. 9, the upper and lower flow trays 2 also overlap in the radial direction. However, it is of course possible to attach the spray gun 3 to the skirt 43 side in a configuration such as the coating device 41 in which the upper and lower flow trays 2 do not overlap. In the coating devices 41 and 45 of FIGS. 5 and 8, it is also possible to project the gun holder as shown in FIG. 9 from the gun holder 44 toward the inside of the device and arrange the spray gun 3 there.
(実施の形態4)
図10は、本発明の実施の形態4である連続コーティング装置51(以下、コーティング装置51と略記する)におけるフロートレイの構成を示す説明図である。図10に示すように、実施の形態4のコーティング装置51は、これまでの実施の形態とは異なり、フロートレイ(粉粒体搬送路)52が各段で非連続に設けられている。前述のコーティング装置1,31,41では、フロートレイ2が下端から上端(始点から終点)まで一体に形成されていたのに対し、コーティング装置51では、各段ごとにフロートレイ52を区切り、各段間に段差部53が設けられている。その他の構成は先の実施の形態と同様であり、実施の形態4の構成は、各コーティング装置1,31,41の何れにも適用可能である。 (Embodiment 4)
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a flow tray in the continuous coating device 51 (hereinafter, abbreviated as the coating device 51) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, in thecoating device 51 of the fourth embodiment, unlike the conventional embodiments, the flow tray (powder and granular material transport path) 52 is provided discontinuously at each stage. In the above-mentioned coating devices 1, 31 and 41, the flow tray 2 is integrally formed from the lower end to the upper end (start point to end point), whereas in the coating device 51, the flow tray 52 is divided for each stage and each is formed. A step portion 53 is provided between the steps. Other configurations are the same as those of the previous embodiment, and the configuration of the fourth embodiment can be applied to any of the coating devices 1, 31, and 41.
図10は、本発明の実施の形態4である連続コーティング装置51(以下、コーティング装置51と略記する)におけるフロートレイの構成を示す説明図である。図10に示すように、実施の形態4のコーティング装置51は、これまでの実施の形態とは異なり、フロートレイ(粉粒体搬送路)52が各段で非連続に設けられている。前述のコーティング装置1,31,41では、フロートレイ2が下端から上端(始点から終点)まで一体に形成されていたのに対し、コーティング装置51では、各段ごとにフロートレイ52を区切り、各段間に段差部53が設けられている。その他の構成は先の実施の形態と同様であり、実施の形態4の構成は、各コーティング装置1,31,41の何れにも適用可能である。 (Embodiment 4)
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a flow tray in the continuous coating device 51 (hereinafter, abbreviated as the coating device 51) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, in the
図10に示すように、フロートレイ52上を移動する錠剤4は、各段端部に設けた段差部53で一旦上から下に流れ落ち、次段に移動した後、さらに上昇する。すなわち、錠剤4は、次段への移動の際に、段差部53にて下方に落ちながら転動する。これにより、コーティング装置51では、錠剤4の反転・撹拌が促進され、コーティング処理効率が向上し、処理時間の短縮が図られる。
As shown in FIG. 10, the tablet 4 moving on the flow tray 52 once flows down from the top to the bottom at the step portion 53 provided at the end of each step, moves to the next step, and then rises further. That is, when the tablet 4 is moved to the next stage, the tablet 4 rolls while falling downward at the step portion 53. As a result, in the coating device 51, the inversion and stirring of the tablet 4 are promoted, the coating treatment efficiency is improved, and the treatment time is shortened.
(実施の形態5)
図11,12は、本発明の実施の形態5である連続コーティング装置81(以下、コーティング装置81と略記する)の構成を示す説明図である。図11,12に示すように、コーティング装置81は、錠剤4の搬送路を多段の螺旋状ではなく、直線的な溝状部材(トラフ)とし、それらを複数個並列に配置した構成となっている。コーティング装置81では、ステンレス製のトラフ82,83が2個並設されている。錠剤4の流路となるトラフ(粉粒体搬送路)82,83は、上面が開放された半筒状の部材であり、断面は倒立台形状に形成されている。トラフ82,83は、箱形のハウジング84にて下側から保持されている。各トラフ82,83には加振装置5がそれぞれ取り付けられている。 (Embodiment 5)
11 and 12 are explanatory views showing a configuration of a continuous coating device 81 (hereinafter, abbreviated as a coating device 81) according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, thecoating device 81 has a configuration in which the transport path of the tablet 4 is not a multi-stage spiral but a linear groove-shaped member (trough), and a plurality of them are arranged in parallel. There is. In the coating device 81, two stainless steel troughs 82 and 83 are arranged side by side. The troughs (powder and granular material transport paths) 82 and 83, which serve as the flow paths of the tablets 4, are semi-cylindrical members whose upper surfaces are open, and their cross sections are formed in an inverted trapezoidal shape. The troughs 82 and 83 are held from below by the box-shaped housing 84. A vibration exciter 5 is attached to each of the troughs 82 and 83.
図11,12は、本発明の実施の形態5である連続コーティング装置81(以下、コーティング装置81と略記する)の構成を示す説明図である。図11,12に示すように、コーティング装置81は、錠剤4の搬送路を多段の螺旋状ではなく、直線的な溝状部材(トラフ)とし、それらを複数個並列に配置した構成となっている。コーティング装置81では、ステンレス製のトラフ82,83が2個並設されている。錠剤4の流路となるトラフ(粉粒体搬送路)82,83は、上面が開放された半筒状の部材であり、断面は倒立台形状に形成されている。トラフ82,83は、箱形のハウジング84にて下側から保持されている。各トラフ82,83には加振装置5がそれぞれ取り付けられている。 (Embodiment 5)
11 and 12 are explanatory views showing a configuration of a continuous coating device 81 (hereinafter, abbreviated as a coating device 81) according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the
トラフ82,83は長手方向に沿って約2°傾斜しており、両者は互いに逆方向に傾斜している。すなわち、トラフ82は、一端側82aを上に、他端側82bを下にして傾斜する。一方、トラフ83は、一端側83aを下に、他端側83bを上にして傾斜している。トラフ82の一端側82aは、トラフ83の一端側83aより上方に配置される。トラフ83の他端側83bは、トラフ82の他端側82bより上方に配置される。トラフ82,83の両端部には、両トラフ82,83を接続するブリッジ85a,85bが設けられている。ブリッジ85a,85bにより、両トラフ82,83内の空間が連通する。また、トラフ82の他端部側には、錠剤排出口86が設けられている。錠剤排出口86は、コーティング処理中は閉鎖されており、処理終了後に開放され、そこからコーティングされた錠剤4が装置外へと排出される。
Troughs 82 and 83 are tilted about 2 ° along the longitudinal direction, and both are tilted in opposite directions. That is, the trough 82 is inclined with one end side 82a facing up and the other end side 82b facing down. On the other hand, the trough 83 is inclined with one end side 83a down and the other end side 83b up. The one end side 82a of the trough 82 is arranged above the one end side 83a of the trough 83. The other end side 83b of the trough 83 is arranged above the other end side 82b of the trough 82. Bridges 85a and 85b connecting both troughs 82 and 83 are provided at both ends of the troughs 82 and 83. The spaces in both troughs 82 and 83 are communicated by the bridges 85a and 85b. Further, a tablet discharge port 86 is provided on the other end side of the trough 82. The tablet discharge port 86 is closed during the coating treatment and is opened after the treatment is completed, from which the coated tablet 4 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus.
