JP7780759B2 - Internal material supply machine and manufacturing method of molded products - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a feeder for supplying contents to the die cavity of a molding machine that compresses powder filled in the die cavity with a pestle to form a molded product, and to a method for manufacturing a molded product with contents inside.

A rotary powder compression molding machine is well known in which die holes are provided on the table of a rotating table, and upper and lower punches are slidably held above and below each die hole. Both the table and punches are rotated horizontally, and the powder filled in the die holes is compressed (or tableted) as the pair of upper and lower punches passes between the upper and lower rolls. This type of powder compression molding machine is used to manufacture pharmaceutical tablets, food products, electronic components, etc.

Sometimes, molded products have some kind of internal substance embedded within them. In particular, recent attempts have been made to embed an IC chip equipped with a tiny sensor into molded pharmaceutical products, making it possible to confirm that the patient has taken the drug (see, for example, the non-patent document below). The applicant for this patent has previously filed a patent application for a feeder that supplies internal substances to be embedded in molded products into the die holes of the table of a powder compression molding machine (see, for example, the patent document below).

JP 2015-229181 A

"World's first digital medicine, Abilify MyCite (registered trademark), approved in the U.S.," [online], November 14, 2017, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., [accessed July 20, 2019], Internet <URL: https://www.otsuka.co.jp/company/newsreleases/2017/20171114#1.html>

The present invention aims to provide a suitable feeder for supplying materials to be incorporated into molded products to a powder compression molding machine.

This disclosure provides a feeder for supplying internal contents to be placed in a molded product to the die cavity of a powder compression molding machine, which forms molded products by filling a die cavity formed in the table with powder and compressing the powder with upper and lower punches. The internal contents feeder includes a conveying mechanism with a conveying member that captures and conveys the internal contents; a scraping member that is positioned intersecting the conveying path of the internal contents by the conveying member of the conveying mechanism and against which the internal contents conveyed by the conveying member collide; a sliding member with a groove that guides the internal contents scraped from the conveying member upon collision with the scraping member and leads them to a position immediately above the die cavity of the table of the powder compression molding machine; and a feeding mechanism equipped with a pushing member with a protrusion that abuts the internal contents that collide with the scraping member, pushing the internal contents into the starting end of the sliding member's groove and moving along the groove to feed the internal contents to the terminal end of the groove. This internal contents feeder allows the internal contents conveyed by the conveying mechanism to be properly fed to the die cavity of the table of the powder compression molding machine via the feeding mechanism.

If the conveying member of the conveying mechanism and the pushing member of the supply mechanism are each rotating bodies, a series of processes such as receiving the contents to be built into the molded product, transporting the contents, and supplying them to the die hole of the molding machine can be performed with the minimum necessary configuration. In this built-in contents supply machine, there is no need for a total of four or more rotating bodies.

In addition, if the supply mechanism is equipped with a knock-down member that is supported by the pushing member, moves together with the protrusion, and strikes the contents that have reached the end of the groove of the sliding member from above, dropping them into the die hole of the table of the powder compression molding machine, then the contents can be reliably dropped into the die hole of the table of the molding machine even if the contents that slide or slide along the groove of the sliding member become electrically charged.

If the supply mechanism is equipped with a suction device that sucks in and holds the contents that collide with the scraping member until the protrusion of the pushing member pushes them into the starting end of the groove of the sliding member, the contents scraped from the conveying member of the conveying mechanism can be reliably guided into the groove of the sliding member.

Furthermore, if the supply mechanism is equipped with an outlet for blowing out air to neutralize the stored items at a position facing the stored items that are pushed into the starting end of the groove of the sliding member, charging of the stored items can be suppressed.

The built-in object includes, for example, an IC chip, particularly a chip for communicating between the inside and outside of the body of a person who has the molded article placed inside their body. The molded article is, for example, a pharmaceutical product.

The method for manufacturing a molded product disclosed herein, in which a molded product containing internal contents is compression-molded in a die hole provided on the table of a turntable, includes the steps of transporting the internal contents using a carrier tape (or tape carrier); removing the internal contents transported by the carrier tape, adsorbing them to the underside of a first rotor, and transporting them to a first position using the first rotor; transferring the internal contents from the first rotor to the upper surface of a second rotor at the first position, and using the second rotor to suck the internal contents and transport them to a second position; and pushing the internal contents on the upper surface of the second rotor at the second position in a direction different from the rotational direction of the second rotor using a pushing member provided on a third rotor, transporting them to the position of the die hole on the turntable. This method can perform a series of processes, such as receiving the internal contents to be incorporated into the molded product, transporting the internal contents, and feeding them into the die hole of the molding machine, with a minimum necessary configuration. This method does not require a total of four or more rotors.

The pushing member sends the contents from the upper surface of the second rotating body to the upper surface of a sliding member provided below the pushing member, causing the contents to slide along the sliding member.

In the second position, a scraping member provided above the second rotating body scrapes off the contents on the upper surface of the second rotating body.

Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a feeder for supplying internal contents to be incorporated into a molded product into the die bore of a powder compression molding machine, which fills a die bore formed in a table with powder and compresses the powder to form a molded product.The feeder includes a first rotor that removes the internal contents transported by a carrier tape, picks up the internal contents on its lower surface, and transports it to a first position; a second rotor that receives the internal contents from the first rotor at the first position, picks up the internal contents on its upper surface, and transports it to a second position; and a pushing member attached to a third rotor that, at the second position, pushes the internal contents on the upper surface of the second rotor in a direction different from the direction of rotation of the second rotor.This internal contents feeder can perform a series of processes, such as receiving the internal contents to be incorporated into a molded product, transporting the internal contents, and supplying them to the die bore of the molding machine, with a minimal required configuration.

This internal contents supply machine may include a sliding member that is provided below the pushing member and serves as a sliding surface for the internal contents pushed from the upper surface of the second rotating body.

The internal contents feeder may include a scraping member that is provided above the second rotating body and that, at the second position, scrapes the internal contents from the upper surface of the second rotating body.

Furthermore, the feeder according to the present disclosure, which supplies internal contents to be placed in a molded product to the die holes of a powder compression molding machine, which fills a die hole formed in the table with powder and compresses the powder to form a molded product, includes a conveying mechanism with a conveying member that captures and conveys the internal contents, a feed mechanism with a scraping member that is positioned so as to intersect the conveying path of the internal contents by the conveying member of the conveying mechanism and against which the internal contents conveyed by the conveying member collide, and a pushing member with protrusions that abut against and push forward the internal contents that collide with the scraping member. With this internal contents feeder, the internal contents conveyed by the conveying mechanism can be properly supplied to the die holes of the table of the powder compression molding machine via the feed mechanism.

The rotation of the conveying member and the rotation of the pushing member are synchronized.

