WO2022035864A1

WO2022035864A1 - Tablet tooling assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2022035864A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/045393
Authority: WO
Inventors: Trent L. CARPENTER; Anthony Bryant
Original assignee: Koyo Bearings North America Llc
Priority date: 2020-08-10
Filing date: 2021-08-10
Publication date: 2022-02-17

Abstract

A tablet tooling assembly having a tool body (110) defining a blind bore (112) in a first end, a tool head (130) including a body portion with a main shaft portion (134) and a stem portion (136) extending therefrom, wherein a blind bore i(138) s formed in the stem portion (136), and a detent (120) formed by a catch and a spring, the detent (120) being disposed in the blind bore (138) of the tool head (130) and the spring (124) urging the catch (122) radially-outwardly from the blind bore (138), wherein the stem portion of the tool head (130) is disposed in the blind bore (112) of the tool body (110).

Description

TITLE

TABLET TOOLING ASSEMBLY

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/063,740 filed August 10, 2020 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/155,562 filed March 2, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The presently-disclosed invention relates generally to tablet presses and, more specifically, to a tablet tooling assembly for use therewith.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Tablets for many markets and applications are formed by compressing various powders between two pieces of tooling known as punches. Tooling is fixed to and actuated with a tablet press of which there are many designs and manufacturers. Tablet tooling design is typically governed by ISO 18084 standards to allow global compatibility. As tablet demand has increased, manufacturers have developed multi-tablet tooling sets to increase production rate and quantity without adding press capital. Multi-tablet tools are often sensitive to torque which is generated at the press to tool head interface. Repeated torque events may cause multi-tablet tools to break. To minimize torque effects, some existing designs of multi-tablet tools 10 (see Figures 1 and 2) consist of a head 12 attached to the punch body 14 which allows the head 12 to rotate independently of the body 14, thus minimizing torque events to be transmitted to the body 14 and associated multi-tablet tool head 12. However, these designs often require a large number of additional components that may require high precision to manufacture so that the head may rotate more freely once assembled. For example, an existing design utilizes a plurality of spherical rollers 18 that are rotatably disposed between the tool head 12 and the punch body 14 in an annular groove 20 formed on the tool head 12. In yet another example, one or more pins 30 are received in bores 32 that are aligned with an annular groove 34 formed on the tool head 12 so that a portion of each pin 30 is also received in the annular groove 34, thereby axially retaining the tool head 12 on the punch body 14.

[0004] There at least remains a need, therefore, for improved tablet tooling assemblies, and processes for producing the same, that are suitable for use in tablet presses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention provides a tablet tooling assembly having a tool body defining a blind bore in a first end, a tool head including a body portion with a main shaft portion and a stem portion extending therefrom, wherein a blind bore is formed in the stem portion, and a detent formed by a catch and a spring, the detent being disposed in the blind bore of the tool head and the spring urging the catch radially-outwardly from the blind bore, wherein the stem portion of the tool head is disposed in the blind bore of the tool body. [0006] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a tablet tooling assembly having a tool body defining a blind bore in a first end and having a cylindrical top surface surrounding the blind bore, a tool head including a body portion with a main shaft portion, and a cylindrical collar portion disposed therebetween, wherein a blind bore is formed in the stem portion and the stem portion of the tool head is disposed in the blind bore of the tool body, and wherein a surface area of the top surface of the tool body is substantially the same as a surface area of a bottom surface of the collar. [0007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not, all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.

[0009] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of prior art tablet tooling assembly;

[0010] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a prior art tablet tooling assembly;

[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a tablet tooling assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 4 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a portion of the tablet tooling assembly shown in Figure 3;

[0013] Figure 5 is a side view of a tablet tooling assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

[0014] Figure 6 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a portion of the tablet tooling assembly shown in Figure 5.

[0015] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention according to the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not, all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.

[0017] As used herein, terms referring to a direction or a position relative to the orientation of the portable ballistic-resistant assembly, such as but not limited to "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "above," or "below," refer to directions and relative positions with respect to the tablet tooling assembly’s orientation shown in Figures 4 and 5. Thus, for instance, the terms "vertical" and "top" refer to the vertical orientation and relative upper position in the perspective of Figures 4 and 5, and should be understood in that context, even with respect to a dishware cooling system that may be disposed in a different orientation.

