JP6921769B2 - Printing equipment and printing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method for printing an image on the surface of a granular material by an inkjet method.

Letters and codes are printed on the surface of tablets, which are pharmaceutical products, to identify the product. In addition, marks and illustrations may be printed on tablets such as ramune. Conventionally, there is known a technique of printing an image on the surface of such granules such as tablets and confectionery by an inkjet method. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a tablet printing apparatus that prints randomly supplied tablets with an inkjet printer.

The apparatus of Patent Document 1 includes a detection line sensor camera (detection imaging means) for photographing a tablet before printing and an inspection line sensor camera (inspection imaging means) for photographing a tablet after printing. .. The apparatus of Patent Document 1 prints on each tablet based on the position, posture, front and back, etc. of the tablet detected by the detection line sensor camera. Further, the inspection line sensor camera is used to inspect the printing state on each tablet.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-121432

However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 requires at least two imaging means, that is, a line sensor camera for detection and a line sensor camera for inspection. Therefore, it is difficult to miniaturize the printing apparatus. In addition, the plurality of imaging means increase the manufacturing cost of the printing apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing the number of photographing mechanisms in a printing apparatus for printing an image on the surface of a granular material by an inkjet method.

In order to solve the above problems, the first invention of the present application is a printing apparatus that prints an image on the surface of a granular material by an inkjet method, and transports the granular material from a first position to a second position on an outward route. Photographing the granules at a imaging position between the first position and the second position and a transport mechanism that performs return transport that transports the granules from the second position to the first position. A mechanism, a head that ejects ink droplets on the surface of the granular material at a printing position between the photographing position and the second position, and a transfer mechanism, the photographing mechanism, and a control unit that controls the head. The control unit includes, a) a step of photographing the granules during the outbound transportation by the photographing mechanism, and b) the step of photographing the granules during the outbound transportation or the inbound transportation after the step a). A step of ejecting ink droplets from the head onto the surface of the granular material and a step of c) the step b) and then photographing the granular material being conveyed on the return route by the photographing mechanism are executed.

The second invention of the present application is the printing apparatus of the first invention, and the control unit ejects ink droplets from the head onto the surface of the granules during the outbound transportation in the step b).

The third invention of the present application is the printing apparatus of the first invention or the second invention, and the transport mechanism includes a holding plate having suction holes for adsorbing the granules, and the first position and the second position. It has a plate moving mechanism for moving the holding plate between the two.

The fourth invention of the present application is the printing apparatus of any one of the first to third inventions, and the control unit is based on the image acquired in the step a) before printing the granules. The inspection is performed, and the post-print inspection of the granules is performed based on the image acquired in the step c).

The fifth invention of the present application is the printing apparatus of any one invention from the first invention to the fourth invention, and at least a part of the transport path between the first position and the second position and the photographing. Further comprising a mechanism and a cover covering the head, the cover has an opening for carrying in and out of the granules at the first position.

The sixth invention of the present application is the printing apparatus of any one of the first to fifth inventions, further including a reversing mechanism for reversing the front and back of the granules, and the control unit is the step a). After executing ~ c), the front and back sides of the granular material are inverted by the inversion mechanism, and the above steps a) to c) are further executed.

The seventh invention of the present application is the printing apparatus of any one of the first to sixth inventions, and the granules are tablets.

The eighth invention of the present application is a printing method for printing an image on the surface of a granular material by an ink jet method, and a) the granular material being conveyed from the first position to the second position on the outbound route is photographed by a photographing mechanism. Steps and b) after the step a), a step of ejecting ink droplets from the head onto the surface of the granules during the outbound transportation or the return transportation from the second position to the first position, and c. ) After the step b), there is a step of photographing the granules being conveyed on the return route by the photographing mechanism.

The ninth invention of the present application is the printing method of the eighth invention, in which ink droplets are ejected from the head onto the surface of the granules during the outbound transportation in the step b).

The tenth invention of the present application is the printing method of the eighth invention or the ninth invention, and the granule is a tablet.

According to the first to tenth inventions of the present application, by reciprocating the granules, it is possible to photograph the granules before printing and the granules after printing with one imaging mechanism. .. This facilitates miniaturization of the printing apparatus.

In particular, according to the second and ninth inventions of the present application, the misalignment of the granules is unlikely to occur between the photographing of the granules in the step a) and the ejection of the ink droplets in the step b). Therefore, an image can be accurately printed on the surface of the granular material based on the shooting result of the granular material in the step a).