The term "powder" refers to an aggregate of minute particles, and is a concept that encompasses aggregates of particles such as granules, as well as aggregates of powders smaller than particles. Specific examples of powders include powders containing a main ingredient (active ingredient), as well as excipients that increase the bulk and weight of the molded product to an appropriate size, lubricants that prevent the powder from adhering to the die hole or punch, binders that bind powder particles together, disintegrants such as starch that absorbs moisture to make the molded product more easily crumble, stabilizers such as crystalline cellulose and carbonates that stabilize quality, and preservatives that extend shelf life. Powders that are mixtures of two or more types of powders are also considered a type of powder in this disclosure, and a mixture of a powder main ingredient and a powder additive also falls under the category of powder.

The present invention provides a suitable feeder for supplying materials to be incorporated into molded products to a powder compression molding machine.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rotary powder compression molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the powder compression molding machine and the internal material supplying machine of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cylindrical view of the powder compression molding machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an object to be built into the molded product in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an object to be built into the molded product in the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the built-in components and the carrier tape that houses them. 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of a molded product using the powder compression molding machine of the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a conveying mechanism of the internal material supplying machine of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a supply mechanism of the internal material supply machine of the embodiment. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a scraping member, a sliding member, a suction device, an air outlet, a lifting band, and a rail in the supply mechanism of the internal contents supply machine of the embodiment; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a supply disk including a pushing member and a knocking member in the supply mechanism of the internal material supply machine of the embodiment, as seen from below. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a knocking-off member alone in the supply mechanism of the internal organs supplying machine of the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a supply mechanism of the internal material supply machine of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a supply mechanism of the internal material supplying machine and a table of the powder compression molding machine according to the embodiment.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overall overview of the rotary powder compression molding machine A in this embodiment will be described. In molding machine A, an upper punch 5 and a lower punch 6 are held above and below a die hole 4 that penetrates from top to bottom so that they can slide up and down. Powders M1 and M2 filled in the die hole 4 are compressed by the upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6 to form a molded product P, such as a pharmaceutical tablet. The die hole 4 and the upper and lower punches 5 and 6 form a mold for molding the molded product P.

As shown in Figure 1, a vertical shaft 2 serving as a rotation axis is installed within the frame 1 of this molding machine A, and a turntable 3 is fixed to the upper part of the vertical shaft 2. The turntable 3 rotates horizontally, i.e., spins, around the axis of the vertical shaft 2. The direction of rotation of the turntable 3 is indicated by an arrow in Figure 2. The turntable 3 consists of a table (mill disk) 31, an upper punch holder 32, and a lower punch holder 33. As shown in Figure 2, the table 31 is approximately disk-shaped when viewed from above in the direction of the rotation axis of the turntable 3, i.e., from the top to bottom. A plurality of die holes 4 are provided on the outer periphery at predetermined intervals along the rotational direction, i.e., the circumferential direction. The die holes 4 penetrate the table 31 in the vertical direction. The table 31 may be divided into multiple plates. Furthermore, instead of drilling the die holes 4 directly into the table 31 itself, multiple die members that are separate from the table 31 and can be attached to the table 31 in a detachable manner may be attached, and the die holes 4 may be drilled through each of these die members in the vertical direction.

An upper punch 5 and a lower punch 6 are placed above and below each die hole 4. The upper punch 5 and lower punch 6 are held by the upper punch holder 32 and the lower punch holder 33 so that they can individually slide up and down relative to the die hole 4. The tip 53 of the upper punch 5 moves in and out of the die hole 4. The tip 63 of the lower punch 6 is always inserted in the die hole 4. The upper punch 5 and lower punch 6 rotate horizontally, i.e., revolve, around the axis of the vertical shaft 2 together with the turntable 3 and die hole 4.

A worm wheel 7 is attached to the lower end of the vertical shaft 2. A worm gear 10 meshes with the worm wheel 7. The worm gear 10 is fixed to a gear shaft 9 driven by a motor 8. The driving force output by the motor 8 is transmitted to the gear shaft 9 by a belt 11, and drives the vertical shaft 2, and thus the turntable 3 and punches 5 and 6, to rotate via the worm gear 10 and worm wheel 7.

The powders M1 and M2 that serve as the raw materials, or constituent materials, of the molded product P are filled into the die hole 4 from feeders X1 and X2, which serve as filling devices. The feeders X1 and X2 are available as agitating feeders or open feeders, and either type may be used. The powders M1 and M2 are supplied to the feeders X1 and X2 from a hopper 19.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, on the orbit of the punches 5 and 6 around the axis of the vertical shaft 2, there are upper and lower pairs of pre-compression rolls 12 and 13, and main compression rolls 14 and 15, which sandwich the punches 5 and 6. The pre-compression rolls 12 and 13, and the main compression rolls 14 and 15 urge the upper and lower punches 5 and 6 toward each other so that the tip surfaces of the punch tips 53 and 63 compress the powders M1 and M2 filled in the die hole 4 from above and below.

The upper punch 5 and lower punch 6 each have a head 51, 61 pressed by the rolls 12, 13, 14, 15, and a body 52, 62 with a smaller diameter than the head 51, 61. The upper punch holder 32 of the turntable 3 holds the body 52 of the upper punch 5 so that it can slide up and down, and the lower punch holder 33 holds the body 62 of the lower punch 6 so that it can slide up and down. The tip portions of the body portions 52, 62, i.e., the punch tips 53, 63, are thinner than the remaining portions so that they can be inserted into the die bore 4, and have a diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the die bore 4. As the punches 5, 6 revolve, the rolls 12, 13, 14, 15 approach the heads 51, 61 of the punches 5, 6, and come into contact with them by climbing up onto the heads 51, 61. Furthermore, rolls 12, 13, 14, and 15 press down on upper punch 5 and press up on lower punch 6. While rolls 12, 13, 14, and 15 are in contact with the flat surfaces on pestles 5 and 6, pestles 5 and 6 continue to apply a constant pressure to powders M1 and M2 in die bore 4.

The recovery position 16 for the completed molded product P is located further along the rotational direction of the turntable 3 and punches 5, 6 from the pressure position applied by the main pressure upper roll 14 and main pressure lower roll 15. A scraper (or damper) 17 is installed at the recovery position 16.

In this embodiment, molding machine A is used to mold molded product P, which contains internal object Q. Internal object Q includes chip Q1, which communicates between the inside and outside of the body of a person who has taken molded product P, a pharmaceutical product. Figures 4A and 4B show an example of internal object Q. Internal object Q is a tiny object consisting of an IC chip Q1 sandwiched between upper and lower films Q2 and Q3, such as cellulose film, and is harmless to the human body. Note that film Q2, which is placed on top of film Q3, is not limited to a thin film material; it may be a liquid that has been applied or dripped and then solidified. Additionally, internal object Q in this embodiment has a thin thickness in the vertical direction. When pharmaceutical product P reaches the stomach and the sensor mounted on chip Q1 comes into contact with gastric juice, chip Q1 emits a signal. This signal is received by a detector outside the person's body, allowing information such as the fact that the person has taken pharmaceutical product P and the date and time of administration to be collected.

