TW202128116A - Tablet processing apparatus and tablet processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce discomfort felt by a consumer when seeing a plurality of tablets sealed in a PTP package. A tablet processing device 1 comprises a tablet conveyance mechanism 30, a sheet conveyance mechanism 70, a tablet transfer mechanism 80, and a first printing part 41. The tablet conveyance mechanism 30 has a circulation belt shape and conveys a tablet 9 under a state where a second surface 9B is held by an external surface. The sheet conveyance mechanism 70 conveys an accommodation sheet 330 below the tablet conveyance mechanism 30 under a state where an opening of a concave part is directed upward. The tablet transfer mechanism 80 transfers, to the accommodation sheet 330, the tablet 9 from the tablet conveyance mechanism 30 at a timing at which a first surface 9A is directed toward a bottom side of the concave part, thereby accommodating the tablet 9 in the concave part. The first printing part 41 performs printing on the first surface 9A of the tablet 9 during conveyance of the tablet 9 at the tablet conveyance mechanism 30.

Description

Tablet processing device and tablet processing method

The invention relates to a tablet processing device and a tablet processing method.

Conventionally, there has been known a tablet processing device and a tablet processing method in which the surface of a tablet such as a medicine or a health food is printed and then enclosed in a press-through pack (PTP) package. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses such a tablet processing device.

The PTP sheet manufacturing device (tablet processing device) described in Patent Document 1 has a filling device (16) along the transport path of the container film (3) in which the bag portion (2) is formed, The lozenge (5) is automatically filled into the bag portion (2). The filling device (16) opens the gate at predetermined time intervals, thereby dropping the lozenge (5), and throws the lozenge (5) into each bag part (2) in accordance with the gate opening action. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-69950

[The problem to be solved by the invention] However, in the PTP sheet manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the lozenges that have been stored in the bag portion have the printed surface (the surface on which product information is printed) facing the front side of the bag and the back side of the bag. The state of being mixed. Therefore, the appearance of the plurality of tablets contained in the PTP tablet is not uniform, and therefore, there is a risk that consumers may feel a sense of disharmony when viewing the tablets.

The present invention is made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to reduce the sense of disagreement when consumers look at the multiple tablets enclosed in the PTP package. [Means to solve the problem]

The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above, and then the means for solving the problem will be described.

The first aspect of the present application provides a lozenge processing device, which encloses a lozenge having a first side and a second side in a front and back relationship with the first side in a PTP package. The PTP package includes a containing sheet and a covering sheet. The containing sheet is transparent or semi-transparent, and a plurality of recesses are arranged. The covering sheet is attached to the receiving sheet and covers the plurality of recesses. The lozenge processing device includes a lozenge conveying mechanism, a tablet conveying mechanism, a lozenge transfer mechanism, and a first printing unit. The tablet conveying mechanism is in the shape of an endless belt, and conveys the tablet in a state where the second surface is held on the outer surface. The sheet conveying mechanism is below the lozenge conveying mechanism, and conveys the accommodating sheet with the opening of the recess facing upward. The lozenge transfer mechanism transfers the lozenges from the lozenge conveying mechanism to the accommodating sheet at the timing when the first surface faces the bottom side of the recessed portion to be accommodated in the recessed portion. The first printing unit prints on the first side of the tablet while the tablet is being transported in the tablet transport mechanism.

The second aspect of the present application is that in the tablet processing apparatus of the first aspect, the first printing section prints the first side of the tablet in a non-contact manner.

The third viewpoint of the present application is that the lozenge processing device of the first viewpoint or the second viewpoint includes a first camera and a control unit. The first camera photographs the first surface of the tablet at a position closer to the upstream side in the conveying direction than the first printing section. When a dividing line is detected in the imaging result of the first camera, the control unit causes the first printing unit to print on the first side of the tablet in a direction corresponding to the dividing line.

The fourth viewpoint of the present application is in the lozenge processing apparatus of any one of the first viewpoint to the third viewpoint, and further includes a second printing unit. The second printing unit prints on the second side of the tablet while the storage sheet that has accommodated the tablet is being transported in the sheet transport mechanism.

The fifth aspect of the present application is that in the tablet processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the second printing section prints the second surface of the tablet in a non-contact manner.

The sixth viewpoint of the present application is that the lozenge processing device of the fourth viewpoint or the fifth viewpoint includes a second camera and the control unit. The second camera photographs the second surface of the tablet in the recessed portion of the storage sheet at a position closer to the upstream side in the conveying direction than the second printing portion. When a dividing line is detected in the imaging result of the second camera, the control unit causes the second printing unit to print on the second side of the tablet corresponding to the direction of the dividing line.

The seventh aspect of the present application is that in the lozenge processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, the control unit adjusts the ejection position of the ink in the second printing unit according to the imaging result of the second camera.

The eighth viewpoint of the present application is in the lozenge processing apparatus of any one of the fourth to seventh viewpoints, and the first printing unit prints at least one of a drug name and a drug code on the first noodle. The second printing unit prints at least any one of expiration date and manufacturing date on the second side.

The ninth viewpoint of the present application is in the lozenge processing apparatus of any one of the fourth viewpoint to the seventh viewpoint, and the first printing unit prints information related to the taking timing on the first side. The second printing unit prints at least any one of a drug name, a drug code, expiration date, and manufacturing date on the second side.

