Article orientation changing device

Abstract

The article orientation changing device (30) includes a baffle (11) configured to be freely swingable up and down about a swing axis (13), a conveying member (25) configured to push a tablet (W) to a prescribed position on a placement surface (11a), and a pressing member (12) configured to press the tablet (W) against a wall portion (1A). A tapered surface (25A) configured to hold the tablet (W) in a first orientation is provided on an opposite surface of the conveying member (25). The conveying member (25) conveys the tablet (W) to the placement surface (11a) while maintaining the tablet (W) in the first orientation, and pushes the tablet (W) to the prescribed position. The pressing member (12) moves toward the wall portion (1A) to change the orientation of the tablet (W) on the placement surface (11a) from the first orientation to a second orientation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device for changing the orientation of an article. Background Technology

[0002] As a measuring device for determining the length or hardness (breakage strength) of non-circular objects such as elliptical shapes, a tablet testing device described in Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] As in patent document 1 Figure 8 a, Figure 8 As shown in b, the tablet measuring device has a baffle that can swing freely around an axis, a surface that protrudes upward from one end of the baffle, a fixed crushing surface adjacent to the baffle, and a crushing surface that is set to be close to and freely separated from the fixed crushing surface and presses the tablet with an elliptical shape having a major axis and a minor axis onto the fixed crushing surface.

[0004] When the baffle swings downwards about its axis, the tablet on the baffle comes into contact with the surface due to its weight, causing its long axis to align with the direction of movement of the crushing surface. In this state, the baffle is pressed against the fixed crushing surface by the crushing surface, thereby measuring the length and hardness of the tablet along its long axis.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6089038

[0006] However, in conventional tablet measuring devices, tablets can be positioned along the long axis by swinging a baffle, but there is no mechanism for positioning the baffle along the short axis. Therefore, it is impossible to change the orientation of the tablet to both the short axis and the long axis. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an article orientation changing device with a simple structure that can easily change the orientation of an article to the major axis direction and the minor axis direction on a mounting component.

[0008] The first aspect of the present invention provides an article orientation changing device that changes the orientation of a non-circular article having a major axis and a minor axis orthogonal to the major axis. The article orientation changing device comprises: a mounting member having a mounting surface for mounting the article and a protrusion protruding upward from the mounting surface, and configured to swing freely in a vertical direction about a first swing axis; a first moving member configured to move freely in a direction separate from the direction approaching the protrusion, facing a wall formed by the protrusion, and moving towards the protrusion to push the article to a predetermined position on the mounting surface; a wall portion disposed adjacent to the mounting member in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the first moving member; and a second moving member disposed in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the first moving member. The first moving member is movable in a direction opposite to the wall portion and in a direction closer to the wall portion, and moves in a direction closer to the wall portion to press the article against the wall portion. The first moving member is provided with a contact portion on its opposing surface in the moving direction of the first moving member and opposite to the wall portion of the protrusion, so that the long axis of the article is inclined to a first orientation relative to the moving direction of the first moving member. The first moving member pushes the article to the predetermined position on the mounting surface while maintaining the article in the first orientation. The second moving member moves in a direction closer to the wall portion and changes the orientation of the article pushed to the predetermined position on the mounting surface from the first orientation to the predetermined orientation.

[0009] According to this structure, after the article is transported to the placement surface by maintaining a first orientation that is inclined relative to the movement direction of the first moving member by the first moving member with its long axis, the second moving member is moved in a direction close to the wall and the second moving member comes into contact with the article. This allows the orientation of the article to be easily changed from the first orientation to a predetermined orientation, such as changing the first orientation to an orientation in which the long axis of the article is parallel to the movement direction of the first moving member.

[0010] Next, the mounting component is swung upwards using the swing axis as a fulcrum. The object moves along the mounting surface towards the protrusion and comes into contact with the protrusion by its own weight. This allows the orientation of the object to be easily changed from the second orientation to the third orientation.

[0011] Thus, with an article orientation changing device consisting of a simple structure of a wall, a mounting component, a first moving component, and a second moving component, the orientation of an article on the mounting surface can be easily changed to multiple orientations (first orientation, second orientation, and third orientation).

[0012] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the article orientation changing device, the predetermined orientation of the second aspect of the present invention is a second orientation in which the long axis of the article is parallel to the moving direction of the first moving member. When the first moving member is separated from the mounting surface, the second moving member moves the article in the first orientation toward the wall portion at the predetermined position on the mounting surface, thereby changing the orientation of the article from the first orientation to the second orientation. Then, when the second moving member is separated from the mounting surface, the mounting member swings upward from a horizontal position, thereby causing the article to abut against the wall surface of the protrusion, changing the orientation of the article from the second orientation to a third orientation in which the long axis is in the same direction as the moving direction of the second moving member.

[0013] According to this structure, the orientation of an object can be easily changed to the minor axis direction and the major axis direction on the same mounting surface, and the installation space of the object orientation changing device can be reduced.

[0014] Furthermore, in the article orientation changing device of the third aspect of the present invention, in the article orientation changing device of the first or second aspect, the contact portion is a conical surface inclined relative to the moving direction of the first moving member when viewed from above.

[0015] According to this structure, when the article comes into contact with the conical surface of the first moving part, the orientation of the article can be maintained as a first orientation in which the long axis is tilted relative to the moving direction of the first moving part.

[0016] Furthermore, in the article orientation changing device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the article orientation changing device of the first or second aspect, when viewed from above the first moving member, the contact portion is composed of a V-shaped groove recessed in the direction of the protrusion relative to the opposing surface of the first moving member.

[0017] According to this structure, when the article comes into contact with the contact portion of the first moving member, the orientation of the article can be maintained as a first orientation in which the long axis is tilted relative to the moving direction of the first moving member.

[0018] Furthermore, in the article orientation changing device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the article orientation changing device of the first or second aspect, when viewed from above, the mounting member is configured to swing freely with a second swing axis orthogonal to the first swing axis as the fulcrum.

[0019] According to this structure, when the mounting component is swung around the second swing axis with the wall side of the mounting component facing downwards, the orientation of the item can be easily changed from the first orientation to the second orientation by bringing the item into contact with the wall.

[0020] Therefore, when the second moving part is moved toward the wall and comes into contact with the article, the orientation of the article can be reliably maintained as the second orientation.

[0021] Furthermore, the article orientation changing device of the sixth aspect of the present invention changes the orientation of a non-circular article having a major axis and a minor axis orthogonal to the major axis. The article orientation changing device comprises: a mounting member having a mounting surface for mounting the article and a protrusion protruding upward from the mounting surface, and configured to swing freely up and down about a first swing axis as a fulcrum, and to swing freely about a second swing axis orthogonal to the first swing axis as a fulcrum around the second swing axis; a first moving member configured to move freely in a direction separate from the direction approaching the protrusion, facing the wall formed by the protrusion, and to move towards the protrusion to push the article to a predetermined position on the mounting surface; and a wall portion, which, in relation to the first moving member... The first moving component is arranged adjacent to the mounting component in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the first moving component; and the second moving component is arranged to be opposite the wall in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the first moving component and to move freely in a direction separate from the direction of approaching the wall, and to press the article against the wall in a direction of approaching the wall. The first moving component pushes the article to the predetermined position on the mounting surface with a fourth orientation in which the orientation of the article is uncertain. When the article is conveyed to the mounting surface by the first moving component, the mounting component swings towards the wall with the second swing axis as the fulcrum, so that the article abuts against the wall, thereby changing the orientation of the article from the fourth orientation to the predetermined orientation.