To outline the manufacturing process for molded product P, as shown in Figure 5, first, as the turntable 3 rotates, the die hole 4 into which the pestle tip 63 of the lower punch 6 is inserted passes directly below the first feeder X1, and powder M1 is filled into the die hole 4 from the first feeder X1 (I). The amount of powder M1 filled is a portion of the amount necessary to mold the molded product P. Note that prior to filling with powder M1, a lubricant or other propellant may be sprayed from an injector (not shown) onto the inner surface of the die hole 4 into which the pestle tip 63 of the lower punch 6 is inserted, the upper end surface of the pestle tip 63 of the lower punch 6, and the lower end surface of the pestle tip 53 of the upper punch 5. In the die hole 4 filled with powder M1, the lower punch 6 rises once to scrape off the powder that has overflowed from the die hole 4, returning the amount of powder M1 in the die hole 4 to the appropriate level, after which the lower punch 6 descends again.

Next, when the die hole 4 passes directly below the supply mechanism D of the contents supply machines B, C, and D, the contents Q are supplied from the supply mechanism D into the die hole 4 (II).

Furthermore, when the die hole 4 passes directly below the second feeder X2, powder M2 is filled into the die hole 4 from the second feeder X2 (III). The amount of powder M2 filled is part of the amount necessary to form the molded product P. In other words, the combined amount of powder M1 and powder M2 is the amount necessary to form the molded product P. In the die hole 4 filled with powder M2, the lower punch 6 rises and scrapes off the powder that has overflowed from the die hole 4, so that the amount of powder M1 and M2 in the die hole 4 is appropriate.

Then, the upper punch 5 descends, and the pre-compression upper roll 12 and pre-compression lower roll 13 press against the head 51 of the upper punch 5 and the head 61 of the lower punch 6, causing the tips 53, 63 of the punches 5, 6 to pre-compress the powders M1, M2 in the die cavity 4. Next, the main compression upper roll 14 and main compression lower roll 15 press against the head 51 of the upper punch 5 and the head 61 of the lower punch 6, causing the tips 53, 63 of the punches 5, 6 to compress the powders M1, M2 in the die cavity 4 (IV).

Finally, the lower punch 6 rises until the upper surface of the punch tip 63 of the lower punch 6 is at approximately the same height as the upper end of the die hole 4, i.e., the upper surface of the table 31, and the molded product P inside the die hole 4 is pushed out of the die hole 4 and onto the table 31 (V). After leaving the die hole 4, the molded product P comes into contact with the scraper 17 due to the rotation of the turntable 3, and moves along the scraper 17 toward the molded product chute 18.

The following provides a detailed description of the internals supply machines B, C, and D that supply internals Q to the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the internals supply machines B, C, and D of this embodiment are equipped with conveying mechanisms B and C that capture and convey the internals Q, and a supply mechanism D that receives the internals Q from the conveying mechanisms B and C, guides them to directly above the table 31 of the molding machine A, and then drops them into the die hole 4. These internals supply machines B, C, and D can efficiently carry out a series of processes: picking up the thin internals Q, conveying them to the table 31 of the molding machine A, and then dropping them into the die hole 4.

There are multiple stages of transport mechanisms B and C. The first transport mechanism B, located upstream, is responsible for sequentially removing the contents Q stored in pockets T11 of the carrier tape T used to transport the contents Q, as shown in Figure 4C, from the pockets T11, and transporting the contents Q toward the second transport mechanism C, located downstream. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first transport mechanism B comprises a first rotor B1, which serves as a transport member that adsorbs, captures, and transports one contents Q per suction hole B11, a shaft B2 that rotates the rotor B1, and a duct B3 that supplies the negative pressure required to adsorb the contents Q into the suction holes B11 of the rotor B1.

The rotor B1 is fixed to the top of the shaft B2 and rotates horizontally, i.e., spins around the axis of the shaft B2 together with the shaft B2. The direction of rotation of the rotor B1 is indicated by an arrow in Figure 2. The rotor B1 is roughly disk-shaped when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis, i.e., the vertical direction, in a plan view. The rotor B1 has a plurality of suction holes B11 formed on its outer periphery at predetermined intervals along the rotational direction, i.e., the circumferential direction. The suction holes B11 penetrate the rotor B1 in the vertical direction.

While the rotor B1 rotates, the duct B3 remains stationary and does not rotate. The duct B3 is a cylindrical body that expands in a partial arc shape along the outer periphery of the rotor B1 in a plan view, at least from the removal position B4 of the stored item Q by the first transport mechanism B to the transfer position C4 to the first position, the second transport mechanism C. The internal space of this duct B3 is suctioned and created a negative pressure by a pump (not shown). The rotor B1 of the first transport mechanism B suctions and holds the stored item Q on its underside. For this reason, the duct B3 is located above the rotor B1 and opens downward, with its opening positioned directly above the suction hole B11 and close to the top surface of the rotor B1.

The embossed carrier tape T is unwound from a reel by a tape feeder (not shown) and transported to the removal position B4 of the internal object Q in the first transport mechanism B. During this process, as shown schematically in FIG. 4C , the cover tape (top tape) T2, which serves as a lid, is peeled off from the bottom tape T1 having the pocket T11, opening the pocket T11 containing the internal object Q upward. The bottom tape T1 then enters directly below the outer periphery of the rotating body B1 at the removal position B4 of the internal object Q. One of the open pockets T11 then overlaps one of the suction holes B11 of the rotating body B1 in a plan view. The suction hole B11, to which negative pressure is supplied from the duct B3, sucks the internal object Q upward, removing the internal object Q from the pocket T11 and engaging the internal object Q with the opening edge on the underside of the suction hole B11. At this time, a mechanism included in the tape feeder may insert a pin F into the pocket T11 from below, causing the contents Q to protrude upward.

Then, as the rotor B1 rotates, each of the contents Q adsorbed by each suction hole B11 moves from the removal position B4 to the transfer position C4. Once the contents Q reach the transfer position C4, they are transferred from the first transport mechanism B to the second transport mechanism C, as described below.

The second transport mechanism C sequentially receives the contents Q captured in each suction hole B11 of the rotor B1 of the first transport mechanism B, and transports these contents Q toward the supply mechanism D located downstream. As shown in Figures 6 to 9, the second transport mechanism C comprises a second rotor C1, which serves as a transport member that adsorbs, captures, and transports each of the contents Q in each suction hole C11, a shaft C2 that rotates the rotor C1, and a duct C3 that supplies the negative pressure required to adsorb the contents Q into the suction holes C11 of the rotor C1.