トラフ82,83の上方には、フレキシブルジョイント88を介して固定フード89が取り付けられている。固定フード89の中央には給気口90が設けられている。給気口90は給気装置6と接続されている。固定フード89内には、給気装置6から給気口90を介して処理気体が供給される。固定フード89内に供給された処理気体は、トラフ82,83に流入する。トラフ82,83の底面部87には、全長に亘って多数の通気孔11が設けられている。通気孔11を通った処理気体は、トラフ82,83の下方のハウジング84に流入する。ハウジング84には排気口91が設けられている。ハウジング84内に流入した処理気体は、排気口91から装置外部へ排出される。
A fixed hood 89 is attached above the troughs 82 and 83 via a flexible joint 88. An air supply port 90 is provided in the center of the fixed hood 89. The air supply port 90 is connected to the air supply device 6. The processing gas is supplied from the air supply device 6 into the fixed hood 89 via the air supply port 90. The processing gas supplied into the fixed hood 89 flows into the troughs 82 and 83. The bottom surface 87 of the troughs 82 and 83 is provided with a large number of ventilation holes 11 over the entire length. The processing gas that has passed through the ventilation holes 11 flows into the housing 84 below the troughs 82, 83. The housing 84 is provided with an exhaust port 91. The processing gas that has flowed into the housing 84 is discharged to the outside of the device from the exhaust port 91.
両トラフ82,83の上方には、スプレーガン3(3a,3b)と遠赤外線ヒータ(乾燥装置)92(92a,92b)が設けられている。トラフ82,83内の錠剤4に対しては、スプレーガン3a,3bによってコーティング液が噴霧される。コーティング装置81では、スプレーガン3から噴霧される液滴の飛び散り防止のため、処理気体は、スプレー方向と同じ上から下へと供給される。ただし、処理気体を下から上へと供給することも可能である。コーティング液が噴霧された錠剤4は、給気装置6から供給される処理気体と、遠赤外線ヒータ92による熱によって乾燥される。トラフ82,83の上方にはさらに、錠剤4の乾燥状態を検出するための乾燥状態確認センサ22(22a,22b)が設けられている。ここでは、乾燥状態確認センサ22として、電磁波を用いたセンサが使用されている。
A spray gun 3 (3a, 3b) and a far-infrared heater (drying device) 92 (92a, 92b) are provided above both troughs 82 and 83. The coating liquid is sprayed on the tablets 4 in the troughs 82 and 83 by the spray guns 3a and 3b. In the coating device 81, the processing gas is supplied from the top to the bottom in the same direction as the spray in order to prevent the droplets sprayed from the spray gun 3 from scattering. However, it is also possible to supply the processing gas from bottom to top. The tablet 4 sprayed with the coating liquid is dried by the processing gas supplied from the air supply device 6 and the heat generated by the far-infrared heater 92. Above the troughs 82 and 83, dry state confirmation sensors 22 (22a, 22b) for detecting the dry state of the tablet 4 are further provided. Here, a sensor using electromagnetic waves is used as the dry state confirmation sensor 22.
コーティング装置81では、トラフ82の他端側82bに錠剤4が供給される。トラフ82は加振装置5によって振動しており、他端側82bに供給された錠剤4は、振動に伴い、トラフ82内を一端側82aに向かって転動しつつ移動する。トラフ82,83内には、錠剤4の進路を妨げるようにバッフル93が設けられており、トラフ82内の錠剤4は、バッフル93によって撹拌されながら一端側82aに移動する。トラフ82内を転動する錠剤4の表裏には、スプレーガン3aによってコーティング液が噴霧される。コーティング液が噴霧された錠剤4は、処理気体と遠赤外線ヒータ92aによって乾燥される。コーティング装置81では、錠剤4は、上方に位置する一端側82aに向かって、傾斜を上るように移動する。これにより、未コーティング状態の錠剤4が先走りして移動することがなく、後ろから押されるように錠剤4が移動し、効果的なコーティング処理が可能となる。
In the coating device 81, the tablet 4 is supplied to the other end side 82b of the trough 82. The trough 82 is vibrated by the vibrating device 5, and the tablet 4 supplied to the other end side 82b moves in the trough 82 while rolling toward the one end side 82a due to the vibration. A baffle 93 is provided in the troughs 82 and 83 so as to obstruct the path of the tablet 4, and the tablet 4 in the trough 82 moves to one end side 82a while being agitated by the baffle 93. The coating liquid is sprayed on the front and back surfaces of the tablet 4 that rolls in the trough 82 by the spray gun 3a. The tablet 4 sprayed with the coating liquid is dried by the processing gas and the far-infrared heater 92a. In the coating device 81, the tablet 4 moves up an inclination toward one end side 82a located above. As a result, the uncoated tablet 4 does not move ahead of the others, but the tablet 4 moves so as to be pushed from behind, enabling effective coating treatment.
一端側82aに至った錠剤4は、ブリッジ85aを通って、トラフ83の一端側83aに移動する。トラフ82の一端側82aはトラフ83の一端側83aより上方に位置するため、錠剤4は、ブリッジ85aを流下してトラフ83側に移動する。トラフ83もまた加振装置5によって振動しており、一端側83aに供給された錠剤4は、振動に伴い、トラフ83内を他端側83bに向かって転動しつつ移動する。その際も、錠剤4には、スプレーガン3bによってコーティング液が噴霧され、処理気体と遠赤外線ヒータ92bによって乾燥される。なお、乾燥処理は、処理気体と遠赤外線の何れか一方のみでも良い。他端側83bに至った錠剤4は、ブリッジ85bを通って、トラフ82の他端側83bに流下して移動する。
The tablet 4 that has reached the one end side 82a moves to the one end side 83a of the trough 83 through the bridge 85a. Since the one end side 82a of the trough 82 is located above the one end side 83a of the trough 83, the tablet 4 flows down the bridge 85a and moves to the trough 83 side. The trough 83 is also vibrated by the vibrating device 5, and the tablet 4 supplied to the one end side 83a moves in the trough 83 while rolling toward the other end side 83b with the vibration. At that time, the coating liquid is sprayed onto the tablet 4 by the spray gun 3b, and dried by the processing gas and the far-infrared heater 92b. The drying treatment may be performed on either the treated gas or the far infrared rays. The tablet 4 that has reached the other end side 83b flows down to the other end side 83b of the trough 82 through the bridge 85b and moves.
トラフ82,83内の錠剤4は、乾燥状態確認センサ22によって乾燥状態が検知される。錠剤4の乾燥状態を確認しつつ、コーティング液の噴霧と乾燥を繰り返す。そして、錠剤4に対し所定量のコーティング液を噴霧し、錠剤4が十分に乾燥したところで処理を終了する。コーティング処理が完了した錠剤4は、錠剤排出口86から装置外へと排出される。このように、コーティング装置81では、直線状の傾斜トラフ82,83を複数個並列に配置することにより、コンパクトな構成で錠剤の連続コーティング処理が可能となる。
The dry state of the tablets 4 in the troughs 82 and 83 is detected by the dry state confirmation sensor 22. While checking the dry state of the tablet 4, spraying and drying the coating liquid are repeated. Then, a predetermined amount of the coating liquid is sprayed on the tablet 4, and the treatment is terminated when the tablet 4 is sufficiently dried. The tablet 4 for which the coating treatment has been completed is discharged from the tablet discharge port 86 to the outside of the device. As described above, in the coating device 81, by arranging a plurality of linear inclined troughs 82, 83 in parallel, continuous coating treatment of tablets can be performed in a compact configuration.
なお、当該実施の形態5では、トラフを2個並置した構成としたが、これを3個以上並置しても良い。その際、錠剤を前段のトラフに戻さず、後段のトラフに錠剤を順次送る構成としても良い。また、コーティング処理に際し、コーティング液噴霧の前に錠剤の予熱処理を行っても良い。予熱を行う場合は、スプレーガン3a,3bを作動させることなく、錠剤4を処理気体や遠赤外線にて加温し、所定温度まで錠剤4が暖まったところでコーティング液の噴霧を行う。
In the fifth embodiment, two troughs are juxtaposed, but three or more troughs may be juxtaposed. At that time, the tablets may be sequentially sent to the trough in the subsequent stage without returning the tablets to the trough in the previous stage. Further, in the coating treatment, the tablets may be preheated before spraying the coating liquid. When preheating is performed, the tablets 4 are heated with a treatment gas or far infrared rays without operating the spray guns 3a and 3b, and the coating liquid is sprayed when the tablets 4 are warmed to a predetermined temperature.
