JP3590363B2 - Granule supply device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention conveys and supplies granules used as raw materials for pharmaceutical preparations, particularly pharmaceutical tablets or granules and fine granules (hereinafter simply referred to as granules) used as raw materials for pharmaceuticals, granules used as raw materials for foods or ceramics, and the like. The present invention relates to a granule supply device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, in the case of producing granules as raw materials for pharmaceutical preparations, particularly pharmaceutical tablets, a method of forming the granules with a granulator and compressing the granules has been adopted. In the production of such a pharmaceutical tablet, the physical properties such as the compressive strength of the granules used as the raw material of the tablet must be within a predetermined range.
[0003]
In addition, granules and fine granules that are directly used as pharmaceuticals are measured in the same manner, but physical properties such as compressive strength of these granules and fine granules must be within a predetermined range.
[0004]
For this reason, when manufacturing granules or fine granules to be used as pharmaceuticals or the like, the hardness of these granules or fine granules is measured by a granule physical property measuring device. In general, as a device for measuring physical properties of granules, a granule or the like to be measured is placed on a measurement substrate formed of a metal plate, and the load is applied by applying pressure from above to a probe having a measurement chip attached to the tip of a load cell. A method in which a displacement curve is recorded and the hardness of granules or the like is determined from the inflection point of the load displacement curve.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a granule physical property measuring device, even if the granules are arranged at a predetermined position on a measurement substrate and the micro measuring device is to be measured one by one, fine granules are manually positioned at the predetermined position of the micro measuring device. This is practically impossible, and there is a problem that if the position is bad at the time of measurement, the measurement of physical properties cannot be performed accurately.
[0006]
In addition, since the physical properties of granules are generally distributed over a wide range, at least several tens of particles must be measured for one type of granule, and there is a problem that positioning the granule at a predetermined position each time is extremely complicated.
[0007]
As described above, in the conventional granule physical property measuring device, it is practically impossible to accurately position and supply the granules one by one on the measurement substrate, so that a plurality of granules are spread on the measurement substrate and the measurement substrate is moved. Thus, the physical properties were measured by positioning the granules. In such a positioning, there is an unavoidable disadvantage that the measured granules are selective and arbitrary, and there is a problem that positioning takes a long time and the measurer's fatigue is remarkable, so that the number of the measured particles cannot be increased.
[0008]
In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a granule supply device that can supply granules having a particle size in a predetermined range to a predetermined position without fail and automate the supply of granules.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a work tray on which granules are deposited, and a granule having a predetermined diameter and having a base end connected to a suction device, and holding a granule having a predetermined diameter or more at a distal end thereof. A pipe member, a holding portion for movably holding the pipe member in the axial direction and the radial direction , and a tip end portion of the pipe member provided above the work tray on the tip end side of the pipe member. Having a diameter capable of passing granules having a desired diameter and allowing the granules having a diameter larger than desired to pass therethrough while being suction-held at the tip of the pipe member, so as to be able to be wiped off at the opening edge thereof. ; and a sorting unit that have the insertion portion comprising a hole, subjected granules the pipe member granules is sucked and held to the tip in position by the retaining member is moved axially and radially Lying in granule supply device according to claim to.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the insertion portion has an inner diameter that is equal to or less than twice the minimum particle diameter of the supplied granules and is larger than the maximum particle diameter of the supplied granules. Characteristic granule supply device.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the selection portion is formed of an elastic member capable of elastic deformation, and the insertion portion is formed of a plurality of cuts formed in the elastic member. In the granule supply device.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the predetermined position for supplying granules has a granule supply hole having an inner diameter through which the granules held at the tip of the pipe member can be inserted. The granule supply device is provided with a guide member, and supplies the granules to a predetermined position through a granule supply hole of the guide member.
[0013]
According to the present invention, the granules can be easily and reliably supplied to the predetermined position, and the granules having a uniform particle size can be supplied.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.
