JP4849202B2 - Appearance inspection device for flat tablets - Google Patents

Appearance inspection device for flat tablets Download PDF

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JP4849202B2
JP4849202B2 JP2005144333A JP2005144333A JP4849202B2 JP 4849202 B2 JP4849202 B2 JP 4849202B2 JP 2005144333 A JP2005144333 A JP 2005144333A JP 2005144333 A JP2005144333 A JP 2005144333A JP 4849202 B2 JP4849202 B2 JP 4849202B2
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tablet
circular groove
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泰三 山本
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Description

本発明は、錠剤の外観検査装置などにおいて、ランダムに供給される扁平錠剤を、径方向を上下にした直立状態に姿勢制御して、搬送機構部などに連続的に供給する扁平錠剤の供給装置に関する。   The present invention relates to a flat tablet supply device for controlling the posture of a randomly supplied flat tablet in an upright state with its radial direction up and down and continuously supplying it to a transport mechanism or the like in a tablet appearance inspection device or the like About.

従来から、錠剤に異物の付着や汚れ、欠けや割れ等の変形、或いは印刷不良などの欠陥が生じていないかを検査する外観検査は、外観検査装置を用いて自動的に行われている。   Conventionally, an appearance inspection for inspecting whether a defect such as adhesion, dirt, chipping or cracking of foreign matter, or defects such as defective printing has occurred in a tablet has been automatically performed using an appearance inspection apparatus.

従来、扁平形状の錠剤（以下、「扁平錠剤」という）を外観検査装置により自動検査する場合には、ランダムに供給される扁平錠剤を所定の形態に整列させて搬送し、その搬送中に扁平錠剤を、径方向を上下にした直立状態、厚さ方向を上下にした平伏状態、表裏反転した平伏状態に順次姿勢変換すると共に、各姿勢で扁平錠剤を撮影し、表面画像、裏面画像及び側面画像を取り込み、得られた画像を画像処理して外観不良の有無を検出する方法が、一般に採用されている。なお、通常の扁平錠剤に表裏の別はないが、本明細書では、最初に撮影される面を「表面」、後に撮影される面を「裏面」という。   Conventionally, when a flat tablet (hereinafter referred to as “flat tablet”) is automatically inspected by an appearance inspection apparatus, the flat tablets supplied at random are transported in a predetermined form, and the flat tablets are transported during the transport. The posture of the tablet is changed to the upright state with the radial direction up and down, the flat state with the thickness direction up and down, and the flat state with the front and back reversed, and the flat tablet is photographed in each posture, the front image, the back image and the side surface A method is generally employed in which an image is captured and the obtained image is processed to detect the presence or absence of an appearance defect. Although there is no distinction between the front and back of a normal flat tablet, in this specification, the first imaged surface is referred to as “front surface”, and the later imaged surface is referred to as “back surface”.

従来、このような外観検査装置としては、複数の搬送ドラムを用い、搬送ドラムの外周面に扁平錠剤を吸引保持し搬送ドラム間で受け渡しを行いながら、扁平錠剤を搬送すると共に姿勢変換を行い、その搬送途中の扁平錠剤を撮影して各姿勢での画像を取り込み、外観検査を行う装置が知られている（例えば、下記特許文献１参照）。
また、循環回転する無端ベルト上に、扁平錠剤を載置して搬送し、撮影を行って、外観検査を行う装置も種々提案されている（例えば、下記特許文献２参照）。 Conventionally, as such an appearance inspection apparatus, a plurality of transport drums are used, the flat tablets are sucked and held on the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum and transferred between the transport drums, while the flat tablets are transported and the posture is changed, An apparatus is known in which a flat tablet in the middle of conveyance is photographed, an image in each posture is captured, and an appearance inspection is performed (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).
Various devices have also been proposed in which a flat tablet is placed on a circulating and rotating endless belt, transported, photographed, and inspected for appearance (for example, see Patent Document 2 below).

この場合、ドラム搬送、ベルト搬送のいずれの場合も、錠剤を一定の姿勢に姿勢制御して、所定の速度で連続的に供給する必要があり、その供給手段としても種々の方法が提案されている。しかしながら、いずれの方法も機構が複雑であったり、供給不良の発生により供給率が悪かったり、供給時、特に姿勢制御を行う際に錠剤を破損しやすい、などといった問題があり、これらの課題を解決し得る扁平錠剤の供給装置の開発が望まれる。   In this case, in either case of drum conveyance or belt conveyance, it is necessary to control the posture of the tablet in a constant posture and continuously supply it at a predetermined speed, and various methods have been proposed as its supply means. Yes. However, each method has problems such as complicated mechanisms, poor supply rate due to supply failure, and easy breakage of tablets during supply, particularly when posture control is performed. Development of a flat tablet supply device that can be solved is desired.

