RU2816421C1 - Loading device for rotary press and method of providing optimized rotary press - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: various technological processes.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to equipment for making tablets and granules from powdered materials. Loading device (10) of rotary press comprises loading wheel (14), dosing wheel (24), feeding wheel (30), and also at least one unit (36) of substance supply, made in the form of impeller. Feeding wheel (30) is made with the possibility of inclusion into the path of movement of the substance to be dispensed or with the possibility of disconnection from it due to the deflecting movement by means of the deflecting device around axis (42) of rotation of dispensing wheel (24).

EFFECT: as a result, it is possible to use a loading device for loading a rotary press with substances having different characteristics, without the need to replace wheels.

15 cl, 12 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a loading device for a rotary press with the features of the restrictive part of claim 1 of the formula and to a method for providing an optimized rotary press with the features of an additional independent claim.

Rotary presses are used in the pharmaceutical, technical or chemical industries, as well as in the food industry to produce tablets or granules in large quantities from powdered materials.

Rotary presses have a rotating matrix disk with matrix holes located in it, which move along a circular path. There are lower and upper punches, which move together with the matrix disk along a circular path and move up and down during rotation. The lower and upper punches are designed so that they enter with their respective upper and lower ends into holes located in the matrix disk for pressing the powder material introduced into them into tablets.

The powder to be pressed is fed into the matrix holes through a hopper with the help of a loading device attached to it, which has rotating paddle wheels. Such loading devices are shown, for example, in EP 3 406 436 A1 and DE 20 2007 002 707 U1.

DE 10 2016 110 556 A1 and DE 35 27 186 A1 show loading devices with the features of claim 1 of the claims.

With the help of paddle wheels, the matrix holes are uniformly filled with the flow of powder from the hopper and, thus, the weight of each individual tablet is constant.

Dual impeller loading devices are typically used for free-flowing, non-stick pharmaceutical products. The powder coming directly from the hopper is dosed using a dosing wheel, and the matrix holes are filled with it using a loading wheel.

Feeding devices with three impeller wheels are usually used for materials with poor flow properties to achieve the most uniform flow possible.

Feeding devices with three impeller wheels help maintain constant pressure in the feed zone, which is facilitated by the presence of a third impeller wheel - the feed wheel. It is usually located above the other two impellers (feeding wheel and metering wheel).

With this feeding method, the powder from the hopper is poured and dosed into the matrix holes by means of a feed wheel, a loading wheel and a dosing wheel.

Depending on the flow behavior/powder properties, the loading device can be equipped with paddle wheels suitable for achieving an adapted dosing process and can therefore be manually converted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a loading device for a rotary press, as well as a method for providing an optimized rotary press, which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

This problem is solved using a loading device according to the invention for a rotary press with the features of claim 1 of the formula. The loading device according to the invention includes:

A loading wheel designed to load the substance to be dosed, especially powder, into the matrix holes of the matrix disk of a rotary press. The loading wheel is made in the form of a paddle wheel. The loading wheel has blades and is designed to supply the substance to be dispensed due to rotational movement through its blades. In other words, the blades of the paddlewheel-shaped loading wheel move in a circular path around the center of the loading wheel.

The loading device also has a metering wheel, which is configured to accurately dose the amount of substance to be dosed into the corresponding holes of the matrix disk. The dosing wheel is made in the form of a paddle wheel. The dosing wheel has blades and is configured to dispense an exact amount of the substance to be dosed by sweeping the blades around the holes of the matrix disk through rotational movement. In this case, excess substance is removed by sweeping the matrix holes of the matrix disk. In other words, the blades of the paddle wheel metering wheel move in a circular path around the center of the metering wheel and thereby sweep the matrix holes.

Thus, the loading wheel moves the powder into the matrix holes of the matrix disk. As a rule, the lower side of the matrix hole is closed by means of a corresponding lower punch. Before the metering wheel reaches the matrix hole, the lower punch can be slightly raised to a precise position to set the matrix hole to a precise size. Then the part of the powder protruding upward from the matrix hole is “swept away,” that is, removed using a dosing wheel.

The loading device has a feed wheel, which is configured to supply the substance to be dispensed onto the loading wheel. The feed wheel is made in the form of a blade wheel. The feed wheel has blades and is configured to supply the substance to be dosed through its blades to the loading wheel by means of a rotational movement. In other words, the blades of the impeller-shaped feed wheel move in a circular path around the center of the feed wheel. In doing so, they supply the substance to be dosed to the loading wheel.

The loading device further includes at least one substance supply unit, which is configured to supply the substance to the loading wheel. Alternatively or additionally, the substance supply unit may supply the substance to the feed wheel. Through the substance supply unit, the substance enters the loading device. The substance supply unit can be, for example, a funnel, tube or hose.