[0015]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view and a main part enlarged cross-sectional view of a granule supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0016]
As shown in the drawing, the granule supply device 10 of the present invention holds a work tray 20 on which granules 100 are deposited, a pipe-shaped pipe member 30 having a through hole with a predetermined inner diameter, and the pipe member 30 in a vertical direction. A holding unit 40 is provided movably in the axial direction and the radial direction of the pipe member 30, and a suction device 50 joined to the base end of the pipe member 30.
[0017]
The work tray 20 is for depositing the granules 100 therein by charging the granules 100, and has a conical portion 21 provided on the bottom surface thereof so as to form a conical concave portion with the approximate center being the vertex. . Regardless of the amount of the granules 100, the granules 100 put in the work tray 20 are naturally brought to the vertex of the conical portion 21, that is, substantially at the center of the work tray 20, and deposited.
[0018]
In the present embodiment, the conical portion 21 is provided on the bottom surface of the work tray 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the bottom surface of the work tray 20 is flat, that is, the inner surface of the work tray 20 is cylindrical. Is also good.
[0019]
The pipe member 30 has a through-hole 31 having a predetermined inner diameter on the distal end side, a small-diameter pipe portion 33 for sucking and holding the granule 100 at the distal end 32, and an outer diameter slightly larger than the small-diameter pipe portion 33, and a proximal end. The large-diameter pipe section 35 connected to the section 34 via a flexible pipe 51 with a suction device 50 is connected by a joint section 36 made of an elastic member such as rubber.
[0020]
Such a pipe member 30 has a holding portion such that the tip end 32 of the small-diameter pipe portion 33 faces substantially the center of the work tray 20, that is, the vertex of the conical portion 21 provided on the bottom surface, and the axial direction is vertical. 40.
[0021]
Then, the pipe member 30 causes the suction device 50 connected to the base end portion 34 to perform a suction operation, thereby suction-holding the granules 100 at the distal end 32 of the small-diameter pipe portion 33 through the through-hole 31. At this time, as will be described in detail later, the granules sucked by the suction device 50 are held by the pipe member 30 by contacting the edge of the tip end 32 of the pipe member 30 where the through hole 31 opens. For this reason, the through hole 31 is formed with an inner diameter slightly smaller than the granules having a particle size in a predetermined range to be held by suction. In the present embodiment, for example, assuming that the particle size of the granules to be suction-held is 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, the inner diameter of the through-hole 31 may be slightly smaller than 0.3 mm. In some embodiments, a clearance may be required to allow the granules to pass through the through-holes 31. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the through-holes 31 is set to approximately 0.3 mm.
[0022]
In addition, the suction device 50 is not particularly limited as long as it can suck and hold the granules 100 at the distal end 32 of the pipe member 30 and has a suction capability that does not destroy the granules 100 by suction and has an exhaust capability. Examples include a vacuum pump and an ejector.
[0023]
The holding unit 40 holding the pipe member 30 is provided movably in the axial direction and the radial direction of the pipe member 30, and by moving the pipe member 30, the acquisition of the granules 100 by the pipe member 30 And supply. The method of moving the holding unit 40 is not particularly limited, and the holding unit 40 can be moved via a gear, a belt, a pump, or the like by an electric motor, hydraulic pressure, air pressure, or the like.
[0024]
Further, in the present embodiment, as will be described in detail later, an insertion portion 61 which is an insertion hole through which the small-diameter tube portion 33 of the pipe member 30 can be inserted is provided between the distal end 32 of the pipe member 30 and the work tray 20, In addition, a sorting unit 60 is provided for removing excess granules by inserting the insertion unit 61 with the granules 100 being suction-held at the distal end 32 of the pipe member 30.
[0025]
Here, a method of supplying a series of granules by the granule supply device 10 will be described in detail. 2 to 4 are enlarged sectional views of a main part showing a method for supplying granules.
[0026]
First, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the holding unit 40 moves downward in the vertical direction, the tip 32 of the pipe member 30 held by the holding unit 40 is moved to the vicinity of the work tray 20.
[0027]
At this time, the tip 32 of the pipe member 30 moves to substantially the center of the work tray 20, that is, to the vicinity of the vertex of the conical portion 21 of the work tray 20, but the granules 100 are irrespective of the amount held by the work tray 20. The tip 32 of the pipe member 30 is always moved to the vicinity of the granule 100 because it is accumulated near the vertex of the conical portion 21.
