Rotary tablet press with removable turret

Abstract

The rotary tablet press includes a machine base assembly and a removable module. Granules are fed into the module from a hopper and travel into a feeder chamber. The base assembly includes a motorized pressure roller assembly and a turret drive assembly. The removable module includes a module base, a turret base, a turret, a cam body, a cam, a feeder, a tablet discharge chute, a hopper, an upper housing, and a shield door. The rotary turret includes an upper punch, a die, and a lower punch. As the turret rotates, the die moves below the feeder chamber. The paddles of the rotary feeder move the granules and assist in feeding the powder to the die. The punch travels along the cam track as the turret rotates, and the powder is compressed into a tablet when the punch contacts the pressure roller. An ejector cam pushes the lower punch in an upward direction, and an extractor rod mounted just above the die table guides the tablet into the discharge chute. The removable module is sealed by incorporating into the upper housing.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 029,124, filed on May 22, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to rotary tablet presses and, more particularly, to a removable turret module. Background Art

[0004] Oral dosage medications are usually manufactured by direct compression of granules on a rotary tablet press. Tooling is used on the tablet press to identify and produce a specific product. The tooling consists of an upper punch, a lower punch, and a die. To form a tablet, the granular powder material must be fed into the cavity formed by the die and two punches. The punches are pressed together with enough force to fuse the powder into a tablet.

[0005] All particles are abrasive and due to the forces during compaction, tools wear and must be replaced. Maintaining high quality tools is critical to product consistency. Cleaning is also frequently required.

[0006] In a rotary tablet press, a turret can rotate around a vertical axis and carries a plurality of dies. Each die has associated top and bottom punches that are driven by top and bottom cams to compress the granules into tablets. The turret with punches and cams can be removed from the tablet press as a unit for cleaning between batches or for replacement for different tablets.

[0007] Such rotary tablet presses are offered by various manufacturers and are described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 4,988,275 and 6,676,863 and EP1050399.

[0008] The removable turret press design of the prior art incorporates a single press frame with structural support for the turret and pressure roller assembly. These designs prevent the turret and the machine base supporting the turret from being removed together. These designs usually require the operator to disconnect, move and / or remove multiple parts, including removing the heavy turret and loading the heavy turret onto an auxiliary cart, so that the press can be changed into different tool sizes or configurations, such as double or triple layers. These designs also limit that the tablet press can only utilize turrets with the same diameter and height dimensions. The prior art design requires cleaning, and when the equipment is transferred to a clean room, it is very careful not to have the risk of cross contamination. The prior art press with a removable or detachable turret incorporates a mechanism that is attached to the turret and drives the turret from below. This not only requires an auxiliary cart, but also requires disconnecting, moving and / or removing press parts and lifting and loading the turret.

[0009] The present invention relates to improvements in the design of removable turrets. Summary of the invention

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tablet press that is more configurable and flexible for tablet manufacturers, requires less time to change between batches, and contains dust generated during tableting operations to minimize exposure to operators. This is accomplished by housing the compression roller assembly and turret assembly in two separate and distinct support structures that can be connected to each other and operate in conjunction as a tablet press.

[0011] With this goal in mind, the press is divided into two main components, referred to herein as a base assembly and a removable turret module. The base assembly incorporates a motorized pressure roller assembly that moves both linearly and axially. In the case of linear movement, the pressure roller automatically moves into a position, if necessary, to allow the turret module to be disassembled and removed from the base assembly without interference. The movement allows the compression assembly housed in the base assembly to adjust tablet thickness during operation, if necessary, and to be configured during setup for various turret modules that accommodate turrets with different physical dimensions.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a rotary tablet press includes a base assembly, the base assembly including a press housing and a compression assembly including a pressure roller assembly in the press housing. A detachable module is removably mounted to the base assembly, including a module base supporting a turret housing. The turret assembly is rotatably mounted in the turret housing about a vertical axis. The turret assembly includes a plurality of die stations. The detachable module is selectively positioned at the base assembly so that the pressure roller assembly engages the turret assembly to compress granules into tablets at the die stations. A turret drive assembly includes a turret motor and a drive shaft. The drive shaft is aligned with the vertical axis and engages the turret assembly to rotate the turret assembly.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a rotary tablet press includes a press housing having a bottom end and a top end, the bottom end being for resting on a support surface. A compression assembly is in the press housing and includes a pressure roller assembly. A drive housing extends outwardly from the top end of the press housing. A drive assembly in the drive housing includes a turret motor and a drive shaft extending downwardly from the turret motor. The turret assembly includes a plurality of die stations. The turret assembly is mounted to the turret housing about a vertical axis so that the pressure roller assembly engages the turret assembly to compress granules into tablets at the die stations. The drive shaft is aligned with the vertical axis and engages the turret assembly to rotate the turret assembly.