[0022] Thus, when the item is conveyed to the mounting surface by the first moving member, the mounting member swings towards the wall with the second swing axis as the fulcrum, causing the item to come into contact with the wall. This allows the orientation of the item to be easily changed to a predetermined orientation, for example, from the fourth orientation to an orientation in which the long axis of the item is parallel to the direction of movement of the first moving member.

[0023] Next, the mounting component is swung upwards using the first swing axis as a fulcrum. The object moves along the mounting surface towards the protrusion and comes into contact with the protrusion by its own weight. This allows the orientation of the object to be easily changed from the second orientation to the third orientation.

[0024] Thus, with a simple structure consisting of a wall, a mounting component, a first moving component, and a second moving component, the orientation of an article can be easily changed to multiple orientations (a fourth orientation, a second orientation, and a third orientation) on the mounting surface.

[0025] Furthermore, in the sixth aspect of the article orientation changing device, the seventh aspect of the present invention specifies a second orientation in which the long axis of the article is parallel to the moving direction of the first moving member. The mounting member swings upward from a horizontal position via the first swing axis, thereby causing the article to abut against the wall surface of the protrusion, and changing the orientation of the article from the second orientation to a third orientation in which the long axis is in the same direction as the moving direction of the second moving member.

[0026] Therefore, on the same mounting surface, the orientation of an object can be easily changed to the minor axis direction and the major axis direction, and the installation space of the object orientation changing device can be reduced.

[0027] Furthermore, the article orientation changing device of the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the article orientation changing device of the second or seventh aspect, has a measuring unit for measuring the length of the article in the minor axis direction, the length in the major axis direction, and the hardness. When the article in the second orientation on the mounting surface is pressed against the wall by the second moving member, the measuring unit measures the length of the article in the minor axis direction. When the article in the third orientation on the mounting surface is pressed against the wall by the second moving member, the measuring unit measures the length of the article in the major axis direction and the hardness.

[0028] According to this structure, the length of the article in the minor axis direction and the length in the major axis direction can be measured on the same mounting surface, thereby shortening the measurement time of the article's shape.

[0029] Furthermore, after measuring the length of the long axis of the object, the hardness of the object can be measured on the same mounting surface. Therefore, the shape and hardness of the object can be easily measured on the same mounting surface, thereby reducing the installation space of the object orientation changing device while shortening the measurement time of the object's shape and hardness.

[0030] Furthermore, in any of the first, second, sixth, and seventh embodiments of the article orientation changing device of the ninth embodiment of the present invention, the wall surface of the protrusion extends in a straight line along the moving direction of the second moving member.

[0031] According to this structure, when the article is in the third orientation, its long axis can extend along the protrusion. Therefore, the second moving member can move the article parallel to the protrusion to the wall. Thus, the article's orientation can be maintained in the third orientation to prevent tilting.

[0032] Furthermore, the article orientation changing device of the tenth aspect of the present invention has a discharge section for discharging the article in any of the article orientation changing devices of the first, second, sixth, and seventh aspects, and the article is discharged from the display member to the discharge section when the display member swings downward from a horizontal position.

[0033] According to this structure, simply swinging the mounting component downwards from a horizontal position allows articles to be discharged from the mounting surface to the discharge section. This enables the easy and quick discharge of articles that broke during hardness testing, and allows for the transport of new articles to the mounting surface, thereby significantly reducing inspection time. Furthermore, by placing the discharge section and the mounting component on the same plane, the installation area for the article orientation changing device can be reduced.

[0034] Furthermore, in the article orientation changing device of the 11th aspect of the present invention, in the article orientation changing device of the 2nd or 7th aspect, the protrusion is configured to rotate freely relative to the mounting surface of the mounting member when viewed from above.

[0035] Therefore, by rotating the protrusion while the mounting component is swinging upward from a horizontal position, the orientation of the article can be reliably changed from the second orientation to the third orientation.

[0036] Invention Effects

[0037] The present invention provides an article orientation changing device with a simple structure that can easily change the orientation of an article to the major axis direction and the minor axis direction on a mounting component. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic top view of an article inspection device equipped with an article orientation changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 In (a) and (b), Figure 2 (a) is a schematic top view of an article orientation changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 (b) is a schematic side view of an article orientation changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 It is a system structure of an article inspection device that includes an article orientation change device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4 (a) to Figure 4 (e) is a diagram illustrating the inspection steps of a tablet inspected by an article inspection device having an article orientation changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 (a) to Figure 5 (e) is a diagram illustrating the inspection steps of a tablet for inspecting the orientation of an article by an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 (a) to Figure 5 (e) shows a rough top view on the left and a rough side view on the right.

[0043] Figure 6 In (a) and (b), Figure 6 (a) is a schematic top view of an article orientation changing device with a conveying component having other shapes according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 (b) is a schematic side view of an article with a conveying component of other shapes according to an embodiment of the present invention, facing the changing device.

[0044] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the state in which the mounting member swings around the second swing axis in an article inspection apparatus equipped with an article orientation changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a mounting component of another structure of an article orientation changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a top view of the mounting component in a state of swinging upward from a horizontal position. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The following is based on the accompanying drawings and... Figures 1 to 8 The structure of the article orientation changing device according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0047] exist Figure 1 In one embodiment, the article inspection device 1 includes an upstream article conveying section 2 and a downstream article conveying section 3, and an article orientation changing device 30 is provided in the downstream article conveying section 3. That is, the article orientation changing device 30 of this embodiment is provided in the article inspection device 1.

[0048] The inspection objects (objects with changing orientation) are items that, in addition to items with an outer diameter φ of several mm to tens of mm that can be transported individually without packaging and items the size of a mouth, also include items or molded products of a specified shape manufactured by existing manufacturing equipment or manufacturing equipment without inspection functions, especially items whose shape does not change during transportation.

[0049] Examples of suitable articles include pharmaceutical preparations such as tablets, capsules, lozenges, and pills, as well as maltose and chocolate. Hereinafter, an example of an article to be inspected will be a non-circular, such as an elliptical, tablet W having a major axis wa and a minor axis wb orthogonal to the major axis wa. The tablet W of this embodiment constitutes an article.

[0050] The upstream article conveying section 2 arranges the individually separated tablets W and conveys them in a straight line. Upstream and downstream refer to upstream and downstream relative to the direction of conveying tablets W. That is, the downstream article conveying section 3 is located on the downstream side relative to the upstream article conveying section 2, and the upstream article conveying section 2 is located on the upstream side relative to the downstream article conveying section 3.

[0051] The upstream article conveying section 2 includes a mounting section 2A with multiple openings 2a and a conveying component (not shown) that conveys tablets W mounted on the mounting section 2A along the mounting section 2A to the downstream article conveying section 3.

[0052] In the upstream article conveying section 2, fragments of tablet W conveyed on the mounting section 2A toward the downstream article conveying section 3 fall out from the opening 2a of the mounting section 2A.