[0028]
Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the suction device 50 connected to the base end portion 34 of the pipe member 30 performs a suction operation, so that one granule 101 is formed at the distal end 32 of the pipe member 30. Hold by suction.
[0029]
In the suction holding of the granules 101 by the pipe member 30, as shown in FIG. 3A, the granules 102 having a particle diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 31 of the pipe member 30, scum when the granules 100 are granulated, Fine dust and the like are sucked by the suction device 50 and removed from the work tray 20. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a trap for capturing dust and the like between the pipe member 30 and the suction device 50.
[0030]
Whether or not the tip end 32 of the pipe member 30 sucks and holds the granules 101 can be determined by, for example, measuring a suction load of the suction sensor 50 or a detection sensor.
[0031]
Next, as shown in FIG. 2C, when it is determined that the tip 32 of the pipe member 30 has suction-held one granule 101, the holding unit 40 moves vertically upward, that is, moves the pipe member 30 to the work tray 20. By moving to the opposite side, the pipe member 30 can obtain one granule 101 from the work tray 20.
[0032]
In such a series of acquisition of the granules 101 by the pipe member 30, a plurality of granules may be suction-held at the tip 32 of the pipe member 30.
[0033]
For this reason, in the present embodiment, the sorting unit 60 is provided between the tip 32 of the pipe member 30 and the work tray 20.
[0034]
The sorting unit 60 is for removing excess granules. More specifically, the sorting unit 60 sucks and holds the granules at the tip 32 with the tip 32 of the pipe member 30 inserted through the insertion portion 61 of the sorting unit 60. At this time, when a plurality of granules are suction-held at the tip 32 of the pipe member 30, when the tip 32 of the pipe member 30 passes through the insertion portion 61, excess granules are removed from the opening edge of the insertion portion 61. Can be paid off.
[0035]
As described above, in order to remove excess granules by the sorting unit 60, the inner diameter of the insertion unit 61 may be set to a predetermined inner diameter, for example, approximately twice or less the particle diameter of the granules. That is, in order to hold the granules having a particle diameter of 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm by suction, the diameter of the insertion portion 61 of the selection unit 60 may be set to 0.6 mm.
[0036]
On the other hand, in a measuring device or the like for measuring the physical properties of granules, since it is necessary to measure granules having a predetermined range of particle size, when supplying granules to such a measuring device, granules having a predetermined range of particle size, In the present embodiment, it is necessary to supply granules of 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm.
[0037]
For this reason, if granules having a particle size in a predetermined range are deposited on the work tray 20 or granules having a particle size in a predetermined range or more are removed by the sorting unit 60, granules having a particle size in a predetermined range can be easily obtained. Can be supplied.
[0038]
The method for selecting granules having a particle size within a predetermined range and depositing the granules on the work tray 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the granules can be selected by sieving granules formed by a conventional method.
[0039]
On the other hand, in order to select granules having a particle size in a predetermined range in the selection unit 60, if the diameter of the insertion portion 61 of the selection unit 60 is slightly larger than the particle size in the predetermined range, the particle size is larger than the diameter of the insertion portion 61. Can not pass through the insertion portion 61 and is washed off at the opening edge of the insertion portion 61. FIGS. 3B and 3C show such a state.
[0040]
First, as shown in FIG. 3B, the distal end portion 32 of the pipe member 30 sucks and holds the granules 103 having a diameter larger than a predetermined range in a state where the insertion portion 61 of the sorting portion 60 is inserted. The holding section 40 moves in the axial direction of the pipe member 30.
[0041]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 3C, the large-diameter granules 103 sucked and held at the distal end 32 of the pipe member 30 cannot pass through the insertion portion 61 of the sorting unit 60, and It is wiped off by contact with the opening edge.
[0042]
In this way, by setting the insertion portion 61 of the selection unit 60 to have a diameter slightly larger than the predetermined range of particle size, it is possible to select and obtain only granules having a predetermined range of particle size.
