Perforating method for edible body

Abstract

The method for perforating an edible body according to the present invention is characterized in that release holes for releasing an active ingredient contained in the edible body to the outside are formed in the surface of the edible body, and the method comprises a laser irradiation step for forming a plurality of closed curves on the surface of the edible body by laser irradiation. And a laser irradiation step for forming another closed curve (C2) along the inside or outside of the one closed curve (C1) after the one closed curve (C1) is formed, and forming a release hole (104) by bringing the closed curves (C1, C2) into contact with each other in the line width direction, whereby the edible body can be easily and reliably perforated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for perforating an edible body, and more particularly, to a method for perforating an edible body, wherein a release hole for releasing an active ingredient contained in the edible body to the outside is formed on the surface of the edible body. Background Art

[0002] As edible bodies such as tablets or capsules used in drug delivery systems, there are known osmotic pump-type preparations in which a drug layer and an extrusion layer are covered by a semipermeable membrane. In this edible body, a release hole is formed in the semipermeable membrane covering the drug layer, and when water penetrates through the semipermeable membrane after ingestion into the body and the extrusion layer swells, the drug component of the drug layer is extruded from the release hole at a predetermined speed.

[0003] As a method of forming a drug release hole by laser irradiation, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a dispenser storing drugs is irradiated with laser light in a circular manner to form a central plug surrounded by the circle, and the central plug is then removed.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-510787 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] In the perforation method disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document 1, laser energy is suppressed by perforating only the outer edge of the release hole using laser irradiation. However, assuming that a large-area release hole is formed, it is difficult to reliably open the entire release hole when forming a release hole of a general size (for example, a diameter of about 0.6 mm).

[0009] On the other hand, when forming a release hole having a diameter substantially equal to the laser spot diameter, not only does it become difficult to control the hole diameter and depth, but also since a large high-output laser oscillator is required, the installation space and manufacturing cost may become excessively large.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for perforating an edible body, which method can reliably perforate an edible body at low cost.

[0011] Methods for solving problems

[0012] The object of the present invention is achieved by a method for perforating an edible body, wherein a release hole is formed on the surface of the edible body for releasing the effective ingredients contained in the edible body to the outside, and the method includes a laser irradiation process for forming a plurality of closed curves on the surface of the edible body by laser irradiation, and after forming one of the closed curves, the laser irradiation process forms other closed curves along the inner side or the outer side of one of the closed curves, thereby making the closed curves contact with each other in the line width direction to form the release holes.

[0013] In the edible body perforation method, it is preferred that the plurality of closed curves are formed into concentric circles.

[0014] It is preferred that the other closed curves are formed starting from a position farthest from a formation end position of one of the closed curves.

[0015] Preferably, a prescribed heat dissipation time is set in the process of forming the plurality of closed curves.

[0016] Preferably, laser irradiation is performed so as to draw the same portion a plurality of times for forming one closed curve.

[0017] It is preferred that the edible body be irradiated with laser light while smoke generated from the edible body is sucked.

[0018] It is preferred that the edible body being conveyed be irradiated with laser light so that the distance from the laser output position to the edible body is equal at the start and end of the laser irradiation.

[0019] The average output power of the irradiated laser is 10 to 300 W, the scanning speed is 100 to 5000 mm / s, and the spot diameter is preferably 0.1 to 3 mm.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the edible body perforation method of the present invention, the edible body can be perforated easily and reliably. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic front view showing an example of a perforating device used in the edible body perforating method of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A block diagram of the printing device shown.

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 AA cross-section diagram.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of an edible body.

[0026] Figure 5 This is an enlarged view of the main part showing the perforation process of the edible body.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a method for perforating an edible body.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of the method of perforating an edible body.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of the method of perforating an edible body.

[0030] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of the method of perforating an edible body.

[0031] Fig.10 Yes means Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the main parts of a modified example of the punching device shown.