[0018] Further, the term "or" as used in this application and the appended claims is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase "X employs A or B" is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles "a" and "and" as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form. Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context dictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarily limit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms. The meaning of "a," "and," and "the" may include plural references, and the meaning of "in" may include "in" and "on." The phrase "in one embodiment," as used herein, does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

[0019] Referring now to the Figures, an embodiment of a table tooling assembly 100 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in Figures 3 and 4. As shown, tablet tooling assembly 100 includes a substantially cylindrical tool body 110 including a blind bore 112 extending along the longitudinal center axis 111 of tablet tooling assembly 100 from its top end 111. A tool head 130 is removably secured to tool body 110 by a detent 120. As discussed in greater detail below, detent 120 fixes tool head 130 axially with respect to tool body 110 of tablet tooling assembly 100, yet allows tool head 130 to rotate freely with respect to tool body 110 during normal operations of tablet tooling assembly 100.

[0020] As best seen in Figure 4, blind bore 112 of tool body 110 includes a first portion 112a and a second portion 112b, both the first portion 112a and the second portion 112b of blind bore 112 being concentric about longitudinal center axis 111 of tablet tooling assembly 100. As shown, a diameter of first portion 112a of blind bore 112 is greater than a diameter of second portion 112b of blind bore 112. An annular transverse ledge 116 extends radially-inwardly from an inner side wall 113 that defines first portion 112a to an inner side wall 118 that defines second portion 112b of blind bore 112. The transverse ledge 116 of blind bore 112 is separated from a planar top surface 114 of tool body 110 by a distance (DI).

[0021] Referring additionally to Figure 3, tool head 130 includes a body portion 132 including a main shaft portion 134 and a stem portion 136. As shown, stem portion 136 extends downwardly from the bottom end of main shaft portion 134, with both main shaft portion 134 and stem portion 136 being concentric about longitudinal center axis 111 of tablet tooling assembly 100. As shown, a diameter of main shaft portion 134 is greater than a diameter of stem portion 136. A transverse ledge 135 extends radially-inwardly from the outer cylindrical surface of main shaft portion 134 to the outer cylindrical surface of stem portion 136. As best seen in Figure 4, the outer diameter of stem portion 136 is slightly less than the diameter of second portion 112b of blind bore 112 so that stem portion 136 may be slidably received within second portion 112b of blind bore 112 of tool body 110.

[0022] Additionally, a blind bore 138 extends radially-inwardly into stem portion 136 of tool head 130, and is configured to receive detent 120 therein. Detent 120 preferably includes a spring 124 that is disposed between a base wall 139 of blind bore 138 of the stem portion 136 and catch 122 such that it biases a catch 122 of the detent radially-outwardly. Preferably, catch 122 is provided in the form of a cylindrical pin. As shown in Figure 4, blind bore 138 of tool head 130 is separated from transverse ledge 135 of tool head 130 by a distance (D2). This allows catch 122 of detent 120 to selectively engage transverse ledge 116 of blind bore 112, thereby axially retaining tool head 130 within tool body 110, as discussed in greater detail below. Note, an aperture 126 extends radially-inwardly into first portion 112a of blind bore 112 of tool body 110. Aperture 126 is provided to help remove tool head 130 from tool body 110, as discussed below.

[0023] To releasably secure tool head 130 to tool body portion, a user pushes inwardly on catch 122 of detent 120 until catch 122 no longer extends outwardly beyond the cylindrical outer surface of stem portion 136 of tool head 130. Next, the user slidably inserts stem portion 136 of tool head 130 axially into blind bore 112 of tool body 110. Inner side wall 118 of second portion 112b of blind bore 112 will maintain catch 122 within blind bore 138 until the top of blind bore 138 extends downwardly past transverse ledge 116 of blind bore 112. With blind bore 138 disposed below transverse ledge 116 of tool body 110, spring 124 is free to bias catch 122 radially-outwardly until it engages inner side wall 118 of second portion 112b of blind bore 112. Upward motion of tool head 130 with respect to tool body 110 is now prevented by engagement of catch 122 of detent 120 with transverse ledge 116 of tool body 110. Note, however, although axially retained with respect to tool body 110, tool head 130 is free to rotate with respect thereto. [0024] To remove tool head 130 from tool body 110, the user rotates tool head 130 with respect to tool body 110 until catch 122 of detent 120 is aligned with aperture 126 of tool body 110. The user now pushes catch 122 radially-inwardly with an appropriate tool, such as another pin, dowel, etc., while pulling upwardly on tool head 130. When catch 122 moves inwardly enough so that the distal end of catch 122 is disposed inwardly of transverse ledge 116 of tool body 110, stem 130 of tool head 130 may be slidably removed from bore 112 of tool body. [0025] Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, an alternate embodiment of a tablet tooling assembly 200 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. Similarly to the previously discussed embodiment, tablet tooling assembly 200 includes a substantially cylindrical tool body 210 including a blind bore 212. A tool head 230 is removably secured to tool body 210 by a detent 220 including a catch 222 and a spring 224. Tablet tooling assembly 200 is constructed similarly to the previously discussed embodiment, and only the relevant differences are discussed at this time.

