Individual sorting device for sorting tablets, system with such an individual sorting device and with a tableting device, and method for checking an individual sorting device

Abstract

The invention relates to an individual sorting device (10) for sorting tablets which have been pressed by a tableting machine using press punches. The individual sorting device (10) comprises a tablet feed (20), a pressing force signal input (30) for receiving pressing force signals which can be assigned to the fed tablets, a programmable control unit (40), and a storage unit (50). The individual sorting device (10) is suitable for separating tablets to which an unacceptable pressing force signal can be assigned, said unacceptable pressing force signal lying outside of an accepted pressing force range, from tablets to which an acceptable pressing force signal can be assigned, said acceptable pressing force signal lying within the accepted pressing force range. A test control program is stored in the storage unit (50) for programming the control unit (40) for a test operation of the individual sorting device (10), and during the test operation, the test control program includes the offset application of pressing force signals which can be assigned to tablets that have been pressed by at least one of the pressing punches of the tableting machine. The invention further relates to a system comprising a tableting device with multiple pressing punches and with an individual sorting device (10) and to a method for checking a proper functioning of an individual sorting device (10) for a tableting device with pressing punches.

Claims

1. An individual sorting device for sorting tablets which have been compressed by a tableting machine using compression punches, the individual sorting device comprising: a removably attached embossing element configured (i) to be removably attached to at least one of the compression punches during a test operation and (ii) to provide an impressed image, a tablet infeed, a compressive-force signal input for receiving compressive-force signals which are assignable to the infed tablets, a programmable controller unit, a memory, and a sorting unit, wherein the individual sorting device through the sorting unit is configured to separate (a) tablets, to which an impermissible compressive-force signal which is outside a permissible compressive-force range has been assigned, from (b) tablets, to which a compressive-force signal which is within the permissible compressive-force range has been assigned, wherein the memory stores a test control program configured to program the programmable controller unit for the test operation of the individual sorting device, wherein the test control program is also configured, during the test operation, to impinge, incorporating an offset, compressive-force signals which can be assigned to the tablets which have been compressed by at least one of the compression punches of the tableting machine.

2. The individual sorting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the test operation comprises storing of signals which are received and generated during the test operation and compiling a report at the end of the test operation, using the stored signals.

3. The individual sorting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the test control program is part of a normal operation program and the test operation precedes a normal operation.

4. The individual sorting device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two tablet deliveries and at least one detection device which is disposed on one of the tablet deliveries and is configured to detect tablets delivered thereby, wherein the detection device is connected to the controller unit and the controller unit is configured for counting a number of detected tablets.

5. The individual sorting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the normal operation program suppresses the normal operation if a number of tablets counted during the test operation does not correspond to a nominal number.

6. The individual sorting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the nominal number is determined by a number of the compression punches of the tableting machine, a number of the compression punches which are impinged with the offset compressive-force signal, and a total number of tablets sorted during the test operation.

7. A system comprising: a tableting device, at least one of the individual sorting devices as claimed in claim 1, a plurality of compression punches, wherein the embossing element is configured to be removably attached to at least one of the compression punches and the at least one of the compression punches impresses a different punch image than the remaining compression punches.

8. A method for checking orderly functioning of an individual sorting device that sorts tablets which have been compressed by a tableting machine using compression punches, the individual sorting device comprising: a tablet infeed, a compressive-force signal input for receiving compressive-force signals which are assignable to the infed tablets, a programmable controller unit, a memory, and a sorting unit, wherein the individual sorting device through the sorting unit is configured to separate (a) tablets, to which an impermissible compressive-force signal which is outside a permissible compressive-force range has been assigned, from (b) tablets, to which a compressive-force signal which is within the permissible compressive-force range has been assigned, wherein the memory stores a test control program configured to program the programmable controller unit for a test operation of the individual sorting device, wherein the test control program is configured, during the test operation, to impinge, incorporating an offset, compressive-force signals which can be assigned to the tablets which have been compressed by at least one of the compression punches of the tableting machine, the method comprising: producing the tablets, using the tableting device; feeding the tablets and compressive-force signals which are assignable to the tablets to the individual sorting device; comparing the compressive-force signals with the permissible compressive-force range, and classifying the assigned tablets as permissible or impermissible, depending on the result of the comparison, wherein the compressive-force signals of selected compression punches prior to comparing are impinged, incorporating an offset, wherein at least one but not all compression punches are selected, and wherein an absolute value of the offset(s) is selected such that the impinged compressive-force signals are outside the permissible compressive-force range; and discarding impermissible tablets by means of the classification.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, comprising furthermore: determining a number of tablets produced by the selected compression punches; determining a number of discarded tablets; and comparing the determined numbers.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the selected compression punches are manipulated such that the tablets produced by means of the modified compression punches have an impressed image which is differentiable from an impressed image of the remaining produced tablets, comprising furthermore: inspecting the impressed image of discarded tablets.

