JPH0238080B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a method for cleaning a rotary powder compression molding machine such as a rotary tablet press.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, when cleaning a rotary tablet press, etc., the punches and mortars attached to the rotary disk were removed, as well as the various molding elements placed around the rotary disk, and these were manually cleaned one by one. In addition, the rotary disk was generally cleaned by hand using alcoholic water or the like.
However, such general conventional methods are very time-consuming and troublesome. Incidentally, manual cleaning generally takes half a day to several days, although it varies depending on the cleaning standards.

Therefore, the present applicant has developed a cleaning method which has already been filed as Japanese Patent Application No. 1988-93088. This cleaning method involves covering the entire circumference of the rotary disk with a plurality of cleaning covers connected to each other, and rotating the rotary disk in a sealed space formed between the inner surface of the cover and the outer surface of the rotary disk. By spraying cleaning liquid towards the mortar mounting hole and punch guide hole of the board,
In this cleaning method, the rotary disk is cleaned, and after this injection cleaning, the cleaning liquid in the closed space is drained, and then dry air is blown into the closed space to clean the rotary disk.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, although the cleaning method according to the above-mentioned application is effective in automatically cleaning the rotary disk, it is necessary to remove the punch and mortar from the rotary disk beforehand, and it is also necessary to remove various molding elements such as the powder feeder and scraper. Not only is there the inconvenience of having to remove the parts, but each removed part must be manually cleaned one by one using conventional methods. Nakatsuta.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention provides a rotary powder compression molding machine that is equipped with a rotary powder compression molding machine in which a punch and a mortar are still attached to the rotary disc, and various molding elements are still arranged around the rotary disc. After filling a bathroom in which the punches, mortars, and various molding elements are stored with cleaning liquid at least up to the height of the upper punch of the molding elements, the rotary powder compression molding machine is driven under this liquid bath. The above-mentioned conventional problems are solved by a configuration in which the cleaning liquid is discharged from the bathroom to the outside after the liquid bath cleaning, and then dry air is blown into the bathroom.

[Effect]

According to the cleaning method provided with the above-mentioned solution, the powder contact members such as the rotary disk, punch, mortar, and various molding elements of a rotary powder compression molding machine can be compressed and molded without removing them one by one. Even at times, in the bathroom where the machine is stored, automatic cleaning is performed with the cleaning liquid as the rotary disk rotates under a bath of cleaning liquid that is filled to at least the height of the upper pestle.Furthermore, following this liquid bath cleaning, By blowing dry air into the bathroom after the cleaning liquid is discharged, each powder contacting member that has been cleaned in the liquid bath is forcibly dried.
Therefore, there is no need to manually disassemble and clean the rotary powder compression molding machine one by one, and the powder contact parts such as the turntable, punch, mortar, and various molding elements of the rotary powder compression molding machine can be automatically removed. It can be cleaned properly.

〔Example〕

First, an example of an apparatus system for implementing the method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the figure, 1 is the body of a rotary powder compression molding machine such as a rotary tablet press, which consists of a lower frame 3 that houses a drive mechanism 2, and a plurality of columns 4 installed on this frame 3. It includes an upper frame 5 and a bathroom 6.

The bathroom 6 is divided into upper and lower frames 5, 3 and a plurality of doors 7 which are attached between the upper and lower frames 5 and 3 so as to be openable and closable by hinges (not shown). Of course, the door 7 serves to protect the bathroom 6 from dust and to prevent powder from scattering outside the bathroom 6, but the door 7 itself is liquid-tight, and when closed, the upper and lower frames 5, 3 A rubber annular liquid-tight gasket 8 is attached to the inner surface of the door 7 in close contact with the pillar 4 to keep the bathroom 6 liquid-tight. The closed state of the door 7 is held by a clamp mechanism (not shown), and the gasket 8 is pressed by tightening the clamp mechanism. Also,
7a is a transparent panel provided as necessary.

A water supply pipe 9 and an air supply pipe 10 are respectively attached to, for example, the upper frame 5 of the body 1, with one end facing the bathroom 6. The other end of the water supply pipe 9 protruding outside the fuselage 1 is connected to a cleaning liquid tank 12 built in a cleaning unit 11 installed outside the fuselage 1 or inside the lower frame 3 via a pump 13 and an electromagnetic shut-off valve 14. connected. The cleaning liquid tank 12 stores cleaning liquid such as water or a solvent at room temperature or heated if necessary. At the same time, the other end of the air supply pipe 10 protruding outside the body 1 is also connected to a hot air generator 15 built in the cleaning unit 11 via an electromagnetic on-off valve 16. Furthermore, a drain pipe 17 is attached to, for example, the lower frame 3 of the body 1, with one end facing the bathroom 6 and the other end protruding outside the body 1. An electromagnetic on-off valve 18 is attached to this pipe 17. In addition, 19 in the figure is the cleaning unit 1.
1, which controls the operation timing of the drive mechanism 2, pump 13, hot air generator 15, on-off valves 14, 16, 18, etc.; An arbitrary cleaning cycle can be set by the setting operation at step 19.

