Rotary tablet press comprising dust collection system and evacuation arrangement, and method of cleaning rotary tablet press

Abstract

A rotary tablet press comprising a dust collection system and an evacuation arrangement and a method of cleaning a rotary tablet press. The rotary tablet press (1) comprises a housing (2) having a compression section (6), a turntable (10) positioned in the compression section in an operating position, at least one charging device (12) associated with the turntable (10), and a dust collection system (16) comprising a suction device and a suction nozzle having an opening in the compression section (6). The dust suction system (16) is configured to draw dust from the compression section (6) to the suction device (19) via a duct (18) of the dust suction system during operation of the rotary tablet press. The rotary tablet press comprises an emptying arrangement (80) configured to allow emptying of residual powder of the charging device (12), the emptying arrangement (80) being connected or connectable to a dust collection system (16) of the rotary tablet press (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary tablet press, comprising: a housing with a compression section; a turntable positioned in the compression section when in an operating position; at least one charging device associated with the turntable; and a dust suction system, the dust suction system comprising a suction device, a duct and a suction nozzle located in the compression section, the suction nozzle having an opening, the dust suction system being configured to extract dust from the compression section to the suction device via the duct of the dust suction system during operation of the rotary tablet press. The present invention also relates to a method for cleaning a rotary tablet press. Background Art

[0002] Such rotary tablet presses require regular cleaning, either as a result of pre-planned cleaning procedures, at the end of a production batch or in the event of a servicing feeder blockage. Especially in the case of product changeovers, it is crucial to completely empty the filling unit of unused powder before starting the cleaning procedure.

[0003] It is known to carry out an emptying procedure by connecting an external vacuum cleaner to the charging device in order to clean the components of the charging device, i.e. parts of the powder dispensing device or the charging shoe, the powder feed pipe and possibly the feeder, of residual powder. When the external vacuum cleaner is to be connected and disconnected from the charging device, it is necessary to carry out these operations in a closed manner in order to avoid or at least reduce the risk of contamination of the premises. Especially in the case of potent powders containing pharmaceutical components, exposure of the powder may represent a health risk to the operator. The closed connection is typically obtained by means of a flat tube (LFT) and, after disconnection of the external vacuum cleaner, the LFT remains connected to the charging device in order to close the charging device.

[0004] Subsequent cleaning of the components of the rotary tablet press is performed by supplying water and / or a cleaning solution containing detergent. In this regard, a closed LFT can cause problems because the LFT will form a dead-end tube in which trapped water may remain. Disconnecting the LFT will cause the fluid in the compression section of the rotary tablet press to be contaminated. Another challenge in the described cleaning procedure is that the external vacuum cleaner also needs to be cleaned, typically with the aid of a cleaning solution and water.

[0005] In the prior art, WO 03 / 020499A1 shows and describes a rotary tablet press in which a compression unit is detachably mounted in a housing. The detachable compression unit is removed from the housing and taken to a dedicated cleaning station, where the cleaned unit replaces the removed compression unit without delaying production.

[0006] Another example of a rotary tablet press with a dust extraction system is shown and described in US 2008 / 0029915 A1, which patent application incorporates a further development of the compression unit of WO 03 / 020499 A1, in which example a check valve is present to provide communication with the surroundings of the tablet press, so that air is allowed to enter and dust is prevented from leaving the compression chamber of the tablet press.

[0007] Another rotary tablet press is shown and described in CN 101138889 A, in which the dust collection system comprises a vacuum cleaner which removes material via a vacuum tube by means of a vacuum connector mounted on the feeder.

[0008] There is a general desire to improve the cleaning conditions of such rotary tablet presses, especially from the perspective of the use of resources such as water and time. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages and in particular to provide a rotary tablet press which facilitates cleaning.