特開２００１−３３３９２号公報JP 2001-33392 A 特開２００４−１３８４２９号公報JP 2004-138429 A

本発明は、上記事情に鑑みなされたもので、錠剤に過剰な負荷をかけることなく、姿勢制御して連続供給することができ、かつ比較的単純な機構で供給不良の発生率を可及的に低くして、信頼性の高い錠剤の連続供給を行うことができる供給装置を備えた扁平錠剤の外観検査装置を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can control the posture continuously without applying an excessive load to the tablet, and can reduce the occurrence rate of supply failure with a relatively simple mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide a flat tablet appearance inspection apparatus provided with a supply device capable of continuously supplying highly reliable tablets.

本発明は、上記目的を達成するため、第１の発明として、 ランダムに供給される扁平錠剤を、供給装置によって径方向を上下にした直立状態に姿勢制御して一列に整列させ、これを搬送ベルト上に連続的に供給して搬送して搬送し、その搬送中に扁平錠剤の外観検査を行なう外観検査装置であり、上記供給装置が、所定速度で回転する傘状円盤と、該傘状円盤の外周面下端縁部に沿って突設されたリング状のフランジと、上記傘状円盤の外周に沿って配置固定された周壁と、該周壁の内周面と上記傘状円盤の外周面との間に形成された円形溝と、上記周壁内周面の所定範囲に上記円形溝の上方を覆うように形成されたカバーと、該カバーの内側で上記円形溝と連通し、該円形溝の接線方向に沿って上記周壁を貫通する錠剤供給口とを具備し、かつ上記搬送ベルトが、上記錠剤供給口の形成箇所における上記円形溝の接線方向に沿って水平方向に配置されてなり、上記供給装置の傘状円盤上にランダムに供給された錠剤を、該傘状円盤の回転による遠心力と該傘状円盤上面の傾斜により、上記円形溝へと導入して上記フランジ上に直立させ、該傘状円盤の回転によって上記カバーの内側へと搬送し、上記錠剤供給口から直立状態の扁平錠剤を一列に整列した状態で接線方向に向けて水平に連続的に排出し、上記搬送ベルト上へと水平方向に供給するように構成したことを特徴とする扁平錠剤の外観検査装置を提供する。 In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as the first invention, the randomly supplied flat tablets are aligned in a line by controlling the posture in an upright state in which the radial direction is up and down by the supply device , and transporting this An appearance inspection device that continuously feeds and conveys on a belt and conveys it, and inspects the appearance of a flat tablet during the conveyance, the supply device comprising an umbrella disk rotating at a predetermined speed, and the umbrella shape A ring-shaped flange projecting along the lower edge of the outer peripheral surface of the disk, a peripheral wall arranged and fixed along the outer periphery of the umbrella-shaped disk, an inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall, and an outer peripheral surface of the umbrella-shaped disk A circular groove formed between the circular groove, a cover formed so as to cover an upper portion of the circular groove within a predetermined range of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall, and the circular groove communicated with the circular groove inside the cover. A tablet supply port that penetrates the peripheral wall along the tangential direction of The transport belt is disposed in a horizontal direction along a tangential direction of the circular groove at the formation position of the tablet supply port, and tablets supplied at random on the umbrella disk of the supply device The tablet is introduced into the circular groove by the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the disk and the inclination of the upper surface of the umbrella disk, and is brought upright on the flange, and is conveyed to the inside of the cover by the rotation of the umbrella disk. A flat tablet characterized in that it is configured to discharge flat tablets in an upright state from a supply port horizontally in a tangential direction in a state of being aligned in a row, and to supply them horizontally onto the transport belt. The visual inspection apparatus is provided.

この第１の発明にかかる供給装置は、上記のように、傘状円盤の上面に供給された扁平錠剤を、該傘状円盤の回転による遠心力と該傘状円盤上面の傾斜によってこの傘状円盤の外周に沿って形成された円形溝内に導入し、これによりランダムに供給された扁平錠剤を直立状態で円形軌道に沿って一列に整列させるものである。従って、扁平錠剤にほとんど負荷をかけることなく、遠心力と自重によってスムーズに姿勢制御と整列操作を行うことができ、扁平錠剤を破損等の不都合を生じることなく安定的に供給することができ、信頼性の高い錠剤供給を行うことができるものである。   As described above, the supply device according to the first aspect of the present invention supplies the flat tablet supplied to the upper surface of the umbrella-shaped disk by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the umbrella-shaped disk and the inclination of the upper surface of the umbrella-shaped disk. It is introduced into a circular groove formed along the outer periphery of the disk, whereby the randomly supplied flat tablets are aligned in a line along the circular track in an upright state. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly perform posture control and alignment operation by centrifugal force and its own weight, with almost no load on the flat tablet, and to stably supply the flat tablet without causing inconvenience such as breakage, It is possible to supply tablets with high reliability.