[0053] The downstream article conveying section 3 is provided with a loading section 4 for loading tablets W conveyed from the upstream article conveying section 2, and the loading section 4 extends in a straight line.

[0054] A plurality of (four in this embodiment) conveying components 5 and 25 are provided above the mounting portion 4, and the conveying components 5 are mounted on the wall portion 1A.

[0055] The item inspection device 1 has a main housing (not shown), which houses an upstream item conveying unit 2 and a downstream item conveying unit 3. The mounting unit 4 is part of the main housing, and its wall portion 1A is configured to move freely relative to the main housing.

[0056] The wall portion 1A is disposed adjacent to the mounting portion 4 in a direction B orthogonal to the moving direction A of the conveying member 5. Furthermore, the moving direction A of the conveying member 5 is a horizontal direction, and the direction B orthogonal to the moving direction A of the conveying member 5 is a direction orthogonal to the moving direction A in the horizontal plane.

[0057] The wall portion 1A extends in a straight line along the moving direction A of the conveying member 5 and also extends in the vertical direction. The conveying member 5 is installed at equal intervals on the wall portion 1A relative to the extending direction of the mounting portion 4, i.e. the conveying direction of the tablet W, and moves integrally with the wall portion 1A relative to the main body housing.

[0058] Furthermore, when the tablet W placed in the placement part 4 moves toward the wall part 1A, it can prevent the tablet W from falling off the placement part 4 due to contact with the wall part 1A.

[0059] Conveying component 5 via actuator 21 (reference) Figure 3 The conveying member 5 moves freely along the extension direction of the mounting part 4, integrally with the wall part 1A, and moves integrally with one side (left side of the figure) and the other side (right side of the figure) in the conveying direction A.

[0060] The conveying member 5 is integrally moved with the wall portion 1A via the actuator 21 in the direction approaching the mounting portion 4 and in the direction separating from the mounting portion 4. That is, the conveying member 5 is freely movable in the up and down direction relative to the mounting portion 4. In this embodiment, the conveying member 5 constitutes a first moving member.

[0061] The downstream article conveying section 3 is provided with an article input section 6, a weighing section 7, an article discharge section 8, a thickness measuring section 9, and a diameter and hardness measuring section 10, which are arranged from upstream to downstream of the moving direction A of the conveying member 5. In addition, the moving direction A of the conveying member 5, the extending direction of the loading section 4, and the conveying direction of the tablet W are the same.

[0062] The article input section 6 is located downstream of the placement section 2A, and tablets W are input into the article input section 6 from the placement section 2A. In the article input section 6, multiple openings 4a are formed in the placement section 4, and fragments of tablets W fall out of the openings 2a in the article input section 6.

[0063] The weighing section 7 is located downstream of the article input section 6. A weighing meter 7A is provided in the weighing section 7, and the weighing meter 7A has a... Figure 1 The area larger than the size of tablet W is observed from above (in the horizontal plane). Weighing meter 7A measures the weight of tablet W in weighing unit 7 and sends the measurement result to control unit 20 (reference). Figure 3 ).

[0064] The article discharge section 8 is located downstream of the weighing section 7. A discharge platform 8A is provided in the article discharge section 8. The discharge platform 8A has a... Figure 1 The area, which is larger than the size of the tablet W placed in the mounting part 4 when viewed from above, is oscillating about a swing axis (not shown) via actuator 22.

[0065] For example, when the weight of tablet W measured by weighing unit 7A is greater than the weight of a single tablet W, control unit 20 determines that weighing unit 7 has delivered more than two tablets W. When tablet W is delivered from weighing unit 7 to article discharge unit 8, actuator 22 is activated. As a result, discharge table 8A swings around the swing shaft, and tablet W is discharged from article discharge unit 8 to the lower part.

[0066] For example, when the weight of tablet W measured by weighing unit 7A is greater than or equal to the average weight of individual tablets W, control unit 20 determines that weighing unit 7 has delivered more than two tablets W.

[0067] When the weight of tablet W is approximately twice the average weight of tablet W monomers, the control unit 20 determines that the symmetrical delivery unit 7 has delivered 2 tablets W. When the weight of tablet W is approximately three times the average weight of tablet W monomers, the control unit 20 determines that the symmetrical delivery unit 7 has delivered 3 tablets W.

[0068] The thickness measuring unit 9 is located downstream of the article discharge unit 8. The thickness measuring unit 9 includes a measuring instrument 9A for measuring the thickness of the tablet W.

[0069] The measuring device 9A, for example, has a contact surface that contacts the tablet W from above, and is configured to move freely in the up and down direction relative to the mounting portion 4. The control unit 20 measures the stroke of the contact surface of the measuring device 9A from a reference position to the measuring device 9A in contact with the tablet W, and measures the thickness (length in the up and down direction) of the tablet W by measuring this stroke.

[0070] The control unit 20 consists of a computer unit equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), hard disk drive, and input / output ports, none of which are shown in the figure.

[0071] The diameter and hardness measuring section 10 is located downstream of the thickness measuring section 9. For example... Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the diameter and hardness measuring unit 10 includes a wall 1A, a conveying component 5, a baffle 11, and a pressing component 12.

[0072] In this embodiment, the baffle 11 constitutes a mounting component, and the pressing component 12 constitutes a second moving component.

[0073] like Figure 2 As shown, a mounting surface 11a for placing tablets W is provided in the baffle 11, and the mounting surface 11a is formed as a plane. A protrusion 11A is provided at one end of the baffle 11, that is, at one end of the baffle 11 in the moving direction A of the conveying member 5, and the protrusion 11A protrudes upward from the mounting surface 11a. The protrusion 11A protrudes at a right angle relative to the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11.

[0074] A swing shaft 13 is provided at one end of the baffle 11, and the swing shaft 13 is fixed to the baffle 11.

[0075] The swing shaft 13 is supported by the actuator 23. If the swing shaft 13 rotates about the axis through the actuator 23, the baffle 11 swings up and down with the swing shaft 13 as the fulcrum. The swing shaft 13 extends in the same direction as the moving direction B of the pressing member 12.

[0076] The actuator 23 can be, for example, composed of a timing belt connected to the swing shaft 13 and a motor that drives the timing belt, or it can be composed of a gear provided on the swing shaft 13, a reduction gear connected to the gear, and a motor that drives the gear of the swing shaft 13 via the reduction gear. The structure of the actuator 23 is not limited to these.

[0077] The conveying member 5 is positioned opposite the wall surface 11b formed by the protrusion 11A and is configured to move freely in the direction approaching the protrusion 11A and in the direction separating from the protrusion 11A. The conveying member 5 pushes the tablet W to a predetermined position on the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11 in the direction approaching the protrusion 11A (i.e., the moving direction A).

[0078] The wall surface 11b formed by the protrusion 11A is a surface opposite to the conveying member 5 in the moving direction A of the conveying member 5, and the wall surface 11b extends in a straight line along the moving direction B of the pressing member 12.

[0079] The pressing member 12 is positioned opposite the wall portion 1A in a direction B (hereinafter also referred to as the moving direction B of the pressing member 12) that is orthogonal to the moving direction A of the conveying member 5, and is configured to move freely in the direction approaching the wall portion 1A and in the direction separating from the wall portion 1A.