[0010] In a first aspect, this and other objects are achieved by a rotary tablet press of the type mentioned in the introduction, which is also characterized in that the rotary tablet press comprises an emptying arrangement which is configured to allow emptying of residual powder from the charging device and which is connected or connectable to a dust extraction system of the rotary tablet press.

[0011] By providing an emptying arrangement and integrating the emptying arrangement with the dust collection system of the rotary tablet press, an external vacuum cleaner which has to be connected, disconnected and subsequently cleaned is no longer necessary.

[0012] The term "evacuation arrangement" should be interpreted to include one or more arrangements of varying complexity configured to substantially remove the contents of a designated space.

[0013] Since a dust extraction system is present in any case in rotary tablet presses to prevent accumulation of powder in the compression section during operation, the additional resources required are limited to the costs for providing the emptying arrangement and establishing the connection to the dust extraction system.

[0014] Optimum flexibility with respect to the applicability of the emptying arrangement is achieved, since the emptying arrangement can be provided in a state installed in the rotary tablet press, or as a separate entity to be connected to the dust extraction system at any suitable point in time (typically when it is desired to perform an emptying procedure). For example, such an emptying procedure may be involved when a test run is completed, or if a blockage or clogging occurs, or in the case of a product switch, or when cleaning is desired or prescribed as part of a cleaning regimen. In particular, providing the emptying arrangement as a separate entity allows it to be easily retrofitted to existing rotary tablet presses; in this way, it is possible to supply a rotary tablet press in a standard version, which can be upgraded at a later point in time.

[0015] In one embodiment, the emptying arrangement comprises a powder discharge pipe which is connected or connectable to the charging device and is configured to connect the charging device with the suction device of the dust extraction system. This embodiment also provides increased flexibility in the configuration of the emptying arrangement, since the powder discharge pipe of the emptying arrangement can be permanently connected to the charging device or form part of a separate entity as described above.

[0016] In a currently preferred development of the above-mentioned embodiment, the duct of the dust suction system comprises a dust suction pipe connecting the suction nozzle with the suction device of the dust suction system, and the powder discharge pipe of the emptying arrangement is connected to the dust suction pipe. This provides a structurally simple configuration that requires connecting the two pipes of the emptying arrangement to the dust suction system respectively.

[0017] The dust suction pipe of the dust suction system may be connected to the powder discharge pipe by means of a manifold, and the ducting of the dust suction system may comprise a suction pipe connecting the manifold with the suction device of the dust suction system.Using a manifold is a simple way to connect the pipes.

[0018] In a further development, the powder discharge pipe of the evacuation arrangement is connected to the manifold. By this configuration, the connection between the pipes is further facilitated, and the solution contributes to the overall flexibility of the rotary tablet press configuration, since each pipe can be removed and replaced independently of the other pipes.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment, the powder discharge pipe is configured to connect the charging device directly to the suction device of the dust suction system. Although this embodiment provides a simplified pipeline, it also requires additional connections at the suction device of the dust suction system.

[0020] It may be desirable to provide selective communication between the suction nozzle of the dust collection system and the suction device on the one hand, and between the charging device and the suction device on the other hand. In a currently preferred embodiment, the emptying arrangement can be selectively connected and disconnected from the dust collection system by means of at least one valve, which is configured to adopt a plurality of operating positions including a closed position and an open position. In this way, an open communication between the suction nozzle and the charging device can be obtained during operation of the rotary tablet press, and conversely, a single open communication path between the charging device and the suction device is allowed during the emptying procedure. One or more such valves can be operated manually or automatically.

[0021] In an advantageous development of the preferred embodiment, the first valve comprises a stop valve associated with the charging device, which stop valve is configured to adopt a closed position during operation of the rotary tablet press and to adopt an open position during an emptying procedure, so that a connection between the charging device and the powder discharge pipe is established when the stop valve is in the open position. The use of a stop valve provides a reliable and stable open and closed position.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, the second valve is associated with a dust suction duct leading from the suction nozzle and is configured to adopt an open position during operation of the rotary tablet press and a closed position during an emptying procedure of the charging device. In principle, the connection between the suction nozzle and the suction device can also remain open during the emptying procedure; however, it is believed that closing the dust suction duct can improve the performance of the emptying arrangement.