It is a top view of the printing apparatus. It is a side view of the printing apparatus. It is a block diagram which showed the connection between a control part and each part in a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which showed the flow of processing in a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which showed the flow of the process which concerns on a modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the direction in which a plurality of granules are conveyed is the "transport direction", the direction perpendicular to and horizontal to the transport direction is the "width direction", and the transport direction and the direction perpendicular to the width direction. Is referred to as "height direction".

<1. About the configuration of the printing device>
FIG. 1 is a top view of the printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the printing apparatus 1. The printing device 1 is a device that prints an image on the surface of each tablet 9 by an inkjet method while transporting a plurality of tablets 9 which are granular substances. The tablet 9 may be an uncoated tablet (naked tablet) or a coated tablet such as a sugar-coated tablet or a film-coated tablet (FC tablet). Further, the tablet 9 may be a capsule containing a hard capsule and a soft capsule. Further, the "granular substance" in the present invention is not limited to tablets as a pharmaceutical product, and may be tablets as a health food or tablet confectionery such as ramune.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing device 1 of the present embodiment includes a transport mechanism 10, a photographing mechanism 20, a head 30, a cover 40, and a control unit 50.

The transport mechanism 10 is a mechanism for transporting a plurality of tablets 9 while holding them. The transport mechanism 10 of the present embodiment includes a holding plate 11, a suction mechanism 12, and a plate moving mechanism 13. The holding plate 11 is a flat plate-shaped holding portion for holding a plurality of tablets 9. The holding plate 11 is arranged so that its upper surface is in a horizontal posture. A plurality of suction holes 110 are provided on the upper surface of the holding plate 11. The plurality of suction holes 110 are arranged at equal intervals in the transport direction and the width direction, for example. The plurality of tablets 9 are arranged one by one in these suction holes 110.

The suction mechanism 12 is a mechanism for generating negative pressure in the plurality of suction holes 110. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction mechanism 12 includes an intake pipe 121 and an air flow generator 122. One end of the intake pipe 121 is connected to a plurality of suction holes 110. The other end of the intake pipe 121 is connected to the airflow generator 122. For the airflow generator 122, for example, a fan is used. When the airflow generator 122 is driven, airflow is generated in the intake pipe 121 from the plurality of suction holes 110 toward the airflow generator 122. As a result, a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure is generated in the plurality of suction holes 110. The tablet 9 is sucked and held in the suction hole 110 by this negative pressure.

The plate moving mechanism 13 is a mechanism for moving the holding plate 11. For the plate moving mechanism 13, for example, a linear motor is used. However, instead of the linear motor, a mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the motor into a linear motion via a ball screw may be used.

When the plate moving mechanism 13 is operated, the holding plate 11 is moved between the first position P1 shown by the solid line in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the second position P2 shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIGS. 1 to 2. , Moves horizontally back and forth. The first position P1 is a position where the tablet 9 is carried in and out of the holding plate 11. The second position P2 is a folding position for reciprocating movement. By the movement of the holding plate 11, a plurality of tablets 9 are transported from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (outward transport), and a plurality of tablets 9 are transported from the second position P2 to the first position P1 (return transport). ) And are realized.

As described above, the holding plate 11 does not simply place the tablet 9, but sucks and holds the tablet 9 by negative pressure. As a result, it is possible to prevent the position and posture of the tablet 9 from changing and the tablet 9 from falling off during the transportation of the tablet 9. In particular, when switching from outward transport to return transport, a large inertial force acts on the tablet 9 in the transport direction. However, in the present embodiment, since the tablet 9 is adsorbed and held, the position and posture of the tablet 9 can be maintained.

The photographing mechanism 20 is a mechanism for photographing the upper surface of the tablet 9 at the photographing position Pa between the first position P1 and the second position P2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the photographing mechanism 20 of the present embodiment includes a mirror 21 and a camera 22. The mirror 21 is arranged above the shooting position Pa in an inclined posture with respect to the height direction and the width direction. As the camera 22, for example, a digital camera having an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS is used. The camera 22 captures an image of the tablet 9 reflected by the mirror 21. As a result, multi-tone digital data including the image of the tablet 9 can be obtained. If the mirror 21 is used as in the present embodiment, the camera 22 can be arranged not above the shooting position Pa but on the side of the mirror 21. As a result, the height of the printing device 1 can be suppressed.

The head 30 is a mechanism for ejecting ink droplets onto the upper surface of the tablet 9 at the printing position Pb between the photographing position Pa and the second position P2. A plurality of nozzles are provided on the lower surface of the head 30. The head 30 ejects ink droplets from each nozzle based on the print data input from the control unit 50. As a result, an image is printed on the upper surface of the tablet 9. The printing device 1 of the present embodiment prints a monochromatic image on the upper surface of the tablet 9 by one head 30. However, the printing apparatus 1 may include a plurality of heads 30 and record a multicolor image on the upper surface of the tablet 9 by ejecting inks of different colors from each head 30. As the ink discharged from the head 30, edible ink produced from raw materials approved by the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, the Food Sanitation Law, etc. is used.