[0080] Specifically, a threaded groove (not shown) is formed in the pressing member 12 for engaging the ball screw 14, which is connected to the output shaft of the stepper motor 15.

[0081] The stepper motor 15 rotates the ball screw 14 according to the command of the control unit 20, thereby moving the pressing member 12 in the moving direction B. Alternatively, the stepper motor 15 can be connected to the ball screw 14 via a timing belt, and the power of the stepper motor 15 is transmitted to the ball screw 14 via the timing belt.

[0082] A groove 5A is provided in the conveying member 5. The groove 5A is provided on the opposing surface 5a of the conveying member 5, which is opposite to the wall surface 11b of the protrusion 11A in the moving direction A of the conveying member 5, and contacts the tablet W in a first orientation that is maintained at an inclination relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 5 with respect to the long axis wa of the tablet W.

[0083] Specifically, when viewed from above, the groove 5A is formed into a V-shape that is recessed from the opposing surface 5a of the conveying member 5 in a direction separating from the protrusion 11A, and has conical surfaces 5b and 5c that are inclined at an angle of 45° relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 5. The inclination angle of the conical surfaces 5b and 5c relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 5 is not limited to 45°.

[0084] When tablet W is fed from the upstream article conveying section 2 into the article input section 6, when the conveying member 5 moves onto the mounting section 4 of the article input section 6, tablet W is inserted into the groove section 5A along the conical surface 5b or conical surface 5c.

[0085] like Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, a conical surface 25A is provided in the conveying member 25, which is located downstream of the three conveying members 5, in the conveying direction of tablet W.

[0086] A conical surface 25A is disposed on the opposing surface of the conveying member 25, which faces the wall surface 11b of the protrusion 11A in the moving direction A of the conveying member 25, and contacts the tablet W in a first orientation in which the long axis wa of the tablet W is inclined relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 25. In this embodiment, the conical surface 25A constitutes a contact portion.

[0087] Specifically, when viewed from above the conveying member 25, the conical surface 25A is inclined at an angle of 40° relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 25. The inclination angle of the conical surface 25A relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 25 is not limited to 40°.

[0088] If the tablet W comes into contact with the conical surface 25A of the downstream conveying member 25 in the conveying direction of the tablet W, the orientation of the tablet W changes to a first orientation that is inclined at about 40° relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 25, and the first orientation is maintained until the conveying member 25 conveys the tablet W to the diameter and hardness measuring unit 10 on the mounting unit 4.

[0089] Furthermore, the tilt angle of the groove 5A of the conveying member 5 can be the same as the tilt angle of the conical surface 25A. Moreover, the reason why the tilt angle of the groove 5A of the conveying member 5 is greater than the tilt angle of the conical surface 25A is that if the tilt angle of the groove 5A of the conveying member 5 is increased, the groove 5A becomes deeper, making it easier to tilt the tablet W and reliably hold it.

[0090] If the conveying member 25 moves to the diameter and hardness measuring section 10 and the tablet W is pushed to a predetermined position on the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11, the conveying member 25 moves in the direction of separating from the protrusion 11A.

[0091] The contact surface 12a of the pressing member 12 is formed as a plane parallel to the moving direction A of the conveying member 25, and the contact surface 12a contacts the tablet W.

[0092] The pressing member 12 moves toward the wall portion 1A on the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11, changing the orientation of the tablet W, which is in a first orientation at a predetermined position on the mounting surface 11a, from the first orientation to a second orientation, in which the major axis wa is parallel to the moving direction A of the conveying member 25, and pressing the tablet W in the second orientation onto the wall portion 1A. In this embodiment, the second orientation constitutes the predetermined orientation.

[0093] When the conveying component 25 and the pressing component 12 move on the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11, the baffle 11 is positioned in a horizontal position.

[0094] If the baffle 11 swings upward from a horizontal position with the swing axis 13 as the fulcrum, the wall surface 11b of the protrusion 11A faces upward.

[0095] At this time, when the tablet W moves along the mounting surface 11a toward the protrusion 11A due to its own weight and comes into contact with the protrusion 11A, the orientation of the tablet W changes from the second orientation to the third orientation, where the long axis wa becomes the same direction as the moving direction B of the pressing member 12.

[0096] Here, the designated position on the mounting surface 11a refers to the position where, when the pressing member 12 moves on the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11, the contact surface 12a contacts the tablet W and can reliably move the tablet W toward the wall portion 1A, and is the position where it separates from the wall surface 11b of the protrusion 11A in the moving direction A of the conveying member 25.

[0097] That is, if the tablet W is pushed by the conveying member 25 to a position that is infinitely close to or in contact with the wall surface 11b of the protrusion 11A, the orientation of the tablet W may change from the second orientation to the third orientation when the baffle 11 swings upward from the horizontal position with the swing axis 13 as the fulcrum.

[0098] In the direction of movement A of the conveying member 25, if the tablet W is pushed out by the conveying member 25 to a position separated from the wall 11b of the protrusion 11A, when the baffle 11 swings upward from a horizontal position with the swing axis 13 as the fulcrum, the distance from the predetermined position of the tablet W to the wall 11b of the protrusion 11A can be lengthened, thereby reliably changing the orientation of the tablet W from the second orientation to the third orientation.

[0099] Alternatively, the designated position on the mounting surface 11a can be a position where, when the pressing member 12 moves on the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11, the contact surface 12a contacts the tablet W, thereby reliably moving the tablet W toward the wall portion 1A.

[0100] When the baffle 11 swings from an upward swinging state with the swing axis 13 as the fulcrum to a horizontal position, the pressing member 12 moves toward the wall portion 1A on the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11, thereby pressing the tablet W, which is in the third orientation on the mounting surface 11a, onto the wall portion 1A.

[0101] A pressure measuring element 16 is provided in the pressing component 12. The pressing component 12 is divided into a front pressing component 12A and a rear pressing component 12B. The pressure measuring element 16 is located between the front pressing component 12A and the rear pressing component 12B, and is connected to the front pressing component 12A and the rear pressing component 12B.

[0102] A threaded groove is formed in the rear pressing member 12B, and the ball screw 14 engages with the threaded groove of the rear pressing member 12B.

[0103] If the stepper motor 15 causes the ball screw 14 to rotate, causing the rear pressing member 12B to move toward the wall portion 1A, and the front pressing member 12A presses the tablet W against the wall portion 1A, then the pressing force is transmitted from the front pressing member 12A to the pressure measuring element 16, thereby deforming the pressure measuring element 16.

[0104] The pressure measuring element 16 converts the deformation of the pressure measuring element 16 into an electrical signal as pressing force and sends the signal to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 determines the hardness (crushing strength) of the tablet W based on the signal sent from the pressure measuring element 16.

[0105] Furthermore, the control unit 20 measures the length of the tablet W in the direction of its major axis wa (hereinafter referred to as the major axis direction) and the length of its minor axis wb (hereinafter referred to as the minor axis direction) when the pressing member 12 presses the tablet W against the wall portion 1A, based on the pulse signal from the stepper motor 15. In this embodiment, the pressure measuring element 16 and the control unit 20 constitute the measuring unit.

[0106] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, in the diameter and hardness measuring section 10, a discharge hole 10a is formed in the mounting section 4. The discharge hole 10a has an opening area larger than that of the baffle 11 when viewed from above.