[0043]
In addition, compared with the case where granules having a predetermined range of particle size are retained in the work tray 20 in advance by sieving or the like, only granules having a predetermined range of particle size can be automatically selected by the selection unit 60. Therefore, the supply can be performed efficiently.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, for example, since the particle size of the granules to be sorted is 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, the diameter of the insertion portion 61 of the sorting unit 60 is set to 0.55 mm, and the granules 103 having a larger particle size are set. Are not allowed to pass through the insertion section 61 of the selection section 60. By setting the insertion portion 61 to 0.55 mm, even when the tip 32 of the pipe member 30 sucks and holds a plurality of granules as described above, it is possible to satisfy the condition of removing excess granules.
[0045]
Further, in the present embodiment, the insertion part 61 having a predetermined diameter is provided in the selection part 60, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a diameter variable flat plate that changes the diameter is provided in the insertion part 61 of the selection part 60. You may do so. By providing the variable diameter flat plate in this way, the diameter of the insertion portion 61 can be easily set in accordance with the desired particle size of the granules, and the particle size of the supplied granules can be easily changed to an arbitrary range.
[0046]
Furthermore, although the sorting unit 60 of the present embodiment has the insertion portion 61 formed on a member having a certain degree of rigidity, an elastic member may be used. The elastic member is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include rubber, resin, and the like.
[0047]
When an elastic member is used for the selection portion, the insertion portion may be an insertion hole, but can also be formed by making a plurality of cuts centered on one point. When the selection portion is formed of an elastic member in this manner, the elastic portion is easily deformed, that is, by changing the number and shape of the cuts, the insertion portions having different diameters depending on the desired particle size of the granules. Can be manufactured at low cost. In addition, one selection unit may have a plurality of insertion units, or may be replaced.
[0048]
After the granules 101 having a particle size in a predetermined range are obtained in this way, the granules 101 are supplied to a predetermined position.
[0049]
First, in order to supply the granules 101 sucked and held by the distal end 32 of the pipe member 30 to a predetermined position, as shown in FIG. 4A, the holding unit 40 moves in the radial direction of the pipe member 30 to the predetermined position. I do.
[0050]
Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the distal end 32 of the pipe member 30 moves to a predetermined position by moving the holding unit 40 in the axial direction of the pipe member 30.
[0051]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4C, the suction operation by the suction device 50 is stopped and the evacuation operation is performed, whereby the granules 101 are detached from the distal end 32 of the pipe member 30, and the granules 101 are supplied to a predetermined position. be able to. Note that, in the present embodiment, the suction operation by the suction device 50 is stopped and the exhaust operation is performed so that the granules 101 are surely detached from the pipe member 30. However, if the granules 101 can be detached from the pipe member 30, Alternatively, only the suction operation may be stopped.
[0052]
In the supply of the granules 101, since the granules 101 are very small, the supply position of the granules 101 is not determined by the recoil of stopping the suction device 50 or the space between the granules 101 and the supply position, and it is difficult to supply the granules 101 to a predetermined position. is there. For this reason, in this embodiment, the guide member 70 having the tip 32 of the pipe member 30 and the granule supply hole 71 through which the granule 101 held by suction can be inserted is provided at the position where the granule 101 is supplied.
[0053]
In the present embodiment, for example, the guide member 70 descends to a predetermined position with the axial movement of the pipe member 30, and after the pipe member 30 detaches the granules 101 and the pipe member 30 rises, To rise. That is, the guide member 70 descends as the pipe member 30 moves in the axial direction, as shown in FIG. 4B, and the distal end of the pipe member 30 descends as shown in FIG. The granules 101 detached from 32 are held in the granule supply holes 71. Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (d), the granules 101 are positioned and supplied to a predetermined position by the guide member 70 rising with the rise of the pipe member 30.
[0054]
As described above, according to the granule supply device 10 of the present embodiment, granules having a particle size in a predetermined range can be easily and surely supplied one by one, and the granules are easily positioned at a predetermined position and supplied. can do.
[0055]
Further, in such a granule supply device 10, since granules having a particle size in a predetermined range can be supplied one by one to a predetermined position, for example, a granule physical property for measuring the physical properties of a granule as a raw material of a pharmaceutical preparation or the like. By providing it in the measuring device of the above, the labor of supply can be largely saved, the inspection time can be shortened, and the physical properties can be measured accurately.