The rotating body C1 is fixed to the upper part of the shaft C2 and rotates horizontally, i.e., spins around the axis of the shaft C2 together with the shaft C2. The rotation direction of the rotating body C1 is indicated by an arrow in Figure 2. The rotation direction of the rotating body C1 is opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating body B1. The rotating body C1 also has a generally circular disk shape when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis, i.e., the vertical direction, in a plan view. The rotating body C1 has a plurality of suction holes C11 formed on its outer periphery at predetermined intervals along the rotational direction, i.e., the circumferential direction. The suction holes C11 penetrate the rotating body C1 in the vertical direction. At the transfer position C4, the outer periphery of the rotating body C1 partially overlaps the outer periphery of the rotating body B1 of the first transport mechanism B in a plan view. The upper surface of the outer periphery of the rotating body C1 is close to the lower surface of the outer periphery of the rotating body B1 of the first transport mechanism B.

While the rotor C1 rotates, the duct C3 remains stationary and does not rotate. Duct C3 is a cylindrical body that expands in a partial arc shape along the outer periphery of the rotor C1 in a plan view, at least from the first position, i.e., the transfer position C4 where the second transport mechanism C receives the contents Q, to the second position, i.e., the scraping position D9 where the contents Q is released to provide the supply mechanism D. The internal space of this duct C3 is suctioned and created a negative pressure by a pump (not shown). The rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C suctions and holds the contents Q on its upper surface. For this reason, duct C3 is located below the rotor C1 and opens upward, with its opening positioned directly below the suction hole C11 and close to the underside of the rotor C1.

As shown in Figure 7, the suction holes B11 of the rotor B1 of the first transport mechanism B and the contents Q captured by these suction holes B11 reach directly above the outer periphery of the rotor C1 at transfer position C4. One of the suction holes B11 of the rotor B1 of the first transport mechanism B then overlaps in plan view with one of the suction holes C11 of the rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C, and the suction hole C11, to which negative pressure is supplied from duct C3, sucks the contents Q from above downward, thereby receiving the contents Q that fall from the suction hole B11 and engaging the contents Q with the opening edge on the upper surface of the suction hole C11.

Then, as the rotor C1 rotates, each of the contents Q adsorbed to each suction hole C11 moves from the transfer position C4 to the scraping position D9. Once the contents Q reach the scraping position D9, they are released from the rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C and provided to the supply mechanism D, as described below.

In addition, when the internal object Q is transferred from the rotor B1 of the first transfer mechanism B to the rotor C1 of the second transfer mechanism C at the transfer position C4, it is possible, although rare, for the internal object Q to be adsorbed by the suction hole C11, but for its center position to be significantly shifted from the center of the suction hole C11.

Such contents Q can be transported directly to the table 31 of the molding machine A via the supply mechanism D and supplied to the die hole 4. However, the relative position of the contents Q sucked into each suction hole C11 can be optically measured using a camera or the like, and contents Q whose center position is significantly offset from the center of the suction hole C11 can be removed midway without being transported to the scraping position D9 in the supply mechanism D.

When an internal object Q that is significantly out of position relative to the suction hole C11 needs to be removed midway, for example as shown in Figure 6, an optical measuring device C5 such as a camera is installed in a position that overlaps the trajectory of the horizontal rotational movement of the internal object Q as the rotor C1 and suction hole C11 rotate, and photographs the suction hole C11 and the internal object Q that is attached to it as it passes directly below. In addition, a nozzle C6 is installed that blows compressed air at the internal object Q that is significantly out of position relative to the suction hole C11, detaching the internal object Q from the suction hole C11 and blowing it outward from the rotor C1 for removal.

Furthermore, when the contents Q are removed from the suction hole C11, the contents Q will not be supplied to the die hole 4 of molding machine A corresponding to that suction hole C11, and the molded product P compression-molded in that die hole 4 will not contain the contents Q. This molded product P is a defective product and must be separated and removed from normal molded products that contain the contents Q. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, for example, an optical measurement device 21 such as a camera is installed in a position that overlaps the trajectory of the horizontal rotation of the powder M1 and contents Q as the table 31 and die hole 4 rotate, to photograph the die hole 4 passing directly below and the contents Q that should have been supplied to that die hole 4. In addition, a nozzle 20 is installed to blow compressed air toward the molded product P molded in the die hole 4 that was not supplied with the contents Q, blowing the molded product P outward from the table 31 and removing it.

However, the measuring means C5, 21 and removal nozzles C6, 20 described above are not essential components of the internal material supply machines B, C, D and molding machine A of this embodiment.

The supply mechanism D sequentially scrapes the contents Q captured in each suction hole C11 of the rotating body C1 of the second conveying mechanism C from the suction hole C11, transports the contents Q toward the molding machine A located downstream, and finally drops them one by one into each die hole 4 of the table 31. 6 and 8 to 13, the supply mechanism D comprises a scraping member D1 that scrapes off the contents Q transported by the rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C, a sliding member D2 with a groove D21 that guides the contents Q scraped off from the rotor C1, a supply disk D3 that pushes the contents Q scraped off from the rotor C1 into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2 and pushes them along the groove D21, and then knocks the contents Q at the terminal end D212 of the groove D21 into the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A, a suction device D4 that assists the supply disk D3 in pushing the contents Q into the starting end D211 of the groove D21, an air outlet D5 that blows air to neutralize the contents Q, and a rail D6 and a lifting band D7 that cause the supply disk D3 to knock the contents Q down into the die hole 4 of the table 31.

At the scraping position D9, the scraping member D1 acts as a scraper that scrapes the contents Q that are adsorbed to the suction holes C11 of the rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C from the suction holes C11, releasing the contents Q from the rotor C1. Therefore, the scraping member D1 is fixed in a position that blocks the trajectory of the horizontal rotational movement of the contents Q that accompanies the rotation of the rotor C1 and the suction holes C11. The scraping member D1 faces the scraping position D9 and has a side D11 that intersects or is perpendicular to the trajectory of the horizontal rotational movement of the contents Q to be scraped. The contents Q are scraped off by colliding with this side D11. The side D11 is approximately flush with the inner circumferential side of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2. In other words, the side surface D11 is partially arcuate in plan view when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the supply disc D3, i.e., from the top to bottom, and is an upright partially cylindrical surface whose axis and diameter are approximately equal to those of the side surface on the inner periphery of the recessed groove D21.

The sliding member D2 is a member having a groove D21 formed on its outer periphery that extends in a partial arc shape in a plan view. The sliding member D2 is fixedly attached to the base D8 and is immovable. The groove D21 is closed on the inside and outside by opposing inner and outer lateral surfaces, respectively, and is closed at the bottom, so that it is open only upward. As already mentioned, the inner lateral surface of the groove D21 is an upright partial cylindrical surface whose axis and diameter are approximately the same as those of the side surface D11 of the scraping member D1. The outer lateral surface of the groove D21 is an upright partial cylindrical surface whose axis is approximately the same as that of the inner lateral surface and whose diameter is larger than that of the inner lateral surface. The width of the groove D21, i.e., the distance between the inner and outer lateral surfaces, is approximately constant from the starting end D211 to the ending end D212. The starting end D211 of the groove D21 is spaced slightly downstream from the scraping position D9. The ending end D212 of the groove D21 overlaps with the outer periphery of the table 31 of the molding machine A and the die hole 4 in a plan view. The bottom surface of the sliding member D2 and its groove D21 are higher than the top surface of the table 31.