[0023] In another embodiment, the emptying arrangement is configured to be connected to a cleaning system, preferably by means of a cleaning pipe. In this way, a complete cleaning program can be performed. In the context of the present application, the term "cleaning" should be interpreted as including emptying and dusting the components of the rotary tablet press, in particular in its compression section, and cleaning with the aid of water and / or a cleaning liquid containing, for example, a detergent.

[0024] The presence of the cleaning system is particularly advantageous in embodiments comprising a manifold. In this case, the manifold is preferably connected via a discharge valve to a discharge pipe leading to a discharge waste system. The discharge waste system may, for example, form part of a factory discharge facility.

[0025] In a currently preferred embodiment, the rotary tablet press comprises a housing enclosing a turntable which in its operating position is located in a compression section of the rotary tablet press, the housing comprising a bottom wall, a top wall substantially parallel to the bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the bottom wall and the top wall. The housing provides improved containment within the compression section of the rotary tablet press, thereby further reducing the risk of operator exposure.

[0026] The bottom wall of the housing can be configured as a plurality of funnel shapes, preferably including a rear funnel shape and a front funnel shape in the bottom wall of the housing, or configured to include two inclined inner parts. This feature further improves the cleaning performance, because the remaining dust and / or contaminated fluid (such as water or cleaning liquid) can flow to a designated collection area.

[0027] The dust suction pipe and / or the powder discharge pipe can be provided with a discharge valve. This facilitates the discharge of the compression section of the rotary tablet press.

[0028] It is particularly advantageous if the powder discharge pipe of the emptying arrangement is connected to the manifold at a height above the connection of the dust suction pipe to the manifold, since this configuration improves the possibility of completely emptying and cleaning the compression section.

[0029] One or more discharge valves may form part of another aspect in which a rotary tablet press is provided, the rotary tablet press comprising: a housing having a compression section; a turntable positioned in the compression section when in an operating position; a dust suction system comprising a dust suction duct and optionally an emptying arrangement comprising a powder discharge duct; and a housing surrounding the turntable in its operating position in the compression section of the rotary tablet press, the housing comprising a bottom wall, a top wall and a plurality of side walls extending between the bottom wall and the top wall. In this aspect, the dust suction duct and / or the powder discharge duct is provided with a discharge valve.

[0030] In a further development of this aspect, the bottom wall of the housing is provided as a plurality of funnel shapes, preferably comprising a rear funnel shape and a front funnel shape in the bottom wall of the housing, or as comprising two inclined inner parts.

[0031] Although the further aspect described above applies independently to rotary tablet presses without a connection between the dust extraction system and the emptying arrangement, this further aspect also applies to embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] In a second aspect of the present invention, a method for cleaning a rotary tablet press is provided. The method comprises the following steps:

[0033] Connecting the emptying arrangement to the dust extraction system of the rotary tablet press, and

[0034] The emptying procedure is performed by sucking the residual powder with the help of the suction device of the dust suction system to empty the residual powder of the charging device.

[0035] In an exemplary further development of the method, the step of connecting the emptying arrangement to the dust suction system comprises opening a first valve to establish a connection between the charging device and the powder discharge pipe, the first valve comprising a shut-off valve associated with the charging device.

[0036] In the case where there is a second valve associated with the dust suction pipe leading from the suction nozzle, the second valve can be placed in a closed position before starting the emptying procedure. Such a valve can, for example, comprise a shut-off valve.

[0037] Finally, the method may comprise the additional step of supplying a cleaning fluid to the charging device after the emptying procedure.