The tenth aspect of the present application provides a method for processing a tablet, which includes a tablet having a first side and a second side in a front and back relationship with the first side in a PTP package having a containing sheet and a covering sheet middle. The containing sheet is transparent or semi-transparent, and a plurality of recesses are arranged. The cover sheet is attached to the storage sheet and covers the plurality of recesses. In the lozenge processing method, a) the lozenge is transported while the second surface is held on the outer surface of the endless belt-shaped transport conveyor, and b) the lozenge is transported by the transport conveyor. During the transportation, the first side of the lozenge is printed, c) the lozenge from the transport conveyor is delivered to the bottom side of the recess at the timing when the first side is facing The accommodating piece located below the conveying conveyor is accommodated in the recess.

The eleventh viewpoint of the present application is in the lozenge processing method of the tenth viewpoint, and further d) when the container sheet that has accommodated the lozenge is being transported, the second side of the lozenge Print it. [Effects of the invention]

According to the first to eleventh viewpoints of the present application, it is possible to reduce consumers' sense of discomfort when viewing multiple tablets that have been enclosed in PTP packages.

In particular, according to the first point of view or the tenth point of view of the present application, all the tablets that have been enclosed in the PTP package have the first surface printed by the first printing section facing the transparent or translucent container sheet side (the side of the concave section). Bottom side). Therefore, the appearance of the multiple tablets that have been enclosed in the PTP package is unified, so that consumers' sense of discomfort when viewing the tablets can be reduced.

For example, when printing is performed by bringing the transfer roller into contact with the surface of the tablet, the surface of the tablet may wear and become brittle. In contrast, according to the second viewpoint of the present application, the risk of the surface (first side) of the tablet becoming brittle due to printing can be reduced, and the yield of the tablet can be improved.

In particular, according to the third viewpoint of the present application, the first side can be printed so as not to overlap the dividing line, and the visibility of the printed content is improved.

In particular, according to the fourth viewpoint or the eleventh viewpoint of the present application, all the tablets that have been enclosed in the PTP package are in a state where the second surface printed by the second printing section faces the covering sheet side. Therefore, the information that consumers may not pay much attention to is printed on the second side, so as to prevent more than necessary information from entering the eyes of consumers viewing PTP packaging and causing confusion.

In particular, according to the fifth viewpoint of the present application, the risk that the second side of the tablet becomes brittle can be reduced, and the yield of the tablet can be improved.

Here, the lozenge contained in the recess is not fixed, and therefore the position changes due to the influence of vibration or the like during transportation. In this regard, according to the seventh viewpoint of the present application, based on the result of imaging the second surface with the second camera, the ink ejection position for each lozenge is adjusted, so that each lozenge can be printed with high accuracy.

In particular, according to the eighth point of view of the present application, information such as expiration date or manufacturing date can be printed in a location that is invisible to the consumer who holds the PTP package, as long as only a specific relevant person can confirm it. In this way, it is possible to prevent more than necessary information from entering the eyes of consumers looking at the PTP packaging and causing confusion.

In particular, according to the ninth viewpoint of this application, the detailed drug name, or drug code, or expiry date, or manufacturing date, etc., can be printed with enough information as long as only a specific relevant person confirms it. In an invisible location to consumers. In this way, it is possible to prevent more than necessary information from entering the eyes of consumers looking at the PTP packaging and causing confusion. On the other hand, the timing of taking is printed in a position that easily enters the eyes of the consumer, so that the consumer can easily perceive the forgetting to take the lozenge and the like.

Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the following description, the direction in which a plurality of tablets are transported is referred to as the "transport direction", and the direction perpendicular and horizontal to the transport direction is referred to as the "width direction". In addition, the direction in which the storage sheet is transported is referred to as the "sheet transport direction".

The lozenge processing apparatus 1 and the lozenge processing method of the present embodiment print an image on the surface of the lozenge 9 having the first side 9A and the second side 9B, and the lozenge 9 is enclosed in the PTP package 300. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a PTP package 300 in a state where a plurality of tablets 9 have been enclosed.

＜1. General structure of lozenge＞ The first side 9A and the second side 9B are in the relationship between the front and back of the tablet 9. In a horizontal view, the first side 9A and the second side 9B of the tablet 9 may be round, or elliptical, or the like. In addition, the tablet 9 may be a plain tablet (bare tablet), or a coated tablet such as a film-coating tablet (Film Coating Tablet). Furthermore, the lozenges 9 may be medicines, health foods, or lozenges such as lemonade.

<2. Outline structure of PTP packaging> As shown in FIG. 1, the PTP package 300 includes a receiving sheet 330 and a covering sheet 340. The containing sheet 330 is transparent or semi-transparent. In other words, the storage sheet 330 has translucency. The plurality of recesses 331 for accommodating the lozenge 9 are arranged in the accommodating sheet 330 two-dimensionally. The coating sheet 340 is, for example, a film coated with a resin on a metal foil such as aluminum. The covering sheet 340 is attached to the storage sheet 330 and covers the openings of the plurality of recesses 331.

<3. The overall structure of the lozenge processing device> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the lozenge processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the lozenge processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment mainly includes a control unit 10, a lozenge supply mechanism 20, a lozenge conveying mechanism 30, a tablet forming mechanism 60, a tablet transporting mechanism 70, a lozenge delivery mechanism 80, The lozenge printing mechanism 40, the lozenge inspection mechanism 50, and the laminating mechanism 90.