The main elements of the supply disk D3 are a third rotor D31, which serves as a pushing member with a protrusion D311 that contacts and pushes the contents Q scraped from the suction holes C11 of the rotor C1; a shaft D32 that rotates the rotor D31; and a knocking member D33 that is supported on the upper surface of the rotor D31 and knocks the contents Q from above, dropping them into the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A.

The rotating body D31 is fixed to the top of the shaft D32 and rotates horizontally, i.e., spins around the axis of the shaft D32 together with the shaft D32. The rotation direction of the rotating body D31, i.e., the rotation direction of the supply disc D3, is indicated by an arrow in Figure 2. The rotation direction of the supply disc D3 and the rotating body D31 is the same as the rotation direction of the rotating body C1, but is opposite to the rotation direction of the turntable 3 and table 31 of the molding machine A. The rotating body D31 has a roughly disk-shaped outer shape when viewed in a plan view from the direction of the rotation axis, i.e., from the top-bottom direction. The axial centers of the rotating body D31 and the shaft D32 are approximately the same as the axial center of the side surface D11 of the scraping member D1, which is a partial cylindrical surface, and the axial center of the side surface of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2. As shown in Figures 8, 10, 12, and 13, multiple protrusions D311 are provided at predetermined intervals on the underside of the outer peripheral edge of the rotating body D31 along the rotational direction, i.e., the circumferential direction.

In addition, pin holes D312, the same number as the protrusions D311, are drilled in the rotational direction of the rotating body D31 at locations adjacent to each protrusion D311. The pin holes D312 penetrate the outer periphery of the rotating body D31 in the vertical direction. The opening edge on the lower surface of the pin holes D312 is located higher than the lower surface of the protrusions D311. Conversely, the protrusions D311 protrude below the lower edge of the pin holes D312 and have an end face D3111 facing the pin holes D312. The protrusions D311 and pin holes D312 are inserted from above into the grooves D21 of the sliding member D2 and move within and along the grooves D21.

Furthermore, communication holes D313 are drilled inward from the side surface of the outer periphery of the rotor D31. There are the same number of communication holes D313 as there are pin holes D312, and they open into the side surface of the outer periphery of the rotor D31, connecting the inside of the pin holes D312 to the outside of the rotor D31.

The knocking members D33 have an appearance in which their width expands in the radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotor D31, and as shown in Figures 8 and 10, the same number of knocking members D33 as the number of pin holes D312 are arranged radially in a plan view on the rotor D31. Each knocking member D33 is paired with one set of protrusion D311 and pin hole D312. Needless to say, as the rotor D31 rotates horizontally, each of these multiple knocking members D33 rotates horizontally around the axis of the shaft D32.

As shown in Figures 11 to 13, each knocking member D33 comprises a support frame D331 fixed to the rotating body D31, and a rocking body D332 supported on the support frame D331 so that the rocking body D332 can move up and down. More specifically, the support frame D331 is provided with multiple support shafts D3311 extending in the vertical direction, while the rocking body D332 is provided with multiple shaft holes D3321 extending in the vertical direction corresponding to the support shafts D3311. Each support shaft D3311 is inserted into each shaft hole D3321 from above. In this case, a compression coil spring D3312 is interposed between the downward surface of the support frame D331, to which the upper end of the support shafts D3311 is fixed, and the opposing upward surface of the rocking body D332. The compression coil spring D3312 elastically biases the rocking body D332 downward so as to move away from the support frame D331.

Furthermore, a retaining portion D3313, which is larger in diameter than the support shaft D3311 and resembles the head of a bolt shaft, is provided at the lower end of each support shaft D3311. The oscillator D332, elastically biased by the compression coil spring D3312, displaces downward along the support shaft D3311 relative to the support frame D331 and thus the rotating body D31. However, the downward surface of the oscillator D332 abuts against the upward surface of the retaining portion D3313, preventing the oscillator D332 from displacing further downward. Furthermore, the support shaft D3311 is prevented from slipping out of the shaft hole D3321, preventing the oscillator D332 from falling off the support frame D331.

When the oscillator D332 is subjected to an upward external force, it displaces upward relative to the support frame D331 and the rotating body D31 while resisting the elastic biasing force of the compression coil spring D3312, and the downward surface of the oscillator D332 moves away from the upward surface of the retaining portion D3313. Figures 11 and 13 show a state in which the downward surface of the oscillator D332 is in contact with or close to the upward surface of the retaining portion D3313, i.e., a state in which the oscillator D332 has descended to its lowest height position. Conversely, Figure 12 shows a state in which the oscillator D332 has been subjected to an upward external force of a certain magnitude or greater and has risen from its lowest height position.

A cam follower (or guide roller) D3322 and a sliding base D3323 are provided in the middle of the width direction of the oscillator D332, which is the width direction of the knocking-off member D33 and corresponds to the radial direction of the rotor D31 when the knocking-off member D33 is placed on the rotor D31. As shown in Figures 10, 12, and 13, when the knocking-off member D33 is placed on the rotor D31, the cam follower D3322 and the sliding base D3323 are exposed on the underside of the rotor D31 through a window D314 that penetrates the rotor D31 in the vertical direction. The outer ring of the cam follower D3322 is rotatable around a horizontal axis or an approximately horizontal axis that is parallel or approximately parallel to the width direction of the oscillator D332. The cam follower D3322 rolls on the rail D6, and the sliding base D3323 slides on the lifting band D7. The sliding base D3323 is separate from the main body of the oscillating body D332, and is preferably made from a material (which may be a resin material) that has a lower coefficient of friction and is more resistant to wear than the main body.

Furthermore, a pin D3324 protruding downward is provided at the outer end in the width direction of the oscillator D332. When the knocking member D33 is placed on the rotor D31, the pin D3324 is inserted from above into a pin hole D312 provided on the outer periphery of the rotor D31. The inner diameter of the pin hole D312 below the communicating hole D313 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pin D3324 inserted therein. In contrast, the inner diameter of the pin hole D312 above the communicating hole D313 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the pin D3324 inserted therein. Therefore, while the gap between the pin D3324 and the pin hole D312 above the communicating hole D313 is narrow, the gap between the pin D3324 and the pin hole D312 below the communicating hole D313 is larger.

As shown in Figures 11 and 13, when the rocker D332 has descended to its lowest height position, the lower end of the pin D3324 protrudes below the lower edge of the pin hole D312 and the lower surface of the protrusion D311. However, as shown in Figure 12, when the rocker D332 is subjected to an upward external force and rises from its lowest height position, the lower end of the pin D3324 retracts above the lower edge of the pin hole D312.

At the scraping position D9, the outer peripheral edge of the rotor D31 of the supply disc D3 partially overlaps, in plan view, with the outer peripheral edge of the rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C. The lower surface of the protrusion D311 of the rotor D31 is in close proximity from above to the upper surface of the outer peripheral edge of the rotor C1 of the transport mechanism C and the bottom surface of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2.