しかも、必要とされる動的部品は、上記傘状円盤だけであり、その動作も単純な回転運動であり、更に姿勢制御及び整列操作時の扁平錠剤の動作も上記傘状円盤上面の斜面を滑り降りてその外周に形成された円形溝に落ち込むだけのきわめて単純な動作であり、単純な機構で安定的な錠剤供給を行うことができるものである。   In addition, the required dynamic part is only the umbrella-shaped disk, and its movement is also a simple rotational movement. Further, the movement of the flat tablet during the posture control and alignment operation is performed on the slope on the upper surface of the umbrella-shaped disk. It is a very simple operation that slides down and falls into a circular groove formed on the outer periphery of the groove, and a stable tablet supply can be performed with a simple mechanism.

なお、この第１発明にかかる供給装置は、円形の扁平錠剤だけではなく、楕円形や長楕円形などの所謂異形錠剤にも提供することができる。この場合、特に制限されるものではないが、楕円形や長楕円形などの異形錠剤に用いる場合には、錠剤の寸法や形態に応じて、上記円形溝上に、上記カバーの上流側近傍に存して回転ブラシを配設し、該回転ブラシによって、上記円形溝から突出した扁平錠剤を円形溝から除去し、又は強制的に円形溝内に挿入するように構成することが好ましい。これにより、このような異形錠剤でも供給不良の発生などを生じることなく、より確実かつスムーズに安定供給することができる。   The supply device according to the first aspect of the invention can be provided not only for a circular flat tablet but also for a so-called deformed tablet such as an ellipse or an ellipse. In this case, although not particularly limited, in the case of using a deformed tablet such as an ellipse or an ellipse, it exists in the vicinity of the upstream side of the cover on the circular groove according to the size and form of the tablet. It is preferable that a rotating brush is provided, and the flat tablet protruding from the circular groove is removed from the circular groove by the rotating brush, or is forcibly inserted into the circular groove. As a result, even such irregular shaped tablets can be stably and smoothly supplied without causing a supply failure.

本発明の扁平錠剤の供給装置は、上述のように、錠剤に過剰な負荷をかけることなく、直立状態に姿勢制御して連続供給することができ、かつ比較的単純な機構で供給不良の発生率を可及的に低くして、信頼性の高い錠剤の連続供給を行うことができる。   As described above, the flat tablet supply device of the present invention can continuously supply the tablet in an upright state without applying an excessive load to the tablet, and a supply failure occurs with a relatively simple mechanism. The rate can be made as low as possible, and reliable continuous supply of tablets can be performed.

発明を実施するための最良の形態及び実施例BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

以下、実施例を示し、本発明の扁平錠剤の供給装置をより具体的に説明する。
［第１実施例］
図１，２は、第１の発明にかかる供給装置１を錠剤供給部として用いた外観検査装置を示すものであり、この外観検査装置は、長楕円形状の扁平錠剤（以下、「異形錠剤ｔ」という）に対し、その表面、裏面及び側面全周の外観検査を施し、外観不良を有する不良錠剤と外観不良を有しない良品錠剤とを分別して回収するものである。 Hereinafter, an Example is shown and the supply apparatus of the flat tablet of this invention is demonstrated more concretely.
[First embodiment]
1 and 2 show an appearance inspection apparatus using the supply device 1 according to the first invention as a tablet supply unit. This appearance inspection apparatus is an oblong flat tablet (hereinafter referred to as “an irregular tablet t”). ”), The appearance of the entire front, back, and side surfaces is inspected to separate and collect defective tablets having poor appearance and good tablets having no poor appearance.