11. A method for carrying out a test operation of an individual sorting device that sorts tablets which have been compressed by a tableting machine using compression punches, the individual sorting device comprising: a tablet infeed, a compressive-force signal input for receiving compressive-force signals which are assignable to the infed tablets, a programmable controller unit, a memory, and a sorting unit, wherein the individual sorting device through the sorting unit is configured to separate (a) tablets, to which an impermissible compressive-force signal which is outside a permissible compressive-force range has been assigned, from (b) tablets, to which a compressive-force signal which is within the permissible compressive-force range has been assigned, wherein the memory stores a test control program configured to program the programmable controller unit for the test operation of the individual sorting device, wherein the test control program is configured, during the test operation, to impinge, incorporating an offset, compressive-force signals which can be assigned to the tablets which have been compressed by at least one of the compression punches of the tableting machine, the method comprising: providing the memory in which a test control program configured to program a controller unit for the test operation of the individual sorting device is stored, wherein the test control program during the test operation comprises impinging, with an incorporated offset, compressive-force signals which can be assigned to tablets which have been compressed by at least one of the compression punches of the tableting machine.

12. The individual sorting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the test control program is part of a normal operation program and the test operation precedes a normal operation.

13. The individual sorting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the individual sorting device delivers the mutually separated tablets at two tablet deliveries and comprises at least one detection device which is disposed on one of the tablet deliveries and is suited to detecting tablets delivered thereby, wherein the detection device is connected to the controller unit and the controller unit is configured for counting a number of detected tablets.

14. The individual sorting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the individual sorting device delivers the mutually separated tablets at two tablet deliveries and comprises at least one detection device which is disposed on one of the tablet deliveries and is suited to detecting tablets delivered thereby, wherein the detection device is connected to the controller unit and the controller unit is configured for counting a number of detected tablets.

15. The individual sorting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the normal operation program suppresses the normal operation if a number of tablets counted during the test operation does not correspond to a nominal number.

16. The individual sorting device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the nominal number is determined by a number of the compression punches of the tableting machine, a number of the compression punches which are impinged with the offset compressive-force signal, and a total number of tablets sorted during the test operation.

17. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the selected compression punches are manipulated such that the tablets produced by means of the modified compression punches have an impressed image which is differentiable from an impressed image of the remaining produced tablets, comprising furthermore: inspecting the impressed image of discarded tablets.

Description

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail by means of the drawings and the following description. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

(3) FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an individual sorting device according to the invention. The individual sorting device serves for sorting tablets which have been compressed by a tableting machine using compression punches. The tableting machine here may comprise one or a plurality of independent pressing stations or groups of pressing stations which are arranged such that each pressing station compresses tablets independently from the other stations or groups, respectively, such that a plurality of tablets may be simultaneously produced. Advantageously, there is one individual sorting device for each independent pressing station or group of pressing stations, respectively.

(5) The individual sorting device 10 comprises a tablet infeed 20, a compressive-force signal input 30 for receiving compressive-force signals which are assignable to the infed tablets, a controller unit 40, and a memory 50. The controller unit 40 is a computer, a controller, or a programmable controller unit, for example.

(6) Tablets are infed to the individual sorting device 10 via the tablet infeed 20, and compressive-force signals which are assigned to the tablets are infed via the signal input 30.

(7) Various programs which are stored in the memory 50 may be uploaded to the controller unit 40. Sorting based on the uploaded program is then executed in that the controller unit 40 actuates a sorting unit 60. The sorting unit 60 then sorts the tablets in a manner corresponding to the actuation and delivers said tablets at one of at least two tablet deliveries 70, 80 which are present, for example into collection containers or onto conveying devices (both not illustrated).

(8) In this exemplary embodiment, at least two programs are stored in the memory 50. One of the programs serves for a normal operation, and one for a test operation. In both operational modes the compressive-force signals and a predefined like compressive-force range are used by the controller unit 40 for determining the respective actuation of the sorting unit 60.

(9) However, while in the normal operation the compressive-force signals which are actually received at the compressive-force signal input 30 are compared with the compressive-force range and tablets having compressive-force signals which are outside the compressive-force range are separated from tablets having compressive-force signals which are within the compressive-force range, in the test operation compressive-force signals of selected compression punches are impinged by the controller unit 40 with an offset and only then compared with the compressive-force range. The selected compression punches may hereby be impinged with different offsets. The offset may be a positive one. In this case, in particular, correct sorting in the event of an upper limit of the compressive force of the permissible compressive-force range being exceeded may be verified. The offset may also be a negative one. In this case, in particular, correct sorting in the event of a lower limit of the compressive force of the permissible compressive-force range being undershot may be verified.