(実施の形態6)
次に、実施の形態6として、実施の形態5のトラフと同様の直線状のステンレス製トラフを角環状に配した連続コーティング装置101(以下、コーティング装置101と略記する)について説明する。図13~15は、本発明の実施の形態6であるコーティング装置101の構成を示す説明図である。図13,14に示すように、コーティング装置101は、トラフ102,103を六角形状に内外2列に配置した構成となっており、流路長を確保しつつ装置のコンパクト化を図っている。 (Embodiment 6)
Next, as the sixth embodiment, a continuous coating device 101 (hereinafter, abbreviated as the coating device 101) in which linear stainless steel troughs similar to the trough of the fifth embodiment are arranged in a square ring shape will be described. 13 to 15 are explanatory views showing the configuration of thecoating device 101 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the coating apparatus 101 has a structure in which troughs 102 and 103 are arranged in two rows inside and outside in a hexagonal shape, and the apparatus is made compact while ensuring the flow path length.
次に、実施の形態6として、実施の形態5のトラフと同様の直線状のステンレス製トラフを角環状に配した連続コーティング装置101(以下、コーティング装置101と略記する)について説明する。図13~15は、本発明の実施の形態6であるコーティング装置101の構成を示す説明図である。図13,14に示すように、コーティング装置101は、トラフ102,103を六角形状に内外2列に配置した構成となっており、流路長を確保しつつ装置のコンパクト化を図っている。 (Embodiment 6)
Next, as the sixth embodiment, a continuous coating device 101 (hereinafter, abbreviated as the coating device 101) in which linear stainless steel troughs similar to the trough of the fifth embodiment are arranged in a square ring shape will be described. 13 to 15 are explanatory views showing the configuration of the
錠剤4の流路となるトラフ(粉粒体搬送路)102,103は、断面が倒立台形状の半筒状に形成されている。コーティング装置101では、6個のトラフ102a~102fが内側、6個のトラフ103a~103fが外側に配されている。トラフ102,103には、振動モータを用いた加振装置5によって振動が付与される。コーティング装置101では、内側のトラフ102aに供給された錠剤4は、振動により図13において左回りに移動し、トラフ102fにて外側のトラフ103aに移動する。トラフ103aに移動した錠剤4は、同様に左回りに移動し、トラフ103fに至り錠剤排出口104から装置外へと排出される。トラフ102,103内を移動する錠剤4には、コーティング液の噴霧と乾燥処理が実施される。
The troughs (powder and granular material transport paths) 102 and 103 that serve as the flow path of the tablet 4 are formed in a semi-cylindrical shape having an inverted trapezoidal cross section. In the coating device 101, the six troughs 102a to 102f are arranged on the inside, and the six troughs 103a to 103f are arranged on the outside. Vibration is applied to the troughs 102 and 103 by a vibration device 5 using a vibration motor. In the coating device 101, the tablet 4 supplied to the inner trough 102a moves counterclockwise in FIG. 13 due to vibration, and moves to the outer trough 103a at the trough 102f. The tablet 4 that has moved to the trough 103a also moves counterclockwise, reaches the trough 103f, and is discharged from the tablet discharge port 104 to the outside of the device. The tablets 4 moving in the troughs 102 and 103 are sprayed with a coating solution and dried.
コーティング装置101は、トラフ102,103が設けられた錠剤搬送部105と、錠剤搬送部105を支持しつつ振動を付与する搬送駆動部106を備えている。錠剤搬送部105では、トラフ102a~102fとトラフ103a~103gが鋼製のハウジング107内に収容、設置されている。図16(a)に示すように、内側のトラフ102a~102fは、外側のトラフ103a~103gよりも高い位置に設けられている。トラフ102,103には、加振装置5により回転振動が付与されるため、トラフ102,103内の錠剤4には遠心力が作用する。このため、コーティング装置101では、内側のトラフ102から外側のトラフ103に錠剤を移動させるべく、トラフ102がトラフ103よりも高い位置に設置されている。
The coating device 101 includes a tablet transport unit 105 provided with troughs 102 and 103, and a transport drive unit 106 that applies vibration while supporting the tablet transport unit 105. In the tablet transport unit 105, troughs 102a to 102f and troughs 103a to 103g are housed and installed in a steel housing 107. As shown in FIG. 16A, the inner troughs 102a to 102f are provided at positions higher than the outer troughs 103a to 103g. Since the troughs 102 and 103 are subjected to rotational vibration by the vibrating device 5, centrifugal force acts on the tablets 4 in the troughs 102 and 103. Therefore, in the coating device 101, the trough 102 is installed at a position higher than the trough 103 in order to move the tablet from the inner trough 102 to the outer trough 103.
トラフ102a,103a等の各トラフは、図16(b)に示すように、下流側が上になるように、錠剤4の進行方向に向かって約2°上方に傾斜している。内側のトラフ102fと外側のトラフ103aとの間は、図14に示すように乗継部108となっており、ブリッジ109によって接続されている。乗継部108では、内側のトラフ102fから、ブリッジ109を介して、内側のトラフ103aに錠剤4が移動する。すなわち、上方側のトラフ102fに至った錠剤4は、ブリッジ109内を流下し、下方側のトラフ103aに移動する。
As shown in FIG. 16B, each trough such as troughs 102a and 103a is inclined upward by about 2 ° toward the traveling direction of the tablet 4 so that the downstream side is upward. As shown in FIG. 14, a transit portion 108 is formed between the inner trough 102f and the outer trough 103a, and is connected by a bridge 109. At the transit portion 108, the tablet 4 moves from the inner trough 102f to the inner trough 103a via the bridge 109. That is, the tablet 4 that has reached the trough 102f on the upper side flows down in the bridge 109 and moves to the trough 103a on the lower side.
図17は、乗継部108の構成を示す説明図である。乗継部108において、トラフ102fの下流側端部は端壁111にて閉鎖されている。トラフ102fの外周側の側壁112は端部が切り欠かれており、錠剤流出口113が形成されている。錠剤流出口113からは、トラフ103aに向かってブリッジ109が延びている。ブリッジ109は断面U字形となっており、一方の側壁109aは、トラフ102fの端壁111と一体に形成されている。他方の側壁109bは、錠剤流出口113にて側壁112と接続されている。ブリッジ109の底面114は、トラフ102fの底面115と面一に形成されている。
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the transit portion 108. At the transit portion 108, the downstream end of the trough 102f is closed by an end wall 111. The side wall 112 on the outer peripheral side of the trough 102f is notched at an end, and a tablet outlet 113 is formed. A bridge 109 extends from the tablet outlet 113 toward the trough 103a. The bridge 109 has a U-shaped cross section, and one side wall 109a is integrally formed with the end wall 111 of the trough 102f. The other side wall 109b is connected to the side wall 112 at the tablet outlet 113. The bottom surface 114 of the bridge 109 is formed flush with the bottom surface 115 of the trough 102f.
乗継部108のトラフ103a側には、トラフ102fからブリッジ109が挿入される。トラフ103aの上流側端部は端壁116にて閉鎖されている。トラフ103aの内周側の側壁117も端部が切り欠かれており、錠剤流入口118が形成されている。錠剤流入口118には、トラフ102fからブリッジ109が挿入される。錠剤流入口118の内周側には、ブリッジ109の下方にブリッジ受け119が延設されている。
A bridge 109 is inserted from the trough 102f on the trough 103a side of the transit portion 108. The upstream end of the trough 103a is closed by an end wall 116. The end of the side wall 117 on the inner peripheral side of the trough 103a is also cut out, and the tablet inflow port 118 is formed. A bridge 109 is inserted into the tablet inlet 118 from the trough 102f. On the inner peripheral side of the tablet inlet 118, a bridge receiver 119 extends below the bridge 109.