この外観検査装置は、供給装置１から短径方向を上下にした直立状態で整列供給された異形錠剤ｔを、搬送ベルト３１上に直立姿勢のまま載置して一対のガイド壁４，４でガイドしながら搬送し、その搬送途中でガイド壁４，４に設けられた撮影窓４１，４２を通してカメラ５１，５２でそれぞれ表面、裏面の画像を取り込み、更に上方からカメラ５３で側面の半周分の画像を得、更に両ガイド壁４，４間が広くなった錠剤転倒部４３で転倒ローラ４５により異形錠剤ｔを転倒させて、撮影窓４４を通してカメラ５４で側面の残りの半周分の画像を得、これらの画像を図示しない良否判定部で画像処理して外観不良の有無を判定し、その判定結果に基づいて、不良錠剤は圧空噴射ノズル４５から圧空を噴射して不良錠剤シュート６１へと排出回収され、良品錠剤はそのまま搬送ベルト３１の端部から良品排出シュート６２を通して排出され回収される。   In this appearance inspection device, the deformed tablets t aligned and supplied in an upright state with the minor axis direction being up and down from the supply device 1 are placed on the transport belt 31 in an upright posture, and a pair of guide walls 4 and 4 are used. During the conveyance, the front and back images are taken in by the cameras 51 and 52 through the photographing windows 41 and 42 provided on the guide walls 4 and 4, respectively. An image is obtained, and the deformed tablet t is caused to fall by the fall roller 45 in the tablet fall part 43 where the space between the guide walls 4 and 4 is widened, and the image of the remaining half of the side is obtained by the camera 54 through the photographing window 44 These images are image-processed by a quality determination unit (not shown) to determine the presence or absence of an appearance defect. Based on the determination result, the defective tablets are ejected from the compressed air injection nozzle 45 and discharged to the defective tablet chute 61. Is yield, good tablet is collected is discharged through the non-defective discharge chute 62 as it is from the end of the conveyor belt 31.

なお、上記錠剤転倒部４３での錠剤ｔの転倒操作は、図６の通りである。即ち、錠剤転倒部４３は、両ガイド壁４，４間の幅が部分的に広くなっていると共に、一方のガイド壁４，４の高さが部分的に低くなっており、この低くなった部分から略逆傘状の転倒ローラ４５が両ガイド壁４，４間に挿入された状態になっており、両ガイド壁４，４間を直立状態で搬送されてくる異形錠剤ｔが、上記転倒ローラ４５に当接して横転するようになっている。この場合、転倒ローラ４５は搬送方向と同方向に搬送速度と同等又はやや速い速度で回転しており、これにより異形錠剤ｔはほとんど向きを変えることなく、真横に横転するようになっている。また、上記搬送ベルト３１は、図２及び図６（Ｂ）に示されているように、複数のプレートを多数連結して無端ベルト状に形成したものである。   In addition, the overturning operation of the tablet t in the tablet overturning portion 43 is as shown in FIG. That is, in the tablet overturning portion 43, the width between the guide walls 4 and 4 is partially widened, and the height of one guide wall 4 and 4 is partially low, which is reduced. From the portion, the inverted roller 45 having a substantially inverted umbrella shape is inserted between the guide walls 4 and 4, and the deformed tablet t conveyed between the guide walls 4 and 4 in an upright state is The roller 45 rolls over in contact with the roller 45. In this case, the overturning roller 45 rotates in the same direction as the conveyance direction at a speed that is equal to or slightly faster than the conveyance speed, so that the deformed tablet t rolls sideways almost without changing its direction. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6B, the transport belt 31 is formed in an endless belt shape by connecting a plurality of plates.

上記錠剤供給部を構成する第１発明の一実施例にかかる供給装置１は、図１〜３に示されているように、一定速度で回転する傘状円盤１１と該傘状円盤１１の外周に沿って配置固定された周壁１２とを具備している。   As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a supply device 1 according to an embodiment of the first invention constituting the tablet supply unit includes an umbrella disk 11 that rotates at a constant speed and an outer periphery of the umbrella disk 11. And a peripheral wall 12 arranged and fixed along.

上記傘状円盤１１は、図３，４に示されているように、外周面がほぼ垂直に切立っていると共に、外周面下端縁部に沿ってリング状のフランジ１１１が突設されており、また上記外周面には、周方向に沿って掻出し溝１１２が全周に亘ってリング状に形成されている。そして、この傘状円盤１１は、図示しない、駆動機構によって図３中の矢印方向に一定速度で連続回転するようになっている。   As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the umbrella-shaped disk 11 has an outer peripheral surface that stands substantially vertically, and a ring-shaped flange 111 that protrudes along the lower edge of the outer peripheral surface. In addition, on the outer peripheral surface, a scraping groove 112 is formed in a ring shape along the entire circumference. The umbrella disk 11 is continuously rotated at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 by a drive mechanism (not shown).