The printing device 1 may include a cap that covers the lower surface of the head 30 and a mechanism for cleaning the lower surface of the head 30 when printing is stopped.

The cover 40 constitutes a part of the housing of the printing device 1. At least a part of the photographing mechanism 20, the head 30, and the transport path between the first position P1 and the second position P2 is covered with the cover 40. Further, the cover 40 has an opening 41 in the vicinity of the first position P1. When the tablet 9 is carried in, the holding plate 11 is arranged at the first position P1, and the tablet 9 is set on the upper surface of the holding plate 11 exposed to the outside through the opening 41. Further, when the tablet 9 is carried out, the holding plate 11 is arranged at the first position P1, and the tablet 9 is taken out from the upper surface of the holding plate 11 exposed to the outside through the opening 41.

The control unit 50 is a means for controlling the operation of each unit of the printing device 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the connection between the control unit 50 and each unit in the printing device 1. As conceptually shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 50 is composed of a computer having a processor 51 such as a CPU, a memory 52 such as a RAM, and a storage unit 53 such as a hard disk drive. A computer program CP and data D for executing a printing process and an inspection process, which will be described later, are stored in the storage unit 53.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 50 is connected to the suction mechanism 12, the plate moving mechanism 13, the camera 22, and the head 30 described above so as to be communicable by wire or wirelessly. The control unit 50 temporarily reads the computer program CP and data D stored in the storage unit 53 into the memory 52, and the processor 51 performs arithmetic processing based on the computer program CP to operate each of the above units. Control. As a result, the printing process and the inspection process for the plurality of tablets 9 proceed.

Further, the printing device 1 has a display unit 60 in addition to the above configuration. The display unit 60 is connected to the control unit 50 so as to be able to communicate with the control unit 50 by wire or wirelessly. For the display unit 60, for example, a liquid crystal display is used. The display unit 60 displays various information related to the printing process and the inspection process, which will be described later, on the screen based on the signal input from the control unit 50.

<2. About printing and inspection processing>
The printing device 1 sequentially executes pre-printing inspection, printing, and post-printing inspection on the tablets 9 while reciprocating a plurality of tablets 9 between the first position P1 and the second position P2. .. Hereinafter, the flow of these processes will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the initial state, the holding plate 11 is arranged at the first position P1. The user of the printing apparatus 1 first places the tablet 9 in the plurality of suction holes 110 of the holding plate 11. The tablet 9 is sucked and held in each suction hole 110 by the negative pressure generated by the suction mechanism 12 (step S1).

When the plurality of tablets 9 are held on the holding plate 11, the control unit 50 starts the operation of the plate moving mechanism 13. As a result, the holding plate 11 and the plurality of tablets 9 held on the holding plate 11 are started to be transported from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (step S2).

When the plurality of tablets 9 reach the imaging position Pa, the control unit 50 operates the camera 22 of the imaging mechanism 20. As a result, the upper surfaces of the plurality of tablets 9 being transported on the outward route are photographed by the camera 22 (step S3). The acquired image data is transmitted from the camera 22 to the control unit 50. Further, the control unit 50 inspects the state of each tablet 9 before printing (pre-print inspection) based on the image data received from the camera 22 (step S4). Specifically, the presence or absence of the tablet 9 in each suction hole 110, the front and back posture of each tablet 9, the rotational posture of each tablet 9 around the vertical axis, the misalignment of each tablet 9 with respect to the suction hole 110, and the shape defect of each tablet 9. The presence or absence of, etc. is determined. The inspection result of step S4 is displayed on the display unit 60.

Subsequently, when the plurality of tablets 9 reach the printing position Pb, the control unit 50 operates the head 30. As a result, ink droplets are ejected from the plurality of nozzles of the head 30 toward the tablet 9. As a result, an image is printed on the upper surface of each tablet 9 being transported on the outward route (step S5). At this time, the control unit 50 adjusts the image to be printed on each tablet 9 based on the inspection result in step S3 described above. For example, from the image for the front surface and the image for the back surface, an appropriate image is selected according to the front and back postures of each tablet 9, and the selected image is rotated according to the rotation posture of each tablet 9. Then, a print signal is input to the head 30 based on the adjusted image. As a result, an appropriate image is printed on the upper surface of each tablet 9 in an appropriate posture.