Furthermore, at a position beyond the terminal end D212 of the groove D21 in the rotational direction of the supply disc D3, part of the outer periphery of the rotor D31 of the supply disc D3 and the outer ends of some of the multiple knocking-off members D33 overlap with the outer periphery of the table 31 of the molding machine A and the die hole 4 in a plan view. The lower surface of the protrusion D311 of the rotor D31 and the lower edge of the pin hole D312, as well as the lower end of the pin D3324 of the knocking-off member D33, are located higher than the upper surface of the table 31 of the molding machine A.

The suction device D4 includes a duct that supplies the negative pressure necessary to suck and hold the contents Q scraped by the scraping member D1 until the contents Q are pushed into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2. While the supply disk D3 rotates, the duct D4 remains stationary. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the duct D4 is a cylindrical body that expands to form a partial arc parallel to the side surface D11 of the scraping member D1 and the groove D21 in a plan view, at least from the scraping position D9 to a point beyond the starting end D211 of the groove D21 along the direction of rotation of the supply disk D3. The internal space of this duct D4 is suctioned and created a negative pressure by a pump (not shown). The rotating body D31 of the supply disk D3 temporarily suctions and holds the contents Q against the underside of its outer periphery, particularly the lower edge of the pin hole D312. For this reason, as shown in Figure 12, the duct D4 is located on the outside of the rotor D31 and opens inward, with its opening positioned directly next to the communication hole D313 and close to the outer circumferential side of the rotor D31.

The air outlet D5 is located opposite the duct D4 of the suction device so as to sandwich the internal item Q, which is pushed into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2. Compressed air ionized by an electrostatic eliminator (ionizer) (not shown) is blown upward and/or outward toward the duct D4, hitting the internal item Q and removing any static electricity that may be building up on the internal item Q.

The rail D6 is a strip-shaped body located inward of the sliding member D2 and its groove D21, extending in a circular arc shape with a missing portion in plan view, with its axis approximately aligned with the axes of the rotor D31 and shaft D32 of the supply disc D3. The rail D6 is fixedly attached to the base D8 and is immovable. The missing portion D63 of the rail D6 is located in a position biased inward along the radial direction of the rotor D31 from the terminal end D212 of the groove D21. An uphill portion D61 and a downhill portion D62 are formed on either side of the missing portion D63. The uphill portion D61 is an inclined surface whose upper surface gradually rises from the lowest missing portion D63, while the downhill portion D62 is an inclined surface whose upper surface gradually drops toward the lowest missing portion D63. The upper surface of the rail D6 from the end of the uphill section D61 to the start of the downhill section D62 is flat. The cam follower D3322 of the oscillating body D332 of the knocking member D33 of the supply disc D3 is placed on the upper surface of the rail D6 and rolls along the rail D6.

The lifting belt D7 is a belt-like body extending in a partially arcuate shape in a plan view between the sliding member D2 and the rail D6, i.e., inward from the sliding member D2 and its groove D21 and outward from the rail D6. Its axis is approximately the same as the axis of the rotor D31 and shaft D32 of the supply disc D3. The lifting belt D7 is fixed to the base D8 and is immobile. The starting end D71 of the lifting belt D7 is located at a point offset radially outward from the rotor D31 on a flat surface upstream from the starting end of the descending slope portion D62 of the rail D6 in the direction opposite to the rotation of the supply disc D3. The ending end D72 of the lifting belt D7 is located at a point offset radially outward from the end of the descending slope portion D62 of the rail D6 on the flat surface upstream from the direction opposite to the rotation of the supply disc D3. The upper surface of the lifting belt D7 is flat. The upper surface of this lifting belt D7 is slightly higher than the upper surface of the flat portion of the rail D6. While the upper surface of the descending slope portion D62 of the rail D6 is a gradually descending slope, the upper surface of the lifting belt D7 at its terminal end D72 is cut off. The sliding base D3323 of the oscillating body D332 of the knocking member D33 of the supply disc D3 is placed on the upper surface of the lifting belt D7 and slides along the lifting belt D7.

The supply disk D3, attached to the top of the shaft D32, covers the sliding member D2, air outlet D5, rail D6, lifting belt D7, and base D8 from above. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 6, 12, and 13, most of the supply disk D3 is actually covered by a cover D0. Air is also pumped into the cover D0 to prevent drive malfunctions caused by dust adhering to the supply mechanism D.

The operation of the supply mechanism D to supply the contents Q to the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A will be described. The contents Q, which are adsorbed and captured in the suction hole C11 by the rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C, are transported by the rotation of the rotor C1, pass directly below the duct D4 of the suction device, and then reach the scraping position D9. At the scraping position D9, they collide with the side of the scraping member D1 and are scraped off from the suction hole C11 of the rotor C1.

A single internal item Q scraped from the suction hole C11 remains at the scraping position D9 for a short time. When a pair of protrusions D311 and pin holes D312 on the rotating supply disk D3 approaches this internal item Q, the communication hole D313 connected to the pin hole D312 is sucked in by the duct D4, negative pressure is supplied to the pin hole D312, and the pin hole D312 sucks up the internal item Q from below toward above.

12, this allows the contents Q on the rotor C1 of the transport mechanism C to be attracted to and engage with the lower edge of the pin hole D312 of the rotor D31 of the transport disk D3, and the end face D3111 of the protrusion D311 facing the pin hole D312 to come into contact with the contents Q and push it forward. By having the contents Q remain at the scraping position D9, the contents Q can be reliably attracted to the pin hole D312, and later the contents Q can be properly dropped into the desired position (e.g., the center) of the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A. At this time, the lower end of the pin D3324 inserted in the pin hole D312 is retracted above the lower edge of the pin hole D312. This is because the cam follower D3322 of the oscillating body D332 of the knocking-off member D33, which has the pin D3324, is riding on the flat surface of the rail D6, causing the oscillating body D332 to float from the lowest height position. Only one contained object Q is captured by engaging with one set of protrusion D311 and pin hole D312. Two or more contained objects Q cannot be retained at the scraping position D9 at the same time.

Incidentally, the lower edge of pin hole D312 has been countersunk. The reason the lower edge of pin hole D312 is countersunk is to accommodate the shape of the top surface of the internal item Q, where the central portion (particularly film Q2) is raised higher than the peripheral portion, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B. This is intended to prevent a gap from forming between pin hole D312 and the internal item Q being sucked in, or to prevent the internal item Q from being sucked in at an angle rather than being roughly horizontal.

As the supply disc D rotates, the contents Q captured by the pair of protrusions D311 and pin holes D312 are transported along the trajectory of the horizontal rotation of the protrusions D311 and pin holes D312. That is, the contents Q are pushed from the scraping position D9 into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2, then slide or glide within the groove D21 to the ending end D212 of the groove D21, from which point they fall into the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A. The direction and trajectory of movement of the contents Q are indicated by arrows in Figure 9. As the contents Q are pushed from the scraping position D9 into the starting end D211 of the groove D21, static-eliminating air blown out from the outlet D5 is blown against the contents Q.