[0038] The currently preferred embodiments and other advantages will become clear from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that any one or more of the above aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with any one or more of the other aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] In the following description, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rotary tablet press in an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side of the rotary tablet press;

[0041] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of a rotary tablet press from the front, with some parts removed for ease of reading;

[0042] Figure 3 The view from the back of the rotary tablet press corresponds to Figure 2 Stereoscopic image of

[0043] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a perspective view of details of a rotary tablet press in an embodiment of the present invention viewed from different angles;

[0044] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view; and

[0045] Figures 8 to 10 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of an embodiment of a rotary tablet press. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The present invention will now be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; on the contrary, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness.

[0047] First reference Figure 1, which shows a rotary tablet press 1 from the front side of the rotary tablet press, which is generally indicated by 1, and has a housing 2, which comprises a frame 3 and an outer lining 4. The housing 2 consists of three sections, which are positioned one above the other and are separated by partition walls. The lower section, indicated as drive section 5, is separated from the central section, indicated as compression section 6, by a bottom frame 7 of the rotary tablet press 1, and the compression section 6 is separated from the upper section, indicated as attachment section 8, by a top frame 9 of the rotary tablet press 1. The wall element 2a is openable, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As indicated by the shown position; during operation, the wall element 2a closes the compression section 6. Figure 1 A display 2b is also shown. There may also be other parts not shown, including a cover to prevent excessive contamination of mechanical parts within the compression section 6.

[0048] In a manner known per se, the housing 2 accommodates a turntable 10, Figures 2 to 7 The parts of the turntable are shown in more detail in . During operation of the tablet press, the turntable 10 is positioned in the compression section 6 of the housing 2 when in the operating position, but can be removed from the compression section 6 to allow cleaning, replacement of parts, etc. The turntable 10 includes a plurality of rotating parts, of which only the die disc 40 is shown. The die disc 40 is generally plate-shaped, has a die disc surface, and has a plurality of holes, which typically accommodate a corresponding number of dies suitable for forming tablets into a desired shape and size. Alternatively, the holes themselves are suitable for the desired tablet shape and size. Other parts include an upper punch guide and a lower punch guide with a guide hole, in which the upper punch and the lower punch are reciprocally accommodated, so that the first end of each punch can enter the corresponding die or hole itself (if no die is present) by displacement of the associated punch in its guide hole, so as to compress the material in the die or hole.

[0049] Figure 1 Other details indicated in FIG. 1 include a tablet slot 11 that protrudes from the turntable 10 at an angle for guiding the compressed material in tablet form out of the die hole. The tablet slot 11 is one of a plurality of auxiliary components associated with the turntable 10 .

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the turret 10 is housed in a housing 70 that is configured to be removed from the compression section 6 together with the turret 10 and any other auxiliary components connected to the turret 10 if cleaning and / or replacement is planned. Alternatively, the housing 70 remains in the compression section 6 and only the turret 10 is removed. It should be noted that the basic principles of the present invention are also applicable to rotary tablet presses in which no such housing is present. Reference is now also made to Figures 2 to 7The housing 70 comprises a bottom wall 71 and a top wall 72 substantially parallel to the bottom wall 71. In the embodiment shown, the housing comprises two substantially planar side walls 73, 74 extending between the bottom wall 71 and the top wall 72 and disposed opposite to each other. A set of two separate openable end covers 77, 78 is provided.

[0051] Other details not shown may include: a scraper adapted to scrape off excess powder to ensure that only the desired amount of powder is present in the die plate; ejector fingers; recovery fingers; and other cams. Other elements may be present in the rotary tablet press 1, and means for controlling the tablet press according to the desired settings may also be provided. The auxiliary components of the rotary tablet press 1, including the housing 70, are carried by a support assembly that includes a suspension device 60 (see FIG. Figure 4 ).