A fixed shaft 20 is provided in the center of the body 1, passing through the lower frame 3, and a drive shaft 21 is provided loosely fitting around the outer periphery of this shaft 20. Note that the upper end of the fixed shaft 20 is connected to the connecting member 22.
It is fixed to the upper frame 5 via. The drive shaft 21 is rotatably supported by the upper and lower frames 5 and 3 via bearings 23 and 24, and its lower end is connected to the worm gear 2a, which is the output member of the drive mechanism 2.

For example, a two-part rotary disk 25 is attached to the outer periphery of the drive shaft 21 and rotates integrally therewith. This rotary disk 25 has several to several dozen dies 26.
is installed. Furthermore, an upper punch 27 that is inserted into and removed from the mortar hole of the mortar 26 from above, and a lower punch 28 that forms the bottom of the mortar hole are respectively attached to the rotary disk 25 so as to be movable up and down.

Further, in the bathroom 6, there are various molded elements located around the rotary disk 25, that is, the rotary disk 25.
an open powder feeder 29 in contact with the upper surface of the mortar attachment part, an upper punch guide track 30 fixed to the upper frame 5, and a track support 31 fixed to the lower frame 3.
A lower punch guide track 3 consisting of a lowering track member, a weight adjustment track member, a thrusting track member, etc. attached to the
2. Upper and lower pressure rolls 33 and 34 rotatably mounted on the upper frame 5 and lower frame 3, respectively, a scraper (not shown) provided in contact with the upper surface of the mortar attachment part, and a molding machine connected to this scraper outside the bathroom 6. A chute, etc. (not shown) for guiding the products is provided. Note that at least the outlet side of the chute is removable. Further, in the figure, 35 is a support plate fixed to the column 4 to support the powder feeder 29, scraper, etc., and 36 is a partition plate fixed to the column 4 to prevent the powder from scattering downward. is integral with or separate from the support plate 35.

Among the parts housed in the bathroom 6, such as the rotary disk 25 and the molded elements, parts that require waterproofing are provided with liquid-tight measures. That is, in the above structure, annular oil seals 37 are provided between the lower frame 3 and the rotary disk 25 and between the rotary disk 25 and the upper punch guide track 30, respectively. Along with this, an adjustment washer 3 sandwiched between the upper frame 5 and the upper punch guide track 30
8 and the upper frame 5 and the upper punch guide track 30, and between the pair of rotary disk constituent members forming the rotary disk 25, rubber O-rings 39 are installed, respectively.
is provided. Moreover, the pressure rollers 33, 3
Rubber O-rings 40 are also provided on the bearing portions 4, respectively.

Furthermore, each part housed in the bathroom 6, such as the rotary disk 25 and molded elements, is made of rust-proofing material, or is coated with metal plating, resin coating, etc. to prevent rust. In other words, in the above structure, the rotary disk 25, the mortar 26, and each punch 2
7 and 28 are made of stainless steel, which has excellent rust prevention properties. Along with this, the powder feeder 29, each guide track 30, 32, track support 31, scraper,
Shute, pressure rollers 33, 34, support plate 35,
The entire surfaces of the partition plate 36, adjustment washer 38, and surrounding parts are plated, and at least the surfaces of the upper and lower frames 5, 3 and pillars 4 facing the bathroom 6 are also plated. There is. Furthermore, the joint surfaces between the upper and lower frames 5, 3 and the pillars 4 are each filled with caulking material.

Note that a top plate 41 that covers the upper surface of the upper frame 5
On the top is a supply device for raw material powder, such as a shutter 42a.
A hopper 42 having a
It is connected to 9. In addition, if various sensors are provided as necessary for compression molding,
Each of these sensors is waterproofed.

Next, cleaning performed after completion of a predetermined compression molding operation will be explained.

First, prior to cleaning, the removable part of the chute is removed, a waterproof lid (not shown) is placed on the bathroom penetrating part, and the resin tube 43 is removed if necessary, and then the door 7 is closed.

In this state, the mortar 26 and the upper and lower punches 27, 2 are mounted on the rotary disk 25, as in the case of molding a molded product.
8 remains attached, and around the rotary disk 25 are a powder feeder 29, an upper punch guide track 30, a track support 31, a lower punch guide track 32, and an upper and lower pressure roll 33.
and 34, a bathroom 6 in which various molding elements such as scrapers are stored, with these still installed.
Then, the cleaning liquid is filled at least up to the height where the upper punch 27 touches. Cleaning liquid tank 12 in this case
The cleaning liquid is supplied to the bathroom 6 through the water supply pipe 9 via a pump 13 and an on-off valve 14 operated by a command from a cleaning cycle control device 19. is submerged in the cleaning liquid, and the air in the bathroom 6 escapes to the outside through the mounting portion of the pressure roll 33 of the upper frame 5, etc.