The loading device can be designed such that the feed wheel can be included in or disconnected from the path of movement of the substance to be dosed. First of all, this can be done by deflecting the feed wheel. First of all, the feed wheel can be inclined relative to the axis of rotation of the metering wheel designed as a paddle wheel. For this purpose, a suitable deflection device can be provided. The feed wheel can be blocked or bypassed, first of all, with the help of a second substance supply unit. It is also contemplated that it is possible that the substance supply unit can be configured to be displaceable, so that by displacing the substance supply unit, it is possible to select whether the path of movement of the substance to be dispensed passes through the feed wheel or not.

By including the feed wheel in or out of the flow path of the substance to be dispensed, or by bypassing the feed wheel, the loading device can be adapted to different substances with different flow behaviour/characteristics without the need to replace individual impeller wheels.

The path of movement of the substance to be dispensed in this case means the path of the substance through the loading device into the matrix openings.

The substance supply unit may include a supply deflector. With this supply deflector, the substance to be dosed can be selectively supplied to either the feed wheel or the loading wheel. In this way, it is possible to select whether the flow path of the substance is through the feed wheel or not, without the need to remove the feed wheel or disable/deviate the feed wheel from the travel path.

The blades of the loading wheel, metering wheel and/or feed wheel, made in the form of a paddle wheel, are designed so that the transport surface of the corresponding blades is variable in shape.

The transporting surface of the blades is formed by the surface of the blades, with the help of which the corresponding blade wheel moves the substance. Thus, the conveying surface is that part of the blades which is designed and intended to come into contact with the substance and to propel or dispense it through appropriate rotational movement during operation of the loading device.

Changing the shape of the conveying surface can be realized by rotating the blades of the paddle wheel, the metering wheel and/or the feed wheel around their respective longitudinal axis. For this purpose, the blades of the loading wheel, the metering wheel and/or the impeller-shaped feed wheel can be configured to rotate around their respective longitudinal axis. By rotating about their respective longitudinal axis, the blades can be brought into at least two angular positions, in which the blades form transport surfaces of different shapes. The substance to be dosed can be supplied using conveying surfaces of various shapes, depending on the angular position of the blades.

By rotating the blades to different angular positions, it is possible to create transport surfaces of various shapes. The rotation/turning of the blades can be realized, for example, by a gear mechanism, a sliding mechanism, a crank drive, a cable drive, a piston drive and/or a cam control.

The blades can have a conveying surface in the shape of a circular cross-section, in particular a semicircle, in particular on the first side, and a flat conveying surface can be provided, in particular on the opposite side. Thus, by a simple rotation of 180 degrees, the shape of the conveying surface is varied from a blade with a circular cross-section to a blade, for example, with a square cross-section.

First of all, the blades can have a triangular cross-section. First of all, the cross-section of the blades can correspond to an isosceles triangle, especially an equilateral triangle. In this case, by turning the blades can be brought into a position in which one corner of the triangular section is directed downwards and thereby forms a faceted underside of the blades. In this way, an “acute-angled” bottom side can be realized. The blades can also be rotated so that one corner of the triangular section faces upward. In this case, one of the sides of the triangular cross-section forms the underside of the blades. This allows you to choose between different blade undersides and the required adjustment. It goes without saying that the transport surface of the blades with a triangular cross-section is also variable by rotating the blades. In this case, there is also a choice between a flat transport surface and an angular transport surface.

First of all, the blades can have a rectangular, especially square, cross-section. In the case of a rectangular cross-section, two opposite sides may be made relatively short and the other two opposite sides relatively long. The two longer sides of the rectangular section form a larger side surface of the blades compared to the two shorter sides of the rectangular section. Thus, by rotating the blades, it can be possible to select between a transport surface with a larger area and a transport surface with a smaller area.

The shape of the transporting surface is variable by changing the inclination of the blades relative to the radial direction extending from the axis of rotation of the corresponding blade wheel. In other words, the blades of the paddle wheel, metering wheel and/or feed wheel can be configured in such a way that the angle between the respective longitudinal axis of the blades (or an extension thereof) and the radial direction of the corresponding paddle wheel extending from the axis of rotation varies. The tilt of the blades can also be achieved using a gear mechanism. Also, to change the inclination of the blades, a “cable solution” is supposed to be possible.

The shape of the transporting surface is variable due to the variable curvature of the blades of the loading wheel, metering wheel and/or feed wheel, made in the form of a paddle wheel. Curvature in the sense of the present application means a deviation from the straight direction realized at least in sections, especially arcuate. First of all, the curvature can be represented by a deviation realized in at least sections, especially arcuate, from the radial direction extending from the axis of rotation of the corresponding impeller. The blades may have at least one section with variable curvature.

Variable curvature of the blades can be realized, for example, using a bimetal, a cable rod and/or a traction or pressing element. It is also contemplated that it is possible that variable curvature can be implemented along only one section or several sections of the blades. First of all, variable curvature can be implemented along the entire length of the blades.