ハウジング107の上方には、円形のハウジングカバー121と固定枠122が取り付けられている。ハウジングカバー121は固定枠122に着脱可能となっている。ハウジングカバー121は、コーティング処理の状況が把握できるように、ポリカーボネートにより透明に形成されている。固定枠122は鋼製となっており、固定枠122とハウジング107との間は、シリコン製のフレキシブルジョイント123によって気密状態で接続されている。固定枠122は、支持アーム124を介して4本の架台柱125に固定されている。
A circular housing cover 121 and a fixed frame 122 are attached above the housing 107. The housing cover 121 is removable from the fixed frame 122. The housing cover 121 is transparently formed of polycarbonate so that the state of the coating treatment can be grasped. The fixed frame 122 is made of steel, and the fixed frame 122 and the housing 107 are airtightly connected by a flexible joint 123 made of silicon. The fixed frame 122 is fixed to the four pedestal columns 125 via the support arm 124.
固定枠122の中央には給排気口(給気口)126が設けられており、ハウジングカバー121を貫通し装置上方にて開口している。給排気口126には、上方給気の場合、給気装置6により処理気体が供給される。また、下方給気の場合は、給排気口126には図示しない排気管が接続される。ハウジング107の底面127には、外側の各トラフ103a~103fごとに給排気口(排気口)128が設けられている。給排気口128には、給排気口128を開閉するためのバルブ129が取り付けられている。
An air supply / exhaust port (air supply port) 126 is provided in the center of the fixed frame 122, penetrates the housing cover 121, and opens above the device. In the case of upper air supply, the air supply device 6 supplies the processing gas to the air supply / exhaust port 126. Further, in the case of downward air supply, an exhaust pipe (not shown) is connected to the air supply / exhaust port 126. On the bottom surface 127 of the housing 107, supply / exhaust ports (exhaust ports) 128 are provided for each of the outer troughs 103a to 103f. A valve 129 for opening and closing the air supply / exhaust port 128 is attached to the air supply / exhaust port 128.
コーティング装置101では、上方給気の場合、給気装置6から給排気口126を介してハウジング107内に処理気体が供給される。ハウジング107では、各トラフ102,103に処理気体が供給される。コーティング装置101においては、内周側のトラフ102の底面には通気孔は設けられていない。トラフ102では、処理気体はトラフ102やその中を流れる錠剤4に当たり、錠剤4の加温(予熱)に用いられる。一方、トラフ103の底面部には通気孔11が設けられている。トラフ103に入った処理気体は、錠剤4を乾燥させつつ通気孔11から下方に抜ける。処理気体は、トラフ103が取り付けられたステンレス製のトラフ支持筐体131内を流れ、給排気口128から装置外へと排出される。
In the coating device 101, in the case of upper air supply, the processing gas is supplied from the air supply device 6 into the housing 107 via the air supply / exhaust port 126. In the housing 107, the processing gas is supplied to the troughs 102 and 103. In the coating device 101, no ventilation hole is provided on the bottom surface of the trough 102 on the inner peripheral side. In the trough 102, the processing gas hits the trough 102 and the tablet 4 flowing in the trough 102, and is used for heating (preheating) the tablet 4. On the other hand, a ventilation hole 11 is provided on the bottom surface of the trough 103. The processing gas that has entered the trough 103 escapes downward from the vent 11 while drying the tablet 4. The processing gas flows through the stainless steel trough support housing 131 to which the trough 103 is attached, and is discharged from the air supply / exhaust port 128 to the outside of the device.
固定枠122には、スプレーガン3(3a~3f)と遠赤外線ヒータ(乾燥装置)92(92a~92e,92f~92k)が設けられている。スプレーガン3a~3fは、各トラフ103a~103fの上方に、装置仕様に応じて1~3個程度(本装置では1個)配置されている。遠赤外線ヒータ92a~92e,92f~92kは、トラフ102a~102f,103a~103fの上方にそれぞれ1個ずつ配置されている。トラフ103内の錠剤4に対しては、スプレーガン3によってコーティング液が噴霧される。コーティング液が噴霧された錠剤4は、給排気口126から供給され通気孔11に抜ける処理気体と、遠赤外線ヒータ92による熱によって乾燥される。コーティング装置101においても、各トラフ103a~103fの上方には乾燥状態確認センサ22a~22fが設けられている。
The fixed frame 122 is provided with a spray gun 3 (3a to 3f) and a far-infrared heater (drying device) 92 (92a to 92e, 92f to 92k). About 1 to 3 spray guns 3a to 3f (1 in this device) are arranged above the troughs 103a to 103f according to the device specifications. One far-infrared heater 92a to 92e and 92f to 92k are arranged above the troughs 102a to 102f and 103a to 103f. The coating liquid is sprayed on the tablet 4 in the trough 103 by the spray gun 3. The tablet 4 sprayed with the coating liquid is dried by the processing gas supplied from the air supply / exhaust port 126 and exiting through the ventilation holes 11 and the heat generated by the far-infrared heater 92. Also in the coating device 101, dry state confirmation sensors 22a to 22f are provided above the troughs 103a to 103f.
ハウジング107は、底部に取り付けられた振動軸132によって支持されている。振動軸132は、搬送駆動部106の振動テーブル133に取り付けられている。振動テーブル133には、加振装置5が設けられている。加振装置(振動モータ)5は一対(2個)設けられており、ハウジング107に対し回転振動を付与する。振動テーブル133は、防振スプリング134を介して支持柱135に取り付けられている。加振装置5が作動すると、振動テーブル133と振動軸132を介して、ハウジング107が振動する。これにより、ハウジング107に取り付けられたトラフ102,103が振動し、トラフ内の錠剤4が下流方向に搬送される。
The housing 107 is supported by a vibration shaft 132 attached to the bottom. The vibration shaft 132 is attached to the vibration table 133 of the transport drive unit 106. The vibration table 133 is provided with a vibration device 5. A pair (two) of vibration devices (vibration motors) 5 are provided to apply rotational vibration to the housing 107. The vibration table 133 is attached to the support column 135 via the vibration isolation spring 134. When the vibrating device 5 operates, the housing 107 vibrates via the vibrating table 133 and the vibrating shaft 132. As a result, the troughs 102 and 103 attached to the housing 107 vibrate, and the tablet 4 in the trough is conveyed in the downstream direction.
コーティング装置101では、フィーダ136により、内側のトラフ102aに錠剤4を供給する。トラフ102aに供給された錠剤4は、振動に伴い、トラフ102aから左回りにトラフ102fまで転動しつつ移動する。各トラフ102a~102fでは、上流側から勾配を上り下流側に錠剤4が移動する。例えば、トラフ102aに供給された錠剤4は、トラフ102aの傾斜を上りトラフ102b側に移動する。トラフ102aの端部に至った錠剤4は、トラフ102aからトラフ102bに流れ落ちる。トラフ102bに入った錠剤4は、同様に傾斜を上って移動し、錠剤4はこれを繰り返しトラフ102fまで移動する。その際、トラフ102では、処理気体と遠赤外線ヒータ92a~92eによって錠剤4の予熱が行われる。
In the coating device 101, the tablet 4 is supplied to the inner trough 102a by the feeder 136. The tablet 4 supplied to the trough 102a moves while rolling counterclockwise from the trough 102a to the trough 102f due to vibration. In each trough 102a to 102f, the tablet 4 moves up the gradient from the upstream side to the downstream side. For example, the tablet 4 supplied to the trough 102a moves up the slope of the trough 102a toward the trough 102b. The tablet 4 that reaches the end of the trough 102a flows down from the trough 102a to the trough 102b. The tablet 4 that has entered the trough 102b moves up the slope in the same manner, and the tablet 4 repeatedly moves to the trough 102f. At that time, in the trough 102, the tablet 4 is preheated by the processing gas and the far-infrared heaters 92a to 92e.