この傘状円盤１１の外周面と上記周壁１２の内面との間には、異形錠剤ｔが直立姿勢で進入可能な幅を有する円形溝１３が全周に亘って形成されており、上記フランジ１１１がこの円形溝１３の底壁を形成している。   Between the outer peripheral surface of the umbrella-shaped disk 11 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 12, a circular groove 13 having a width that allows the deformed tablet t to enter in an upright posture is formed over the entire periphery. Forms the bottom wall of the circular groove 13.

上記周壁１２の内周面には、約半周に亘って上記円形溝１３の上方を覆うように円弧状のカバー１２１が突設されており、図４（Ｃ）に示されているように、このカバー１２１の下面、周壁１２の内周面、傘状円盤１１の外周面及びフランジ１１１の上面により囲まれた空間部（円形溝１３）に異形錠剤ｔが短径方向を上下にした直立状態でちょうど収容されるようになっている。   On the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 12, an arc-shaped cover 121 is provided so as to cover the upper part of the circular groove 13 over about a half circumference, as shown in FIG. An upright state in which the deformed tablet t is vertically up and down in the space (circular groove 13) surrounded by the lower surface of the cover 121, the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 12, the outer peripheral surface of the umbrella-shaped disk 11 and the upper surface of the flange 111 Is just being accommodated.

上記周壁１２の一部には、図３，５に示されているように、上記円形溝１３の接線方向に沿って周壁１２を貫通する錠剤供給口１２２が形成されており、この錠剤供給口１２２は、その内側開口が上記カバー１２１内において上記円形溝１３と連通していると共に、外側開口は、図３，図５（Ｅ）に示されているように、上記一対のガイド壁４，４間に連通している。更に、周壁１２の内周面には、この錠剤供給口１２２の開口縁部から回転方向（図３中の矢印方向）下流側に存して、爪状に形成された薄肉板状の掻出し突片１２３が突設されており、この掻出し突片１２３の先端部が上記掻出し溝１１２内に挿入されて、上記円形溝１３内を流れる異形錠剤ｔがこの掻出し突片１２３にガイドされて上記錠剤供給口１２２へと導かれるようになっている。   As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a tablet supply port 122 that penetrates the peripheral wall 12 along the tangential direction of the circular groove 13 is formed in a part of the peripheral wall 12. 122, the inner opening communicates with the circular groove 13 in the cover 121, and the outer opening has the pair of guide walls 4, as shown in FIGS. 4 communicates with each other. Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 12, there is a thin plate-like scrape formed in a claw shape on the downstream side in the rotation direction (the arrow direction in FIG. 3) from the opening edge of the tablet supply port 122. A protruding piece 123 is provided so that the tip of the scraped protruding piece 123 is inserted into the scraped groove 112, and the deformed tablet t flowing in the circular groove 13 is guided to the scraped protruding piece 123. Then, it is guided to the tablet supply port 122.

更に、図３に示されているように、上記円形溝１３上には、上記カバー１２１の上流側近傍に存して回転ブラシ１３１が配設されており、モータ１３２に駆動されて傘状円盤１１の回転方向とは逆方向に所定速度で回転するようになっており、この回転ブラシ１３１によって上記円形溝１３から突出した異形錠剤が円形溝１３から除去され、又は強制的に円形溝１３内に挿入されるようになっている。つまり、異形錠剤ｔが長径を上下にした状態で一部が上記円形溝１３から大きく突出した状態となっている場合には、上記回転ブラシ１３１によってこの異形錠剤が円形溝１３から除去され、一方、斜めに傾いた状態で異形錠剤ｔの一部が少しだけ上記円形溝１３から突出した状態となっている場合には、この突出部分が上記回転ブラシ１３１によって円形溝１３内に強制的に挿入され、異形錠剤が短径方向を上下にした直立状態で確実に円形溝１３内に収容されるようになっている。   Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a rotating brush 131 is disposed on the circular groove 13 in the vicinity of the upstream side of the cover 121, and is driven by a motor 132 to be an umbrella disk. 11 is rotated at a predetermined speed in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of 11, and the irregular tablet protruding from the circular groove 13 is removed from the circular groove 13 by the rotating brush 131, or is forcedly formed in the circular groove 13. To be inserted. That is, when the deformed tablet t is in a state in which a part of the deformed tablet t protrudes greatly from the circular groove 13 with the major axis up and down, the deformed tablet is removed from the circular groove 13 by the rotating brush 131. When a part of the deformed tablet t is slightly protruded from the circular groove 13 in an inclined state, the protruding portion is forcibly inserted into the circular groove 13 by the rotating brush 131. Thus, the irregular shaped tablet is reliably accommodated in the circular groove 13 in an upright state with the minor axis direction being up and down.