The control unit 10 is a member for controlling the operation of each unit in the lozenge processing apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the connection between the control unit 10 and each unit in the lozenge processing apparatus 1. As shown conceptually in FIG. 2, the control unit 10 includes a computer that has an arithmetic processing unit 11 such as a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), etc. A memory body 12 and a memory unit 13 such as a hard disk drive. A computer program P and data D for performing printing processing and packaging processing are installed in the memory unit 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 10 interacts with the linear feeder 22, the rotary feeder 23, the conveying roller 31, the conveying conveyor 32, the rollers of the sheet conveying mechanism 70, the positive pressure generating device of the tablet delivery mechanism 80, and the second described later. A printing section 41, a second printing section 42, a first appearance inspection camera (first camera) 51, a printing inspection camera 52, a second appearance inspection camera (second camera) 53, and a laminating mechanism 90 are respectively communicably connected .

The control unit 10 temporarily reads the computer program P and data D stored in the memory unit 13 into the memory 12, and the arithmetic processing unit 11 performs arithmetic processing in accordance with the computer program P, thereby controlling the actions of the respective units . In this way, printing processing and packaging processing for the plurality of tablets 9 are performed.

The tablet supply mechanism 20 has a hopper 21, a straight feeder 22, a rotary feeder 23, and an inclined feeder 24. The lozenge supply mechanism 20 is a mechanism for transferring the lozenges 9 that have been put into the device from the hopper 21 to the lozenge conveying mechanism 30.

The straight feeder 22, the rotary feeder 23, and the inclined feeder 24 are mechanisms for conveying the plurality of tablets 9 that have been put into the hopper 21 to the tablet conveying mechanism 30. The linear feeder 22 has a flat plate-shaped vibration groove 221. The plurality of tablets 9 that have been supplied from the hopper 21 to the straight feeder 22 are transported toward the rotary feeder 23 by the vibration of the vibration tank 221.

The rotating feeder 23 has a disk-shaped rotating table 231. The multiple lozenges 9 that have fallen from the vibrating tank 221 to the upper surface of the rotating table 231 gather toward the vicinity of the outer periphery of the rotating table 231 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotating table 231.

The inclined feeder 24 has a plate-shaped slope 241 extending diagonally downward from the outer peripheral portion of the rotating table 231 to the later-described conveying drum 31 of the tablet conveying mechanism 30. 4 is a perspective view including a part of the inclined feeder 24, a part of the conveying roller 31, and a part of the conveying conveyor 32. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of (eight in the example of FIG. 4) conveyance grooves 242 are provided on the upper surface of the slope 241. The multiple lozenges 9 that have been transported to the outer peripheral portion of the turntable 231 are respectively supplied to any one of the transport grooves 242, and slide down obliquely downward along the transport grooves 242. In this way, the plurality of lozenges 9 are distributed and supplied to the plurality of conveying tanks 242, thereby being arranged in a plurality of conveying rows. In addition, the plurality of tablets 9 in each transport row are sequentially supplied to the transport drum 31 starting from the top lozenge 9.

The lozenge conveying mechanism 30 has a conveying roller 31 and a conveying conveyor 32. The transport roller 31 transfers a plurality of tablets 9 from the inclined feeder 24 to the transport conveyor 32. The conveyance drum 31 has a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral surface. The conveyance roller 31 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 2 and 4 with the rotation shaft extending in the width direction as the center by the power obtained from the motor (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance drum 31 is provided with the some adsorption part 310 arrange|positioned at substantially equal intervals in the conveyance direction and the width direction. The plurality of suction parts 310 are arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the conveyance drum 31 at positions in the width direction corresponding to the respective conveyance grooves 242 of the inclined feeder 24.

The suction parts 310 are through holes provided on the outer surface of the conveying drum 31, respectively. A suction mechanism (not shown) is provided inside the conveyance drum 31. If the suction mechanism is operated, a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure is generated in the plurality of suction parts 310, respectively. The adsorption unit 310 uses this negative pressure to adsorb and hold the tablets 9 supplied from the inclined feeder 24 one by one.

Then, on the conveyance drum 31, a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is applied to the suction part 310 that has moved to a position facing the conveyance conveyor 32, and the suction of the tablet 9 is released. The transport drum 31 sucks and holds the plurality of tablets 9 supplied from the inclined feeder 24 as described above, rotates, and transfers the tablets 9 to the transport conveyor 32. When the lozenge 9 is transferred from the transport roller 31 to the transport conveyor 32, the surface of the lozenge 9 adsorbed and held by the transport roller 31 and the surface of the lozenge 9 held by the transport conveyor 32 are in a front and back relationship with each other.

Hereinafter, the surface of the tablet 9 sucked and held by the conveyance drum 31 is referred to as the "first surface 9A". Then, the surface of the tablet 9 sucked and held by the conveying conveyor 32 becomes the "second surface 9B".