処理気体は、コーティング処理の際、ハウジング107内に常時供給される。一方、処理の初期や終期など、錠剤4が存在しないトラフが存在するときは、トラフ103のバルブ129は必要に応じて適宜閉鎖する。例えば、錠剤4が流れ込んできたトラフ103から順にバルブ129を開けたり、コーティングが終了し、錠剤4がなくなったトラフ103のバルブ129を閉めたりする。これにより、ハウジング107内に供給した処理気体が、錠剤4の乾燥に供されず、給排気口128から短絡して吹き抜けてしまうのを防止する。
The processing gas is always supplied into the housing 107 during the coating process. On the other hand, when there is a trough in which the tablet 4 does not exist, such as at the beginning or end of the treatment, the valve 129 of the trough 103 is appropriately closed as necessary. For example, the valve 129 is opened in order from the trough 103 into which the tablet 4 has flowed in, or the valve 129 of the trough 103 in which the tablet 4 has disappeared after the coating is completed is closed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the processing gas supplied into the housing 107 from being short-circuited from the air supply / exhaust port 128 and blown through without being subjected to drying of the tablet 4.
トラフ102fに至った錠剤4は、乗継部108のブリッジ109を流下し、外側トラフ103aに移動する。トラフ103aに移動した錠剤4は、前述同様、振動に伴い、左回りにトラフ103gまで移動する。トラフ103では、スプレーガン3a~3fにより、錠剤4に対しコーティング液が噴霧される。また、トラフ103では、錠剤4が処理気体と遠赤外線ヒータ92g~92kによって加温される。これにより、錠剤表面のコーティング液が乾燥され、錠剤4の表面にコーティング層が形成される。なお、乾燥処理は、処理気体と遠赤外線の何れか一方のみでも良い。トラフ103内の錠剤4は、乾燥状態確認センサ22によって乾燥状態が検査される。各スプレーガン3a~3fのスプレー量は、センサ22a~22fにて検出された錠剤4の乾燥状態に基づいて調整される。コーティング処理が完了した錠剤4は、錠剤排出口104から装置外へと排出される。
The tablet 4 that has reached the trough 102f flows down the bridge 109 of the transit portion 108 and moves to the outer trough 103a. The tablet 4 that has moved to the trough 103a moves counterclockwise to the trough 103 g with vibration as described above. In the trough 103, the coating liquid is sprayed on the tablet 4 by the spray guns 3a to 3f. Further, in the trough 103, the tablet 4 is heated by the processing gas and the far-infrared heater 92 g to 92 k. As a result, the coating liquid on the tablet surface is dried, and a coating layer is formed on the surface of the tablet 4. The drying treatment may be performed on either the treated gas or the far infrared rays. The dry state of the tablet 4 in the trough 103 is inspected by the dry state confirmation sensor 22. The spray amount of each of the spray guns 3a to 3f is adjusted based on the dry state of the tablet 4 detected by the sensors 22a to 22f. The tablet 4 for which the coating treatment has been completed is discharged from the tablet discharge port 104 to the outside of the device.
このように、コーティング装置101では、トラフ102,103を複数個環状に配置することにより、流路長を確保しつつ、コンパクトな構成で錠剤の連続コーティング処理が可能となる。また、バッチ式のコーティング装置のように、処理量の制限がなく、また、各バッチごとの洗浄等も必要ないため、効率良いコーティング処理が可能となる。例えば、ドラム式のコーティング装置において同量のコーティング液を噴霧する場合と比較すると、コーティング装置101では、概ね1/6程度の時間でコーティング処理が可能となる(43L噴霧時:2時間→20分)。さらに、コーティング装置101は、トラフごとに加振装置を取り付ける必要がなく、全体を1つの加振装置5で振動させることができる。したがって、装置構成が簡略化されると共に、装置価格の低減も図られる。
In this way, in the coating device 101, by arranging a plurality of troughs 102 and 103 in an annular shape, it is possible to continuously coat tablets in a compact configuration while ensuring the flow path length. Further, unlike a batch type coating device, there is no limitation on the processing amount, and cleaning for each batch is not required, so that efficient coating processing is possible. For example, compared with the case where the same amount of coating liquid is sprayed in the drum type coating device, the coating process can be performed in about 1/6 of the time in the coating device 101 (when spraying 43 L: 2 hours → 20 minutes). ). Further, the coating device 101 does not need to be equipped with a vibration device for each trough, and the whole can be vibrated by one vibration device 5. Therefore, the device configuration can be simplified and the device price can be reduced.
なお、上述の例では、スプレーガン3をトラフ103側のみに配置したが、スプレーガン3をトラフ102側にも配置しても良い。また、スプレーガン3や遠赤外線ヒータ92の個数は各トラフに1個には限定されず、それらを1トラフに2個以上設けることも可能である。乾燥状態確認センサ22の個数も同様であり、1トラフに2個以上設けても良い。さらに、トラフの個数や列数も装置仕様に応じて適宜変更可能であり、トラフを六角形以外の多角形(三角形や四角形、八角形など)に配したり、内外に3列以上に配したりすることも可能である。加えて、各トラフを円弧状に形成し、複数個のトラフを円環状に配列しても良い。
In the above example, the spray gun 3 is arranged only on the trough 103 side, but the spray gun 3 may also be arranged on the trough 102 side. Further, the number of the spray gun 3 and the far-infrared heater 92 is not limited to one in each trough, and it is possible to provide two or more of them in one trough. The number of the dry state confirmation sensors 22 is the same, and two or more may be provided in one trough. Furthermore, the number of troughs and the number of rows can be changed as appropriate according to the equipment specifications, and the troughs can be arranged in polygons other than hexagons (triangles, quadrangles, octagons, etc.), or in three or more rows inside and outside. It is also possible to do it. In addition, each trough may be formed in an arc shape, and a plurality of troughs may be arranged in an annular shape.
本発明は前記実施形態に限定されるものではなく、その要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々変更可能であることは言うまでもない。
たとえば、予熱処理段Pにおける予熱処理や、コーティング処理段C(特に下段側)における乾燥処理を効果的に行うため、図18に示すように、温風等の処理気体を直接、予熱処理段Pやコーティング処理段Cに供給する供給路61を設けても良い。その際、処理気体は、スカート表面に設けたルーバー付きの送気口(給気口)62などからフロートレイ2に供給される。この場合、処理気体の供給路61として、スカート12,43の内面に送気ダクト63を設けても良い(図18(a))。また、スカート12,43を二重構造とし、外壁64と内壁65の間に通気部66を設けて処理気体を流通させても良い(図18(b))。さらに、センターポール14からスカート表面に向かって送気管67を設けても良く(図18(c))、種々の構成が採用可能である。 It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.
For example, in order to effectively perform the preheat treatment in the preheat treatment stage P and the drying treatment in the coating treatment stage C (particularly the lower stage side), as shown in FIG. 18, the treatment gas such as warm air is directly applied to the preheat treatment stage P. And thesupply path 61 for supplying to the coating treatment stage C may be provided. At that time, the processing gas is supplied to the flow tray 2 from an air supply port (air supply port) 62 with a louver provided on the surface of the skirt. In this case, an air supply duct 63 may be provided on the inner surfaces of the skirts 12 and 43 as the processing gas supply path 61 (FIG. 18A). Further, the skirts 12 and 43 may have a double structure, and a ventilation portion 66 may be provided between the outer wall 64 and the inner wall 65 to allow the processed gas to flow (FIG. 18 (b)). Further, the air supply tube 67 may be provided from the center pole 14 toward the skirt surface (FIG. 18 (c)), and various configurations can be adopted.
たとえば、予熱処理段Pにおける予熱処理や、コーティング処理段C(特に下段側)における乾燥処理を効果的に行うため、図18に示すように、温風等の処理気体を直接、予熱処理段Pやコーティング処理段Cに供給する供給路61を設けても良い。その際、処理気体は、スカート表面に設けたルーバー付きの送気口(給気口)62などからフロートレイ2に供給される。この場合、処理気体の供給路61として、スカート12,43の内面に送気ダクト63を設けても良い(図18(a))。また、スカート12,43を二重構造とし、外壁64と内壁65の間に通気部66を設けて処理気体を流通させても良い(図18(b))。さらに、センターポール14からスカート表面に向かって送気管67を設けても良く(図18(c))、種々の構成が採用可能である。 It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.