[0032] Fig.11 Yes means Figure 1 A schematic front view of another modified example of the punching device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 1 is a schematic front view showing an example of a perforating device used in the perforating method of an edible body of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The block diagram of the perforation device is shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the perforating device 1 includes a conveying unit 2, a pre-detection unit (pre-start detection unit) 30, a laser irradiation unit 40, a post-detection unit (post-end detection unit) 50, and a distribution buffer (damper / distribution buffer plate / distribution baffle / distribution damper) 60. The pre-detection unit 30, the laser irradiation unit 40, the post-detection unit 50, and the distribution buffer 60 are sequentially arranged along the conveying direction of the conveying unit 2, and the operation is controlled by the control unit 70.

[0034] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 AA cross-section diagram. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the conveying unit 2 includes a first conveying device 10 and a second conveying device 20. The first conveying device 10 includes a tray 11 in the shape of a bamboo hat, an intermediate ring 12 for accommodating the tray 11, and a rotating ring 13 for accommodating the intermediate ring 12.

[0035] The rotating shafts 11a and 13a of the disk 11 and the rotating ring 13 extend in the vertical direction, while the rotating shaft 12a of the intermediate ring 12 is arranged slightly inclined relative to the rotating shafts 11a and 13a. The rotating shafts 11a, 12a, and 13a are connected to a driving source (not shown) such as a separate motor via speed reducers 11b, 12b, and 13b, respectively, and can independently rotate and drive the disk 11, the intermediate ring 12, and the rotating ring 13.

[0036] Conveying surfaces 12c and 13c are formed in the circumferential direction on the upper parts of the intermediate ring 12 and the rotating ring 13. The radial outer side of the conveying surface 13c of the rotating ring 13 is covered by an annular protrusion 13d.

[0037] The second conveying device 20 includes: a first pulley 21 and a second pulley 22, whose respective rotation axes 21a and 22a are arranged horizontally; an endless belt body 23, which is wound around the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22; and a guide member 24, which is arranged along the conveying direction of the belt body 23. The straight portion of the belt body 23 located between the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22 is arranged horizontally above the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22, forming a straight conveying path 2a.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the first pulley 21 has two circular plates 21b and 21c connected to each other by a rotating shaft 21a in a state where the two circular plates 21b and 21c are spaced apart from each other. The second pulley 22 also has two circular plates spaced apart from each other and connected to each other by a rotating shaft 22a, similarly to the first pulley 21. The first pulley 21 or the second pulley 22 is driven by a driving motor (not shown). The encoder information of the driving motor is sent to the control unit 70.

[0039] The belt body 23 has two belt-shaped conveyor belts 23a and 23b, and each conveyor belt 23a and 23b is respectively wound on the circular plates 21b and 21c of the first pulley 21. Between the two conveyor belts 23a and 23b, an opening portion 23c consisting of a fine gap is formed on the entire outer circumference of the belt body 23. The conveyor belts 23a and 23b can be formed of a flat belt made of a soft material such as silicone rubber.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the guide member 24 includes: a straight portion 24a and arc portions 24b, 24c, the straight portion 24a is arranged near and directly below the belt body 23 extending horizontally between the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22 along the conveying path 2a, and the arc portions 24b, 24c are respectively arranged on both sides of the conveying direction of the straight portion 24a. Each arc portion 24b, 24c is respectively inserted between two circular plates provided by the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22, and is bent into an arc shape along the belt body 23 wound on the first pulley 21 and the second pulley 22.

[0041] like Figure 3As shown, the guide member 24 is formed into a hollow cylindrical shape, and a slit-shaped suction portion 25 is formed along the opening 23c at a portion of the guide member 24 that faces the opening 23c of the belt body 23. The interior of the guide member 24 can be decompressed by the operation of a vacuum pump (not shown), and the edible body P can be sucked into the suction portion 25 through the opening 23c of the belt body 23, thereby being transported together with the belt body 23 in a state where the edible body P is adsorbed on the belt body 23. The opening 23c of the belt body 23 in this embodiment is formed continuously along the length direction between the two conveyor belts 23a and 23b, but the belt body 23 can also be formed as a single belt-shaped conveyor belt, and circular, elliptical, slit-shaped, or other openings can be intermittently formed along the length direction of the belt-shaped conveyor belt.