なお、図１中７は、異形錠剤ｔを投入するためのホッパー、７１はこのホッパー７内の異形錠剤ｔを上記傘状円盤１１上に落下させる供給シュートである。   In FIG. 1, 7 is a hopper for feeding the irregular shaped tablet t, and 71 is a supply chute for dropping the irregular shaped tablet t in the hopper 7 onto the umbrella-shaped disk 11.

次に、この供給装置による異形錠剤の供給動作について説明する。
ホッパー７に投入された異形錠剤ｔは、上記供給シュート７１を通して、上記傘状円盤１１上に連続的に落下し、このランダムに供給された異形錠剤ｔは、傘状円盤１１の回転による遠心力と該傘状円盤１１上面の傾斜により、平伏状態で外側へと移動し、図４（Ａ）に示されているように、上記円形溝１３内へと進入して短径方向を上下にした直立状態で上記フランジ１１１上に載置された状態となる。この状態で、傘状円盤１１の回転により図３中の矢印方向に搬送され、図４（Ｂ）に示されているように、上記回転ブラシ１３１の下を通過して、図４（Ｃ）に示されているように、カバー１２１の内側に進入する。 Next, the operation of supplying the irregular shaped tablet by this supply device will be described.
The deformed tablet t put into the hopper 7 continuously falls on the umbrella-shaped disk 11 through the supply chute 71, and the randomly-shaped deformed tablet t is subjected to centrifugal force due to the rotation of the umbrella-shaped disk 11. And the umbrella-shaped disk 11 moves to the outside in a flat state due to the inclination of the upper surface of the umbrella-shaped disk 11, and enters the circular groove 13 as shown in FIG. It will be in the state mounted on the said flange 111 in an upright state. In this state, it is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 by the rotation of the umbrella-shaped disk 11 and passes under the rotating brush 131 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.

ここで、上述のように、上記回転ブラシ１３１の下を通過する際、上記円形溝１３から突出した状態の異形錠剤は、この回転ブラシ１３１によって円形溝１３から除去され、又は円形溝１３内に強制的に挿入され、全ての異形錠剤ｔが短径方向を上下にした直立状態でカバー１２１の内側へと搬送されて行く。   Here, as described above, when passing under the rotary brush 131, the irregular shaped tablet protruding from the circular groove 13 is removed from the circular groove 13 by the rotary brush 131, or is inserted into the circular groove 13. All the deformed tablets t are forcibly inserted and conveyed to the inside of the cover 121 in an upright state with the minor axis direction being up and down.

このように、カバー１２１の内側に進入した異形錠剤ｔは、傘状円盤１１の回転によって更に搬送され、図５（Ｄ），（Ｅ）に示されているように、上記掻出し突片１２３により周壁１２に設けられた上記錠剤供給口１２２へと導かれ、この錠剤供給口１２２を通って、上記両ガイド壁４，４間の上記搬送ベルト３１上に直立状態のまま載置され、搬送される。そして、この動作が連続的に繰り返され、異形錠剤ｔが短径方向を上下にした直立状態で、一列に整列して連続的に上記搬送ベルト３１上に供給され、上述のように外観検査が行われる。   In this way, the irregular shaped tablet t that has entered the inside of the cover 121 is further conveyed by the rotation of the umbrella-shaped disk 11, and as shown in FIGS. Is guided to the tablet supply port 122 provided in the peripheral wall 12 and is placed in an upright state on the transport belt 31 between the guide walls 4 and 4 through the tablet supply port 122 and transported. Is done. Then, this operation is continuously repeated, and the irregular shaped tablets t are continuously supplied in a line in the upright state in which the minor axis direction is up and down, and continuously supplied onto the conveyor belt 31 as described above. Done.

このように、この第１実施例の供給装置１は、傘状円盤１１の上面に供給された異形錠剤（扁平錠剤）ｔを、該傘状円盤１１の回転による遠心力と該傘状円盤１１上面の傾斜によってこの傘状円盤１１の外周に沿って形成された円形溝１３内に導入し、これによりランダムに供給された異形錠剤ｔを直立状態で円形軌道に沿って一列に整列させ、連続的に供給するものである。従って、異形錠剤ｔにほとんど負荷をかけることなく、遠心力と自重によってスムーズに姿勢制御と整列操作を行うことができ、異形錠剤を破損等の不都合を生じることなく安定的に供給することができ、信頼性の高い錠剤供給を行うことができるものである。   As described above, the supply device 1 according to the first embodiment uses the deformed tablet (flat tablet) t supplied to the upper surface of the umbrella-shaped disk 11, the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the umbrella-shaped disk 11, and the umbrella-shaped disk 11. Introduced into the circular groove 13 formed along the outer periphery of the umbrella-shaped disk 11 by the inclination of the upper surface, thereby randomly feeding the irregularly shaped tablets t aligned in a line along the circular track in an upright state. To supply. Therefore, the posture control and alignment operation can be smoothly performed by centrifugal force and its own weight with almost no load on the irregular shaped tablet t, and the irregular shaped tablet can be stably supplied without causing any inconvenience such as breakage. It is possible to supply tablets with high reliability.