[0014] Further features will be readily apparent from the description and from the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rotary tablet press machine including a press assembly and a control cabinet according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 It includes a base assembly and a removable turret module. Figure 1 A perspective view of a press assembly;

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 a perspective view of a base assembly of the invention with certain parts removed to illustrate a pressure roller assembly;

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 a perspective view of a base assembly of the invention with a top cover removed to reveal a drive system;

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 The front perspective view of the turret module;

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Rear perspective view of the turret module;

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A detailed front perspective view of the turret housing of the module;

[0022] Figure 8 is a front perspective view of the bottom of the base assembly, and Fig. 9 This is a bottom perspective view of the turret module. Figure 1 From the beginning, the connecting parts used to mount the turret module to the base assembly are shown;

[0023] Fig.10 is a perspective view of an exemplary turret assembly;

[0024] Fig.11 is a perspective view of a rotary tablet press machine including a base assembly and a removable turret module according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Fig.12 Separate from the base assembly Fig.11 A three-dimensional view of the turret module;

[0026] Fig.13 yes Fig.11 A perspective view of a base assembly;

[0027] Fig.14 yes Fig.11Rear perspective view of the turret module;

[0028] Fig.15 is a perspective view of a rotary tablet press machine including a base assembly and a removable turret module according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig.16 Separate from the base assembly Fig.15 A three-dimensional view of the turret module;

[0030] Fig.17 yes Fig.15 A perspective view of a base assembly;

[0031] Fig.18 yes Fig.15 a rear perspective view of the turret module; and

[0032] Fig.19 is with Fig.14 a rear perspective view of a turret module similar to that of FIG. 1 with a bottom mounted motor drive; and

[0033] Fig. 20 yes Fig.19 Rear perspective view of the turret module with the turret base removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present invention relates to a rotary tablet press comprising a base assembly or machine frame and a detachable module. The base assembly comprises a motorized pressure roller assembly and optionally a turret drive assembly. The detachable module comprises a module base, a turret base, a turret, a cam body, a cam, a feeder, a tablet discharge chute, a hopper, an upper housing and a shield door. The detachable module may also incorporate a pressure roller assembly for double or triple layer applications. The turret comprises a chamber arranged circumferentially to hold an upper punch, a lower punch and a die. As the turret rotates, the punch follows the cam track and reciprocates in and out of the die, which receives particles when it rotates below the feeder. Tablets are formed when the punch contacts the pressure roller so that the particles are compacted in the die.

[0035] The disclosed tablet press is more configurable and flexible for tablet manufacturers, requires less time to change between batches, and contains dust generated during tableting operations to minimize exposure to operators. This is accomplished by housing the compression roller assembly and the turret assembly in two separate and distinct support structures that can be connected to each other and operate in conjunction as a tablet press.

[0036] The press is divided into two main components referred to herein as a base assembly and a removable turret module. The base assembly incorporates a motorized pressure roller assembly that moves both linearly and axially. In the case of linear movement, the pressure roller automatically moves into a position, if necessary, to allow the turret module to be disassembled and removed from the press frame without interference. The axial movement allows the compression assembly housed in the base assembly to adjust tablet thickness during operation and to be configured for various turret modules that accommodate turrets with different physical sizes.

[0037] The press frame may incorporate a turret drive mechanism that allows the drive shaft to be mounted above the turret. This frees up space in the module, below the turret, for incorporating a vacuum cleaning feature or for other requirements. Additionally, module cost and weight are reduced by not having to incorporate the drive motor and components into the module.

[0038] Isolating and housing the control components in the frame avoids the requirement to calibrate pressure roller position, load cells or strain gauges, and turret speed when removing or attaching modules.

[0039] Incorporate precision pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, physical connection or other methods to secure the turret module to the base assembly. Alignment and mounting are designed to ensure that the module can be precisely removed and attached to the frame without affecting machine performance.