[0042] The pre-detection unit 30 is composed of, for example, a CCD camera, and captures an image of the edible body conveyed by the second conveyor 20 to obtain pre-image data. The acquired pre-image data is used for defect inspection of the edible body surface, acquisition of position information of the edible body, setting of the irradiation time and laser scanning angle of the laser irradiation unit 40, and the like.

[0043] The laser irradiation device 40 is a device that scans the laser emitted from the laser oscillator, and uses heat energy to denature or peel off (etch) the surface of the edible body and volatilize or scatter it, thereby perforating the surface of the edible body. The laser irradiation device 40 can preferably use a pulse laser device capable of controlling the pulse width. There is no limitation on the type of laser, but it is preferred that the laser can correctly perforate the surface of the edible body with the desired size and depth, and UV lasers or CO2 lasers can be cited, and it is particularly preferred to use CO2 lasers that are highly absorbent by the surface material of the edible body (for example, cellulose film).

[0044] The post-imaging unit 50 is composed of, for example, a CCD camera, and images the edible body after perforation to obtain post-imaging data. The acquired post-imaging data is used for checking the perforation state, setting the laser scanning angle of the laser irradiation unit 40, and the like.

[0045] The distribution buffer 60 is controlled by the control unit 70 based on the pre-image data of the pre-detection unit 30 and the post-image data of the post-image unit 50 to distribute the edible bodies to the good box 61 and the bad box 62 .

[0046] The perforating device 1 having the above-mentioned structure can form release holes for releasing active ingredients on the surface of the edible body by perforating edible bodies such as tablets, capsules, and solid foods that contain active ingredients such as medicines. Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an osmotic pump type tablet as an example of such an edible body. Figure 4In the edible body P shown, a drug layer 101 containing an active ingredient and an expansion layer 102 that swells due to water absorption are covered by a semipermeable membrane 103. By using a perforating device 1, a release hole 104 is formed on the semipermeable membrane 103 on the side of the drug layer 101 with a specified dimensional accuracy, and the active ingredient of the drug layer 101 can be released from the release hole 104 at a desired speed.

[0047] Next, a method for perforating an edible body using the perforating device 1 having the above-mentioned structure is described. While the disk 11, the intermediate ring 12, and the rotating ring 13 of the first conveying device 10 are driven to rotate in the same direction, a plurality of edible bodies P are supplied to the disk 11, whereby the edible bodies P are subjected to centrifugal force and move to the conveying surface 13c of the rotating ring 13 via the conveying surface 12c of the intermediate ring 12. Thus, the edible bodies P are conveyed in the rotating direction of the rotating ring 13 in a state where they are arranged in a row on the conveying surface 13c in a manner such that the length direction is along the circumferential direction of the rotating ring 13.

[0048] The edible bodies P arranged and transported to the second conveying device 20 by the first conveying device 10 are sucked by the belt body 23 in sequence near the lower part of the first pulley 21 by the suction of the suction unit 25 and rise. The edible bodies P are kept in the arranged state by the second conveying device 20 and transported in the direction of the arrow along the linear conveying path 2a, and pass through the vicinity of the pre-detection unit 30, the laser irradiation unit 40, and the post-detection unit 50 in sequence. The control unit 70 controls the operation of the laser irradiation unit 40 at the moment when the edible body P passes through the vicinity of the laser irradiation unit 40 based on the detection of the edible body P by the pre-detection unit 30, and performs the expected perforation on the moving edible body P. After being detected by the post-detection unit 50, the perforated edible body P is transported to the distribution device 60. The control unit 70 determines whether the edible body P has defects such as notches or cracks, and whether the position, shape, size, etc. of the perforation are appropriate based on the detection of the pre-detection unit 30 and the post-detection unit 50, and distributes the edible body P into good products and bad products through the operation of the distribution device 60.