[0107] The discharge hole 10a serves as both a hole to prevent the baffle 11 from interfering with the mounting part 4 when it swings up and down, and a hole for discharging tablets W that break during the hardness measurement of tablet W.

[0108] That is, when the baffle 11 swings downward from a horizontal position, the tablet W is discharged from the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11 to the discharge hole 10a. Below the discharge hole 10a, there is a container (not shown) for containing the broken tablet W.

[0109] In this embodiment, the discharge hole 10a constitutes the discharge section, and the wall section 1A, the conveying member 25, the baffle 11, and the pressing member 12 constitute the article orientation changing device 30. In addition, a groove 5A is formed in the conveying member 5, but the orientation of the tablet W can be changed by the conveying member 25 in the end, so the groove 5A can be omitted in the conveying member 5.

[0110] Next, using Figure 4 , Figure 5 The testing methods for tablet W are explained. Additionally, in... Figure 4 In China, only Figure 4 (a) shows the mounting section 4.

[0111] First, such as Figure 4As shown in (a), if tablet W1 is fed from the loading section 2A of the upstream article conveying section 2 to the article input section 6 of the downstream article conveying section 3, the tablet W1 fed into the article input section 6 is inserted into the groove 5A of the conveying member 5, which moves toward the diameter and hardness measuring section 10, on the loading section 4 of the article input section 6, and then conveyed to the weighing section 7 (see reference). Figure 4 (b)).

[0112] At this time, tablet W1 is inserted into groove 5A along conical surface 5c, and the orientation of tablet W changes to a first orientation that is inclined at approximately 45° relative to the moving direction A of conveying member 5, and is conveyed to weighing unit 7 while maintaining the first orientation. In addition, tablet W1 is conveyed to diameter and hardness measuring unit 10 while maintaining the first orientation.

[0113] Next, as Figure 4 As shown in (b), if tablet W1 is conveyed to weighing unit 7 via conveying member 5, the weight of tablet W1 is measured by weighing meter 7A. Furthermore, while tablet W1 is being conveyed to weighing unit 7 via conveying member 5, tablet W2, the next item to be inspected, is inserted into item input unit 6 from upstream item conveying unit 2.

[0114] Next, after the conveying components 5 and 25 move upward as an integral part of the wall 1A via the actuator 21, as... Figure 4 As shown in (c), the conveying member 5 moves in the direction A that separates it from the diameter and hardness measuring section 10. Therefore, the conveying member 5 does not interfere with the tablets W1 and W2 placed on the mounting section 4. Thus, the orientation of the tablet W1 can be reliably maintained at the first orientation.

[0115] Next, after the conveying components 5 and 25 move downwards integrally with the wall 1A via the actuator, as... Figure 4 As shown in (d), the conveying components 5 and 25 move toward the diameter and hardness measuring section 10, and the tablet W2, which is put into the article input section 6, is inserted into the groove 5A of the conveying component 5 and changes to the first orientation.

[0116] Furthermore, while tablet W2 is being conveyed to weighing unit 7 via conveying member 5, tablet W3, the next item to be inspected, is fed into item input unit 6 from upstream item conveying unit 2, and tablet W1 is conveyed to item discharge unit 8 via conveying member 5.

[0117] When two or more tablets W are delivered to the article discharge section 8, the actuator 22 causes the discharge table 8A to swing around the swing shaft as the fulcrum, thus discharging two or more tablets W from the article discharge section 8.

[0118] Next, proceed Figure 4In steps (c) and (d), the tablet W4, which will be the next item to be inspected, is fed from the upstream article conveying section 2 to the article input section 6 of the downstream article conveying section 3. The previously input tablet W1 is conveyed to the thickness measuring section 9 via the conveying member 5, and the thickness of the tablet W1 is measured by the measuring instrument 9A (see reference). Figure 4 (e)).

[0119] Then, repeat. Figure 4 In steps (c) and (d), the article W is transported to the thickness measuring unit 9 via the conveying component 5.

[0120] exist Figure 4 In (e), if the thickness of tablet W1 is measured by the thickness measuring unit 9, then as follows Figure 5 As shown in (a), the tablet W1 contacts the conical surface 25A of the conveying member 25 and is conveyed to the diameter and hardness measuring section 10 by the conveying member 25 while maintaining the first orientation.

[0121] In the diameter and hardness measuring unit 10, the tablet W1 is conveyed to the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11 by the conveying member 25 and pushed out to a predetermined position on the mounting surface 11a while maintaining the first orientation.

[0122] Next, as Figure 5 As shown in (b), if the conveying member 25 moves in the direction of separating from the protrusion 11A and the conveying member 25 separates from the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11, the pressing member 12 moves in the direction of approaching the wall portion 1A via the stepper motor 15.

[0123] If the pressing member 12 moves toward the wall portion 1A, the tablet W1, which is in the first orientation at a predetermined position on the placement surface 11a, is pressed against the contact surface 12a of the pressing member 12 and moves toward the wall portion 1A. The contact surface 12a is only shown in... Figure 5 (a) in.

[0124] During the movement of tablet W1 toward wall portion 1A by pressing member 12, the orientation changes from a first orientation to a second orientation, and the long axis wa is oriented in the same direction as the movement direction A of conveying member 25. In this state, tablet W1 is pressed against wall portion 1A by pressing member 12.

[0125] If tablet W is pressed against wall portion 1A, a signal corresponding to the pressing force is sent from pressure sensing element 16 to control unit 20. Control unit 20 calculates the number of pulses P1 (the amount of movement of pressing member 12) from the reference position of contact surface 12a of pressing member 12 to the stepper motor 15 that contacts tablet W1 at the moment of signal input.

[0126] The number of pulses P2 from the reference position of the contact surface 12a of the pressing member 12 to the pulse number P2 of the stepper motor 15 that contacts the wall portion 1A is preset. Therefore, the control unit 20 measures the length of the tablet W1 in the minor axis direction by calculating P2-P1.

[0127] Once the measurement of the length of tablet W1 along its minor axis is complete, the pressing member 12 moves in the direction separating from the wall portion 1A via the stepper motor 15. If the pressing member 12 separates from the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11, the swing shaft 13 rotates via the actuator 23, and the baffle 11 swings upwards from a horizontal position with the swing shaft 13 as the fulcrum (see reference). Figure 5 (c)).

[0128] As a result, tablet W1 moves toward protrusion 11A due to its own weight and comes into contact with the wall surface 11b of protrusion 11A. At this time, the orientation of tablet W1 changes from the second orientation to the third orientation, and the long axis direction becomes the same as the moving direction B of pressing member 12.

[0129] Next, the swing shaft 13 rotates through the actuator 23, and the baffle 11 swings to a horizontal position with the swing shaft 13 as the fulcrum.

[0130] Next, the pressing member 12 moves toward the wall portion 1A via the stepper motor 15. At this time, the contact surface 12a of the pressing member 12 contacts the tablet W1, which is in the third orientation on the mounting surface 11a, thereby moving the tablet W1 toward the wall portion 1A along the wall surface 11b of the protrusion 11A, and pressing the tablet W1, which is in the third orientation, against the wall portion 1A (see reference). Figure 5 (d)).