Changing the shape of the conveying surface of the blades of the paddle wheel, metering wheel and/or feed wheel allows adaptation to different substances with different flow behavior/properties without the need to replace individual paddle wheels. Thus, there is no need to remove the corresponding impellers. The shape of the conveying surface of the blades can be changed/modified in the mounted state of the corresponding blade wheel without the need to dismantle the corresponding blade wheel for this purpose.

Thus, it can be assumed that the shape of the conveying surface of the blades can be changed/adjusted during operation of the rotary press.

It can be assumed that the shape of the conveying surfaces is varied during the production of tablets or during the supply of the substance to be dosed by means of the respective impellers through the loading device. However, it can also be provided that the process of producing tablets or supplying the substance to be dosed through the loading device can be paused for a short time, then the shape of the transport surfaces is subject to change, and then the process of producing or supplying the substance to be dosed through the loading device can be resumed. In both cases there is no need to dismantle the corresponding impellers or the loading device.

The blades of the loading wheel, metering wheel and/or feed wheel, made in the form of a paddle wheel, can be configured to be displaced parallel to the rotation axis of the corresponding paddle wheel. In other words, the blades are height adjustable. Thus, for example, when rotating blades whose cross-section deviates from a circular shape, the lower edge of the blades can be maintained at a constant height or level relative to their respective longitudinal axis. In this way, it can be ensured that there are no gaps between the impeller and the loading device element located underneath it. In other words, by adjusting the height of the blades, it is possible to ensure that during the feeding of the substance by the corresponding impeller wheel, all of the supplied substance is captured and moved by the blades.

The blades of the paddle wheel, metering wheel and/or feed wheel can have a triangular, quadrangular, especially square or at least partially round cross-section. It goes without saying that sections of other geometric shapes are also assumed to be possible.

The blades of the paddle wheel, metering wheel and/or feed wheel may have a constant cross-section along their respective longitudinal axis. First of all, the cross-section may be the same along the full extent of the corresponding longitudinal axis. However, it is also contemplated that it is possible that the cross-sectional area along the respective longitudinal axis increases or decreases in the radial direction from the corresponding axis of rotation or varies along the longitudinal axis in a primarily uniform manner.

The number of blades of the loading wheel, metering wheel and/or feed wheel in the form of a paddle wheel may be different for each respective paddle wheel, may be even and/or odd.

The blades of the loading wheel, metering wheel and/or feed wheel, made in the form of a paddle wheel, can be made interchangeable. First of all, the blades can be designed as a replaceable element of individual blade wheels. In this way, the blades can be quickly and easily replaced with other blades, especially blades with a different cross-section. In this way, for example, if a blade is damaged, the corresponding blade can be replaced without having to replace the entire impeller. In addition, interchangeability increases the number of different shapes of the transport surface.

In the form of a paddle wheel, the loading wheel, metering wheel and/or feed wheel may have blades that have different cross-sections along their respective longitudinal axis. In other words, the loading wheel, metering wheel and/or feeding wheel may have blades of different shapes. For example, the feed wheel may have triangular blades, the metering wheel may have circular blades, and the feed wheel may have square blades.

The blades of the paddle wheel, metering wheel and/or feed wheel can be arranged such that the extension of the respective longitudinal axis extends at a distance from the axis of rotation of the corresponding paddle wheel. Thus, the extension of the corresponding longitudinal axis forms a tangent to the circle around the axis of rotation, the radius of which is non-zero. In other words, the blades are inclined with respect to the radial direction emanating from the center of the corresponding blade wheel. In other words, the extension of the respective longitudinal axis and the radial direction emanating from the center of the respective impeller form a non-zero angle, which is in particular from zero to 90 degrees, in particular from zero to 45 degrees, in particular from 0 to 20 degrees.

The loading device can be designed in such a way that the direction of rotation and/or the rotation speed of the loading wheel, the metering wheel and/or the feed wheel, which is designed as a paddle wheel, can be varied. The rotation direction and/or rotation speed may be preset before tablet manufacturing depending on the respective substance (or powder). However, it is also contemplated that it is possible that the direction of rotation and/or the speed of rotation may be varied during the manufacture of tablets, that is, during the advancement of the substance (or during the rotation of the respective impellers). First of all, the direction of rotation can be changed regardless of the rotation speed.

The loading device may have at least one electric motor. The electric motor can directly or indirectly, for example by means of at least one toothed wheel and/or toothed belt, drive a loading wheel, a metering wheel or a feed wheel in the form of a paddle wheel. It is also contemplated that multiple impeller wheels can be driven by an electric motor. However, it is also contemplated that each impeller could be driven by a separate electric motor.

Alternatively or additionally, the electric motor can directly or indirectly change the angular position of the blades and/or their inclination or the angle between the corresponding longitudinal axis of the blade and the radial direction of the corresponding blade wheel extending from the axis of rotation, for example, by means of at least one toothed wheel and/or toothed belt . It is considered possible that the angular position of the blades and the inclination of the blades relative to the radial direction extending from the axis of rotation of the corresponding blade wheel can be varied using the same electric motor. However, it is also contemplated that separate electric motors could be provided to change the angular position and inclination of the blades.