For example, in order to effectively perform the preheat treatment in the preheat treatment stage P and the drying treatment in the coating treatment stage C (particularly the lower stage side), as shown in FIG. 18, the treatment gas such as warm air is directly applied to the preheat treatment stage P. And the
図18の例では、実施の形態3のようなテーパ形状のスカート43に供給路61等を設けた構成を示したが、スカート12のような直円筒形状のものにも同様に供給路61等を設けることが可能である。例えば、図18(c)の構成の場合、スカート12内の中心に図5のようなセンターポール14を設け、そこからスカート表面に向かって送気管67を設けても良い。なお、前述の実施の形態1,2の各装置において、スカート12内にセンターポール14を設け、センターポール14に振動を付与しても良い。
In the example of FIG. 18, the configuration in which the supply path 61 and the like are provided on the tapered skirt 43 as in the third embodiment is shown, but the supply path 61 and the like are also provided for the straight cylindrical skirt such as the skirt 12. It is possible to provide. For example, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 18C, a center pole 14 as shown in FIG. 5 may be provided at the center of the skirt 12, and an air supply tube 67 may be provided from there toward the surface of the skirt. In each of the devices of the above-described first and second embodiments, the center pole 14 may be provided in the skirt 12 to give vibration to the center pole 14.
また、予熱処理段Pやコーティング処理段Cに対応して、ハウジング15,42に、乾燥装置として、遠赤外線ヒータなどの加熱装置を配したり、スカート12,43やフロートレイ2,52自体に加熱装置を設けたりしても良い。ハウジング15,42の熱効率向上や作業性改善のため、ハウジング15,42の外側にケースを配しても良く、その際、ハウジング15,42とケースとの間に断熱材を配しても良い。
Further, corresponding to the preheat treatment stage P and the coating treatment stage C, a heating device such as a far-infrared heater is arranged in the housings 15 and 42 as a drying device, and the skirts 12,43 and the flow trays 2,52 themselves. A heating device may be provided. In order to improve the thermal efficiency and workability of the housings 15,42, a case may be arranged on the outside of the housings 15,42, and at that time, a heat insulating material may be arranged between the housings 15,42 and the case. ..
加えて、フロートレイ2,52の加振方法は、スカート12,43の加振のみならず、フロートレイ2,52自体を直接加振したり、装置全体を加振したりする方法も採用し得る。また、スカート12,43を、上下方向に各段ごとあるいは複数段ずつ、複数個に分け、各分割したスカートに対し個々に振動を付与するように加振装置を設けて良い。かかる分割構造は、スカートの高さが高い場合や、スカート43のように上下でスカート外径やフロートレイ外径に差がある場合などに好適である。連続コーティング装置の洗浄の際も、ハウジング内に洗浄液を満たして振動を付与するなど、加振装置による振動付与はコーティング処理以外にも利用可能である。
In addition, as the vibration method of the flow trays 2,52, not only the vibration of the skirts 12,43 but also the method of directly exciting the flow trays 2,52 itself or the whole device is adopted. obtain. Further, the skirts 12, 43 may be divided into a plurality of skirts 12 and 43 in the vertical direction for each step or a plurality of steps, and a vibration exciting device may be provided so as to individually apply vibration to each divided skirt. Such a divided structure is suitable when the height of the skirt is high, or when there is a difference in the outer diameter of the skirt or the outer diameter of the flow tray between the upper and lower sides like the skirt 43. Even when cleaning the continuous coating device, the vibration application by the vibration device can be used for other than the coating process, such as filling the housing with a cleaning liquid to apply vibration.
一方、ガンホルダ21,45を、放射状ではなく、フロートレイ2,52の上方に、トレイに沿うように螺旋状に配し、そこに所定間隔にてスプレーガン3が取り付けても良い。また、フロートレイ2内の錠剤4を撹拌・転動させるためのバッフルを取り付けても良い。バッフルは、フロートレイ2,52内に直接設けたり、スカート12,43、ハウジング15,42からフロートレイ2,52内の錠剤層内に挿入したりするなど、種々の形態で設けることができる。バッフルにより、フロートレイ2,52内を移動する錠剤4の流れが適宜妨げられ、錠剤4の撹拌・転動が促進される。
On the other hand, the gun holders 21 and 45 may be arranged spirally above the flow trays 2 and 52 along the tray instead of radially, and the spray guns 3 may be attached thereto at predetermined intervals. Further, a baffle for stirring and rolling the tablet 4 in the flow tray 2 may be attached. The baffle can be provided in various forms, such as being provided directly in the flow trays 2,52 or being inserted from the skirts 12,43, housings 15,42 into the tablet layer in the flow trays 2,52. The baffle appropriately obstructs the flow of the tablet 4 moving in the flow trays 2, 52, and promotes stirring and rolling of the tablet 4.
さらに、前述の実施形態では、フロートレイ2として、断面略L字形状のものを使用した例を示したが、フロートレイ形状はこれには限定されず、例えば、断面が円弧状のトレイを使用することもできる。図19は、断面円弧形状のフロートレイ71を使用し、ガンホルダ72をフロートレイ71に沿うように螺旋状に配した構成の例を示す説明図である。図19の装置では、ハウジング73からフロートレイ71内にバッフル74が延設されている。フロートレイ71には、装置下部に設けたサプライトレイ75から錠剤4が供給される。サプライトレイ75にはサプライダクト18から錠剤4が供給される。なお、前日の実施の形態1~4においても装置底部にサプライトレイを設け、そこから錠剤を供給しても良い。
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which a flow tray 2 having a substantially L-shaped cross section is used, but the flow tray shape is not limited to this, and for example, a tray having an arc-shaped cross section is used. You can also do it. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing an example of a configuration in which a flow tray 71 having an arc-shaped cross section is used and the gun holder 72 is spirally arranged along the flow tray 71. In the device of FIG. 19, a baffle 74 extends from the housing 73 into the flow tray 71. The tablet 4 is supplied to the flow tray 71 from the supply tray 75 provided at the bottom of the apparatus. The tablet 4 is supplied to the supply tray 75 from the supply duct 18. In the first to fourth embodiments of the previous day, a supply tray may be provided at the bottom of the device, and tablets may be supplied from the supply tray.
本発明は、錠剤のコーティング以外にも、菓子やガム等の食品のコーティングにも適用可能である。また、フイルムコーティングのみならず、錠剤や菓子等の糖衣コーティングにも利用可能である。糖衣コーティングの場合、糖衣がフロートレイに付着することを防ぐために、フロートレイを水流等の冷媒により水冷したり、スカートを経由して冷風を供給してフロートレイを風冷したりする。
The present invention can be applied not only to the coating of tablets but also to the coating of foods such as confectionery and gum. It can also be used not only for film coating but also for sugar coating of tablets and confectionery. In the case of sugar coating, the flow tray is water-cooled with a refrigerant such as a water stream, or cold air is supplied via a skirt to air-cool the flow tray in order to prevent the sugar coating from adhering to the flow tray.
