[0001] The present invention refers to certain improvements in rotary machines for the manufacture
of diverse types of tablets such as tablets of chemicals, food, pharmaceutical products,
etc.
[0002] The type of machines to which this invention refers consist of an assembly or portion
that rotates on a shaft that bears multiple elements to shape the tablets. These shaping
elements are in turn made up of movable rods or punches, suitably guided in the rotary
assembly and which move above a cylindrical formation chamber which receives the amount
of material required to form the tablet, allowing the compression action to take place
between the lower rods or punches and an upper counter-punch to form the tablet. The
tablet is then ejected from the formation chamber via an output slide to continue
to other stages of the production process, mainly packaging.
[0003] The improvements object of the present invention are designed to provide greater
versatility in the operation of this type of machines and possible increases in their
productivity.
[0004] In order to achieve these objectives, the machine described in this patent is fitted
with means for pre-selecting, according to a determined distribution, the ejection
of the tablets from the various shaping chambers in such a way that they be directed
towards different production outputs. This system mainly consists of separate output
slides for the manufactured tablets which direct them to different stations for packaging
or handling. This provides an approach other than the current system of dividing the
production of tablet making machines, and is especially useful for tablets that are
not very consistent or fragile, increasing the effective production of the machine.
[0005] Therefore, the present improvements include the pre-selection of the ejection of
the tablets according to a previously established program so that the different movable
rods or punches that manufacture the tablets eject the same at a pre-determined position
on the periphery of the rotary part of the machine. This assembly is fitted with various
output slides for the finished tablets. The number of slides is not limited as it
will solely depend on the previously determined ejection program.
[0006] Any means may be employed to move the compression punches or rods to one or the other
position on the periphery of the rotary unit, hydraulic, pneumatic, electromagnetic
or mechanical, although the currently preferred system, and the one referred to in
this description, is mechanical as they are usually used in this type of machine.
In the same way, even though the number of outputs is variable, the example given
here will concentrate on two outputs as an example.
[0007] In the present embodiment, the improvements include the placement of separate means
for activating the moveable rods, preferably by means of fixed cam surfaces placed
in suitable positions, and forming sectors of a circle which is concentric to the
rotating assembly of the machine. The shape and relative placement of these cams enable
the tablets to be ejected as programmed. These cams operate in combination with a
system associated with the punches so that the punches eject the tablets when in contact
with one or another of these fixed cams which, in turn, correspond to a selection
of one or another of the multiple output slides. Two outputs in the case of the example
described here.
[0008] The following is a description of a preferred embodiment of a rotary machine for
the production of tablets, including the present improvements, based on the following
figures:
Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a machine incorporating the present improvements.
Figure 2 shows a side view of part of the same machine as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a schematic view, with a partial section, of the rotary component of
the machine.
[0009] The present improvements are described as an example of the mechanical operation
of a machine for the production of tablets. However, as already mentioned, the scope
of application is much wider, and includes other types of operation.
[0010] In the event of using mechanical means, the improvements are applicable to a machine
that consists of a rotary assembly -1-fitted with a plate -2- that supports multiple
moveable rods and punches -3- suitably guided in the plate and whose upper ends, usually
enlarged into a compression head -4- fit inside cylindrical formation chambers -5-
machined in an upper plate -6-. The whole assembly rotates on a vertical shaft shown
shaded and indicated by reference number -7-.
[0011] Figure 2 shows part of the rotary unit -1-, as unwound on a plane, fitted with multiple
rods -3-, -3'-, -3''-, ..., whose heads -4- are housed inside the upper cylindrical
chambers -5-. The controlled movement of these rods or punches -3-, -3'-, -3''-, ...,
determine a variation in the volume of the chamber -5- above the head -4- suitable
for receiving the material which is then compressed by the combined action of the
counter-punch or a blocking plate not shown in the Figures. This will then allow for
sufficient compression to form each of the individual tablets which then enter the
ejection area.
[0012] The present improvements consist of previous programming of the ejection stage of
the different rods -3-, -3'-, -3''-, ..., in such a way that the tablets produced
are ejected in a predetermined manner into different outputs located at certain positions
distributed around rotary assembly -1-. As shown in Figure 1, the example has two
possible independent outputs -8- and -9- each consisting of an output slide that receive
the tablets (indicated schematically by the numbers -10- and -11-) expelled by the
ejection stroke which takes place at a predetermined position on the periphery of
rotary assembly -1-. This distribution enables the machine to be much more versatile
as it may be used to manufacture tablets of different types which are ejected to the
different output slides fitted to the machine, or even increase performance by ejecting
tablets with the same composition from different outputs, enabling greater input to
the final handling machines, usually packaging machines. The improvements object of
this invention could also be applied to different types of packaging, with a different
number of units per package.
[0013] In the case of the mechanical configuration shown in the drawings, the pre-selection
of the action of the punches -3-could be made by various fixed cams mounted on a base
-12- on which the rotary base -1- turns. This means that the ejection will take place
when the punch -3- passes over each fixed cam placed in an angular distribution with
the corresponding off-set between phases. For example, the fixed cam -13- is represented
as formed by an inclined entry plane and a zone of maximum height and flat profile
-14- which coincide with the side rollers -15- of the rods -3-, -3'-, -3''-, ...,
destined to eject the tablet by one of the machine outputs. For example, Figure 2
shows the rods -3-, -3'-, -3''-, ..., fitted with side rollers that are operated by
the fixed cams -13-, -14-. There is also another ramp also incorporating an inclined
entry plane -16- and an area of flat profile -17-with an angular separation from the
ramp -13-, -14-, and also with a radial separation to contact with the lower extremes
of the rods -3- fitted with contact heads -18-. Figure 3 shows the radial separation
between the fixed cam over which the heads -18- operate and the cam which activates
the rollers -15- so that each has a separate and suitably co-ordinated action on the
rods causing the tablets to be ejected in the correct sequence to one or the other
output ramp fitted to the machine. Obviously the number of outputs many be varied
in combination with the number of fixed cams and elements fitted to the moving rods.
[0014] Although the present invention has been described as, an example, having a mechanical
configuration, it is to be understood that the invention is based on the location
of various outputs for the tablets distributed in predetermined positions on the periphery
of the rotating component of the machine, which outputs are designed to accept the
tablets in a pre-programmed-sequence so that each tablet is ejected into the corresponding
output. Therefore, pre-selection may be programmed by mechanical means as described
here, or using any other method as the rods may be activated by pneumatic, hydraulic,
electromagnetic or any other means. In this case the system for programming the ejection
will correspond to the action system used, including electromechanical and electronic
systems.
1. Improvements in rotary machines for the manufacture of tablets, consisting of a rotary
assembly with multiple moveable rods that act in the corresponding formation chamber,
characterised by the distribution of various outputs for the tablets produced around
the periphery of the rotating portion of the machine, each of which outlets receives
the tablets ejected from the different formation chambers in a previously programmed
sequence of activation of the individual ejection rods during the tablet ejection
phase by selective action on the ejectors associated with the various punches fitted
to the machine.
2. Improvements in rotary machines for the manufacture of tablets according to Claim
1, applicable to the mechanical action of the individual punches, characterised by
the location of various fixed cams with a radial separation at pre-determined angles
on a fixed base located below the rotating assembly of the machine that act on different
parts of the punches to cause ejection of the tablets in a predetermined order and
corresponding to the different outputs of the tablets produced.
3. Improvements in rotary machines for the manufacture of tablets according to the preceding
claims and characteristic because the rods are fitted with side rollers activated
by fixed cams separated in a radial distribution.