[0049] Figure 5 FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the main part showing the perforation process of the edible body P. Figure 5As shown, it is preferred to irradiate the edible body P during transportation with laser so that the distance from the laser output position S of the laser irradiation unit 40 to the edible body P is equal at the start of the laser irradiation for perforation and the end of the laser irradiation at the end of perforation. The time required for perforation can be calculated in advance based on the conveying speed of the edible body P, the scanning speed of the laser, the size or shape of the perforation, etc. Using the calculation result, the distance L1 from the laser output position S to the edible body P at the start of laser irradiation is made to be perpendicular to the conveying direction in the middle moment from the start time to the end time of laser irradiation, and the distance L2 from the laser output position S to the edible body P at the end of laser irradiation is made consistent. As a result, the laser irradiation angle relative to the surface of the edible body P during transportation can be easily maintained at an angle that can be perforated, so that each edible body P continuously conveyed can be perforated as desired easily and with high precision. However, the time of laser irradiation of the edible body P is not necessarily limited to the present embodiment, and can also be appropriately adjusted while observing the perforation state of the edible body P.

[0050] The perforation method of the edible body of the present invention is to form a plurality of closed curves on the surface of the edible body by laser scanning of the laser irradiation unit, so that a release hole having a desired size and depth can be easily formed. In the present embodiment, the release hole formed on the surface of the edible body is single, but it can also be multiple.

[0051] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a method for perforating an edible body, and shows a scanning trajectory of a laser on the surface of the edible body. Figure 6 As shown in (a), the laser spot L is scanned in a circular manner from the scanning start position S1 on the surface of the edible body, so that the irradiated part evaporates or scatters to Figure 6 (b) shows the scanning end position E1, thus Figure 6 As shown in (b), a concave portion formed by a circular closed curve C1 is formed. The depth of the concave portion is preferably Figure 4 The depth of the release hole 104 reaching the drug layer 101 can be appropriately set according to the thickness of the semipermeable membrane 103, for example, 100 to 1000 μm.

[0052] Then, if Figure 6 As shown in (c), the laser spot L is scanned along the inner circumference of the closed curve C1, as shown in Figure 6 As shown in (d), a concave portion consisting of another closed curve C2 having the same depth as the closed curve C1 is formed inside the closed curve C1. By forming two closed curves C1 and C2 in contact with each other in the line width direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in (e), a release hole 104 having a circular opening is formed. Figure 6In (d), if an unperforated portion is formed inside the closed curve C2, the release hole 104 can be reliably formed by also irradiating this portion with laser. The diameter of the release hole 104 is appropriately set according to the release rate of the active ingredient contained in the edible body, for example, 0.3 to 1 mm.

[0053] Each closed curve C1, C2 can also be formed by irradiating the laser in a manner of drawing the same part multiple times, thereby reducing the laser energy, suppressing carbonization caused by heat storage, and gradually deepening the concave portion, and reliably obtaining the closed curves C1, C2 of the expected depth. For example, after scanning the center of the laser spot along a circle with a diameter of 0.3 mm for 5 circles, scanning along a circle with a diameter of 0.1 mm for 3 circles can form the release hole 104. The number of closed curves formed by laser irradiation can be more than 3, and by forming multiple closed curves into concentric circles, the release hole 104 can be formed at the desired position with high precision regardless of their size.

[0054] like Figure 6 As shown in (c), the scanning start position S2 of the other closed curve C2 is preferably the position farthest from the formation end position E1 of the one closed curve C1. In this embodiment, the scanning start position S2 is set to the opposite side of the formation end position E1 across the center of the closed curve C1. Thus, local heat accumulation of the edible body P by laser irradiation can be suppressed.