1 連続コーティング装置
2 フロートレイ(粉粒体搬送路)
2a 底面部 2b 一端縁
3 スプレーガン 3a~3f スプレーガン
4 錠剤(粉粒体:被処理物) 5 加振装置
6 給気装置(乾燥装置) 11 通気孔
12 スカート 12a 側面部
13 邪魔板 14 センターポール
15 ハウジング 15a 内壁
15b 外壁 16 開口部(給気口)
17 排気口 18 サプライダクト
21 ガンホルダ 22 乾燥状態確認センサ
22a~22f 乾燥状態確認センサ
23 排出路 31 連続コーティング装置
32 ガンホルダ 41 連続コーティング装置
42 ハウジング 42a 側壁
43 スカート 43a 側面部
44 ガンホルダ 45 連続コーティング装置
46 連続コーティング装置 47 ガンホルダ
48 給液パイプ 51 連続コーティング装置
52 フロートレイ(粉粒体搬送路)
53 段差部 61 供給路
62 送気口(給気口) 63 送気ダクト
64 外壁 65 内壁
66 通気部 67 送気管
71 フロートレイ 72 ガンホルダ
73 ハウジング 74 バッフル
75 サプライトレイ 81 連続コーティング装置
82 トラフ 82a 一端側
82b 他端側 83 トラフ
83a 一端側 83b 他端側
84 ハウジング 85a ブリッジ
85b ブリッジ 86 錠剤排出口
87 底面部 88 フレキシブルジョイント
89 固定フード 90 給気口
91 排気口 92 遠赤外線ヒータ
92a~92k 遠赤外線ヒータ 93 バッフル
101 連続コーティング装置 102 トラフ
102a~102f トラフ(内側)
103 トラフ
103a~103g トラフ(外側)
104 錠剤排出口
105 錠剤搬送部 106 搬送駆動部
107 ハウジング 108 乗継部
109 ブリッジ 109a 側壁
109b 側壁 111 端壁
112 側壁 113 錠剤流出口
114 底面 115 底面
116 端壁 117 側壁
118 錠剤流入口 119 ブリッジ受け
121 ハウジングカバー 122 固定枠
123 フレキシブルジョイント
124 支持アーム 125 架台柱
126 給排気口 127 底面
128 給排気口 129 バルブ
131 トラフ支持筐体 132 振動軸
133 振動テーブル 134 防振スプリング
135 支持柱 136 フィーダ
P 予熱処理段 C コーティング処理段
D 乾燥処理段 1Continuous coating device 2 Flow tray (powder and granular material transport path)
2a Bottom part 2b One end edge 3 Spray gun 3a-3f Spray gun 4 Tablets (powder / granules: object to be treated) 5 Vibration device 6 Air supply device (drying device) 11 Vent hole 12 Skirt 12a Side part 13 Baffle plate 14 Center Pole 15 Housing 15a Inner wall 15b Outer wall 16 Opening (air supply port)
17Exhaust port 18 Supply duct 21 Gun holder 22 Dry condition confirmation sensor 22a to 22f Dry condition confirmation sensor 23 Discharge path 31 Continuous coating device 32 Gun holder 41 Continuous coating device 42 Housing 42a Side wall 43 Skirt 43a Side surface 44 Gun holder 45 Continuous coating device 46 Continuous Coating device 47 Gun holder 48 Liquid supply pipe 51 Continuous coating device 52 Flow tray (powder and granular material transport path)
53 Steppedpart 61 Supply path 62 Air supply port (air supply port) 63 Air supply duct 64 Outer wall 65 Inner wall 66 Ventilation part 67 Air supply pipe 71 Flow tray 72 Gun holder 73 Housing 74 Baffle 75 Supply tray 81 Continuous coating device 82 Trough 82a One end side 82b End side 83 Trough 83a One end side 83b End side 84 Housing 85a Bridge 85b Bridge 86 Tablet outlet 87 Bottom part 88 Flexible joint 89 Fixed hood 90 Air supply port 91 Exhaust port 92 Far infrared heater 92a to 92k Far infrared heater 93 Baffle 101 Continuous coating device 102 Trough 102a-102f Trough (inside)
103trough 103a-103g trough (outside)
104Tablet outlet 105 Tablet transport unit 106 Transport drive unit 107 Housing 108 Transit unit 109 Bridge 109a Side wall 109b Side wall 111 End wall 112 Side wall 113 Tablet outlet 114 Bottom surface 115 Bottom surface 116 End wall 117 Side wall 118 Tablet inlet 119 Bridge receiver 121 Housing cover 122 Fixed frame 123 Flexible joint 124 Support arm 125 Mount pillar 126 Air supply / exhaust port 127 Bottom surface 128 Air supply / exhaust port 129 Valve 131 Traf support housing 132 Vibration shaft 133 Vibration table 134 Anti-vibration spring 135 Support column 136 Feeder P Preheat treatment stage C Coating treatment stage D Drying treatment stage
2 フロートレイ(粉粒体搬送路)
2a 底面部 2b 一端縁
3 スプレーガン 3a~3f スプレーガン
4 錠剤(粉粒体:被処理物) 5 加振装置
6 給気装置(乾燥装置) 11 通気孔
12 スカート 12a 側面部
13 邪魔板 14 センターポール
15 ハウジング 15a 内壁
15b 外壁 16 開口部(給気口)
17 排気口 18 サプライダクト
21 ガンホルダ 22 乾燥状態確認センサ
22a~22f 乾燥状態確認センサ
23 排出路 31 連続コーティング装置
32 ガンホルダ 41 連続コーティング装置
42 ハウジング 42a 側壁
43 スカート 43a 側面部
44 ガンホルダ 45 連続コーティング装置
46 連続コーティング装置 47 ガンホルダ
48 給液パイプ 51 連続コーティング装置
52 フロートレイ(粉粒体搬送路)
53 段差部 61 供給路
62 送気口(給気口) 63 送気ダクト
64 外壁 65 内壁
66 通気部 67 送気管
71 フロートレイ 72 ガンホルダ
73 ハウジング 74 バッフル
75 サプライトレイ 81 連続コーティング装置
82 トラフ 82a 一端側
82b 他端側 83 トラフ
83a 一端側 83b 他端側
84 ハウジング 85a ブリッジ
85b ブリッジ 86 錠剤排出口
87 底面部 88 フレキシブルジョイント
89 固定フード 90 給気口
91 排気口 92 遠赤外線ヒータ
92a~92k 遠赤外線ヒータ 93 バッフル
101 連続コーティング装置 102 トラフ
102a~102f トラフ(内側)
103 トラフ
103a~103g トラフ(外側)
104 錠剤排出口
105 錠剤搬送部 106 搬送駆動部
107 ハウジング 108 乗継部
109 ブリッジ 109a 側壁
109b 側壁 111 端壁
112 側壁 113 錠剤流出口
114 底面 115 底面
116 端壁 117 側壁
118 錠剤流入口 119 ブリッジ受け
121 ハウジングカバー 122 固定枠
123 フレキシブルジョイント
124 支持アーム 125 架台柱
126 給排気口 127 底面
128 給排気口 129 バルブ
131 トラフ支持筐体 132 振動軸
133 振動テーブル 134 防振スプリング
135 支持柱 136 フィーダ
P 予熱処理段 C コーティング処理段
D 乾燥処理段 1
17
53 Stepped
103
104
Claims (14)
- 粉粒体のコーティング処理を連続的に実施する連続コーティング装置であって、
前記粉粒体が収容され、その中を前記粉粒体が移動する粉粒体搬送路と、
前記粉粒体搬送路に対し振動を付与する加振装置と、
前記粉粒体搬送路の上方に配され、前記粉粒体にコーティング液を噴霧する複数個のスプレーガンと、
前記コーティング液が噴霧された前記粉粒体を加温し、前記コーティング液を乾燥させる乾燥装置と、を有し、
前記加振装置によって付与される振動に伴って前記粉粒体搬送路内を移動する前記粉粒体に対し、前記乾燥装置によって前記粉粒体を加温しつつ、前記スプレーガンにより前記コーティング液を噴霧することを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 A continuous coating device that continuously coats powders and granules.
A powder or granular material transport path in which the powder or granular material is housed and the powder or granular material moves in the powder or granular material.
A vibrating device that applies vibration to the powder or granular material transport path, and
A plurality of spray guns arranged above the powder or granular material transport path and spraying a coating liquid on the powder or granular material,
It has a drying device for heating the powder or granular material sprayed with the coating liquid and drying the coating liquid.