[0131] If tablet W1 is pressed against wall portion 1A, a signal corresponding to the pressing force is sent from pressure sensing element 16 to control unit 20. Control unit 20 calculates the number of pulses P3 (the amount of movement of pressing member 12) from the reference position of contact surface 12a of pressing member 12 to the stepper motor 15 that contacts tablet W1 at the moment of signal input.

[0132] The control unit 20 calculates P2-P3 to determine the length of the tablet W1 along its major axis. Then, the control unit 20 drives the stepper motor 15 to move the pressing member 12 further toward the wall portion 1A and forcefully presses the tablet W1 against the wall portion 1A.

[0133] If the pressing force of the pressing component 12 is increased, the output signal of the pressure measuring element 16 increases. If the pressing force of the pressing component 12 is further increased and the tablet W1 breaks, the output signal of the pressure measuring element 16 decreases at the moment of breakage.

[0134] The control unit 20 determines the peak value of the output signal of the pressure measuring element 16 as the hardness (crushing strength) of the tablet W1. Sometimes the peak value of the tablet W1 at the moment of crushing is very steep, so the control unit 20 sets an appropriate sampling rate corresponding to the hardness of the tablet W.

[0135] Furthermore, the hardness of tablet W1 in the long axis direction is measured because the hardness in the long axis direction is lower than that in the short axis direction. That is, because tablet W1 is easily broken.

[0136] If the hardness measurement of tablet W1 is completed, the swing shaft 13 rotates via actuator 23, and the baffle 11 swings downward from a horizontal position with the swing shaft 13 as the fulcrum (see reference). Figure 5 (e)).

[0137] As a result, the broken tablet W1 falls from the discharge hole 10a and is discharged from the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11. Then, the process is repeated for tablets W2, W3, and W4 conveyed from the thickness measuring unit 9. Figure 5 (a) to Figure 5 Step (e) is also the same for tablets W4 and later.

[0138] Here, a conical surface 25A is formed in the downstream conveying member 25 in the conveying direction of tablet W because if a conical surface with the same shape as the conical surface 25A is formed in the upstream conveying member 5, when tablet W is conveyed by contacting the conical surface, each time tablet W is conveyed sequentially from the upstream conveying member 5 through the downstream conveying member 5, tablet W may sometimes move outward along the conical surface (in the direction separating from the wall portion 1A).

[0139] In this embodiment, the article orientation changing device 30 is located upstream of the conveying member 25 in the conveying direction of the tablet W. When the tablet W is conveyed by the conveying member 5, the tablet W can be prevented from moving outward by contacting the front end of the tablet W in the long axis direction with the conical surface 5b of the conveying member 5.

[0140] The article orientation changing device 30 of this embodiment includes: a baffle 11, a mounting surface 11a having a long axis wa and a short axis wb for placing a non-circular tablet W and a protrusion 11A protruding upward from the mounting surface 11a, and configured to swing freely in the up and down direction with the swing axis 13 as the fulcrum; and a conveying member 25, configured to be opposite to the wall surface 11b formed by the protrusion 11A and to move freely in the direction approaching the protrusion 11A and in the direction separating from the protrusion 11A, and to push the tablet W to a predetermined position on the mounting surface 11a by moving in the direction approaching the protrusion 11A.

[0141] Furthermore, the article orientation changing device 30 includes: a wall portion 1A, which is disposed adjacent to the baffle 11 in a direction B orthogonal to the moving direction A of the conveying member 25; and a pressing member 12, which is disposed opposite to the wall portion 1A in a direction B orthogonal to the moving direction A of the conveying member 25 and is freely movable in a direction approaching the wall portion 1A and in a direction separating from the wall portion 1A, and moves in a direction approaching the wall portion 1A to press the tablet W against the wall portion 1A.

[0142] The conveying member 25, which is opposite to the wall 11b of the protrusion 11A in the moving direction A of the conveying member 25, has a conical surface 25A that contacts the tablet W in a first orientation that is inclined relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 25. The conveying member 25 conveys the tablet W to the placement surface 11a while maintaining the tablet W in the first orientation and pushes the tablet W to a predetermined position.

[0143] Furthermore, the pressing member 12 moves toward the wall portion 1A and changes the orientation of the tablet W, which is pushed to a predetermined position on the placement surface 11a, from the first orientation to the second orientation.

[0144] Therefore, after the tablet W is conveyed to the placement surface 11a by the conveying member 25 in a first orientation that is tilted relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 25 with the long axis wa, the pressing member 12 is moved in a direction close to the wall portion 1A so that the pressing member 12 contacts the tablet W, thereby making it easy to change the orientation of the tablet W from the first orientation to the second orientation.

[0145] Next, the baffle 11 is swung upward with the swing axis 13 as the fulcrum, and the tablet W is moved along the placement surface 11a toward the protrusion 11A by its own weight, so that it comes into contact with the protrusion 11A. In this way, the orientation of the tablet W can be easily changed from the second orientation to the third orientation.

[0146] Thus, the orientation of the tablet W can be easily changed to the first orientation, the second orientation, and the third orientation on the mounting surface 11a by means of the article orientation changing device 30 with a simple structure consisting of the wall 1A, the baffle 11, the conveying member 25 and the pressing member 12.

[0147] Furthermore, according to the article orientation changing device 30 of this embodiment, when the conveying member 25 is separated from the mounting surface 11a, the pressing member 12 changes the orientation of the tablet W from the first orientation to the second orientation by moving the tablet W, which is in the first orientation at a predetermined position on the mounting surface 11a, toward the wall portion 1A.

[0148] Next, with the pressing member 12 separated from the mounting surface 11a, the baffle 11 swings upward from a horizontal position, thereby causing the tablet W to come into contact with the wall surface 11b of the protrusion 11A, changing the orientation of the tablet W from the second orientation to the third orientation, where the long axis wa is the same as the moving direction B of the pressing member 12.

[0149] Therefore, the orientation of the tablet W can be easily changed to the short axis direction and the long axis direction on the same mounting surface 11a, thereby reducing the installation space of the article orientation changing device 30.

[0150] Furthermore, the article orientation changing device 30 according to this embodiment includes a pressure measuring element 16 for measuring the length of the tablet W in the short axis direction, the length in the long axis direction, and the hardness, and a control unit 20.

[0151] When the tablet W, which is in the second orientation on the mounting surface 11a, is pressed against the wall portion 1A by the pressing member 12, the control unit 20 measures the length of the tablet W in the short axis direction based on the number of output pulses of the stepper motor 15.

[0152] Furthermore, when the tablet W, which is in the third orientation on the mounting surface 11a, is pressed against the wall portion 1A by the pressing member 12, the control unit 20 measures the length and hardness of the tablet W in the long axis direction based on the number of output pulses of the stepper motor 15 and the signal corresponding to the pressing force sent from the pressure measuring element 16.

[0153] Therefore, the length of the tablet W in the minor axis direction and the length in the major axis direction can be measured on the same mounting surface 11a, thereby shortening the measurement time for the shape of the tablet W. Furthermore, the measuring unit for measuring the hardness of the tablet W is not limited to the pressure measuring element 16.

