[0001] The present invention refers to a rotary machine 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 rotating
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 rotating portion and which move inside a cylindrical formation chamber which
receives the amount of material required to form the tablet, allowing the compression
action to take place between the movable rods or punches and an upper counter-punch
to form the tablet. The tablet is then ejected from the formation chamber via an outlet
slide to continue to other stages of the production process, mainly packaging.
[0003] GB-A-1053639 discloses an improvement to rotary tabletting machines providing a stationary
deflector member associated with a stationary duct at the end of which a stationary
deflector member diverts the tablets out of the matrix disc. However it does not provide
or suggest the double set of camming surfaces combined with the movable rods to permit
the separate programmation of the tabletting cycle and the ejection point for the
tablets.
[0004] The rotary machine for the manufacture of tablets object of the present invention
is designed to provide greater versatility in the operation of this type of machines
and possible increases in their productivity.
[0005] 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 outlets. This system mainly consists of separate outlet
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.
[0006] Therefore, the present rotary machine includes 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 predetermined
position on the periphery of the rotating portion of the machine. This assembly is
fitted with various outlet slides for the finished tablets. The number of slides is
not limited as it will solely depend on the previously determined ejection program.
[0007] Any means may be employed to move the compression punches or movable 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 outlets is variable, the example given
here will concentrate on two outlets as an example.
[0008] In the present embodiment, the machine includes 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
portion 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 movable rods so that these latter 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 outlet slides. Two outlets in the case of the example
described here.
[0009] The following is a description of a preferred embodiment of a rotary machine for
the production of tablets based on the following figures:
Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a rotary machine for the manufacture of tablets.
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 rotating portion of
the machine.
[0010] The present rotary machine is 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.
[0011] In the event of using mechanical means, the present rotary machine is comprised of
a rotating portion -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-.
[0012] Figure 2 shows part of the rotating portion -1-, as unwound on a plane, fitted with
multiple movable rods -3-, -3'-, -3''-, ..., whose heads -4- are housed inside the
upper cylindrical chambers -5-. The controlled movement of these rods -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.
[0013] The present machine provides the previous programming of the ejection stage of the
different movable rods -3-, -3'-, - 3''-, ..., in such a way that the tablets produced
are ejected in a predetermined manner into different outlets located at certain positions
distributed around rotating portion -1-. As shown in Figure 1, the example has two
possible independent outlets -8- and -9- each consisting of an outlet 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
rotating portion -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 outlet slides fitted to the machine, or even increase performance by ejecting
tablets with the same composition from different outlets, enabling greater input to
the final handling machines, usually packaging machines. The rotary machine object
of this invention could also be applied to different types of packaging, with a different
number of units per package.
[0014] In the case of the mechanical configuration shown in the drawings, the pre-selection
of the action of the movable rods -3- could be made by various fixed cams mounted
on a base -12- on which the rotating portion -1- turns. This means that the ejection
will take place when the movable rod -3- passes over each fixed cam placed in an angular
distribution with the corresponding offset 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 movable
rods -3-, -3'-, -3"-, ..., destined to eject the tablet by one of the machine outlets.
For example, Figure 2 shows the movable 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 movable 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 movable rods causing the tablets to be ejected
in the correct sequence to one or the other outlet ramp fitted to the machine. Obviously
the number of outlets many be varied in combination with the number of fixed cams
and elements fitted to the movable rods.
[0015] 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 outlets for the tablets distributed in predetermined positions on the periphery
of the rotating portion of the machine, which outlets are designed to accept the tablets
in a pre-programmed sequence so that each tablet is ejected into the corresponding
outlet. Therefore, pre-selection may be programmed by mechanical means as described
here, or using any other method as the movable 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. Rotary machine for the manufacture of tablets, consisting of a rotating portion (1)
with multiple moveable rods (3, 3', 3",...) each acting in a corresponding formation
chamber (5), the machine having various outlets (8) for the tablets produced distributed
around the periphery of the rotating portion (1) of the machine, each of which outlets
(8) receives the tablets ejected from the different formation chambers (5) in a previously
programmed sequence of activation of the individual movable rods (3, 3', 3",...) during
the tablet ejection phase by selective action on the movable rods characterised by the location of various fixed cams (14, 17) with a radial separation at pre-determined
angles on a fixed base located below the rotating portion of the machine that act
on the movable rods (3, 3', 3'', ...) to cause ejection of the tablets in a predetermined
order and corresponding to the different outlets of the tablets produced.
2. Rotary machine for the manufacture of tablets according to the preceding claims characterized in that the movable rods (3, 3', 3",...) are fitted with side rollers (15) activated by fixed
cams (14) separated in a radial distribution.
1. Rotationsmaschine zum Herstellen von Tabletten mit einem mit mehreren, jeweils an
einer entsprechenden Formkammer (5) angreifenden, beweglichen Dornen (3, 3', 3", ...)
versehenen Rotationsteil (1), wobei die Rotationsmaschine mehrere am Umfang des Rotationsteils
(1) verteilte Abfuhrvorrichtungen (8) für die fertigen Tabletten aufweist und jede
dieser Abfuhrvorrichtungen (8) während der Ausstossphase der Tabletten durch selektive
Betätigung der beweglichen Dorne die aus den verschiedenen Formkammern (5) in einer
vorprogrammierten Betätigungsabfolge der jeweils einzeln beweglichen Dorne (3, 3',
3'',...) ausgestossenen Tabletten aufnimmt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mehrere stationäre Steuerkurven (14, 17) mit radialem Abstand zueinander in vorbestimmten
Winkeln auf einer ortsfesten, unterhalb des Rotationsteils der Maschine gelegenen
Auflage angeordnet sind, welche durch Einwirkung auf die beweglichen Dorne (3, 3',
3'',...) den Ausstoß der fertigen Tabletten in einer vorgegebenen Reihenfolge und
entsprechend den verschiedenen, dafür vorgesehenen Abfuhrvorrichtungen bewirken.
2. Rotationsmaschine zum Herstellen von Tabletten, nach dem vorangegangenen Anspruch,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die beweglichen Dorne (3, 3', 3'',...) mit seitlich angeordneten, durch mit radialem
Abstand zueinander verteilte stationäre Steuerkurven (14) betätigbaren Rollen (15)
gekoppelt sind.
1. Machine rotative pour la fabrication de comprimés comprenant une partie rotative (1)
munie de plusieurs tourillons mobiles (3, 3', 3",...), chacun d'eux agissant à l'intérieur
d'une chambre de forme correspondante (5) ; la machine possède plusieurs sorties (8)
pour les comprimés produits réparties autour de la périphérie de la partie rotative
(1) de la machine ; chacune de ces sorties (8) reçoit les comprimés expulsés provenant
des diverses chambres de formation (5) dans une séquence préprogrammée d'activation
des tourillons déplaçables individuellement (3, 3', 3" ,...) pendant la phase d'expulsion
des comprimés par une action sélective exercée dans les tourillons mobiles, caractérisée en ce que diverses cames fixes (14, 17) sont disposées avec une séparation radiale à des angles
prédéterminés sur une base fixe située en dessous de la partie rotative de la machine
et agissent sur les tourillons mobiles (3, 3', 3", ...) pour provoquer l'expulsion
des comprimés dans un ordre prédéterminé et de manière correspondante aux différentes
sorties des comprimés produits.
2. Machine rotative pour la fabrication de comprimés, suivant la revendication précédente,
caractérisée en ce que les tourillons mobiles (3, 3', 3" ,...) sont accouplés à des rouleaux latéraux (15)
activés par des cames fixes (14) séparées selon une distribution radiale.