[0040] The removable module consisting of the module base, turret base, turret, cam body, cam, feeder, tablet discharge chute, hopper, upper housing and shroud door eliminates the need for an external cart and significantly reduces changeover time. The operator simply disconnects the powder inlet, presses the remove module button in the tablet press HMI software, disconnects the cable connector, and uses a pallet truck, automated guided vehicle or other appropriate material handling mechanism to remove the module in minutes.

[0041] The rotary press machine shown and described improves the prior art tablet press by isolating the pressure roller assembly in a separate and different base assembly from a removable turret module consisting of a turret and a base supporting the turret to provide customers with a faster, more configurable and safer solution, and eliminating the need to lift and remove the heavy turret unit and load the heavy turret unit onto an auxiliary cart. The module is sealed to minimize the exposure of particulate dust particles to the operator, and enables the module to be transferred to a clean room with a low risk of cross contamination. Prior art presses incorporate a mechanism that is attached to the turret and drives the turret from below. Having a removable module that incorporates a turret support base eliminates the need for an auxiliary cart and the need to disconnect, move and / or remove press components and lift and load compression units and / or turrets.

[0042] Initial reference Figure 1 , shows a rotary tablet press machine 10 according to the present invention. The rotary tablet press machine 10 includes a press assembly 12 and a control cabinet 14. The press assembly 12 includes a base assembly 16 and a removable / detachable module 18, see also Figure 2 .

[0043] Although not shown in detail herein, the control cabinet 14 includes an arcuate housing 20 surrounding the press assembly 12. The control cabinet 14 includes space for control components and an operator display, neither of which is shown and which itself does not form a part of the present invention. Provision is also made to provide the necessary electrical connections between the controls in the control cabinet 14 and the press assembly 12.

[0044] According to the present invention, the press assembly 12 is designed to isolate the turret drive assembly and pressure roller assembly described below in the base assembly 16 from the removable module 18 to provide customers with a faster, more configurable and safer solution. Having the removable module 18 incorporated with the turret support base described below eliminates the need for auxiliary carts and the need to disconnect, move and / or remove press components and to lift and load the compression unit and / or turret.

[0045] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The base assembly 16 includes a base assembly adapted to fit on Figure 1 The press housing 22 is an arc-shaped press housing 22 in the control cabinet 14. The top wall 23 is at the top of the press housing 22. The top cover 24 covers the top wall 23 and includes a circular top cover shell 26 surrounded by an arc-shaped top cover shell 28. A generally semicircular bottom wall 30 extends forward from the bottom of the press housing 22 and is aligned with the circular top cover shell 26. The bottom wall 30 includes two parallel rails 32 and three concave stud plates 34, see also Figure 8 .

[0046] exist Figure 3In the embodiment of the press housing 22, two motorized pressure roller assemblies 36 and 38 are housed. Some designs may use a single pressure roller assembly. The first roller assembly 36 has an upper roller 40 and a lower roller 42. The second roller assembly 38 has an upper roller 44 and a lower roller 46. The rollers 40 and 42 are in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the rollers 44 and 46. The roller assemblies 36 and 38 are supported on linear guides 48 and 50, which can be moved on the track 32 by corresponding drives (not shown) to move the roller assemblies 36 and 38 back and forth. Obviously, the track 32 can be eliminated, or can be configured to move the roller assemblies 36 and 38 laterally when necessary and desired. The roller assemblies 36 and 38 are driven by upper drives 56 and 58. In particular, the drive 56 operates to move the rollers 40 and 42 toward or away from each other to engage the turret or disengage the turret during operation. Similarly, the drive 58 operates to move the rollers 44 and 46 toward or away from each other.

[0047] The top wall 23 is mounted on top of the press housing 22 and has a shape corresponding to the cover 24 discussed above. The top wall 23 supports a turret drive torque motor 62, which drives an underhung drive shaft 64. The motor 62 is also configured to raise and lower the drive shaft 64 to engage and rotate the turret with the drive shaft.

[0048] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The removable module 18 has a generally semicircular shape and is adapted to be received in Figure 3 The base assembly 16 in the embodiment of the present invention is provided to provide a generally cylindrical configuration surrounded by a partial peripheral extension, as shown.

[0049] The module 18 includes a module base 70 that supports a turret housing 72. The turret housing 72 has a top wall 76 that is supported on posts 78 that are in turn supported on the module base 70. Figure 5 A transparent outer wall 74, omitted for clarity, surrounds the front of the turret housing 72 to isolate the internal components. The outer wall 74 may be of a transparent polycarbonate material. When the removable module 18 is secured to the base assembly, the removable module 18 is sealed by being incorporated into the upper housing via the outer wall 74. The back of the turret housing 72 is open to allow the pressure roller assemblies 36 and 38 to engage the upper and lower punches as described below.