[0154] Furthermore, after measuring the length of the tablet W along its long axis, the hardness of the tablet W can be measured on the same mounting surface 11a. Therefore, the shape and hardness of the tablet W can be easily measured on the same mounting surface 11a, thereby reducing the measurement time for the shape and hardness of the tablet W and decreasing the installation space of the article orientation changing device 30.

[0155] Furthermore, in the article orientation changing device 30 of this embodiment, the protrusion 11A extends in a straight line along the moving direction B of the pressing member 12.

[0156] Therefore, when the tablet W is in the third orientation, the long axis wa of the tablet W can extend along the protrusion 11A. Therefore, by pressing the member 12, the tablet W can be moved parallel to the wall portion 1A along the protrusion 11A. Therefore, the orientation of the tablet W can be maintained in the third orientation to prevent the tablet W from tilting.

[0157] Furthermore, the article orientation changing device 30 according to this embodiment has a discharge hole 10a for discharging tablet W. When the baffle 11 swings downward from a horizontal position, the tablet W is discharged from the mounting surface 11a to the discharge hole 10a.

[0158] Therefore, by simply swinging the baffle 11 downward from a horizontal position, tablet W can be discharged from the mounting surface 11a. Thus, tablets W that are broken during the hardness measurement of tablet W can be easily and quickly discharged from the mounting surface 11a, and new tablets W can be delivered to the mounting surface 11a.

[0159] As a result, the inspection time for tablets W can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, by placing the discharge port 10a and the baffle 11 on the same plane, the installation area of ​​the article orientation changing device 30 can be reduced more effectively.

[0160] The article inspection device 1 of this embodiment measures the diameter and hardness of non-circular tablets W, but the article inspection device 1 can also measure the diameter and hardness of circular tablets. In this case, for example, by repeatedly... Figure 5 After measuring the diameter and hardness of the round tablets in steps (a), (b), and (e), the tablets can be ejected from the diameter and hardness measuring unit 10.

[0161] Furthermore, when the article inspection device 1 is used as a device for inspecting tablets such as round tablets that do not require changing orientation, the diameter and hardness measuring section 10 is removed from the downstream article conveying section 3, and a tablet discharge section is provided at the position of the diameter and hardness measuring section 10.

[0162] Furthermore, in the article orientation changing device 30 of this embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, the conveying member 25 can be replaced with the conveying member 5. Specifically, when viewed from above, the opposing surface 5a of the conveying member 5, which is opposite to the wall surface 11b of the protrusion 11A in the moving direction A of the conveying member 5, has a V-shaped groove 5A that is recessed in the direction separating from the protrusion 11A.

[0163] The groove 5A has conical surfaces 5b and 5c that are inclined relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 5. In this embodiment, the groove 5A constitutes a contact portion.

[0164] Even with this structure, when the tablet W comes into contact with the groove 5A of the conveying member 5, the orientation of the tablet W can be maintained as a first orientation in which the long axis wa is inclined relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 5.

[0165] That is, the groove 5A has conical surfaces 5b and 5c that are inclined relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 5. Therefore, when the tablet W is supported by the groove 5A, by contacting the tablet W with the conical surface 5b or the conical surface 5c, the orientation of the tablet W can be maintained as a first orientation in which the long axis wa is inclined relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 5.

[0166] Furthermore, in the article inspection device 1 of this embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, when viewed from above, the baffle 11 can be configured to swing freely around the swing axis 27, which is orthogonal to the swing axis 13, using the swing axis 27 as the fulcrum.

[0167] The swing shaft 27 extends in the same direction as the moving direction A of the conveying member 5, and is, for example, constituted by the motor shaft of a motor (not shown). In this embodiment, the swing shaft 13 constitutes the first swing shaft, and the swing shaft 27 constitutes the second swing shaft.

[0168] Therefore, when the baffle 11 is swung toward the wall 1A with the swing axis 27 as the fulcrum, that is, when the baffle 11 is swung so that the wall 1A side of the baffle 11 is facing downward, the orientation of the tablet W can be easily changed from the first orientation to the second orientation by bringing the tablet W into contact with the wall 1A.

[0169] Therefore, in Figure 5 In step (b), when the pressing member 12 is moved toward the wall portion 1A and comes into contact with the tablet W, the orientation of the tablet W can be reliably maintained as the second orientation.

[0170] That is, in relation to Figure 5 In the same process as (a), when the tablet W is held by the groove 5A of the conveying member 5 and conveyed to the diameter and hardness measuring unit 10, if for some reason the tablet W is not in the first orientation and the long axis wa of the tablet W becomes the same direction as the moving direction B of the pressing member 12 (see reference). Figure 7 The tablet W11 is swung so that the wall portion 1A side of the baffle 11 is facing downwards, with the swing axis 27 as the fulcrum.

[0171] At this point, by bringing tablet W into contact with wall portion 1A, the orientation of tablet W can be easily changed from the first orientation to the second orientation (see reference). Figure 7 (Tablet W12). Therefore, the length of tablet W in the minor axis direction can be reliably measured.

[0172] In addition, when the baffle 11 is swung with the swing shaft 27 as the fulcrum so that the wall portion 1A side of the baffle 11 is facing downward, in order to prevent the protrusion 11A from being stuck by the wall portion 1A, a relief groove 1B for the protrusion 11A is formed in the wall portion 1A.

[0173] Furthermore, the baffle 11 can be vibrated in parallel by an actuator (not shown). This allows the orientation of the tablet W to be changed from the first orientation to the second orientation more easily.

[0174] Furthermore, when the baffle 11 is configured to swing freely around the swing shaft 27 with the swing shaft 27 as the fulcrum, the groove 5A (or conical surface 25A, the same below) of the conveying component 5 (or conveying component 25, the same below) can be removed.

[0175] That is, when the tablet W is pushed onto the mounting surface 11a by the conveying member 5 which does not form the groove 5A, the orientation of the tablet W pushed onto the mounting surface 11a is not limited to the orientation in which the long axis wa is inclined relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 5, and thus becomes an indeterminate orientation.

[0176] In the baffle 11 of this embodiment, which has a swing shaft 13 and a swing shaft 27, the orientation of the tablet W can be changed from an uncertain orientation, i.e., the fourth orientation, to the second orientation by swinging via the swing shaft 27, and can be changed from the second orientation to the third orientation by swinging via the swing shaft 13.

[0177] In addition, when the tablet W is pushed out by the conveying member 5 with the groove 5A onto the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11 on which the swing shaft 13 is provided, it becomes a first orientation, which is the orientation in which the long axis wa of the tablet W is inclined relative to the moving direction A of the conveying member 5.

[0178] Furthermore, when the tablet W is pushed out of the baffle 11a on which the swing shaft 13 and the swing shaft 27 are mounted by the conveying member 5 which does not form the groove 5A, it becomes the fourth orientation, which is an indeterminate orientation, i.e., multiple different orientations.

[0179] Thus, the article orientation changing device 30 of this embodiment includes a baffle 11 that is configured to swing freely up and down with the swing axis 13 as the fulcrum and to swing freely around the swing axis 27, which is orthogonal to the swing axis 13. When the first conveying member 5 pushes the tablet W to a predetermined position on the mounting surface 11a with the tablet W in a fourth orientation in which the orientation is uncertain, and the tablet W is conveyed on the mounting surface 11a by the first conveying member 5, the baffle 11 swings in the direction of the wall portion 1A with the swing axis 27 as the fulcrum, so that the tablet W abuts against the wall portion 1A, thereby changing the orientation of the tablet W from the fourth orientation to the second orientation.