First of all, several electric motors can form a group of electric motors and be designed as one replaceable element. In this way, several electric motors can be quickly and easily replaced as one element by another group of electric motors (for example, in case of damage). It can also be envisaged that the gears transmitting torque from the electric motors to the blade wheels can be designed as a group of gears, and thus they can also be designed as a single replaceable element.

First of all, the electric motor can be in the form of a servo motor or can also be in the form of an air motor. First of all, all electric motors can be represented as servo motors or can also be represented as air motors. It is also conceivable that, as an alternative to or in addition to the electric motor, a pneumatic and/or hydraulic drive could be provided. Other types of drives are also possible, as well as a manual drive (“by hand”).

The above problem is solved by the proposed method of providing an optimized rotary press, which has the features of an additional independent claim. The method according to the invention includes the steps:

Providing the first rotary press having an adjustable loading device. The adjustable loading device has at least one element having at least one adjustable setting parameter. By setting parameter in the sense of the present application is meant a variable value that influences the supply of the substance in the loading device (or rotary press) and/or the properties of the produced tablets (for example, the quality of the tablets).

Production of several tablets using the first rotary press with correspondingly different adjustments to the setting parameter. For example, batches of tablets may be manufactured, with each batch being manufactured with different adjustments to the setting parameter.

Thus, using the first rotary press with an adjustable feed device, various adjustments of the setting parameter can be tested to determine the optimal adjustments. In this case, there is no need to change and/or replace the corresponding elements related to the setting parameter.

Analysis of manufactured tablets for the required properties in order to identify among the manufactured tablets the tablets (or batch of tablets) with the preferred properties. These may be, first of all, the qualitative characteristics of the tablet (for example, first of all, good strength, weight, tensile strength, bluntness height).

Identifying the setting parameter adjustment that produced the tablet (or batch) with the preferred properties.

Providing at least one second rotary press having an optimized loading device. In this case, the optimized loading device has at least one element having a predetermined setting at which the tablet (or batch of tablets) has been manufactured with preferred properties.

In other words, after identifying the optimal setting parameter using the first rotary press having an adjustable loading device, this setting parameter is transferred to the second rotary press. On the second rotary press this setting parameter is no longer adjusted. It is also contemplated that the first rotary press will be equipped with such an optimized loading device. In other words, the first rotary press having an adjustable loading device can be converted into a rotary press having an optimized loading device.

Since the elements of the second rotary press already have optimal settings and no longer require adjustment, these elements can be made simpler. Additional elements/parts required to enable adjustment can be eliminated. Due to this, the provision of the corresponding elements can be reduced in cost. Thus, the second rotary press can be made smaller and less expensive. In addition, the elements of the second rotary press can be made stronger and more durable.

When producing tablets using a rotary press, some start-up time is necessary. For example, it takes some time for the substance to be dosed to be distributed evenly along the entire travel path. This means that the first tablets in a batch may have different properties from other tablets in the same batch.

Therefore, it can be assumed that when analyzing manufactured tablets to determine the optimal setting parameter, the first tablets of the batch are not taken into account. However, it is also considered possible that, due to the large number of tablets in a batch, the batch contains such a large number of tablets that the deviation of tablet properties between the first tablets and the remaining tablets in the batch is negligible.

The adjustable loading device of the first rotary press is a loading device according to the above-described embodiments.

The adjustable setting parameter may be the direction of rotation or the rotation speed of the paddle wheel, the metering wheel and/or the feed wheel.

It can also be assumed that the adjustable setting parameter may be represented by speed, initial pressure, main pressure, weight dosage, immersion depth or position of the molded product in the die.

Equally, the setting parameter can be represented by including the feed wheel in the path of movement of the substance to be dispensed or disconnecting it from the path of movement. In other words, the setting parameter may be the location of the feed wheel in or outside the path of movement of the substance to be dispensed.

The adjustable setting parameter can be the shape of the transporting surfaces of the blades or the inclination of the blades. The shape of the conveying surfaces of the blades is variable by rotating the blades around their respective longitudinal axis. Blade pitch means the angle formed by the corresponding longitudinal axis (or its extension) of the blade and the radial direction of the corresponding blade wheel extending from the axis of rotation.

During the tablet manufacturing step with the first rotary press, several settings can be changed simultaneously. It can be assumed that several settings can be set on the same element. However, it is also contemplated that it is possible that several settings can be set on several elements, whereby, in particular, one setting can be set on each element.