[0050] In a rotary tablet press, a turret is rotatable about a vertical axis and carries a plurality of dies. Each die has associated top and bottom punches that are driven by top and bottom cams to compress the granules into tablets. The upper punch, lower punch, and die are collectively referred to as a station. This is referred to below with respect to Fig.11 Have a discussion.

[0051] The turret housing 72 surrounds the turret assembly 80. The turret assembly 80 is mounted to a support 81 which is in turn supported on the module base 70. The turret assembly 80 is rotatable relative to the support 81. The turret assembly 80 generally includes a die table and upper punch guide and lower punch guide assemblies. The turret module 18 houses the turret assembly 80 as well as a cam body, cams, feeder, tablet discharge chute and hopper. Although not shown in detail, the turret assembly 80 includes chambers that are circumferentially arranged to hold upper punches, lower punches and dies. As the turret assembly 80 rotates, the punches follow the cam track and reciprocate in and out of the dies, which receive particles as they rotate under the feeder, as is conventional. When the punch contacts the Figure 3 The pressure rollers 40, 42, 44 and 46 in the die form tablets when the particles are compacted in the die. This general operation is conventional, and the exact configuration will depend in part on the tablet being manufactured. The invention herein is particularly directed to the use of a detachable and removable module 18. This isolates the turret drive, compression assembly and controls from the turret, feeder, hopper, chute, cam and module base. Current presses have removable components (i.e., turret, columns). The uniqueness of the removable module feature is that it forms a quick disconnect for faster replacement, thereby providing increased flexibility and versatility for changing to different tool sizes and / or turret sizes and configurations for double and triple layer tableting, improving the ease of cleaning and sealing, and the removable module feature eliminates the impact of calibration when moving the press. Moreover, Figure 4 The turret top drive 62 in the press moves the turret's drive system to the top of the press.

[0052] According to the present invention, the turret assembly 80 is driven by an inlet coupler 82 on the top wall 76, which is engageable by the drive shaft 64 (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) for driving the turret assembly 80 from above. A powder inlet 84 is provided in the top wall 76 to provide granular powder to a feeder assembly 86. The feeder assembly 86 is driven by a feeder motor, not shown, to feed the powder to the die. A tablet extractor (not shown) guides the tablet as it is ejected from the die into a discharge chute 87.

[0053] refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 9, the module base 70 has a bottom wall 88 with three depending studs 89. The studs 89 are aligned to be selectively received in the recessed stud plates 34 which enter into the removable module 18 positioned proximate the base assembly 16. This can be accomplished with a forklift or the like to lower the turret module 18 onto the bottom wall 30 of the base assembly, wherein the studs 89 are received in the stud plates 34. Other structures not shown are used to secure the turret module 18 to the base assembly 16 and to seal and isolate the turret housing 72 from the exterior. With the module 18 positioned with the base assembly 16, as shown Figures 1 to 3 As shown in Figure 3 Rollers 40, 42, 44 and 46 are shown positioned relative to die block 18 to engage turret assembly 80 and contact punches (not shown) to compress granulated powders to form tablets in a conventional manner.

[0054] Fig.10 An exemplary turret assembly 80 is shown. The turret assembly 80 includes an upper cam body 90 driven by the drive shaft 28. An upper cam track assembly 91, a lower cam track assembly 92, an upper turret segment 93 (for an upper punch), a lower turret segment 94 (for a lower punch), and a die table 95 are operably fastened to the upper cam body 90 to rotate therewith. The upper punch (not shown) is operated in a conventional manner by the upper cam track assembly 91. The lower punch (not shown) is operated in a conventional manner by the lower cam track assembly 92. The die table 95 includes a plurality of openings 96 each for receiving a die (not shown). As the turret assembly 80 rotates, the punches follow the respective cam tracks 91 and 92 and reciprocate relative to the die. Each die receives a particle when it rotates below the feeder assembly 86. When the punches contact the upper rollers 40 and 44 and the lower rollers 42 and 46 (as known) so that the particles are compacted in the die, a tablet is formed. The upper punch is then raised by the upper cam track 91 and ejected by the lower cam track 92, thereby raising the lower punch. This general operation is conventional, and the exact configuration will depend in part on the tablet being manufactured.