[0055] From the viewpoint of effectively suppressing the heat accumulation of the edible body P, it is also preferred to perform split irradiation by setting a predetermined heat dissipation time during the formation of the plurality of closed curves C1 and C2. For example, after irradiating the laser for 4 milliseconds, stop for 4 milliseconds to dissipate heat, and irradiate the laser again for 2 milliseconds. The heat dissipation time may be set during the formation of any one of the plurality of closed curves C1 and C2, or may be set during the period from the formation of one closed curve C1 to the formation of another closed curve C2.

[0056] If the output of the laser is too large, the laser oscillator or the cooling system may be large-scale and the cost may increase. On the other hand, if it is too small, the irradiation time needs to be extended, which may cause problems such as a decrease in production capacity, carbonization caused by heat storage of the edible body, and the dispersion of smoke. The average output of the irradiated laser is preferably 10 to 300 W, more preferably 30 to 60 W.

[0057] If the scanning speed of the irradiated laser is too fast, it will be difficult to control the diameter and depth of the release hole. On the other hand, if it is too slow, it will easily cause problems such as reduced production capacity and carbonization of smoke. Therefore, it is preferably 100 to 5000 mm / s, and more preferably 500 to 3000 mm / s.

[0058] If the spot diameter of the irradiated laser is too large, it will be difficult to control the diameter and depth of the release hole. On the other hand, if it is too small, the production efficiency will be easily reduced. Therefore, it is preferably 0.1 to 1 mm, and more preferably 0.3 to 0.6 mm.

[0059] The formation of one closed curve C1 and the formation of another closed curve C2 do not necessarily have to be performed continuously. Figure 7 As shown in (a), after irradiating the center point of the perforated part with laser to form a concave point D, Figure 7 As shown in (b), the laser spot L is scanned in a circular manner from the scanning start position S1 with the spot D1 as the center, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown in (c), a concave portion consisting of a circular closed curve C1 is formed. The closed curve C1 can also be formed by drawing the same part multiple times. Figure 7 As shown in (d), after the laser is irradiated again at the same position as the above-mentioned point D, as shown in Figure 7 As shown in (e), the laser spot is scanned in a circular manner from the scanning start position S2 along the annular gap formed between the closed curve C1 and the dot portion D. Figure 7 As shown in (f), a concave portion consisting of a closed curve C2 can be formed between the closed curve C1 and the dot portion D, and a release hole 104 can be formed. The closed curve C2 can also be formed by drawing the same part multiple times. During the process of forming a plurality of closed curves C1 and C2, in addition to forming the pattern of the dot portion D described above, a process of forming a concave portion consisting of other patterns such as a straight line pattern and a curved line pattern formed by laser irradiation can also be included.

[0060] Figure 6 The perforation method of the edible body P shown in the figure is that after forming a closed curve C1, another closed curve C2 is formed along the inner side of the closed curve C1, but it can also be as follows Figure 8 As shown in (a), after forming a closed curve C1, Figure 8 As shown in (b), the laser spot L is scanned along the periphery of a closed curve C1, thereby, as shown in Figure 8 As shown in (c), another closed curve C2 is formed along the outer side of a closed curve C1.

[0061] The shape of a closed curve C1 may also be other shapes besides a circular ring, for example, Fig. 9 (a) The rectangle shown, Fig. 9 (b) The polygon shown, Fig. 9(c) The cross shape shown in FIG. 1 can form a release hole by forming one or more other closed curves inside or outside a closed curve C1. In this case, the process of forming multiple closed curves can also include a process of forming other patterns such as dots.

[0062] Figure 1 The perforating method using the perforating device 1 shown in the figure is characterized in that the processing capacity can be improved by performing the perforation during the conveyance of the edible body P, and the edible body P can be perforated while being moved away from the smoke generating portion during the laser irradiation of the edible body P, thereby preventing the laser irradiation of the edible body P from being blocked by the smoke. In order to reliably prevent the laser from being blocked by the smoke, it is also possible to Fig.10 As shown, in Figure 1 The perforating device 1 shown is provided with a cover member 80 for covering the edible body P.