The conveying conveyor 32 conveys the lozenges 9 that have been received from the conveying drum 31. The conveying conveyor 32 has a pair of pulleys 321, a conveying belt 322, and a suction mechanism (not shown). The conveying belt 322 is looped between the pair of pulleys 321. A part of the conveyance belt 322 is arranged so as to be close to and opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance drum 31. One of the pair of pulleys 321 is rotated by power obtained from a motor (not shown). Thereby, the conveyor belt 322 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 2 and 4. At this time, the other of the pair of pulleys 321 is driven to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the conveyor belt 322.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of suction parts 320 are provided on the conveyor belt 322. Similar to the suction part 310 of the conveyance drum 31, the plurality of suction parts 320 are through holes provided on the surface of the conveyance belt 322. The plurality of suction parts 320 are arranged in the conveying direction at positions in the width direction corresponding to each of the plurality of conveying rows. The interval in the conveying direction and the width direction of the plurality of suction units 320 in the conveying belt 322 is equal to the interval in the conveying direction and the width direction of the plurality of suction units 310 in the conveying drum 31.

Like the transport roller 31, the transport conveyor 32 has a suction mechanism (not shown). The suction mechanism generates negative pressure in the space inside the pulley 321 and the conveyor belt 322. If the suction mechanism is operated, a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is generated in the plurality of suction parts 320, respectively. The suction unit 320 uses this negative pressure to suction and hold the tablets 9 delivered from the conveying drum 31 one by one on the second surface 9B side. Thereby, the conveyance conveyor 32 suction-holds the several tablet 9 in the state arrange|positioned in the conveyance direction and the width direction, and conveys it.

The sheet forming mechanism 60 shown in FIG. 2 has a heating member (illustration omitted) and a bag forming member (illustration omitted). The sheet forming mechanism 60 forms a storage sheet 330 that is a part of the PTP package 300. The sheet forming mechanism 60 is located on the upstream side of the sheet conveying direction which is the conveying direction of the accommodating sheet 330. The transparent or semi-transparent film is arranged on the most upstream side in the sheet conveying direction in a state wound into a roll. This film is formed of, for example, a relatively hard thermoplastic resin material having predetermined rigidity, such as polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride. The film is translucent.

The film that has been unwound from the roller on the most upstream side in the sheet conveying direction is supplied to the sheet forming mechanism 60. Furthermore, the film is partially heated by the heating member, and in a state where the film has become relatively soft, a plurality of recesses 331 are formed in the film by the bag forming member to form the housing sheet 330. The accommodating sheet 330 is transported toward the downstream side (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2) of the sheet transport direction by the sheet transport mechanism 70 described later.

The sheet conveying mechanism 70 conveys the storage sheet 330 formed by the sheet forming mechanism 60 toward the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction. The tablet transport mechanism 70 is located below the lozenge transport mechanism 30. The sheet conveyance mechanism 70 includes, for example, a plurality of rollers (not shown). Each of the plurality of rollers can rotate around a rotating shaft extending in the width direction as a center. By the rotation of a plurality of rollers, the accommodating sheet 330 formed by the sheet forming mechanism 60 is conveyed toward the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view including a part of the conveying conveyor 32 and a part of the storage sheet 330 conveyed by the sheet conveying mechanism 70. The tablet transfer mechanism 80 transfers the tablet 9 from the conveyor belt 322 to the tablet transfer mechanism 70. The tablet delivery mechanism 80 includes a positive pressure generating device (not shown). When the first surface 9A of the tablet 9 being conveyed by the conveying conveyor 32 faces the bottom side (below) of the recess 331 of the accommodating sheet 330, the positive pressure generating device applies a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure to the tablet 9, and the adsorption of the tablet 9 is lifted. Thereby, the tablet 9 falls into the recess 331 of the storage piece 330 with the first surface 9A facing the bottom side of the recess 331, and is stored in the recess 331.

The tablet printing mechanism 40 has a first printing section 41 and a second printing section 42. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the first printing unit 41. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the second printing unit 42.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first printing unit 41 is arranged above the outer surface of the conveyor belt 322 that is spanned on the pair of pulleys 321. The first printing unit 41 prints an image on the first surface 9A of the tablet 9 sucked and held by the sucking unit 320.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first printing unit 41 has four printing heads 411 and two ionizers 412. In FIG. 6, the conveying belt 322 and the plurality of tablets 9 held by the conveying belt 322 are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

Two ionizers 412 are respectively arranged on the upstream side of the four printing heads 411. The ionizer 412 generates ions by discharge. When the ionizer 412 is driven during the printing process, the ionizer 412 supplies ions to the suspended powder suspended around the lozenge 9 held on the transport belt 322 of the lozenge transport mechanism 30. Thereby, the ionizer 412 neutralizes the suspended powder.

In addition, the suspended powder suspended around the tablet 9 is electrostatically charged. If the charged suspended powder is suspended around the print head 411, the suspended powder may adhere to the vicinity of the nozzle 411A of the print head 411. If the suspended powder adheres to the vicinity of the nozzle 411A, it may cause clogging of the nozzle 411A, or affect the trajectory of ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 411A, which may cause printing failure. In addition, if the charged suspended powder is suspended between the nozzle 411A and the tablet 9, the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 411A toward the tablet 9 may change the trajectory due to static electricity, which may cause printing failure. Therefore, the ionizer 412 is arranged on the upstream side of the printing head 411, and the suspended powder is neutralized in front of the printing head 411, thereby suppressing the occurrence of such printing failure.