The supply of negative pressure from duct D4 to pin hole D312, which is part of the pair of protrusion D311 and pin hole D312 that captures the internal item Q, is discontinued after the internal item Q is pushed into groove D21. Thereafter, protrusion D311 pushes internal item Q with its end face D3111, sending internal item Q along groove D21 to terminal end D212.

As already mentioned, the cam follower D3322 of the oscillating body D332 of the knocking-off member D33, which pairs with the set of protrusion D311 and pin hole D312 that captures the contents Q, rolls on the flat surface portion of the rail D6. As the knocking-off member D33 rotates horizontally from the starting end D211 of the groove D21 toward the terminal end D212, the sliding base D3323 attached to the oscillating body D332 of the knocking-off member D33 reaches the starting end D71 of the lifting band D7, after which the lower surface of the sliding base D3323 comes into sliding contact with or very close to the upper surface of the lifting band D7.

When the pair of protrusion D311 and pin hole D312 that captures the contents Q approaches the terminal end D212 of the groove D21, the cam follower D3322 of the oscillating body D332 of the paired knocking-off member D33 approaches the descending slope D62 of the rail D6 and rolls down the descending slope D62. Losing support from the cam follower D3322, the oscillating body D332 attempts to descend, causing the sliding base D3323 attached to the oscillating body D332 to come into contact with the upper surface of the lifting band D7 and continue to support the oscillating body D332 while sliding against the upper surface of the lifting band D7.

As the supply disc D3 continues to rotate and the knocking member D33 further pivots, the sliding base D3323 of the oscillating body D332 reaches the terminal end D72 of the lifting belt D7, causing the sliding base D3323 to fall from the top surface of the lifting belt D72. Losing support from the sliding base D3323, the oscillating body D332 begins to descend toward the lowest height position. Accordingly, the pin D3324 inserted in the pin hole D312 attempts to protrude downward from the pin hole D312.

Immediately after this, the pair of protrusions D311 and pin holes D312 capturing the contents Q reaches the terminal end D212 of the groove D21. The contents Q are then pushed out from the terminal end of the groove D21 and fall from the bottom of the groove D21. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 13, the lower end of the pin D3324 of the knocking member D33, which pairs with the pair of protrusions D311 and pin holes D312 capturing the contents Q, protrudes below the lower edge of the pin holes D312, striking the contents Q and reliably knocking them off the rotating body D31 of the supply disc D3. At this time, the die hole 4 filled with powder M1 is located directly below the contents Q, and the contents Q fall into this die hole 4. Thus, the contents Q can be properly supplied to the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A.

After knocking out the contents Q, the oscillating body D332 rises again from its lowest height position as the supply disc D3 continues to rotate and the cam follower D3322 climbs onto the uphill portion D61 of the rail D6. The pin D3324 then retracts above the lower edge of the pin hole D312.

The turntable 3 of molding machine A, the rotors B1 and C1 of conveying mechanisms B and C, and the supply disk D3 of conveying mechanism D must rotate synchronously. To synchronize the rotation of the turntable 3, rotors B1 and C1, and supply disk D3, for example, the motors driving the turntable 3, rotors B1 and C1, and supply disk D3 are each a servo motor or stepping motor, and an angular position sensor such as a rotary encoder is used to detect the rotation angle and rotation speed of the turntable 3, rotors B1 and C1, and supply disk D3, and feedback control the rotation speed of each motor to synchronize their rotations. Alternatively, the turntable 3, rotors B1 and C1, and supply disk D3 may be mechanically connected and linked via a gear transmission mechanism, a winding transmission mechanism, or the like.

In this embodiment, the powder compression molding machine A fills the die hole 4 formed in the table 31 with powders M1 and M2 and compresses the powders M1 and M2 with upper and lower punches 5 and 6 to form a molded product P. The feeders B, C, and D are used to supply the contents Q to be incorporated into the molded product P to the die hole 4 of the powder compression molding machine A. The feeders B, C, and D are equipped with conveying members (rotating bodies) B1 and C1 that capture and convey the contents Q, and scraping members D1 and D2 that are arranged to intersect with the conveying path of the contents Q by the conveying member C1 of the conveying mechanism C and collide with the contents Q conveyed by the conveying member C1. The built-in object supplying machines B, C, and D are equipped with a sliding member D2 with a groove D21 that guides the built-in object Q that collides with the removal member D1 and is scraped from the conveying member C1 to a position immediately above the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the powder compression molding machine A, and a supply mechanism D equipped with a pushing member (rotating body) D31 with a protrusion D311 that contacts the built-in object Q that collides with the scraping member D1 and pushes the built-in object Q into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2 and moves along the groove D21 to send the built-in object Q to the terminal end D212 of the groove D21. This embodiment allows the built-in object Q to be incorporated into the molded product P to be properly supplied to the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the powder compression molding machine A.

In the internal contents supply machines B, C, and D of this embodiment, the conveying members B1 and C1 of the transport mechanisms B and C and the pushing member D31 of the supply mechanism D are each rotating rotors, and there are a total of three of these rotors B1, C1, and D31. This allows for a minimal configuration, i.e., after picking up extremely small and thin internal contents Q, it can be properly supplied to the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A via only three mechanisms: two suction conveying mechanisms B and C and one sliding supply mechanism D. In these internal contents supply machines B, C, and D, there are no more than four rotors B1, C1, and D31.

The supply mechanism D is equipped with a knock-down member D33 that is supported by the pushing member D31 and moves together with the protrusion D311. The knock-down member D33 strikes the contents Q that have reached the terminal end D212 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2 from above and drops them into the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the powder compression molding machine A. Therefore, even if the contents Q (particularly the cellulose films Q2 and Q3) adhere to the pushing member D31 due to static electricity or the like, the contents Q can be reliably knocked off the pushing member D31 at the terminal end D212 of the groove D21 and dropped into the die hole 4 of the table 31.

The supply mechanism D is equipped with a suction device D4 that sucks in and holds the internal item Q after it collides with the scraping member D1 until the protrusion D311 of the pushing member D31 pushes the internal item Q into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2, ensuring that the internal item Q is pushed into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 and slides or glides within the groove D21.

The supply mechanism D is equipped with an air outlet D5 that blows out air to neutralize the stored item Q at a position facing the stored item Q that is pushed into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2, so that static electricity that has accumulated on the stored item Q to be supplied to the molding machine A can be removed.