しかも、用いられている主な動的部品は、上記傘状円盤１１だけであり、その動作も単純な回転運動であり、更に姿勢制御及び整列操作時の異形錠剤ｔの動作も上記傘状円盤１１上面の斜面を滑り降りてその外周に形成された円形溝１３に落ち込むだけのきわめて単純な動作であり、単純な機構で安定的な錠剤供給を行うことができるものである。   Moreover, the main dynamic part used is only the umbrella-shaped disk 11, and its operation is also a simple rotational movement, and the operation of the deformed tablet t during posture control and alignment operation is also performed by the umbrella-shaped disk. 11 is a very simple operation of sliding down a slope on the upper surface and falling into a circular groove 13 formed on the outer periphery of the slope, and stable tablet supply can be performed with a simple mechanism.

なお、上記第１実施例では、扁平錠剤として長楕円形状の異形錠剤を供給するようにしたが、同様の装置によって円形の扁平錠剤も良好に供給することができ、この場合には、上記回転ブラシ１３１を省略しても、ほとんど不都合を生じることはない。   In the first embodiment, an elliptical shaped irregular tablet is supplied as a flat tablet, but a circular flat tablet can also be satisfactorily supplied by the same device. Even if the brush 131 is omitted, there is almost no inconvenience.

以上のように、上記第１実施例の供給装置によれば、錠剤に過剰な負荷をかけることなく、確実に姿勢制御して所定の姿勢で扁平錠剤を連続供給することができ、かつ比較的単純な機構で供給不良の発生率を可及的に低くして、信頼性の高い錠剤の連続供給を行うことができる。 As described above , according to the supply device of the first embodiment , flat tablets can be continuously supplied in a predetermined posture by reliably controlling the posture without applying an excessive load to the tablet, and relatively as much as possible the incidence of supply failure a simple mechanism to lower, Ru can be performed continuously supply reliable tablet.

なお、本発明は、上記実施例に限定されるものではなく、各部の構成や形状、配置、組み合わせ、更に供給対象の扁平錠剤の形状などは、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲で適宜変更して差し支えない。   The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configuration, shape, arrangement, combination of each part, and the shape of the flat tablet to be supplied can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. It does not matter.

第１の発明の一実施例（第１実施例）にかかる供給装置を用いた外観検査装置を示す概略平面図である。It is a schematic plan view which shows the external appearance inspection apparatus using the supply apparatus concerning one Example (1st Example) of 1st invention. 同外観検査装置を示す概略側面図である。It is a schematic side view which shows the external appearance inspection apparatus. 同供給装置を示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows the supply apparatus. （Ａ）、（Ｂ）、（Ｃ）はそれぞれ図３のＡ−Ａ線、Ｂ−Ｂ線、Ｃ−Ｃ線に沿った断面を示す部分拡大断面図である。(A), (B), (C) is a partial expanded sectional view which shows the cross section along the AA line of FIG. 3, BB line, and CC line, respectively. （Ｄ）は図３のＤ−Ｄ線に沿った部分拡大断面図、（Ｅ）は（Ｄ）と同様の部分を示す一部を断面とした拡大平面図である。(D) is the elements on larger scale which followed the DD line of Drawing 3, (E) is an enlarged plan view which made the section which shows the same portion as (D) into a section. 同外観検査装置の錠剤転倒部を示すもので、（Ａ）は拡大平面図、（Ｂ）は一部を断面とした拡大側面図である。 Shows a tablet falling portion of the appearance inspection apparatus, (A) is an enlarged plan view, (B) is Ru enlarged side view der that the cross-sectional part.