Other features, details and advantages of the invention are set forth in the contents of the claims as well as in the following description of embodiments based on the drawings. Shown on:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a rotary press having a loading device,

Fig. 2 is a top view of the loading device having a matrix disk according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a loading device,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a loading device,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a loading device,

Fig. 6 is a cutaway perspective view of the loading device according to FIG. 5 from another point of view,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a paddle-wheel-shaped loading wheel, a metering wheel and a feed wheel together with gear wheels,

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the impeller according to FIG. 7,

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a paddle wheel,

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a paddle wheel,

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a paddle wheel, and

Fig. 12 is a flow diagram of a method for providing an optimized rotary press.

In the following description and drawings, corresponding components and elements are given the same reference numerals. For clarity, not all reference symbols are shown in all drawings.

In fig. 1 shows a side view of a rotary press 12 having a loading device 10. In this case, the substance to be dosed, that is, the powder to be compressed into tablets, enters the rotary press 12 via a hopper 13. After the tablets are compressed, they are removed from the rotary press 12 via a discharge gutters 15.

In fig. 2 shows a top view of the loading device 10 having a matrix disk 18 according to FIG. 1. The matrix disk 18 has several matrix holes 16 located in a circle, into which the substance for pressing into tablets is dosed using a loading device 10.

In fig. 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the loading device 10. The substance to be dispensed is supplied to the loading wheel 14 by means of a substance supply unit 36. In this case, the substance supply unit 36 is made in the form of a straight pipe.

For greater clarity, FIG. 3 does not show a feed wheel 30 that may be included in the travel path. The travel path shown corresponds to a travel path in which the feed wheel is excluded from the travel path.

The loading wheel 14 is made in the form of a blade wheel 20 having blades 22. The loading wheel 14 delivers the substance to be dispensed into the matrix holes 16 of the matrix disk 18. This process is carried out by rotating the loading wheel 14 around the axis of rotation 42 (indicated by a dotted line).

The amount of substance to be dosed in the holes 16 of the matrix disk 18 can be accurately dosed using the metering wheel 24. The metering wheel is made in the form of a bladed wheel 26 having blades 28. This process is carried out by rotating the metering wheel 24 around its axis of rotation 42 (indicated by a dotted line). . In this case, the blades 28 of the metering wheel 24 sweep the matrix holes 16 so that the excess substance is removed, and exactly the specified amount of substance remains in the matrix holes 16.

Then the amount of substance remaining in the matrix hole 16 is compacted into a tablet. This can be realized, for example, using a lower and/or upper punch, which are movable relative to each other (not shown).

In fig. 4 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the loading device 10. Similar to that shown in FIG. In embodiment 3, the shown loading device 10 has a loading wheel 14 and a metering wheel 24. In this case, the matrix disk 18 having matrix holes 16 is not shown. In this case, the feed wheel 30 of the loading device 10 is shown. It is located in the movement path between the material supply unit 36 and the loading wheel 14.

The substance supply unit 36 supplies the substance to be dosed to the feed wheel 30. The feed wheel 30 is made in the form of a paddle wheel 32 having blades 34. The substance to be dosed is supplied to the loading wheel 14 using the loading wheel 30. This process is carried out by rotating the feed wheel 30 around an axis 42 rotations (indicated by the dotted line).

In the present case, the feed wheel 30 is located on the deflector 33. The deflector 33 and thus the feed wheel 30 can be rotated about the deflection axis 35. The deflection axis 35 and the rotation axis 42 of the metering wheel 24 coincide. This means that the feed wheel 30 can be angled out of the media path or tilted into the media path.

The material path shown is through a material supply unit 36, which supplies the material to a feed wheel 30. It supplies the material to the loading wheel 14 by rotating about its axis of rotation 42. The loading wheel 14 fills the matrix holes 16 (not shown) by rotating about its rotation axis 42 (not shown). The substance filling the matrix holes 16 is then accurately dosed by sweeping the blades 28 of the metering wheel 24. This action is also carried out by rotating the metering wheel 24 about its axis of rotation 42.

If the feed wheel 30 is deflected from the movement path by rotating about the deflection axis 35, then the substance movement path passes through the substance supply unit 36, which supplies the substance directly to the loading wheel 14. The substance then fills the matrix holes using the loading wheel, and is then accurately dosed by the dosing wheel. wheels 24 (see above).

Alternatively, or in addition to the deflector 33, the feed unit 36 may have a feed deflector (not shown) which optionally delivers the feed either directly to the feed wheel 30 or to the feed wheel 14. Thus, it is possible to select between a feed path with using the feed wheel 30 and the feed path without the feed wheel 30, without the need for the feed wheel 30 to deviate from the feed path.

In fig. 5 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the loading device 10. In this case, the loading wheel 14, the feeding wheel 30 and the metering wheel 24 are covered by a cover 51 and are not shown.