Next, the drive mechanism 2 of the rotary powder compression molding machine is operated under such a liquid bath. Therefore, as the rotary disk 25 rotates, an operation similar to that during molding is performed, and the rotary disk 2 in the cleaning liquid is removed.
5. Powder contact members such as the mortar 26, each punch 27, 28, and various molding elements are automatically cleaned with a cleaning liquid, and after this liquid bath cleaning, the on-off valve 18 is opened in response to a command from the cleaning cycle control device 19. is opened, and the dirty cleaning liquid in the bathroom 6 is discharged to the outside of the bathroom 6 through the drain pipe 17.

It should be noted that the liquid bath cleaning described above can be carried out only once as long as it takes time, but in the case of this embodiment, in order to further enhance the cleaning effect, the preliminary cleaning is first performed by a command from the cleaning cycle control device 19. Then, after draining water, full-fledged liquid bath cleaning is performed, and after draining water, the cleaning liquid is accumulated in the bathroom 6 to the above-mentioned height while flowing the cleaning liquid.
Alternatively, the liquid can be left in the reservoir and used for rinsing.

Finally, after the cleaning liquid is drained following the liquid bath cleaning described above, the hot air generator 15 and the on-off valve 16 are operated in response to a command from the cleaning cycle control device 19, so that dry air is blown into the bathroom 6 through the air supply pipe 10. be included. As a result, various members including the wet bathroom 6 and the rotary disk 25 housed therein are quickly forcedly dried.
After this, the drive of the rotary powder compression molding machine is stopped.

With the above, the turntable 25, mortar 26, and each punch 27, 28
Automatic cleaning of powder contact members such as various molding elements, and the bathroom 6 is completed at the same time.

Although the above-mentioned embodiment is configured as described above, in order to further enhance the cleaning effect in the present invention, a rotating or non-rotating brush is attached to the partition plate 35 etc. as an auxiliary device, so that the powder adheres particularly strongly. Parts such as the upper surface of the mortar attachment part of the rotary disk 25 may be cleaned by rubbing with the brush during liquid bath cleaning. After preliminary work of spraying air or high-pressure water, the liquid bath cleaning may be performed.

Furthermore, for example, in the configuration of the above embodiment, by providing a liquid-tight shutter of the chute and making the bathroom penetration part liquid-tight so that there is no need to remove this shutter, all the molded elements as described above can be removed. Of course, the present invention is not limited to cleaning all of the various molded elements at the same time in a liquid bath. The molded element can also be removed and cleaned by hand, and most of the remaining molded elements can be cleaned at the same time in a liquid bath, which also greatly reduces labor and effort. It goes without saying that there is.

Further, when a solvent is used in the cleaning liquid, it may be collected and recycled for further use.

In addition, it goes without saying that the configuration of the rotary powder compression molding machine for carrying out the method of the present invention is not limited to that shown in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the cleaning cycle of the method of the present invention may also be modified as long as it does not go against the gist of the invention. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the one embodiment described above, and can be constructed and implemented in various manners.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since the present invention described above has the configuration described in the claims above, it can be applied not only to a rotary disk but also to
These powder contact parts can be simultaneously and automatically cleaned and dried in a liquid bath without the need to remove the mortar and punch attached to this, as well as the various molding elements arranged around the rotary disk. There is an effect.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawing is a configuration explanatory diagram showing an apparatus system for carrying out the method of the present invention. 6...Bathroom, 9...Water supply pipe, 10...Air supply pipe,
11...Cleaning unit, 12...Cleaning liquid tank,
13...pump, 14,16,18...open/close valve,
15... Hot air generator, 17... Drain pipe, 19...
Washing cycle control device, 25... rotary disk, 26...
... Mortar, 27... Upper punch, 28... Lower pestle, 29... Molding element (powder feeder), 30... Molding element (upper punch guide track), 32... Molding element (lower punch guide track),
33, 34... Molding element (pressure roller).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 With the pestle and mortar still attached to the turntable,
In addition, while the various molding elements are still arranged around the rotary disk, the molding is carried out in a bathroom that is provided in the rotary powder compression molding machine and stores the rotary disk, punch, mortar, and various molding elements. After filling the element with cleaning liquid at least to the height where the upper pestle can touch the element, the rotary powder compression molding machine is driven under this liquid bath to clean it, and after this liquid bath cleaning, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the bath to the outside. and then blowing dry air into the bathroom.