[0063] Fig.10 This is a cross-sectional view of the main parts perpendicular to the conveying direction of the edible body P irradiated with laser light. Fig.10 The cover member 80 shown is formed with a suction path 81 connected to a suction device such as a vacuum pump and a through hole 82 through which the laser passes, and the edible body P covered by the suction path 81 can be irradiated with the laser through the through hole 82. According to this structure, the edible body P can be irradiated with the laser while the smoke generated from the edible body P is sucked, so the edible body P can be perforated more reliably.

[0064] Figure 1 The perforating device 1 shown in the figure irradiates the edible body P conveyed in a straight line direction by the second conveying device 20 with laser, but it can also be as follows Fig.11 As in the perforating device 1' shown in the figure, the second conveying device 20' of the conveying part 2' is used as a suction drum capable of vacuum-absorbing the edible body P on the outer peripheral surface, so that the edible body P conveyed in the circumferential direction is irradiated with laser and perforated. In this case, it is also preferable to make the distance L1 from the laser output position to the edible body P at the start of laser irradiation consistent with the distance L2 from the laser output position to the edible body P at the end of laser irradiation. Fig.11 In, with Figure 1 The same components are denoted by the same symbols.

[0065] like Fig.11As shown, the conveying unit 2' may also include an adsorption drum 120 on the downstream side of the conveying direction of the second conveying device 20', and the adsorption drum 120 adsorbs the edible body P received from the second conveying device 20' on the outer peripheral surface. By arranging the pre-detection unit 130, the laser irradiation unit 140 and the post-detection unit 150 along the outer peripheral surface of the adsorption drum 120, the laser irradiation unit 140 can irradiate the edible body P conveyed by the adsorption drum 120 with laser. According to this structure, by using either of the two laser irradiation units 40 and 140, it is possible to Figure 4 The release holes are reliably formed in the semipermeable membrane 103 on the drug layer 101 side shown. Furthermore, the release holes can also be formed on both the front and back surfaces of the edible body P by using the two laser irradiation units 40 and 140.

[0066] Description of Reference Numerals

[0067] 1. Perforation device

[0068] 2Conveying unit

[0069] 10First conveying device

[0070] 20 Second conveying device

[0071] 40 Laser irradiation unit

[0072] 104 Release hole

[0073] C1, C2 closed curve

[0074] P edible body.

Claims

1. A method for perforating an edible body, wherein a release hole is formed on the surface of the edible body for releasing an active ingredient contained in the edible body to the outside, wherein the method for perforating an edible body is characterized in that: The method comprises the step of forming a plurality of closed curves on the surface of the edible body by laser irradiation, After forming one of the closed curves, the laser irradiation step forms another of the closed curves along the inner side or the outer side of the one closed curve so that the closed curves contact each other in the line width direction, thereby forming the release hole.

2. The method for perforating an edible body according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of closed curves are formed into concentric circles.

3. The method for perforating an edible body according to claim 1, wherein: The other closed curves are formed starting from a position farthest from a formation end position of one closed curve.

4. The method for perforating an edible body according to claim 1, wherein: A prescribed heat dissipation time is set in the process of forming the plurality of closed curves.

5. The method for perforating an edible body according to claim 1, wherein: The closed curve is formed by irradiating the laser beam so as to draw the same portion a plurality of times.

6. The method for perforating an edible body according to claim 1, wherein: The edible body is irradiated with laser light while smoke generated from the edible body is sucked.

7. The method for perforating an edible body according to claim 1, wherein: The edible body being conveyed is irradiated with laser light so that the distance from the laser output position to the edible body becomes equal at the start and end of laser irradiation.

8. The method for perforating an edible body according to claim 1, wherein: The average output power of the irradiated laser is 10 to 300 W, the scanning speed is 100 to 5000 mm / s, and the spot diameter is 0.1 to 3 mm.

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