Six electric motors 50 are shown, which are configured as servo motors 52. Two servo motors 52 are located opposite each other. Each servo motor 52 may be controlled or operated individually and independently of the other servo motors 52. The servo motors 52 may be configured as a group of servo motors that is configured as a replaceable member. For example, the three top servo motors 52 in FIG. 5 may form one replaceable element, and the three lower servomotors 52 in FIG. 5 can form another replaceable element. For example, in the event of a defect, the servo motors 52 can be quickly and easily replaced.

In fig. 6 is a cutaway perspective view of the loading device 10 according to FIG. 5 from a different point of view. The cover 51 is not shown here, allowing the loading wheel 14, feed wheel 30 and metering wheel 24, which are hidden in FIG. 5.

The loading wheel 14, the feed wheel 30 and the metering wheel 24 are connected to the servomotors 52 through gears 46, 48. By means of the gears 46, 48, torque can be transmitted from the corresponding servomotor 52 to the loading wheel 14, the feed wheel 30 or the metering wheel 24. The transmitted torque can be used to rotate the loading wheel 14, the feed wheel 30 and/or the metering wheel 24, made in the form of a paddle wheel 20, 26, 32, and/or to adjust the angular position, inclination and/or curvature of the blades 22, 28, 34 corresponding impeller 20, 26, 32.

In fig. 7 is a perspective view of the feed wheel 14, the metering wheel 24, and the feed wheel 30 along with the gear wheels 46, 48. The six servo motors 52 are indicated by dotted lines. In this case, the torque of the three servo motors 52 located at the top in Figure 7 is respectively transmitted to the first gear 46. It meshes with the second gear 46, and the second gear 46 meshes with the third gear 46, which is located on loading wheel 14, metering wheel 24 or feed wheel 30. Accordingly, the torque from the three remaining servomotors 52 (located at the bottom in Fig. 7) is transmitted in each case to the first gear 48. It meshes with the second gear 48, and the second gear 48 meshes with the third gear 48, which is located on the loading wheel 14, metering wheel 24 or feeding wheel 30. Thus, the torque of the corresponding servo motor 52 is transmitted to the loading wheel 14, metering wheel 24 or feeding wheel 30.

In fig. 8 is a perspective view of the impeller 20, 26, 32 of FIG. 7. The paddle wheel 20, 26, 32 shown may be a loading wheel 14, a feed wheel 30, or a metering wheel 24.

The impeller 20, 26, 32 has a rotation axis 42 about which the impeller 20, 26, 32 can rotate. The impeller 20, 26, 32 has ten blades 22, 28, 34. In this case, the blades 22, 28, 34 extend along a radial direction 45 that extends radially outward from the axis of rotation 42 and perpendicular to the axis 42 of rotation. The blades 22, 28, 34 have a longitudinal axis 38, which corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the blades 22, 28, 34.

The blades 22, 28, 34 have a triangular cross-section, wherein in the position shown, one corner of the triangle represents the lower edge of the corresponding blade 22, 28, 34.

The impeller 20, 26, 32 has an upper gear 46 and a lower gear 48, wherein the impeller 20, 26, 32 and both gears 46, 48 have the same axis of rotation 42, that is, are located coaxially with each other. The impeller 20, 26, 32 is rotatable via the lower gear 48. This can be achieved, for example, by connecting the lower gear 48 and the impeller 20, 26, 32 without rotatability relative to each other.

When the impeller 20, 26, 32 rotates, it turns around the axis 42 of rotation and conveys the substance located between the individual blades 22, 28, 34 using the corresponding conveying surface 40. Using the upper gear 46, the blades 22, 28, 34 can be rotated around the corresponding longitudinal axis 38. It is also contemplated that the height (displacement parallel to the axis of rotation 42), inclination and/or curvature of the blades 22, 28, 34 can be varied by means of the gear 46. The elements necessary for this, for example, in the form of appropriate mechanical and /or the electrical part can be placed in the housing 49 of the impeller 20, 26, 32.

The lower gear 48 is located between the upper gear 46 and the impeller 20, 26, 32. Of course, it is contemplated that the upper gear 46 is located between the lower gear 48 and the impeller 20, 26, 32 or that the functions of the upper and the lower gears 46, 48 can be reversed.

In fig. 9 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the impeller 20, 26, 32. In this case, the impeller 20, 26, 32 has straight blades 22, 28, 34 with a square cross section.

In fig. 10 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the impeller 20, 26, 32. In this case, the impeller 20, 26, 32 is shown with inclined blades 22, 28, 34. An extension of the corresponding longitudinal axis 38 of the blades 22, 28, 34 (indicated dotted line) does not intersect the center of the impeller 20, 26, 32, which is marked "x" and has the reference designation 47. Thus, the corresponding longitudinal axis 38 or its extension is located at a distance from the center 47.

In the case of a variable pitch impeller 20, 26, 32, the blades 22, 28, 34 may be rearranged such that the angle between the longitudinal axis 38 (or an extension thereof) of the respective blade 22, 28, 34 and the radial direction 45 may be changed. For example, the blade 54 may be moved from its schematically represented first position 56 to a second, dotted line position 58. It can be readily seen that the angle between the blade 54 at the first position 56 and the radial direction 45 is different (increasingly) from the angle between blade 54 and radial direction 45 in the second position 58. The change in inclination is indicated in this case by a double-sided arrow.