[0052] A charging device 12 is shown associated with the turntable 10. In the embodiment shown, the charging device 12 is located above the die disc 40 of the turntable 10; however, in other embodiments, there may be two or more charging devices, just as there may be more than one turntable 10 shown. The charging device 12 comprises a powder dispensing device 14 (also called a charging shoe), which is connected to a feeder 15 and a powder inlet pipe 13. The powder inlet pipe 13 is in turn connected to a powder supply source (not shown). The charging device 12 ensures that powder or granules are provided in the dies or holes of the die disc 40 during operation of the rotary tablet press 1. In the embodiment shown, in which the turntable 10 is accommodated in the housing 10, the top wall 72 comprises an opening 72.2 for the powder inlet pipe 13 (see Figure 6 ). Other openings may also be provided in the housing 70, but are not described in detail. Examples of housings of the prior art are described in the above-mentioned WO 03 / 020499 A1, EP 1 423 260 B1 to Courtoy and the commercially available tablet press MODUL 1000 conceived with an exchangeable compression module (ECM). TM Another example is found in the applicant’s co-pending PCT application PCT / EP2022 / 059803.

[0053] A dust suction system, generally indicated at 16, is provided, which comprises a suction device 19 and a suction nozzle 17 having an opening located in the compression section 6. The dust suction system 16 is configured to extract dust from the compression section 6 to the suction device 19 via a conduit of the dust suction system 16 (indicated by a dust suction pipe generally indicated at 18) during operation of the rotary tablet press. The dust suction system 16 may comprise more suction nozzles than the one suction nozzle 17 shown; typically, such more suction nozzles will be distributed over the circumference of the die disc 40. The suction device 19 is shown schematically in the drawings only; designing a suitable suction device is within the capabilities of the skilled person.

[0054] The dust extraction system 16 may be attached to any structurally stable part of the rotary tablet press 1 in any suitable manner. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown (but not described in detail), a fitting allows attachment to the housing 2 of the rotary tablet press 1 .

[0055] In the embodiment shown, in which the turntable 10 is accommodated in the housing 70, the suction nozzle 17 is also located in the housing 70. The conduit of the dust suction system 16 comprises a dust suction pipe 18, which connects the suction nozzle 17 to a suction device 19 of the dust suction system, so that the dust suction pipe 18 penetrates the bottom wall 71 of the housing 70, as will be described in further detail below.

[0056] In order to allow emptying of the charging device 12 during downtime of the rotary tablet press 1 (as part of a planned cleaning procedure according to a cleaning protocol, after a final production run, a test run, or in the event of a feeder blockage), the rotary tablet press 1 comprises an emptying arrangement 80 which is configured to allow emptying of the charging device 12 of residual powder.

[0057] According to the invention, an emptying arrangement 80 is connected or connectable to the dust extraction system 16 of the rotary tablet press 1. In the embodiment shown, the emptying arrangement 80 comprises a powder discharge pipe 81 which is connected to the charging device 12 when the rotary tablet press 1 is in its operating position. However, it is also conceivable to form the emptying arrangement 80 as a separate entity which is then connected to the charging device 12 and the dust extraction system 16 during preparation for a cleaning procedure. In this case, a device is typically used which allows the connection to be contained, an example being a flat tube (LTF).

[0058] Regarding the connection between the emptying arrangement 80 and the dust collection system 16, the powder discharge pipe 81 of the emptying arrangement 80 can be connected to the pipeline of the dust collection system 16 (here connected to the dust collection pipe 18, such as Figures 2 to 7 ), or directly connected to the suction device 19. In this regard, reference is also made to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 A schematic overview of Figure 8 Shows the corresponding Figures 2 to 7 An overview of an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 9 The configuration of a direct connection between the charging device 12 and the suction device 19 is depicted.

[0059] In the embodiment shown, the dust suction pipe 18 of the dust suction system 16 is connected to the powder discharge pipe 81 by means of a manifold 18.1 and the conduit of the dust suction system 16 comprises a suction pipe 18.2 connecting the manifold 18.1 with a suction device 19 of the dust suction system.