[0026] As best seen in Figure 6, tool head 230 includes a body portion with a main shaft portion 234, a stem portion 236, and a cylindrical collar 240 disposed therebetween. As shown, stem portion 236 extends downwardly from the bottom of collar 240. Unlike the previously discussed embodiment, because collar 240 has a greater diameter than stem portion 236, a diameter of main shaft portion 234 may be equal to or less than a diameter of stem portion 236. As shown, the surface area of a bottom surface 242 of collar 240 is substantially equal to the surface area of a top surface 214 of tool body 210. The increased contact areas between bottom surface 242 of collar 240 and top surface 214 of tool body 210 has been found to reduce the amount of torque required to rotate tool head 230 with respect to tool body 210 when tablet tooling assembly 200 is under axial load. As well, the overall mass of tool head 210 may be reduced with respect to some prior art embodiments in that the main shaft of the tool head is not required to limit how far the tool head is insertable into the tool body, as the collar performs this function.

[0027] These and other modifications and variations to the invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. For example, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and it is not intended to limit the invention as further described in such appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the exemplary description of the versions contained herein.

Claims

1. A tablet tooling assembly comprising: a tool body defining a blind bore in a first end; a tool head including a body portion with a main shaft portion and a stem portion extending therefrom, wherein a blind bore is formed in the stem portion; and a detent formed by a catch and a spring, the detent being disposed in the blind bore of the tool head and the spring urging the catch radially-outwardly from the blind bore, wherein the stem portion of the tool head is disposed in the blind bore of the tool body.

2. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 1, wherein the blind bore of the tool body further comprises a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter so that a transverse ledge is formed between the first and the second portions of the blind bore of the tool body.

3. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 2, wherein the catch of the detent selectively extends outwardly beyond an inner side wall of the second portion of the blind bore of the tool body.

4. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 3, wherein the catch of the detent further comprises a cylindrical pin.

5. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 3, further comprising an aperture defined in a side wall of the body portion that defines the first portion of the blind bore of the tool body.

6. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 5, wherein the catch of the detent is alignable with the aperture defined in the side wall of the tool body.

9

7. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 1, wherein: the tool body further comprises a top surface surrounding the blind bore; the tool head further comprises a collar extending radially-outwardly from the main shaft portion, and wherein a surface area of the top surface of the tool body is substantially the same as a surface area of a bottom surface of the collar.

8. A tablet tooling assembly comprising: a tool body defining a blind bore in a first end and having a cylindrical top surface surrounding the blind bore; a tool head including a body portion with a main shaft portion, and a cylindrical collar portion disposed therebetween, wherein a blind bore is formed in the stem portion and the stem portion of the tool head is disposed in the blind bore of the tool body; and wherein a surface area of the top surface of the tool body is substantially the same as a surface area of a bottom surface of the collar.

9. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 8, wherein a diameter of the main shaft portion and a diameter of the stem portion are substantially equal.

10. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 8, further comprising a detent formed by a catch and a spring, the detent being disposed in the blind bore of the tool head and the spring urging the catch radially-outwardly from the blind bore.

11. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 10, wherein the blind bore of the tool body further comprises a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter so that a transverse ledge is formed between the first and the second portions of the blind bore of the tool body.

12. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 11, wherein the catch of the detent selectively extends outwardly beyond an inner side wall of the second portion of the blind bore of the tool body.

13. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 12, wherein the catch of the detent further comprises a cylindrical pin.

14. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 12, further comprising an aperture defined in a side wall of the body portion that defines the first portion of the blind bore of the tool body.

15. The tablet tooling assembly of claim 14, wherein the catch of the detent is alignable with the aperture defined in the side wall of the tool body.

11