In fig. 11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the impeller 20, 26, 32. This embodiment of the impeller 20, 26, 32 has curved blades 22, 28, 34. Each of the blades 22, 28, 34 has a first portion 60 on which the blades 22, 28, 34 extend along the radial direction 45 (that is, directly radially outward). Adjacent to the first section 60 is a second section 62, which is curved relative to the radial direction 45. The second section 62 is followed by a third section 64, which is again straight (similar to the first section 60).

The possible variable curvature of the blades 22, 28, 34 of the blade wheel 20, 26, 32 is shown (similar to Fig. 10) by a double-sided arrow, as well as the first location 66 and the second location 68 (indicated by a dotted line) of the blade 70. The outer diameter of the blade wheel 20, 26 ,32 is also varied by changing the curvature. Greater curvature of the blades 22, 28, 34 relative to the radial direction 45 leads to a decrease in the outer diameter of the blade wheel 20, 26, 32. Less curvature of the blades 22, 28, 34 relative to the radial direction 45 leads to an increase in the outer diameter of the blade wheel 20, 26, 32.

In fig. 12 is a flowchart of a method for providing an optimized rotary press.

In this case, the method step marked with the reference symbol 72 consists of manufacturing a first rotary press 12 having an adjustable loading device 10, wherein the adjustable loading device 10 includes at least one element having at least one adjustable setting parameter.

The reference numeral 74 denotes a subsequent process step in which a plurality of tablets are produced using the first rotary press 12, each at a different setting parameter.

This step 74 can be performed an arbitrary number of times with an arbitrary number of different settings.

The manufacturing of tablets is followed by the technological step of analyzing the manufactured tablets for the presence of the required properties, especially quality characteristics, in order to identify those with preferred properties among the manufactured tablets. This method step is marked in FIG. 12 with reference symbol 76.

The method step for identifying the adjustment of the settings that produced a tablet with the preferred properties is indicated by reference numeral 78.

Indicated by reference numeral 80, the final step of the method is to provide at least one second rotary press having an optimized loading device, wherein the optimized loading device includes at least one element having a predetermined tuning parameter at which the tablet was produced with the preferred properties. It is also contemplated that, as an alternative or in addition to providing a second rotary press, the first rotary press can be converted into a rotary press with an optimized loading device.

Shown in FIG. 12 is a flowchart primarily illustrating the chronological sequence of individual method steps 72, 74, 76, 78 and 80. In this case, method steps 72, 74, 76, 78 and 80 are performed one after another in the sequence shown in the flowchart.

However, it is also contemplated that it is possible that a method step may be repeated an arbitrary number of times before executing the next method step.

Claims (29)