Each of the four printing heads 411 is an inkjet printing head that ejects ink droplets on the surface of the tablet 9 conveyed by the tablet conveying mechanism 30 to perform printing. That is, the print head 411 prints on the first surface of the tablet 9 in a non-contact manner. The four printing heads 411 eject ink droplets of different colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). The multi-color image is recorded on the surface of the tablet 9 by the superposition of the monochromatic images formed by the respective colors. In addition, the ink ejected from each printing head 411 uses an edible ink manufactured using raw materials approved by the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, the Food Sanitation Law, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of nozzles 411A capable of ejecting ink droplets are provided on the lower surface of the print head 411. In the present embodiment, the plurality of nozzles 411A are two-dimensionally arranged on the lower surface of the print head 411 in the conveying direction and the width direction. By arranging the plurality of nozzles 411A two-dimensionally, the positions of the nozzles 411A in the width direction can be close to each other.

The ejection method of the ink droplets from the nozzle 411A can be, for example, a so-called piezoelectric method, which applies a voltage to a piezoelectric element to deform it, thereby pressurizing the ink in the nozzle 411A to eject it. Furthermore, the ink droplet ejection method may also be a so-called thermal induction method, which energizes the heater to heat and expand the ink in the nozzle 411A, thereby ejecting the ink.

The second printing section 42 prints an image on the second surface 9B of the tablet 9 that has been accommodated in the recess 331 of the storage sheet 330. The second printing unit 42 is arranged above the accommodating sheet 330 conveyed by the sheet conveying mechanism 70 and closer to the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction than the conveying conveyor 32.

The second printing unit 42 has four printing heads 421 and an ionizer 422. Like the ionizer 412 of the first printing unit 41, the ionizer 422 supplies ions to the suspended powder suspended around the tablet 9 and neutralizes the suspended powder. In addition, the ionizer 422 neutralizes the suspended powder on the upstream side of the print head 421, thereby suppressing printing failure. In FIGS. 2 and 7, only one ionizer 422 is shown, but the second printing section 42 has two ionizers 422 arranged side by side in the width direction like the first printing section 41.

The four printing heads 421 each have the same structure as the four printing heads 411 of the first printing unit 41, and a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink droplets are provided on the lower surface. Each of the four printing heads 421 is an inkjet type printing head that ejects ink droplets toward the second surface 9B of the tablet 9 housed in the recess 331 of the storage piece 330 to perform printing. That is, the print head 421 prints on the second side of the tablet 9 in a non-contact manner.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lozenge inspection mechanism 50 has a first visual inspection camera 51, a print inspection camera 52, and a second visual inspection camera 53.

The first appearance inspection camera 51 is a camera that photographs the first surface 9A of the tablet 9 conveyed by the conveying conveyor 32 on the upstream side of the first printing unit 41. The first visual inspection camera 51 detects the presence or absence of the tablets 9 in each suction portion 320, the presence or absence of the shape defects of each tablet 9, the direction of the dividing line of each tablet 9, and the like.

The first printing unit 41 adjusts the direction of printing on each first surface 9A corresponding to the direction of the dividing line of the lozenge 9 detected by the first visual inspection camera 51. Specifically, when the dividing line is detected in the imaging result of the first visual inspection camera 51, the first printing unit 41 adjusts the image to be printed so as not to overlap the dividing line, and prints the first surface 9A .

The print inspection camera 52 is a camera that photographs the first surface 9A of the tablet 9 conveyed by the conveying conveyor 32 on the downstream side of the first printing unit 41. The print inspection camera 52 detects the presence or absence of defects in the printing process by the first printing unit 41.

The second visual inspection camera 53 is located on the upstream side of the second printing section 42, and detects the position of the tablets 9 contained in the recesses 331 of the storage sheet 330, the presence or absence of defects in the shapes of the tablets 9, and the size of the tablets 9 The direction of the dividing line, etc.

The second printing unit 42 adjusts the ejection position of the ink to the tablet 9 corresponding to the position of the tablet 9 detected by the second visual inspection camera 53. The lozenge 9 that has been accommodated in the recess 331 of the accommodating piece 330 is not fixed. Therefore, the position of the lozenge 9 is shifted due to vibration or the like during transportation. That is, the position of each lozenge 9 contained in each of the plurality of recesses 331 is not fixed. In this state, if the second printing unit 42 ejects ink to the same position for all the tablets 9, the printing position may be shifted, and printing failure may occur. Therefore, the control unit 10 adjusts the ink ejection position based on the detection result of the second visual inspection camera 53. Thereby, each tablet 9 can be printed appropriately.

Furthermore, the second printing unit 42 adjusts the direction of printing on each second surface 9B in accordance with the direction of the dividing line of the lozenge 9 detected by the second visual inspection camera 53. Specifically, when the dividing line is detected in the imaging result of the second visual inspection camera 53, the second printing unit 42 adjusts the image to be printed so as not to overlap the dividing line, and prints on the second surface 9B .

The laminating mechanism 90 shown in FIG. 2 is located closer to the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction than the second printing section 42. The covering sheet 340 on which the name of a medicine or a barcode or the like is printed on the surface in advance in a factory or the like is arranged in the laminating mechanism 90 in a state of being wound into a roll. The covering sheet 340 is formed of, for example, a film coated with resin on aluminum foil. The covering sheet 340 does not have light transmittance.

The storage sheet 330 in the state in which the lozenge 9 is stored in the recess 331 is conveyed in the sheet conveying direction, and is supplied to the laminating mechanism 90. In addition, in the laminating mechanism 90, the covering sheet 340 is supplied onto the housing sheet 330. Then, heat treatment is performed to bond the surface on the opening side of the recess 331 of the storage sheet 330 and the covering sheet 340 to each other. The covering sheet 340 covers the openings of the plurality of recesses 331. After that, the joined body of the containing sheet 330 and the covering sheet 340 is cut by a cutting machine at a later stage, thereby forming the PTP package 300.