With respect to the powder or granular material moving in the powder or granular material transport path in accordance with the vibration applied by the vibration device, the coating liquid is heated by the spray gun while the powder or granular material is heated by the drying device. A continuous coating device characterized by spraying. - 請求項1記載の連続コーティング装置において、
前記粉粒体搬送路は、上部が開口した半筒状のトラフにて構成され、
前記トラフは、長手方向に沿って傾斜した状態で配置され、
前記トラフ内の前記粉粒体は、前記加振装置によって付与される振動により、前記トラフ内の傾斜を上るように移動することを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to claim 1,
The powder or granular material transport path is composed of a semi-cylindrical trough with an open top.
The trough is arranged so as to be inclined along the longitudinal direction.
A continuous coating device, characterized in that the powder or granular material in the trough moves up an inclination in the trough due to vibration applied by the vibration device. - 請求項2記載の連続コーティング装置において、
前記粉粒体搬送路は、直線状に形成された複数個の前記トラフにより多角形の角環状に形成されることを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to claim 2,
The continuous coating apparatus, wherein the powder or granular material transport path is formed in a polygonal angular ring shape by a plurality of the troughs formed in a straight line. - 請求項3記載の連続コーティング装置において、
角環状に形成された前記粉粒体搬送路は、径方向に沿って複数列配置され、
径方向に隣接する列の前記粉粒体搬送路の間に、一方の列から他方の列に前記粉粒体が移動する乗継部を備えることを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to claim 3,
The powder or granular material transport paths formed in an annular shape are arranged in a plurality of rows along the radial direction.
A continuous coating apparatus comprising a transit portion in which the powder or granular material moves from one row to the other between the powder or granular material transport paths in adjacent rows in the radial direction. - 請求項2記載の連続コーティング装置において、
前記粉粒体搬送路は、直線状に形成された複数個の前記トラフを並列に配置して形成されることを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to claim 2,
The powder / granular material transport path is a continuous coating apparatus characterized in that a plurality of the troughs formed in a straight line are arranged in parallel. - 請求項1~5の何れか1項に記載の連続コーティング装置において、
前記粉粒体搬送路を収容するハウジングと、
前記ハウジング内に前記粉粒体を加温する処理気体を供給する給気口と、
前記ハウジング内の前記処理気体を排出する排気口と、をさらに有することを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A housing for accommodating the powder or granular material transport path and
An air supply port that supplies a processing gas that heats the powder or granular material in the housing,
A continuous coating apparatus further comprising an exhaust port for discharging the treated gas in the housing. - 請求項1~6の何れか1項に記載の連続コーティング装置において、
前記乾燥装置として、前記粉粒体に対し遠赤外線を付与する遠赤外線ヒータを有することを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
As the drying device, a continuous coating device including a far-infrared heater that applies far-infrared rays to the powder or granular material. - 請求項1記載の連続コーティング装置において、
前記粉粒体搬送路は、螺旋状に配置されたフロートレイにて構成され、
前記フロートレイが取り付けられ、前記加振装置によって振動が付与される筒状のスカートと、
前記フロートレイを覆うように配されたハウジングと、
前記ハウジングに設けられ、該ハウジング内に前記粉粒体を加温する処理気体を供給する給気口と、該ハウジング内の前記処理気体を排出する排気口と、を有し、
前記スカートの振動に伴って前記フロートレイ内を移動する前記粉粒体に対し、前記処理気体を前記ハウジング内に供給しつつ、前記スプレーガンにより前記コーティング液を噴霧することを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to claim 1,
The powder or granular material transport path is composed of flow trays arranged in a spiral shape.
A tubular skirt to which the flow tray is attached and vibration is applied by the vibration device.
A housing arranged so as to cover the flow tray and
It has an air supply port provided in the housing and supplying a processing gas for heating the powder or granular material in the housing, and an exhaust port for discharging the processing gas in the housing.
A continuous coating characterized by spraying the coating liquid with the spray gun while supplying the processing gas into the housing with respect to the powder or granular material moving in the flow tray with the vibration of the skirt. apparatus. - 請求項8記載の連続コーティング装置において、
前記フロートレイは、円形螺旋状に複数段設けられることを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to claim 8,
The flow tray is a continuous coating device characterized in that it is provided in a plurality of stages in a circular spiral shape. - 請求項8又は9記載の連続コーティング装置において、
前記粉粒体は、前記スカートの振動に伴って前記フロートレイ内を上方に向かって移動することを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to claim 8 or 9.
A continuous coating device, wherein the powder or granular material moves upward in the flow tray in accordance with vibration of the skirt. - 請求項8~10の何れか1項に記載の連続コーティング装置において、
前記スカートはその外径が下方に向かって拡径しており、
前記フロートレイは、前記スカートの外周に取り付けられ、螺旋の外径が下段側に向かって拡径していることを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10.
The outer diameter of the skirt is increasing downward.
The flow tray is a continuous coating device attached to the outer periphery of the skirt, and the outer diameter of the spiral is increased toward the lower stage side. - 請求項8~11の何れか1項に記載の連続コーティング装置において、
前記スプレーガンは、前記スカートの側面部又は前記ハウジングの側面部に取り付けられることを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11.
The spray gun is a continuous coating device that is attached to a side surface portion of the skirt or a side surface portion of the housing. - 請求項8~12の何れか1項に記載の連続コーティング装置において、
前記フロートレイは、上部が開口した断面略L字形に形成され、
該フロートレイの底面部の一端が、前記スカートの側面部に固定されていることを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12,
The flow tray is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section with an open top.
A continuous coating device characterized in that one end of a bottom surface portion of the flow tray is fixed to a side surface portion of the skirt. - 請求項6,8~13の何れか1項に記載の連続コーティング装置において、
前記粉粒体搬送路は、前記処理気体が流通可能な通気孔を有することを特徴とする連続コーティング装置。 In the continuous coating apparatus according to any one of claims 6, 8 to 13.
The powder / granular material transport path is a continuous coating device having a vent through which the processed gas can flow.
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Citations (8)
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JPS4724150Y1 (en) * | 1971-03-11 | 1972-07-31 | ||
JPS61230731A (en) * | 1985-04-05 | 1986-10-15 | Yoshiro Funakoshi | Apparatus for treating particulate material |
JPS6333597U (en) * | 1986-08-21 | 1988-03-04 | ||
JPH0313787A (en) * | 1989-06-09 | 1991-01-22 | Tdk Corp | Method and device for drying ferrite powder |
JPH091042A (en) * | 1995-06-23 | 1997-01-07 | Nordson Kk | Granule coating method |
JPH1025016A (en) * | 1996-07-05 | 1998-01-27 | Nisso Eng Kk | Multiple stage vibration feeder and particulate object mixer using it |
JP2000037621A (en) * | 1998-07-23 | 2000-02-08 | Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd | Apparatus for supplying granular material |
JP2021005856A (en) * | 2019-06-25 | 2021-01-14 | 株式会社Jvcケンウッド | Image decoding device, image decoding method, and image decoding program |
-
2020
- 2020-07-07 WO PCT/JP2020/026566 patent/WO2021006271A1/en active Application Filing
- 2020-07-07 JP JP2021530702A patent/JP7405450B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JPS4724150Y1 (en) * | 1971-03-11 | 1972-07-31 | ||
JPS61230731A (en) * | 1985-04-05 | 1986-10-15 | Yoshiro Funakoshi | Apparatus for treating particulate material |
JPS6333597U (en) * | 1986-08-21 | 1988-03-04 | ||
JPH0313787A (en) * | 1989-06-09 | 1991-01-22 | Tdk Corp | Method and device for drying ferrite powder |
JPH091042A (en) * | 1995-06-23 | 1997-01-07 | Nordson Kk | Granule coating method |
JPH1025016A (en) * | 1996-07-05 | 1998-01-27 | Nisso Eng Kk | Multiple stage vibration feeder and particulate object mixer using it |
JP2000037621A (en) * | 1998-07-23 | 2000-02-08 | Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd | Apparatus for supplying granular material |
JP2021005856A (en) * | 2019-06-25 | 2021-01-14 | 株式会社Jvcケンウッド | Image decoding device, image decoding method, and image decoding program |
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