1. Loading device (10) for a rotary press (12), including: - a loading wheel (14), which is designed to fill the matrix holes (16) of the matrix disk (18) of the rotary press (12) with the substance to be dispensed, wherein the loading wheel (14) is made in the form of a paddle wheel (20), and wherein it is designed to transporting the substance to be dosed through rotational movement through its blades (22), - a dosing wheel (24), which is designed for dosing the amount of the substance to be dosed into the corresponding matrix holes (16) of the matrix disk (18), wherein the dosing wheel (24) is made in the form of a paddle wheel (26), and wherein it is designed for dosing the amount the substance to be dosed by sweeping the matrix holes (16) of the matrix disk (18) with its blades (28) through rotational movement and removing excess substance, - a feed wheel (30), which is designed to supply the substance to be dosed to the loading wheel (14), wherein the feed wheel (30) is designed as a paddle wheel (32), and wherein it is designed to transport the substance to be dosed to the loading wheel (14 ) through rotational movement through its blades (34), - at least one substance supply unit (36), which is designed to supply the substance to the loading wheel (14) and/or feed wheel (30), wherein the blades (22, 28, 34) of the loading wheel (14), metering wheel (24) and feed wheel (30) made in the form of a paddle wheel (20, 26, 32), respectively have a transporting surface (40), with the help of which the corresponding the impeller (20, 26, 32) moves the substance, characterized in that the loading device (10) is designed in such a way that the feed wheel (30) is designed to be included in the movement path of the substance to be dispensed or to be disconnected from it, primarily due to deflection movement by means of deflection device (33), first all around the axis (42) of rotation of the metering wheel (24) made in the form of a bladed wheel (20, 26, 32). 2. Loading device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the substance supply unit (36) is designed such that the substance supply unit (36) includes a supply deflector, with the help of which the substance to be dosed can be selectively supplied to the supply wheel (30) or onto the loading wheel (14). 3. Loading device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) made in the form of a paddle wheel (20, 26, 32) of the loading wheel (14), metering wheel (24) and /or the feed wheel (30) is designed so that the transport surface (40) of the corresponding blades (22, 28, 34) is variable in shape. 4. Loading device (10) according to the previous paragraph, characterized in that the shape of the transporting surface (40) is variable by rotating the blades (22, 28, 34) of the loading wheel (14) made in the form of a paddle wheel (20, 26, 32) , metering wheel (24) and/or feed wheel (30) around their respective longitudinal axis (38), or by changing the inclination of the blades (22, 28, 34) made in the form of a paddle wheel (20, 26, 32) of the loading wheel (14), metering wheel (24) and/or feed wheel (30) relative to extending from the axis (42) rotation of the corresponding impeller (20, 26, 32) in the radial direction (45), or by varying the curvature of the blades (22, 28, 34) of the loading wheel (14), metering wheel (24) and/or feed wheel (30) made in the form of a paddle wheel (20, 26, 32). 5. Loading device (10) according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) made in the form of a paddle wheel (20, 26, 32) of the loading wheel (14), metering wheel (24) and/ or feed wheel (30) are configured to move parallel to the axis (42) of rotation of the corresponding blade wheel (20, 26, 32). 6. Loading device (10) according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) made in the form of a paddle wheel (20, 26, 32) of the loading wheel (14), metering wheel (24) and/ or the feed wheels (30) have a triangular, quadrangular or at least partially rounded cross-section. 7. Loading device (10) according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) made in the form of a paddle wheel (20, 26, 32) of the loading wheel (14), metering wheel (24) and/ or feed wheel (30) have a constant cross-section along at least one portion of their respective longitudinal axis (38), in particular along the full extent of their respective longitudinal axis (38). 8. Loading device (10) according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) made in the form of a paddle wheel (20, 26, 32) of the loading wheel (14), metering wheel (24) and/ or feed wheel (30) are designed to be replaceable, primarily designed as a replaceable element for individual blade wheels (20, 26, 32). 9. Loading device (10) according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the loading wheel (14), metering wheel (24) and/or feed wheel (30) made in the form of a paddle wheel (20, 26, 32) have, respectively blades (22, 28, 34) with different cross-sections along their respective longitudinal axis (38). 10. Loading device (10) according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) made in the form of a paddle wheel (20, 26, 32) of the loading wheel (14), metering wheel (24) and/ or feed wheel (30) are located so that the extension of the corresponding longitudinal axis (38) passes at a distance from the axis (42) of rotation of the corresponding impeller (20, 26, 32). 11. Loading device (10) according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the loading device (10) is designed so that the direction of rotation and/or rotation speed of the loading wheel (14), metering wheel (24) and/or feed wheel ( 30) may vary. 12. Loading device (10) according to one of paragraphs. 4-11, characterized in that the loading device (10) has at least one electric motor (50), primarily a servomotor (52), and the loading wheel (14) is made in the form of a paddle wheel (20, 26, 32), dosing the wheel (24) and/or the feed wheel (30) are driven directly or through at least one gear wheel (48) by an electric motor (50), especially a servomotor (52), and/or wherein the angular position of the blades (22, 28, 34) and/or the inclination of the blades (22, 28, 34) relative to the radial direction (45) extending from the axis of rotation (42) of the corresponding blade wheel (20, 26, 32), directly or through at least one gear wheel ( 46), is varied by an electric motor (50), especially a servomotor (52). 13. A method for providing an optimized rotary press, including the following steps: - providing a first rotary press (12) having an adjustable loading device (10), wherein the adjustable loading device (10) includes at least one element having at least one adjustable setting parameter, - production of several tablets using the first rotary press (12) with correspondingly different adjustments of the setting parameter, - analysis of manufactured tablets for the presence of the required properties, especially quality characteristics, in order to identify tablets with preferable properties among the manufactured tablets, - identifying the adjustment of the settings that resulted in a tablet with preferred properties, - providing at least one second rotary press having an optimized loading device, wherein the optimized loading device includes at least one element having a predetermined tuning parameter at which a tablet with preferred properties was produced, wherein the adjustable loading device is a loading device (10) according to one of claims. 1-12. 14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the adjustable setting parameter is the direction of rotation or the rotation speed of the loading wheel (14), metering wheel (24) and/or feed wheel ( 30) or the shape of the transporting surfaces (40) of the blades (22, 28, 34), wherein the shape of the transporting surfaces (40) is variable by rotating the blades (22, 28, 34) around their respective longitudinal axis (38), or by tilting the blades (22, 28, 34) relative to the radial direction (45) extending from the axis of rotation (42) of the corresponding blade wheel (20, 26, 32), or by varying the curvature of the blades (22, 28, 34), or turning on/off the feed wheel (30) from the path of movement of the substance to be dosed. 15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that during the tablet manufacturing step, the settings of several settings are simultaneously changed using the first rotary press (12).

Images