[0055] According to the present invention, the manufacturer can have a plurality of different turret modules for use with a single base assembly 16. Depending on the type of tablet to be produced, each module can have a different turret assembly and accessories. There will be at least four overall configurations for this machine design, which utilizes a base assembly with compression and drive components and a removable module comprising a turret, a feeder, and a cam module assembly. Each will provide a different turret configuration. Moreover, the different configurations of the base assembly 16 can be equipped with compression roller assemblies of different quantities and configurations, as discussed below.

[0056] For example, the rotary tablet press according to the present invention can be configured as: single layer with single side (one feeder, one product); single layer with double side (two feeders, two products); double layer (two feeders, one product); and triple layer (three feeders, one product). The single side press has only one feeder, and it is designed to prepare single layer tablets. It is designed with two compression assemblies of equal size for pre-compression and main compression. The triple side press has three feeders, and it is designed to prepare three layers containing three different granules. It is designed with one large compression assembly for main compression.

[0057] Figures 11 to 14 A rotary tablet press 110 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The rotary tablet press 110 is similar to the one in operation. Figure 1 For simplicity, the reference numerals in this embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The reference numerals in the embodiments of the present invention correspond to those in the embodiment of the present invention, except in the one hundred series. The rotary tablet press 110 is characterized by eliminating Figure 1 The press 110 includes a base assembly 116 and a removable / detachable turret module 118, see also Fig.12 . Fig.12 The turret module 118 is shown separate from the base assembly 116. The base assembly 116 includes space for control components and an operator display, neither of which are shown and which do not themselves form part of the present invention.

[0058] refer to Fig.12 and Fig.13 , the base assembly 116 includes an arcuate press housing 122. A top wall 123 is at the top of the press housing 122. A top cover 124 covers the top wall 123. A generally semicircular bottom wall 130 extends forward from the bottom of the press housing 122 and is aligned with the top wall 123. Although not shown, the bottom wall 130 may include a concave stud plate for mounting a turret module, as described above.

[0059] The press housing 122 includes two motorized pressure roller assemblies and tracks and mounting structures within the housing 122, the details of which are not shown. For such elements, reference is made to Figure 3 The first roller assembly 136 has an upper roller 140 and a lower roller 142. The second roller assembly 138 has an upper roller 144 and a lower roller 146. The plane where the rollers 140 and 142 are located is perpendicular to the plane of the rollers 144 and 146.

[0060] The top wall 123 is mounted on top of the press housing 122 and has a shape corresponding to the cover 124 discussed above. The top wall 123 supports a turret drive torque motor 162, which drives an underhung drive shaft 164. The motor 162 is also configured to raise and lower the drive shaft 164 to engage the turret for some rotation with the drive shaft.

[0061] refer to Fig.12 and Fig.14 The removable module 118 has a generally semicircular shape and is adapted to be received in Fig.11 The base assembly 116 in the embodiment of the present invention is provided to provide a generally cylindrical configuration surrounded by a partial peripheral extension, as shown.

[0062] The module 118 includes a module base 170 that supports a turret housing 172. The turret housing 172 has a top wall 176 that is supported on posts 178 that are in turn supported on the module base 170. Fig.12 A transparent outer wall 174, omitted for clarity, surrounds the front of the turret housing 172 to isolate the internal components. The outer wall 174 may be of a transparent polycarbonate material. When the removable module 118 is secured to the base assembly 116, the removable module 118 is sealed by being incorporated into the upper housing via the outer wall 174. The back of the turret housing 172 is open to allow the pressure roller assemblies 136 and 138 to engage the upper and lower punches in the turret, as described below.

[0063] The turret housing 172 surrounds the turret assembly 180, as described above. The turret assembly 180 is mounted to a turret support 181, which in turn is supported on the module base 170. The turret assembly 180 is rotatable relative to the turret support 181. The removable module 118 generally includes a turret assembly 180, a cam body, a cam, a feeder, a tablet discharge chute and a hopper. Although not shown in detail, the turret assembly 180 includes a chamber that is circumferentially arranged to hold an upper punch, a lower punch and a die. As the turret assembly 180 rotates, the punch follows the cam track and reciprocates in and out of the die, which receives particles when it rotates below the feeder, just as in the conventional case.

[0064] According to the present invention, turret assembly 180 is driven by inlet coupler 182, which is engageable by drive shaft 164 (see Fig.11 ) for driving the turret assembly 180 from above. A powder inlet 184 is provided in the top wall 176 to provide granular powder to a feeder assembly 186. The feeder assembly 186 is driven by a feeder motor, not shown, to feed the powder to the die. A tablet extractor (not shown) guides the tablet as it is ejected from the die into a discharge chute 187.