As described above, according to the lozenge processing apparatus 1 and the lozenge processing method of this embodiment, the tablets 9 printed on the first side 9A and the second side 9B can be enclosed in the PTP package 300.

＜4. Information about printing on the first and second sides＞ Hereinafter, the information printed on the first side 9A and the second side 9B of the tablet 9 will be specifically described.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the first surface 9A of the tablet 9 of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the second surface 9B of the tablet 9 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the name of the drug and the content of the drug are printed on the first side 9A. In addition, in the present embodiment, date information such as expiration date or manufacturing date of the tablet 9 is printed on the second side 9B. When the tablets 9 have been enclosed in the PTP package 300, the first surface 9A of all the tablets 9 becomes a state toward the side of the housing piece 330 (the bottom side of the recess 331). In addition, when the tablets 9 have been enclosed in the PTP package 300, the second side 9B of all the tablets 9 becomes a state facing the covering sheet 340 side. That is, the second surface 9B of all the tablets 9 and the covering sheet 340 are arranged to face each other. Therefore, for consumers viewing the PTP package 300, only the first side 9A side of the front and back of the tablet 9 can be seen. Therefore, when consumers look at the multiple tablets 9 contained in the PTP package 300, there is little risk of misunderstanding that the multiple tablets 9 are mixed.

<5. Modification: Information about printing on the first and second sides> Hereinafter, a modification example of the information printed on the first side 9A and the second side 9B of the tablet 9 will be described in detail.

Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the first surface 9A of the tablet 9 according to a modification. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the second surface 9B of the tablet 9 according to the modification. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a PTP package 300 in which a plurality of tablets 9 are enclosed in a modified example. As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, information related to the timing of taking the tablet 9 is printed on the first side 9A. As shown in FIG. 12, the multiple tablets 9 contained in the common PTP package 300 are printed with "after breakfast on the first day", "after lunch on the first day", "after dinner on the first day", and " After breakfast on the second day"... etc. That is, in this embodiment, the control unit 10 instructs the first printing unit 41 to print different images for each tablet 9. The first printing unit 41 prints an image corresponding to the position of the recess 331 of the PTP package 300 containing the tablet 9 for each tablet 9.

In addition, in this embodiment, the drug name of the tablet 9 and the content of the drug are printed on the second side 9B. When the tablets 9 have been enclosed in the PTP package 300, the first surface 9A of all the tablets 9 becomes a state toward the side of the housing piece 330 (the bottom side of the recess 331). In addition, when the tablets 9 have been enclosed in the PTP package 300, the second side 9B of all the tablets 9 becomes a state facing the covering sheet 340 side. Therefore, for consumers looking at the PTP package, only the first side 9A side of the front and back of the tablet 9 can be seen. In this way, consumers who view the PTP package 300 can grasp the taking schedule of the tablet 9 at a glance. In addition, the detailed drug name or content, etc., are printed on the PTP package 300 with enough information as long as the pharmacist or other relevant personnel can confirm it. It has to be simple. In this way, it becomes easier for consumers to handle the lozenges 9 that have been enclosed in the PTP package 300, and it becomes more user-friendly.

＜6. Summary＞ As described above, the lozenge processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the lozenge conveying mechanism 30, the sheet conveying mechanism 70, the lozenge delivery mechanism 80, and the first printing unit 41. The tablet conveying mechanism 30 is in the shape of an endless belt, and conveys the tablet 9 in a state where the second surface 9B is held on the outer surface. The sheet conveying mechanism 70 is below the lozenge conveying mechanism 30, and conveys the accommodating sheet 330 with the opening of the recessed part 331 facing upward. The lozenge transfer mechanism 80 transfers the lozenges 9 from the lozenge transport mechanism 30 to the storage piece 330 at the timing when the first surface 9A faces the bottom side of the recess 331 to be accommodated in the recess 331. The first printing unit 41 prints the first surface 9A of the tablet 9 while the tablet 9 is being transported in the tablet transport mechanism 30. Thereby, all the tablets 9 enclosed in the PTP package 300 are in a state where the first surface 9A printed by the first printing section 41 faces the transparent or translucent storage sheet 330 side (the bottom side of the recess 331) . Therefore, the appearances of the plurality of tablets 9 that have been contained in the PTP package 300 are unified, and therefore, it is possible to reduce the sense of disagreement when consumers look at the tablets 9.

In addition, in the tablet processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the first printing unit 41 prints the first surface 9A of the tablet 9 in a non-contact manner. Here, for example, when printing is performed by bringing a transfer roller into contact with the surface of the tablet, the surface of the tablet may wear and become brittle. In addition, if the lozenge whose surface has become brittle is lowered to the concave portion of the containing sheet, the surface of the lozenge may become defective due to the impact of the drop. In contrast, according to the tablet processing device 1 of the present embodiment, the first side 9A of the tablet 9 is printed in a non-contact manner, so the risk of the first side 9A of the tablet 9 becoming brittle due to printing can be reduced. Can improve the yield of the tablet 9.