The manufacturing method for molded product P in this embodiment is for compression molding molded product P containing internal contents Q in a die hole 4 provided on table 31 of turntable 3, and includes the steps of transporting internal contents Q using carrier tape T, removing the internal contents Q transported by carrier tape T, adsorbing it to the underside of a first rotor B1, and transporting it to a first position C4 using first rotor B1, transferring the internal contents Q from the first rotor B1 to the upper surface of a second rotor C1 at first position C4, and using the second rotor C1 to suck up the internal contents Q and transport it to a second position D9, and pushing the internal contents Q on the upper surface of the second rotor C1 at second position D9 using a pushing member D31 provided as a third rotor in a direction different from the rotational direction of the second rotor C1 (i.e., a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the trajectory of the horizontal rotational movement of the internal contents Q captured and transported by the second rotor C1), and transporting it to the position of the die hole 4 of the turntable 3. This method allows for a series of processes, such as receiving the object Q to be placed in the molded product P, transporting the object Q, and supplying it to the die hole 4 of the molding machine A, to be carried out with the minimum necessary configuration. In this method, there is no need for a total of four or more rotating bodies B1, C1, and D31.

The pushing member D31 sends the stored item Q from the upper surface of the second rotating body C1 to the upper surface of the sliding member D2 provided below the pushing member D31, and causes it to slide on the sliding member D2.

At the second position D9, the scraping member D1 provided above the second rotating body C1 scrapes off the contents Q from the upper surface of the second rotating body C1.

In addition, in this embodiment, the built-in object supplying machines B, C, and D are configured to supply the built-in object Q to be built into the molded product P to the die hole 4 of the molding machine A, which fills the die hole 4 formed in the table 31 with powders M1 and M2 and compresses the powders M1 and M2 to form the molded product P. The built-in object supplying machines B, C, and D include a first rotor B1 that picks up the built-in object Q transported by the carrier tape T, adsorbs the built-in object Q on its lower surface, and transports it to a first position C4, a second rotor C1 that receives the built-in object Q from the first rotor B1 at the first position C4, adsorbs the built-in object Q on its upper surface, and transports it to a second position D9, and a pushing member D31 that is provided on a third rotor and pushes the built-in object Q on the upper surface of the second rotor C1 in a direction different from the rotational direction of the second rotor C1 at the second position D9. According to this embodiment, a series of processes, such as receiving the contents Q to be embedded in the molded product P, transporting the contents Q, and feeding it into the die hole 4 of the molding machine A, can be performed with the minimum necessary configuration.

These internal contents supply machines B, C, and D include a sliding member D2 that is located below the pushing member D31 and serves as a sliding surface for the internal contents Q pushed from the upper surface of the second rotating body C1.

These internal contents feeders B, C, and D are provided above the second rotating body C1 and include a scraping member D1 that scrapes the internal contents Q from the upper surface of the second rotating body C1 at a second position D9.

In addition, in this embodiment, the internals supplying machines B, C, and D are configured to supply internals Q to be placed in molded product P to the die bore of molding machine A, which fills die bore 4 formed in table 31 with powders M1 and M2 and compresses the powders M1 and M2 to form molded product P. These machines are equipped with a conveying mechanism C equipped with a conveying member C1 that captures and conveys the internals Q, a scraping member D1 that is positioned intersecting the conveying path of the internals Q by the conveying member C1 of conveying mechanism C and against which the internals Q conveyed by the conveying member C1 collide, and a supplying mechanism D equipped with a pushing member D31 with a protrusion D311 that abuts against and sends the internals Q that collide with the scraping member D1. According to this embodiment, the internals Q conveyed by the conveying mechanism C can be appropriately supplied to the die bore 4 of table 31 of molding machine A via the supplying mechanism D.

The rotation of the conveying member C1 and the rotation of the pushing member D31 are synchronized.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments detailed above. For example, in the above embodiment, the molded product P to be manufactured is a pharmaceutical product, and the internal object Q includes a chip Q1 for communicating between the inside and outside of the body of a person who has taken the pharmaceutical product. However, the molded product P is not limited to pharmaceutical products, and the internal object Q is not limited to those that include such a chip Q1. The molded product P may be food, or small medical equipment, diagnostic equipment, measuring equipment, etc. that can be taken by a person or placed inside the human body. The internal object Q may include micromachines, nanomachines, or tiny robots that circulate inside the human body.

In addition, the specific configuration of each part can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

A... Powder compression molding machine 31... Table 4... Die hole 5... Upper punch 6... Lower punch B, C... Conveying mechanism of built-in material supplying machine B1... Conveying member (first rotating body)
C1: Conveying member (second rotating body)
C4: Delivery position (first position)
D... Supply mechanism of the internal material supply machine D1... Scraper member D2... Slider member D21... Groove D211... Starting end portion D212... End portion D31... Pushing member (third rotating body)
D311: Projection D33: Knocking member D4: Suction device (duct)
D5...Blowout port D9...Scraping position (second position)
P... Molded product Q... Built-in object Q1... Chip T... Carrier tape

Claims (9)

A feeder for supplying an object to be embedded in a molded product to a die hole of a powder compression molding machine that fills a die hole formed on a table with powder and compresses the powder with upper and lower punches to form a molded product,
a conveying mechanism including a conveying member for capturing and conveying the contents;
The internal contents supply machine is equipped with a scraping member that is arranged so as to intersect with the transport path of the internal contents by the transport member of the transport mechanism and against which the internal contents transported by the transport member collide, a sliding member with a groove formed therein that guides the internal contents that collide with the scraping member and are scraped off the transport member, and leads them to a position immediately above the die hole of the table of the powder compression molding machine, and a supply mechanism equipped with a pushing member with a protrusion that abuts against the internal contents that have collided with the scraping member and pushes the internal contents into the starting end of the groove of the sliding member and moves along the groove to send the internal contents to the terminal end of the groove. 2. The internal contents supplying machine according to claim 1, wherein the conveying member of said conveying mechanism and the pushing member of said supplying mechanism are each a rotating body. The internal material supply machine according to claim 1, wherein the supply mechanism includes a knock-down member that is supported by the pushing member, moves together with the protrusion, and strikes the internal material that has reached the end of the groove of the sliding member from above, dropping it into the die hole of the table of the powder compression molding machine. The internal contents feeder according to claim 1, wherein the supply mechanism is equipped with a suction device that sucks and holds the internal contents after they collide with the scraping member until the protrusion of the pushing member pushes them into the starting end of the groove of the sliding member. The internal contents feeder according to claim 3, wherein the supply mechanism is equipped with a suction device that sucks and holds the internal contents after they collide with the scraping member until the protrusion of the pushing member pushes them into the starting end of the groove of the sliding member. The contents feeder of claim 4, wherein the supply mechanism is provided with an outlet for blowing out air for neutralizing the contents at a position facing the contents being pushed into the beginning end of the groove of the sliding member. The contents feeder of claim 5, wherein the supply mechanism is provided with an outlet for blowing out air for neutralizing the contents at a position facing the contents being pushed into the beginning end of the groove of the sliding member. The internal organs supply machine of claim 1, wherein the internal organs include a chip for communicating between the inside and outside of the body of the person who has the molded product placed inside their body. The internal organs supply machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the molded product is a pharmaceutical product.