[0180] Even so, the orientation of the tablet W can be easily changed to the fourth orientation, the second orientation, and the third orientation on the mounting surface 11a by means of the article orientation changing device 30 with a simple structure consisting of the wall 1A, the baffle 11, the conveying member 25 and the pressing member 12.

[0181] Furthermore, it can be configured such that, when viewed from above by the baffle 11, the protrusion 11A can rotate freely relative to the mounting surface 11a of the baffle 11. That is, as... Figure 8 As shown, the protrusion 11A and the baffle 11 can be set separately. When viewed from above, the protrusion 11A can rotate freely relative to the baffle 11 with the rotation axis 13a as the fulcrum.

[0182] Therefore, in Figure 5 In (c), the baffle 11 swings upward from a horizontal position, with the rotation axis 13a as the fulcrum, causing the protrusion 11A to rotate, thereby reliably changing the orientation of the tablet W from the second orientation to the third orientation through the protrusion 11A.

[0183] Furthermore, the baffle 11 can be vibrated in parallel by an actuator (not shown). This allows the orientation of the tablet W to be changed from the second orientation to the third orientation more easily.

[0184] Embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that additional modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Of course, all such modifications and equivalents are included within the scope of this technical solution.

[0185] 1A - Wall portion, 5 - Conveying component (first moving component), 5A - Groove portion (contact portion), 5a - Opposing surface, 10a - Discharge hole (discharge portion), 11 - Baffle (carrying component), 11A - Protrusion, 11a - Carrying surface, 11b - Wall surface, 12 - Pressing component (second moving component), 13 - Swing shaft (first swing shaft), 16 - Pressure measuring element (measuring part), 20 - Control part (measuring part), 25 - Conveying component (first moving component), 25A - Conical surface (contact portion), 27 - Swing shaft (second swing shaft), 30 - Article orientation changing device, W - Tablet (article), wa - Long shaft, wb - Short shaft.

Claims

1. An article orientation changing device for changing the orientation of a non-circular article (W) having a major axis (wa) and a minor axis (wb) orthogonal to the major axis, the article orientation changing device (30) comprising: The mounting component (11) has a mounting surface (11a) for mounting the article and a protrusion (11A) protruding upward from the mounting surface, and is configured to swing freely in the up and down direction with the first swing axis (13) as the fulcrum. The first moving part (5, 25) is configured to be movable in a direction separate from the direction of approaching the protrusion, opposite to the wall surface (11b) formed by the protrusion, and to move in a direction of approaching the protrusion to push the article to a predetermined position on the mounting surface. The wall portion (1A) is disposed adjacent to the mounting member in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the first moving member; and The second moving member (12) is configured to be opposite the wall portion in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the first moving member and to move freely in a direction separate from the direction approaching the wall portion, and to press the article against the wall portion by moving towards the wall portion. A contact portion (5A, 25A) is provided on the opposing surface of the first moving member, which faces the wall of the protrusion, in the moving direction of the first moving member, such that the long axis of the article is inclined relative to the moving direction of the first moving member in a first orientation that contacts the article. The first moving component pushes the article to the predetermined position on the mounting surface while maintaining the article in the first orientation. The second moving component moves toward the wall portion, thereby changing the orientation of the article, which is pushed onto the designated position on the mounting surface, from the first orientation to the designated orientation.

2. The article orientation changing device according to claim 1, wherein, The specified orientation is a second orientation in which the major axis of the article is parallel to the direction of movement of the first moving component. With the first moving member separated from the mounting surface, the second moving member moves the article, which is in the first orientation, toward the wall portion at the predetermined position on the mounting surface, thereby changing the orientation of the article from the first orientation to the second orientation. Next, with the second moving member separated from the mounting surface, the mounting member swings upward from a horizontal position, thereby causing the article to abut against the wall of the protrusion, changing the orientation of the article from the second orientation to a third orientation in which the major axis is in the same direction as the movement direction of the second moving member.

3. The article orientation changing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When viewed from above, the contact portion is a conical surface (25A) that is inclined relative to the moving direction of the first moving component.

4. The article orientation changing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When viewed from above, the contact portion is formed by a V-shaped groove (5A) that is recessed from the opposing surface (5a) of the first moving member in the direction of opening from the protrusion.

5. The article orientation changing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When viewed from above, the mounting component is configured to swing freely with a second swing axis (27) orthogonal to the first swing axis as the fulcrum.

6. An article orientation changing device for changing the orientation of a non-circular article (W) having a major axis (wa) and a minor axis (wb) orthogonal to the major axis, the article orientation changing device (30) comprising: The mounting component has a mounting surface (11a) for mounting the article and a protrusion (11A) protruding upward from the mounting surface, and is configured to swing freely in the up and down direction with a first swing axis (13) as the fulcrum, and is configured to swing freely around the second swing axis with a second swing axis (27) orthogonal to the first swing axis as the fulcrum; The first moving part (5, 25) is configured to be movable in a direction separate from the direction of approaching the protrusion, opposite to the wall surface (11b) formed by the protrusion, and to move in a direction of approaching the protrusion to push the article to a predetermined position on the mounting surface. The wall portion (1A) is disposed adjacent to the mounting member in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the first moving member; and The second moving member (12) is configured to be opposite the wall portion in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the first moving member and to move freely in a direction separate from the direction approaching the wall portion, and to press the article against the wall portion by moving towards the wall portion. The first moving component pushes the article to the predetermined position on the mounting surface in a fourth orientation in which the orientation of the article is uncertain. When the article is conveyed to the mounting surface by the first moving component, the mounting component swings towards the wall with the second swing axis as the fulcrum, causing the article to come into contact with the wall, thereby changing the orientation of the article from the fourth orientation to the specified orientation.

7. The article orientation changing device according to claim 6, wherein, The specified orientation is a second orientation in which the major axis of the article is parallel to the direction of movement of the first moving component. The mounting component swings upward from a horizontal position via the first swing axis, thereby causing the article to abut against the wall of the protrusion and changing the orientation of the article from the second orientation to a third orientation in which the major axis is in the same direction as the movement direction of the second moving component.

8. The article orientation changing device according to claim 2 or 7, comprising: The measuring units (16, 20) measure the length of the article in the minor axis direction, the length in the major axis direction, and the hardness. When the article, positioned in the second orientation on the mounting surface, is pressed against the wall by the second moving member, the measuring unit measures the length of the article in the minor axis direction. When the article, which is in the third orientation on the mounting surface, is pressed against the wall by the second moving member, the measuring unit measures the length and hardness of the article in the long axis direction.

9. The article orientation changing device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 6, and 7, wherein, The wall surface of the protrusion extends in a straight line along the moving direction of the second moving member.

10. The article orientation changing device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 6, and 7, having a discharge section (10a) for discharging the article, wherein the article is discharged from the mounting surface to the discharge section when the mounting member swings downward from a horizontal position.

11. The article orientation changing device according to claim 2 or 7, wherein, When viewed from above, the protrusion is configured to rotate freely relative to the mounting surface of the mounting component.

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