In addition, the lozenge processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a first appearance inspection camera (first camera) 51 and a control unit 10. When the dividing line is detected in the imaging result of the first visual inspection camera 51, the control unit 10 causes the first printing unit 41 to print on the first surface 9A of the tablet 9 corresponding to the direction of the dividing line. Thereby, the first surface 9A can be printed so as not to overlap the dividing line, and the visibility of the printed content is improved.

In addition, the lozenge processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment prints the second surface 9B of the lozenge 9 when the storage sheet 330 in which the lozenge 9 is stored is being transported in the sheet transport mechanism 70. Thereby, all the tablets 9 enclosed in the PTP package 300 are in a state where the second surface 9B printed by the second printing section 42 faces the covering sheet 340 side. Therefore, the information that consumers may not pay much attention to is printed on the second side, so as to prevent more than necessary information from entering the eyes of consumers viewing the PTP package 300 and causing confusion.

In addition, in the tablet processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the second printing section 42 prints the second surface 9B of the tablet 9 in a non-contact manner. Thereby, the risk of brittleness of the second side 9B of the tablet 9 can be reduced, and the yield of the tablet 9 can be improved.

In addition, the lozenge processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a second visual inspection camera (second camera) 53 and a control unit 10. When the dividing line is detected in the imaging result of the second visual inspection camera 53, the control unit 10 causes the second printing unit 42 to print the second surface 9B of the tablet 9 corresponding to the direction of the dividing line.

In addition, in the lozenge processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 10 adjusts the ejection position of the ink in the second printing unit 42 based on the imaging result of the second appearance inspection camera 53. Here, the lozenge 9 housed in the recessed portion 331 is not fixed, and therefore the position changes due to the influence of vibration or the like during transportation. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, based on the result of imaging the second surface 9B by the second visual inspection camera 53, the ink ejection position for each tablet 9 is adjusted, so that each tablet 9 can be printed with high accuracy.

In addition, in the lozenge processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the first printing unit 41 prints the name of the drug on the first side 9A, and the second printing unit 42 prints either the expiration date or the manufacturing date on the second side 9B . In this way, it is possible to print enough information such as the expiration date or the manufacturing date, as long as only a specific relevant person can confirm it, in a location invisible to the consumer who has held the PTP package 300 in his hand. As a result, it is possible to prevent more than necessary information from entering the eyes of consumers viewing the PTP package 300 and causing confusion.

In addition, in the lozenge processing apparatus 1 of the modified example, the first printing unit 41 prints information related to the timing of administration on the first side 9A, and the second printing unit 42 prints the drug name on the second side 9B. Thereby, it is possible to print detailed information such as the name of the medicine, which is enough to be confirmed by only a specific relevant person, in a position invisible to the consumer who holds the PTP package 300 in his hand. As a result, it is possible to prevent more than necessary information from entering the eyes of consumers viewing the PTP package 300 and causing confusion. On the other hand, the timing of taking is printed at a position that easily enters the eyes of the consumer, so that the consumer can easily perceive that the lozenge 9 has forgotten to take or the like.

＜7. Regarding other modified examples＞ As mentioned above, although the suitable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, As long as it does not deviate from the summary, the said embodiment can be variously changed.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, printing is performed on both sides of the first side 9A and the second side 9B of the tablet 9, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, instead of the printing, printing may be performed on only one of the first side and the second side of the tablet. Even in this case, according to the present invention, the appearance of the plurality of tablets that have been contained in the PTP package is unified.

In the above embodiment, the name of the drug and its content are printed on the first side 9A of the tablet 9, but in addition or as an alternative, the drug code can also be printed on the first side 9A. In addition, in FIG. 9, one of date information such as expiration date or manufacturing date of the tablet 9 is printed on the second side 9B of the tablet 9. However, as an alternative, multiple date information such as the expiration date and manufacturing date of the tablet can also be printed on the second side.

In the above-mentioned modification, the timing of taking "after breakfast on the first day", "after lunch on the first day", "after dinner on the first day", "after breakfast on the second day", etc. are printed on the tablet 9. The first side 9A, but the expression of the timing of taking is not limited to this. For example, "one-time use", "before going to bed", etc. can also be printed on the first side of the tablet.

In the modified example, the drug name of the tablet 9 and the content of the drug are printed on the second side 9B of the tablet 9, but in addition or as an alternative, the drug code, expiration date, and manufacturing At least any one of the days is printed on the second side.

In the above embodiment, the first printing section 41 and the second printing section 42 have four printing heads, but the number of printing heads can also be set to one to three, or five or more.

The sheet forming mechanism and the laminating mechanism may also be located outside the lozenge processing device. Alternatively, the lozenge processing device and the lozenge processing method may include a step of cutting the laminated storage sheet and the covering sheet to separate them into PTP packages.

About the structure of the minute part of the lozenge processing apparatus 1 and the lozenge processing method, you may differ from the embodiment of this application and the structure shown in each figure. In addition, each element appearing in the above-mentioned embodiment or modification may be appropriately combined within a range that does not cause any contradiction.