Eventually, when the tablet 9 reaches the second position P2, the control unit 50 stops the operation of the plate moving mechanism 13. As a result, the outbound transportation of the holding plate 11 and the plurality of tablets 9 held on the holding plate 11 is completed (step S6). After that, the control unit 50 operates the plate moving mechanism 13 in the opposite direction to steps S2 to S6. As a result, the return transfer of the holding plate 11 and the plurality of tablets 9 held on the holding plate 11 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 is started (step S7).

In the return transfer, the plurality of tablets 9 pass through the printing position Pb without ejecting ink droplets from the head 30. Then, when the plurality of tablets 9 reach the imaging position Pa, the control unit 50 operates the camera 22 of the imaging mechanism 20. As a result, the upper surfaces of the plurality of tablets 9 being transported on the return route are photographed by the camera 22 (step S8). The acquired image data is transmitted from the camera 22 to the control unit 50.

Further, the control unit 50 inspects (post-print inspection) the printing state of each tablet 9 based on the image data received from the camera 22 (step S9). Specifically, the control unit 50 compares, for example, the image data received from the camera 22 with the data of the normal image prepared in advance, so that the image printed on the upper surface of each tablet 9 is normal. Determine if it exists. The inspection result of step S9 is displayed on the display unit 60.

Eventually, when the tablet 9 reaches the first position P1, the control unit 50 stops the operation of the plate moving mechanism 13. As a result, the return transport of the holding plate 11 and the plurality of tablets 9 held on the holding plate 11 is completed (step S10). After that, the control unit 50 stops the operation of the suction mechanism 12. As a result, the adsorption of the tablet 9 in each adsorption hole 110 is released. The user of the printing apparatus 1 takes out a plurality of printed tablets 9 from the holding plate 11 (step S11).

As described above, in this printing apparatus 1, while the tablet 9 is reciprocated, the tablet 9 is photographed before printing (step S3), the printing (step S5), and the tablet 9 is photographed after printing (step S8). And are executed in sequence. The imaging of the tablet 9 before printing (step S3) and the imaging of the tablet 9 after printing (step S8) are executed by the same imaging mechanism 20 at the same imaging position Pa. Therefore, the number of imaging mechanisms can be reduced as compared with the case where the imaging of the tablet 9 before printing (step S3) and the imaging of the tablet 9 after printing (step S8) are performed by separate imaging mechanisms. .. Therefore, if the configuration of the present embodiment is adopted, the printing device 1 can be easily miniaturized.

In particular, in the present embodiment, printing on the tablet 9 is performed during the outbound transportation. In this way, printing (step S5) can be performed immediately after the tablet 9 is photographed (step S3) and the pre-printing inspection (step S4) is performed before printing. Further, the photographing (step S3), the pre-printing inspection (step S4), and the printing (step S5) of the tablet 9 before printing can be performed without switching the transport direction of the tablet 9. Therefore, the misalignment of the tablet 9 is unlikely to occur between the time of photographing the tablet 9 before printing (step S3) and the pre-printing inspection (step S4) and before printing. Therefore, an image can be accurately printed on the upper surface of each tablet 9 based on the inspection result in step S4.

<3. Modification example>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, printing on the tablet 9 was performed during the outbound transportation. However, printing on the tablet 9 may be performed during the return transport. FIG. 5 is a flowchart in the case of printing during the return route transportation. In the example of FIG. 5, only the photographing (step S3) and the pre-printing inspection (step S4) of the tablet 9 are performed during the outbound transportation. Then, after switching the transport direction at the second position P2 (steps S6 to S7), ink droplets are ejected from the head 30 onto the upper surface of the tablet 9 being transported on the return route to print (step S5). After that, imaging of the tablet 9 during return transportation (step S8) and post-printing inspection (step S9) are executed.

Further, in the above embodiment, a plurality of tablets 9 are directly placed on the upper surface of the holding plate 11. However, a plurality of tablets 9 may be placed on the upper surface of the holding plate 11 via a separate tray. The tray may have a shape that can be attached to and detached from the holding plate 11, and may have a through hole at a position corresponding to each suction hole 110. Further, a recess may be provided at a position corresponding to the suction hole 110 on the upper surface of the holding plate 11 or the upper surface of the tray. Then, the tablet 9 may be fitted in the recess. By doing so, the misalignment of the tablet 9 due to the transportation can be further suppressed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the tablet 9 is horizontally transported between the first position P1 and the second position P2. However, the transport direction of the tablet 9 between the first position P1 and the second position P2 may be an oblique direction or a vertical direction. Further, in the above embodiment, the tablet 9 is linearly conveyed between the first position P1 and the second position P2. However, the transport path of the tablet 9 between the first position P1 and the second position P2 may be curved or polygonal.