１ 供給装置
１１ 傘状円盤
１１１ フランジ
１１２ 掻出し溝
１２ 周壁
１２１ カバー
１２２ 錠剤供給口
１２３ 掻出し突片
１３ 円形溝
１３１ 回転ブラシ
３１ 搬送ベルト
ｔ 異形錠剤（扁平錠剤） DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Supply apparatus 11 Umbrella disk 111 Flange 112 Scraping groove 12 Peripheral wall 121 Cover 122 Tablet supply port 123 Scraping protrusion 13 Circular groove 131 Rotating brush
31 Conveyor belt t irregular tablet (flat tablet)

Claims (3)

ランダムに供給される扁平錠剤を、供給装置によって径方向を上下にした直立状態に姿勢制御して一列に整列させ、これを搬送ベルト上に連続的に供給して搬送して搬送し、その搬送中に扁平錠剤の外観検査を行なう外観検査装置であり、
上記供給装置が、
所定速度で回転する傘状円盤と、
該傘状円盤の外周面下端縁部に沿って突設されたリング状のフランジと、
上記傘状円盤の外周に沿って配置固定された周壁と、
該周壁の内周面と上記傘状円盤の外周面との間に形成された円形溝と、
上記周壁内周面の所定範囲に上記円形溝の上方を覆うように形成されたカバーと、
該カバーの内側で上記円形溝と連通し、該円形溝の接線方向に沿って上記周壁を貫通する錠剤供給口とを具備し、
かつ上記搬送ベルトが、上記錠剤供給口の形成箇所における上記円形溝の接線方向に沿って水平方向に配置されてなり、
上記供給装置の傘状円盤上にランダムに供給された錠剤を、該傘状円盤の回転による遠心力と該傘状円盤上面の傾斜により、上記円形溝へと導入して上記フランジ上に直立させ、該傘状円盤の回転によって上記カバーの内側へと搬送し、上記錠剤供給口から直立状態の扁平錠剤を一列に整列した状態で接線方向に向けて水平に連続的に排出し、上記搬送ベルト上へと水平方向に供給するように構成したことを特徴とする扁平錠剤の外観検査装置。 The randomly supplied flat tablets are aligned in a row by controlling the posture in an upright state with the radial direction up and down by the supply device , and this is continuously supplied and conveyed on the conveyor belt for conveyance. It is an appearance inspection device that inspects the appearance of flat tablets inside,
The supply device is
An umbrella disk rotating at a predetermined speed;
A ring-shaped flange projecting along the lower edge of the outer peripheral surface of the umbrella-shaped disk;
A peripheral wall arranged and fixed along the outer periphery of the umbrella-shaped disk;
A circular groove formed between the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall and the outer peripheral surface of the umbrella-shaped disk;
A cover formed to cover the upper part of the circular groove in a predetermined range of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall;
A tablet supply port communicating with the circular groove inside the cover and penetrating the peripheral wall along a tangential direction of the circular groove;
And the conveyor belt is arranged in the horizontal direction along the tangential direction of the circular groove in the formation location of the tablet supply port,
Tablets randomly supplied on the umbrella disk of the supply device are introduced into the circular groove by the centrifugal force by the rotation of the umbrella disk and the inclination of the upper surface of the umbrella disk, and are made to stand upright on the flange. The umbrella belt is rotated to the inside of the cover, and the flat tablets in an upright state are continuously discharged from the tablet supply port in a tangential direction in a state of being aligned in a row, and the conveyor belt. An apparatus for inspecting the appearance of a flat tablet, characterized in that it is configured to be supplied horizontally upward . 上記供給装置を構成する上記傘状円盤の外周面に周方向に沿って掻出し溝が形成されていると共に、上記周壁内面から突設された掻出し突片の先端部が、該掻出し溝内に挿入されており、該掻出し突片が上記円形溝内の扁平錠剤を確実に上記錠剤供給口へと導くように構成された請求項１記載の扁平錠剤の外観検査装置。 A scraping groove is formed along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the umbrella-shaped disk constituting the supply device, and the tip of the scraping projecting piece protruding from the inner surface of the peripheral wall is the scraping groove. The flat tablet external appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flat tablet external appearance inspection device is configured to be inserted into the tablet, and the scraped protruding piece reliably guides the flat tablet in the circular groove to the tablet supply port. 上記供給装置の上記円形溝上に、上記カバーの上流側近傍に存して回転ブラシが配設されており、該回転ブラシによって、上記円形溝から突出した扁平錠剤が円形溝から除去され、又は強制的に円形溝内に挿入されるように構成された請求項１又は２記載の扁平錠剤の外観検査装置。 A rotating brush is disposed on the circular groove of the supply device in the vicinity of the upstream side of the cover, and the flat tablet protruding from the circular groove is removed from the circular groove or forced by the rotating brush. The flat tablet external appearance inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is configured to be inserted into a circular groove.
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