1: Tablet processing device 9: lozenge 9A: First side 9B: Second side 10: Control Department 11: Operation Processing Department 12: Memory 13: Memory Department 20: Tablet supply mechanism 21: Hopper 22: Straight feeder 23: Rotary feeder 24: Tilt feeder 30: lozenge conveying mechanism 31: Conveying roller 32: Conveyor 40: lozenge printing mechanism 41: The first printing department 42: The second printing department 50: Lozenge inspection agency 51: The first appearance inspection camera (the first camera) 52: Print inspection camera 53: The second appearance inspection camera (second camera) 60: Piece forming mechanism 70: Film transport mechanism 80: Lozenge Handover Organization 90: Laminating mechanism 221: Vibration Slot 231: Rotating Table 241: Slope 242: transport trough 300: PTP packaging 310, 320: Adsorption part 321: pulley 322: Convey Belt 330: Containment Film 331: Concave 340: Coated Sheet 411, 421: print head 411A: Nozzle 412, 422: Ionizer D: Information P: Computer program

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a PTP package in a state where a plurality of tablets have been enclosed. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a lozenge processing device. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the connection between the control unit and each unit in the control device. Fig. 4 is a perspective view including a part of an inclined feeder, a conveying roller, and a part of a conveying conveyor. Fig. 5 is a perspective view including a part of the conveying conveyor and a part of the storage sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying mechanism. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the first printing section. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining a second printing section. Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the state of the first side of the lozenge in the embodiment. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the state of the second side of the lozenge in the embodiment. Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a state of the first side of a tablet in a modified example. Fig. 11 is a plan view showing the state of the second side of the lozenge in a modified example. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing a PTP package in which a plurality of tablets have been enclosed in a modified example.

1: Tablet processing device

9: lozenge

10: Control Department

11: Operation Processing Department

12: Memory

13: Memory Department

20: Tablet supply mechanism

21: Hopper

22: Straight feeder

23: Rotary feeder

24: Tilt feeder

30: lozenge conveying mechanism

31: Conveying roller

32: Conveyor

40: lozenge printing mechanism

41: The first printing department

42: The second printing department

50: Lozenge inspection agency

51: The first appearance inspection camera (the first camera)

52: Print inspection camera

53: The second appearance inspection camera (second camera)

60: Piece forming mechanism

70: Film transport mechanism

80: Lozenge Handover Organization

90: Laminating mechanism

221: Vibration Slot

231: Rotating Table

241: Slope

321: pulley

322: Convey Belt

330: Containment Film

340: Coated Sheet

411, 421: print head

412, 422: Ionizer

D: Information

P: Computer program

Claims (11)

A lozenge processing device is a lozenge processing device in which a lozenge having a first side and a second side in a front and back relationship with the first side is enclosed in a PTP package, The PTP package includes: The containment sheet, transparent or semi-transparent, with multiple recesses arranged; and The covering sheet is attached to the containing sheet and covers the plurality of recesses; The lozenge processing device includes: A circulating belt-shaped lozenge conveying mechanism for conveying the lozenges while keeping the second surface on the outer surface; A sheet conveying mechanism, under the lozenge conveying mechanism, conveying the accommodating sheet with the opening of the recess facing upward; A lozenge transfer mechanism that transfers the lozenges from the lozenge conveying mechanism to the accommodating piece at the timing when the first surface faces the bottom side of the concave portion to be housed in the concave portion; and The first printing unit prints the first side of the tablet while the tablet is being transported in the tablet transport mechanism. The lozenge processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first printing section prints the first side of the lozenge in a non-contact manner. The lozenge processing device according to claim 1, comprising: A first camera, which photographs the first side of the tablet at a position closer to the upstream side in the conveying direction than the first printing section; and Control department When a dividing line is detected in the imaging result of the first camera, the control unit causes the first printing unit to print on the first side of the tablet in a direction corresponding to the dividing line. The lozenge processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: The second printing unit is configured to print on the second side of the tablet when the storage sheet in which the tablet has been stored is being transported in the sheet transport mechanism. The lozenge processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second printing section prints the second side of the lozenge in a non-contact manner. The lozenge processing device according to claim 4, comprising: A second camera, at a position closer to the upstream side in the conveying direction than the second printing section, to photograph the second surface of the tablet in the recess of the storage sheet; and The control unit; When a dividing line is detected in the imaging result of the second camera, the control unit causes the second printing unit to print on the second side of the tablet corresponding to the direction of the dividing line. The lozenge processing device according to claim 6, wherein The control unit adjusts the ejection position of the ink in the second printing unit based on the imaging result of the second camera. The lozenge processing device according to any one of claim 4 to claim 7, wherein The first printing unit prints at least any one of a drug name and a drug code on the first side, The second printing unit prints at least any one of expiration date and manufacturing date on the second side. The lozenge processing device according to any one of claim 4 to claim 7, wherein The first printing unit prints information related to the timing of taking on the first side, The second printing unit prints at least any one of a drug name, a drug code, expiration date, and manufacturing date on the second side. A lozenge processing method is a method of encapsulating a lozenge having a first side and a second side in a front and back relationship with the first side in a PTP package, the PTP package having: The containment sheet, transparent or semi-transparent, with multiple recesses arranged; and The covering sheet is attached to the containing sheet and covers the plurality of recesses; In the lozenge processing method, a) transporting the lozenges in a state where the second surface is held on the outer surface of an endless belt-shaped transport conveyor, b) printing on the first side of the tablet during transportation by the transportation conveyor, c) When the first surface faces the bottom side of the concave portion, the lozenge from the conveying conveyor is transferred to a storage piece located below the conveying conveyor to be housed in the concave portion . The lozenge processing method as described in claim 10, and further d) Printing on the second side of the lozenge while the storage sheet that has housed the lozenge is being transported.

Images