[0065] refer to Fig.14 , the module base 170 has a bottom wall 188 having three depending studs 189. The studs 189 are aligned to be selectively received in corresponding recessed stud plates (not shown) which enter into the removable module 118 positioned proximate the base assembly 116. This can be accomplished using a forklift or the like to lower the turret module 118 onto the bottom wall 130 of the base assembly, wherein the studs 189 are received in the stud plates. Other structures not shown are used to secure the turret module 118 to the base assembly 116 and to seal and isolate the turret housing 172 from the exterior. With the module 118 positioned with the base assembly 116, as shown Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , rollers 140 , 142 , 144 , and 146 are positioned relative to the die block 118 to engage the turret assembly 180 and contact punches (not shown) to compress the granulated powder to form tablets in a conventional manner.

[0066] Figures 15 to 18 2 shows a rotary tablet press 210 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The rotary tablet press 210 has Fig.11 For simplicity, the reference numerals in this embodiment are similar to those in Fig.11 The reference numerals in the embodiments correspond to those in the drawings, except in the two hundred series. The rotary tablet press 210 is configured to produce three-layer tablets because it has three feeders, as discussed below. As discussed above, the single-sided press has only one feeder, and it is designed to prepare single-layer tablets. It is designed with two compression assemblies of equal size for pre-compression and main compression. The three-sided press has three feeders, and it is designed to prepare three layers for accommodating three different particles. It is conventionally designed with one large compression assembly for main compression and two smaller compression assemblies for achieving the tamping force of the first and second layers. Since more turret circumferences need to be used for the three feeders and corresponding cam tracks, the disclosed embodiment uses only the main compression assembly. Obviously, an alternative design may include two smaller compression assemblies.

[0067] Press 210 includes a base assembly 216 and a removable / detachable module 218, see also Fig.16 The base assembly 216 includes space for controls and an operator display, neither of which are shown and which do not themselves form part of the present invention. Fig.16 Turret module 218 is shown separate from base assembly 216 .

[0068] refer to Fig.16 and Fig.17, the base assembly 216 includes an arcuate press housing 222. A top wall 223 is at the top of the press housing 222. A top cover 224 covers the top wall 223. A generally semicircular bottom wall 230 extends forward from the bottom of the press housing 222 and is aligned with the top wall 223. The bottom wall 130 includes three concave stud plates 234 for mounting the turret module, as described above.

[0069] The press housing 222 includes a motorized pressure roller assembly and tracks and mounting structures within the housing 222, the details of which are not shown. For such elements, reference may be made to Figure 3 The roller assembly 236 has an upper roller 240 and a lower roller 242.

[0070] The top wall 223 is mounted on top of the press housing 222 and has a shape corresponding to the cover 224, as described above. The top wall 223 supports the turret drive torque motor 262, which drives the underhung drive shaft 264. The motor 262 is also configured to raise and lower the drive shaft 264 to engage the turret for some rotation with the drive shaft.

[0071] refer to Fig.16 and Fig.18 The removable module 218 has a generally semicircular shape and is adapted to be received in Fig.15 The base assembly 216 in the embodiment of the present invention is provided to provide a generally cylindrical configuration surrounded by a partial peripheral extension, as shown.

[0072] Module 218 includes a module base 270 supporting a turret housing 272. Turret housing 272 has a top wall 276 supported on posts 278, which in turn are supported on module base 270. A cover 277 is provided on the top wall to provide space for additional components. A transparent outer wall (not shown in this embodiment) surrounds the front of turret housing 272 to isolate the internal components.

[0073] The turret housing 272 surrounds the turret assembly 280, as described above. The turret assembly 280 is mounted to a support 281, which in turn is supported on the module base 270. The turret assembly 280 is rotatable relative to the support 281. The turret module 218 generally includes the turret assembly 280, a cam body, a cam, a feeder, a tablet discharge chute and a hopper. Although not shown in detail, the turret assembly 280 includes a chamber that is circumferentially arranged to hold an upper punch, a lower punch and a die. As the turret module 280 rotates, the punch follows the cam track and reciprocates in and out of the die, which receives particles when it rotates below the feeder, just as in the conventional case.