Further, in the above embodiment, the transport mechanism 10 transports the tablets 9 by the holding plate 11. However, the transport mechanism of the present invention may transport the tablet 9 by another method. For example, the tablets 9 may be conveyed by rotating the belt while adsorbing and holding the tablets 9 on the surface of the belt of the belt conveyor. Further, the tablet 9 may be conveyed by rotating the drum while adsorbing and holding the tablet 9 on the surface of the cylindrical drum.

Further, in addition to the configuration of the printing device 1 of the above embodiment, a reversing mechanism for reversing the front and back of the tablet 9 on the holding plate 11 may be further provided. The reversing mechanism may be, for example, a mechanism for reversing and transferring the tablet 9 from one holding plate or tray to another holding plate or tray. When printing on the tablet 9, for example, after performing steps S1 to S10 in FIG. 4, the front and back sides of the tablet 9 may be reversed, and steps S2 to S11 in FIG. 4 may be further executed. If such a reversing mechanism is added, an image can be automatically printed on both the front and back surfaces of the tablet 9. Therefore, the pre-printing, printing, and post-printing inspections on one side of the tablet 9 and the pre-printing, printing, and post-printing inspections on the other side of the tablet 9 can be performed using the same mechanism. can. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the size of the printing apparatus 1.

Further, in addition to the configuration of the printing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, a drying mechanism for drying the ink adhering to the surface of the tablet 9 may be further provided. The drying mechanism may be, for example, blowing hot air onto the upper surface of the tablet 9 to vaporize the solvent in the ink adhering to the upper surface of the tablet 9. The drying mechanism may be arranged at the second position P2, for example.

Further, the detailed configuration of the printing apparatus may be appropriately changed as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. Further, the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined as long as there is no contradiction.

1 Printing device 9 Tablets 10 Transport mechanism 11 Holding plate 12 Suction mechanism 13 Plate movement mechanism 20 Imaging mechanism 21 Mirror 22 Camera 30 Head 40 Cover 41 Opening 50 Control unit 60 Display unit 110 Suction hole 121 Intake pipe 122 Airflow generator P1 1st Position P2 2nd position Pa Shooting position Pb Printing position

Claims (10)

A printing device that prints an image on the surface of a granular material by an inkjet method.
A transport mechanism that performs outbound transport for transporting the granules from the first position to the second position and return transport for transporting the granules from the second position to the first position.
An imaging mechanism for photographing the granules at an imaging position between the first position and the second position,
A head that ejects ink droplets on the surface of the granular material at a printing position between the photographing position and the second position,
A control unit that controls the transport mechanism, the photographing mechanism, and the head,
With
The control unit
a) A step of photographing the granules being conveyed on the outbound route by the photographing mechanism, and
b) After the step a), a step of ejecting ink droplets from the head onto the surface of the granules during the outbound transportation or the inbound transportation.
c) After the step b), a step of photographing the granules being conveyed on the return route by the photographing mechanism and a step of photographing the particles.
A printing device that runs. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
In the step b), the control unit is a printing apparatus that ejects ink droplets from the head onto the surface of the granules being conveyed on the outbound route. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The transport mechanism
A holding plate having adsorption holes for adsorbing the granules,
A plate moving mechanism for moving the holding plate between the first position and the second position,
Printing equipment with. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The control unit
Based on the image acquired in the step a), the pre-print inspection of the granules is performed.
A printing apparatus that performs a post-print inspection of the granules based on the image acquired in the step c). The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
A cover that covers at least a part of the transport path between the first position and the second position, the photographing mechanism, and the head is further provided.
The cover is a printing apparatus having an opening for carrying in and out of the granules at the first position. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
Further provided with a reversing mechanism for reversing the front and back of the granular material,
A printing apparatus in which the control unit reverses the front and back of the granular material by the reversing mechanism after executing the steps a) to c), and further executes the steps a) to c). The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
A printing device, wherein the granules are tablets. It is a printing method that prints an image on the surface of a granular material by an inkjet method.
a) A step of photographing the granules being transported on the outward route from the first position to the second position by an imaging mechanism, and
b) After the step a), a step of ejecting ink droplets from the head onto the surface of the granules during the outbound transportation or the return transportation from the second position to the first position.
c) After the step b), a step of photographing the granules being conveyed on the return route by the photographing mechanism and a step of photographing the particles.
The printing method. The printing method according to claim 8.
A printing method in which, in the step b), ink droplets are ejected from the head onto the surface of the granules being conveyed on the outbound route. The printing method according to claim 8 or 9.
The printing method, wherein the granules are tablets.

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