[0056]
(Other embodiments)
As described above, the first embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the basic configuration of the granule supply device is not limited to the above-described example.
[0057]
For example, a vibrating device that vibrates the work tray 20 may be provided so that the granules 100 put into the work tray 20 are surely brought to the center of the work tray 20 and deposited. In this case, in particular, the conical portion 21 may not be provided on the bottom surface of the work tray 20, and even if the bottom surface of the work tray is flat, that is, the inner surface of the work tray is cylindrical, the granules can be formed by applying vibration to substantially the center of the bottom surface. 100 can be deposited near the center of the work tray.
[0058]
FIG. 5 shows such an example. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view and an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a granule supply device according to another embodiment.
[0059]
As shown in the drawing, the work tray 20A has a cylindrical shape and has a flat bottom surface.
[0060]
The vibration device 80 that applies vibration to the work tray 20A by contacting the substantially center of the bottom surface of the work tray 20A is not particularly limited as long as it can apply vibration to the work tray 20A. Devices can be mentioned. In the present embodiment, the vibrating device 80 includes a vibrating section 81 that vibrates by contacting the outer periphery of the work tray 20A, and a drive motor 82 that drives the vibrating section 81.
[0061]
Vibration to the work tray 20A by such a vibration device 80 may be always applied, and may be applied at a desired timing such as when the granules 100 are supplied to the work tray 20A or each time the granules 100 are acquired. You may do so.
[0062]
When the vibrating device 80 is provided on the work tray 20 having the conical portion 21 on the bottom surface, the vibrating unit 81 of the vibrating device 80 can efficiently bring the granules 100 to the substantially center even if the vibrating unit 81 contacts any of the work trays 20. Can be deposited.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a granule is supplied to a predetermined position by moving a pipe member for sucking and holding a granule at a distal end in an axial direction and a radial direction. Since the wiping portion for dropping is provided, the granules can be easily and surely supplied one by one to a predetermined position, and the particle size of the supplied granules can be selected within a predetermined range. Further, by providing the guide member at the supply position, the granules can be easily positioned and supplied to a predetermined position.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view and a main part enlarged cross-sectional view of a granule supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a method for supplying granules according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a method for supplying granules according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a method for supplying granules according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view and a main part enlarged cross-sectional view of a granule supply device according to another embodiment of the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 Granule supply device 20, 20A Work tray 30 Pipe member 31 Through hole 32 Tip 33 Small diameter tube portion 34 Base end portion 35 Large diameter tube portion 36 Joint unit 40 Holding unit 50 Suction unit 60 Sorting unit 70 Guide member 80 Vibration device 81 Vibration Part 82 drive motors 100, 101, 102, 103 granules

Claims (4)

A work tray on which the granules are deposited, a pipe member having a predetermined diameter and a base end connected to a suction device, and holding the granules of a predetermined diameter or more at the distal end by suction; And a holding portion movably held in a direction, provided above the work tray on the tip end side of the pipe member , and capable of inserting the tip end portion of the pipe member and inserting granules having a desired diameter. ; and a sorting unit that have the insertion portion comprising a through hole having a diameter which can be brushed off at the opening edge by passing the granules of desired diameter or greater while sucking and holding the tip of the pipe member A granule supply device for supplying granules to a predetermined position by moving the holding member in the axial direction and the radial direction on the pipe member having the granules sucked and held at the tip thereof.   2. The granule supply device according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion has an inner diameter that is equal to or less than twice the minimum particle diameter of the supplied granules and is larger than the maximum particle diameter of the supplied granules. 3. The granule supply device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit is formed of an elastic member that can be elastically deformed, and the insertion unit is formed of a plurality of cuts formed in the elastic member. 4. The guide member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a guide member having a granule supply hole having an inner diameter through which the granule held at the tip of the pipe member can be inserted is provided at a predetermined position for supplying the granule. A granule supply device for supplying granules to a predetermined position through a granule supply hole of a member.

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