(10) In one exemplary embodiment, the absolute value of the offset is equal to or greater than a compressive-force differential between the upper limit of the compressive force and the lower limit of the compressive force. In this case, the total signal (the compressive-force signal impinged so as to be offset) definitely is outside the range.

(11) In one other exemplary embodiment, the value of the offset is equal to or greater than half the compressive-force differential. Compressive-force signals actually substantially correspond to the mean value of the upper limit of the compressive force and the lower limit of the compressive force. The modest offset thus leads to a total signal which is above the upper limit of the compressive force. At the same time, the total signal is not large enough for a maximum compressive force to be exceeded. The maximum compressive force here is a limit of the compressive force which leads to an interruption of the process, for example in order to protect tooling, the machine, or humans.

(12) In yet another exemplary embodiment, the value of the offset is determined so as to be individual for each pressing station. For example, the value of the offset may depend on a previously established mean value of compressive-force signals of the respective pressing station and one of the two limits of the compressive force.

(13) The compressive-force signals of the selected stations are thus modified such that they represent a compressive force which is outside the permissible compressive-force range.

(14) After a run comprising a certain number of tablets, it may be determined by means of the ratio of the number of selected compression punches to the total number of compression punches how many tablets would have to be discarded as being impermissible if post-sorting would always function in a correct manner.

(15) Additionally, in the tableting machine which compresses the tablets, the punches in the selected compression punches in terms of their impressed image may be modified such that tablets compressed by the selected compression punches are differentiable from the tablets compressed by other compression punches. This may be made possible by sticking on a structured film, a piece of adhesive crepe tape, or a piece of adhesive transparent tape.

(16) In this case, it is additionally possible to check whether only those tablets which have been compressed by the selected compression punches have always been discarded.

(17) Since the modification of the punch leads to a modification of the compressive force, it is advantageous for the offset to be determined individually.

(18) In order for this check to be automated, the individual sorting device 10 of the second exemplary embodiment additionally comprises a detection device 90. The detection device 90 may be a vision system, for example, such as a light barrier, a light sensor, or a camera system. This is illustrated in an exemplary manner in FIG. 2. The detection device 90 is disposed on one of the two tablet deliveries 70, 80. The detection device 90 detects whether a tablet has been delivered. Delivery of a tablet is signaled to the controller unit 40. The controller unit 40 counts the signals of the detection device 90 and determines the total number of tablets which have been delivered at the tablet delivery. As the test program commences, the counter here is set to zero.

(19) The controller unit 40 in this exemplary embodiment integrates or counts, respectively, also the number of received compressive-force signals. The controller unit 40 in this way determines the number of infed tablets. Alternatively or additionally, a further detection device (not illustrated), with the aid of which the controller unit 40 can determine the number of infed tablets, may be disposed on the tablet infeed 20. As the test program commences, the counter for the number of infed tablets here is also set to zero.

(20) In this case, after infeeding a predetermined number of tablets, for example 1000 or 2000 units, it is possible to automatically check whether the proportion of infed tablets which corresponds to the ratio of the number of selected compression punches to the total number of compression punches has actually be discarded.

(21) In as far as the controller unit 40 establishes that there is no discrepancy between the number of tablets to be discarded and the number of actually discarded tablets, a normal operation may immediately succeed the test operation in which the predetermined number of tablets has been infed.

(22) However, if by contrast the controller unit 40 establishes a discrepancy between the number of tablets to be discarded and the number of actually discarded tablets, the normal operation may be prevented.

(23) It is also possible for the controller unit 40 in relation to each impingement with an offset to check whether a detection signal is correspondingly received from a detection device in the tablet delivery for impermissible tablets, or whether a detection signal is not corresponding received from a detection device in the tablet delivery for permissible tablets. Then, if an expected detection signal is not received, or an unexpected detection signal is received, respectively, the controller unit 40 may also check whether the correct tablets have been discarded.

(24) Alternatively or additionally, in the tableting machine which compresses the tablets the selected compression punches in terms of their impressed image may be modified such that tablets compressed by the selected compression punches may be automatically differentiable from tablets compressed by other compression punches by means of an image recognition device. This may be made possible by sticking on a structured film, a piece of adhesive crepe tape, or a piece of adhesive transparent tape.

(25) The image recognition system may then be disposed on one of the two tablet deliveries 70, 80. The imager recognition device may acquire the impressed image and automatically detect whether the acquired impressed image corresponds to an impressed image which the tablets delivered at this tablet delivery should have.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(26) 10 Individual sorting device 20 Tablet infeed 30 Compressive-force signal input 40 Controller unit 50 Memory 60 Sorting unit 70 Tablet delivery 80 Tablet delivery 90 Detection device