[0074] According to the present invention, turret assembly 280 is driven by inlet coupler 282, which is engageable by drive shaft 264 (see Fig.15 ) is used to drive the turret assembly 280 from above. A powder inlet (not shown) provides granular powder to three feeder assemblies 286-1, 286-2 and 186-3. The feeder assemblies are driven by a feeder motor (not shown) to feed three different powders to the die to prepare a three-layer tablet.

[0075] refer to Fig.16 , the module base 270 has a bottom wall 288 having three depending studs 289, one of which is shown. The studs 289 are aligned to be selectively received in corresponding recessed stud plates 234 which enter into a removable module 218 positioned proximate the base assembly 216. This may be accomplished with a forklift or the like to lower the turret module 218 onto the base assembly bottom wall 230, wherein the studs 289 are received in the stud plates 234. Other structures not shown are used to secure the turret module 218 to the base assembly 216 and to seal and isolate the turret housing 272 from the exterior. With the module 218 positioned with the base assembly 216, as shown Fig.15 As shown in FIG. 2 , rollers 240 and 242 are positioned relative to die block 218 to engage turret assembly 280 and contact punches (not shown) to compress the granulated powder to form tablets in a conventional manner.

[0076] Fig.19 and Fig. 20 A turret module 318 is shown according to an alternative embodiment. In the previously discussed embodiments, the turret drive motor is located in the base assembly and drives the turret from above. Fig.19 and Fig. 20 In the preferred embodiment, the turret is driven by a bottom mounted motor in a conventional manner.

[0077] The removable module 318 has a generally semicircular shape and is adapted to be received in Fig.11 The base assembly 116 (without the top mounted drive motor 162) is arranged to provide a generally cylindrical configuration surrounded by a partial peripheral extension, as shown.

[0078] Module 318 includes a module base 370 that supports a turret housing 372. Turret housing 372 has a top wall 376 that is supported on posts 378 that are in turn supported on module base 370. A transparent outer wall 374 surrounds the front of turret housing 372 to isolate the internal components. Outer wall 374 may be of a transparent polycarbonate material. When removable module 318 is secured to base assembly 116, removable module 318 is sealed by being incorporated into the upper housing via outer wall 374. The back of turret housing 372 is open to allow pressure roller assemblies 136 and 138 to engage the turret as previously described.

[0079] The turret housing 372 encloses the turret assembly 380, as described above. The turret assembly 380 is mounted to a turret support 381, which is in turn supported on the module base 370. The turret support 381 is Fig. 20 381 is removed to show the drive connection. The turret assembly 380 is rotatable relative to the turret support 381. The turret assembly 380 generally includes a die assembly, a cam body, a cam, a feeder, a tablet discharge chute and a hopper. Although not shown in detail, the die assembly includes a chamber that is circumferentially arranged to hold an upper punch, a lower punch and a die. As the turret module 380 rotates, the punch follows the cam track and reciprocates in and out of the die, which receives particles when it rotates below the feeder, just as in the conventional case.

[0080] According to the present invention, the module base 380 includes an interior space 300. A turret drive torque motor 362 for driving the upwardly extending drive shaft 264 is mounted in the interior space 300. The turret assembly 380 is driven by an inlet coupler 382, ​​which can be engaged by the drive shaft 364 for driving the turret assembly 380 from below. A powder inlet 384 is provided in the top wall 376 to provide granular powder to a feeder assembly (not shown). A tablet extractor (not shown) guides the tablet as it is ejected from the die into a discharge chute 387.

[0081] The module base 370 has a bottom wall 388 having three depending studs 389. The studs 389 are aligned to be selectively received in corresponding concave stud plates that enter into the removable module 318 positioned proximate the base assembly 116. This can be accomplished with a forklift or the like to lower the turret module 318 onto the base assembly bottom wall 130, wherein the studs 389 are received in the stud plates. Other structures not shown are used to secure the turret module 318 to the base assembly 116 and to seal and isolate the turret housing 372 from the exterior. With the module 318 positioned with the base assembly 116, the rollers 140, 142, 144 and 146 are positioned relative to the module 318 to engage the turret assembly 380 and contact the punches (not shown) to compress the granulated powder to form tablets in a conventional manner.

[0082] As described in the illustrated embodiment, the rotary tablet press includes a machine base assembly and a detachable module. Particles are fed into the module from the hopper and travel into the feeder chamber. The base assembly includes a motorized pressure roller assembly and a turret drive assembly. The detachable module includes a module base, a turret base, a turret, a cam body, a cam, a feeder, a tablet discharge chute, a hopper, an upper housing, and a shield door. The rotary turret includes an upper punch, a die, and a lower punch. As the turret rotates, the die moves below the feeder chamber. The paddles of the rotary feeder move the particles and assist in feeding the powder to the die. The punch travels along the cam track when the turret rotates and compresses the powder into tablets when the punch contacts the pressure roller. The ejector cam pushes the lower punch in an upward direction, and the extractor rod just mounted above the die table guides the tablet into the discharge chute. The detachable module is sealed by being incorporated into the upper housing.

[0083] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many possible modifications to the specific forms of features and components of the disclosed embodiments while remaining within the spirit of the concepts disclosed herein. Therefore, unless explicitly stated in the claims, limitations on the specific forms of the embodiments disclosed herein should not be read into the claims. Although several embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments may also be within the scope of the following claims.

[0084] The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to illustrate the broad concepts understood by the present invention.

Claims

1. A rotary tablet press, comprising: a base assembly including a press housing and a compression assembly including a pressure roller assembly in the press housing; a removable module removably mounted to the base assembly, the removable module comprising a module base for supporting a turret housing, a turret assembly rotatably mounted in the turret housing about a vertical axis, the turret assembly including a plurality of die stations, the removable module selectively positioned at the base assembly so that the pressure roller assembly engages the turret assembly to compress the granules into tablets at the die stations; as well as A turret drive assembly includes a turret motor and a drive shaft aligned with the vertical axis and engaging the turret assembly to rotate the turret assembly.

2. The rotary tablet press of claim 1, wherein the turret drive assembly is mounted at the top of the press housing.

3. The rotary tablet press of claim 2, wherein the press housing includes a drive housing extending outwardly from a top end of the press housing, and the drive shaft extends downwardly from a turret motor.

4. The rotary tablet press of claim 1, wherein the turret drive assembly is mounted in the module base.

5. The rotary tablet press of claim 1, wherein the turret assembly comprises a plurality of dies and associated top and bottom punches driven by top and bottom cams to compress the granules into tablets.

6. The rotary tablet press of claim 1, wherein the removable module comprises a feeder.

7. The rotary tablet press of claim 1, wherein the removable module comprises a plurality of feeders.

8. The rotary tablet press of claim 1, wherein the pressure roller assembly comprises a motorized pressure roller assembly.

9. The rotary tablet press of claim 1, wherein the turret assembly is configured to produce a single tablet product.

10. The rotary tablet press of claim 1, wherein the turret assembly is configured to produce two tablet products.

11. The rotary tablet press of claim 1 , wherein the turret assembly is configured to produce a bi-layer tablet product.

12. The rotary tablet press of claim 1, wherein the turret assembly is configured to produce a three-layer tablet product.

13. The rotary tablet press of claim 1, wherein the compression assembly comprises an upper roller and a lower roller.

14. The rotary tablet press of claim 1, wherein the compression assembly comprises first and second pressure roller assemblies each having an upper roller and a lower roller.

15. A rotary tablet press comprising: a press housing having a bottom end and a top end, the bottom end resting on a support surface; a compression assembly within the press housing and including a pressure roller assembly; a drive housing extending outwardly from the top end of the press housing; a drive assembly in the drive housing, the drive assembly including a turret motor to drive a drive shaft extending downwardly from the turret motor; as well as a turret assembly including a plurality of die stations, the turret assembly being mounted to the press housing about a vertical axis such that the pressure roller assembly engages the turret assembly to compress the granules into tablets at the die stations, the drive shaft being aligned with the vertical axis and engaging the turret assembly to rotate the turret assembly, wherein the press housing includes a drive housing extending outwardly from a top end of the press housing, and the drive shaft extending downwardly from the turret motor.

16. The rotary tablet press of claim 15, wherein the turret motor is configured to raise and lower the drive shaft to engage the turret assembly for rotation with the drive shaft.

17. The rotary tablet press of claim 15, further comprising a removable module removably mounted to the press housing and comprising a module base for supporting a turret housing in which the turret assembly is rotatably mounted.

18. The rotary tablet press of claim 17, wherein the removable module comprises a feeder.

19. The rotary tablet press of claim 17, wherein the removable module comprises a plurality of feeders.

20. The rotary tablet press of claim 15, wherein the turret assembly comprises a plurality of dies and associated top and bottom punches driven by top and bottom cams to compress the granules into tablets.

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