[0060] In order to allow simple establishment of fluid communication between the dust suction system 16 and the emptying system 80, a powder discharge pipe 81 of the emptying arrangement is connected to the manifold 18.1.

[0061] The above configuration allows fluid communication between the suction nozzle 17 and the suction device 19 on the one hand, and between the charging device 12 and the suction device 19 on the other hand. In order to control the flow of powder, it may be desirable to close the dust suction duct 18 when an emptying procedure is performed, and to close the powder discharge duct 81 when the rotary tablet press 1 is in operation. The closure can in principle be complete or partial, so that, for example, only the dust suction duct 18 between the suction nozzle 17 and the suction device 19 is open during operation of the rotary tablet press 1, and conversely, when the rotary tablet press 1 is stopped, fluid communication between the charging device 12 and the suction device 19 via the powder discharge duct 81 is allowed.

[0062] To this end, in the embodiment shown, the flow of residual powder in the powder discharge pipe 81 of the emptying arrangement 80 can be controlled by means of at least one valve. Each such valve is configured to adopt a plurality of operating positions including a closed position and an open position. Partially closed operating positions and other positions are also conceivable.

[0063] The first valve comprises a shut-off valve 81.1 associated with the charging device 12, which is configured to adopt a closed position during operation of the rotary tablet press 1 and to adopt an open position during an emptying procedure, so that a connection between the charging device 12 and the powder discharge pipe 81 is established when the shut-off valve 81.1 is in the open position.

[0064] Briefly return to Figures 8 to 10 It is important to emphasize that Fig. 9 The relatively basic embodiment shown provides efficient emptying with few components. As shown, the emptying arrangement 80 here only comprises a powder discharge pipe 81 and a shut-off valve 81.1, so that when the emptying arrangement 80 is connected to the charging device 12 on the one hand and to the suction device 19 of the dust suction system 16 on the other hand, the communication between the charging device 12 and the dust suction system 16 can be established via the emptying arrangement 80 by simply opening the shut-off valve 81.1. The emptying arrangement 80 can remain in place during operation, and then the shut-off valve 81.1 can be closed.

[0065] Figure 8 and Fig.10 The function of the evacuation arrangement 80 depicted in the diagram corresponds substantially to Fig. 9 dust suction system 16 comprises a manifold 18.1, the emptying arrangement 80 comprises an additional valve, namely the discharge valve 81.2, thereby allowing any fluid present in or added to the rotary tablet press 1 to be discharged.

[0066] exist Figure 8 and Fig.10 In the dust suction system 16 of the embodiments of the present invention, the second valve 18.3 is associated with the dust suction pipe 18 leading from the suction nozzle 17 and is configured to adopt an open position during operation of the rotary tablet press and a closed position during an emptying procedure of the charging device 12. Corresponding to the discharge valve 81.2 of the emptying arrangement 80, in these embodiments, the dust suction system 16 comprises a discharge valve 18.4.

[0067] The evacuation arrangement 80 may be built-in to the rotary tablet press 1 or provided as an additional feature, for example for retrofitting.

[0068] The connection between the individual conduits and the valve is performed in any suitable manner, typically by means of a closed connection allowing a suitable degree of closure. Suitable forms include LFT or quick couplings, such as bayonet couplings incorporated into the valve body.

[0069] The term "closed connection" is to be understood herein as a connection that meets certain requirements for closure, i.e. the connection is at least dust-tight. Accordingly, a closed connection may be a connection that is configured to prevent a large amount (e.g. a detectable amount and / or an amount exceeding a certain threshold) of the input component processed by the turret of the rotary tablet press from escaping from the closed connection into the surrounding environment (e.g. into the room in which the closed connection is arranged or into a housing surrounding at least a part of the turret). A "closed connection" is to be understood herein as a connection that has a closure capacity of at most 10 μg dust per cubic meter.

[0070] By the above arrangement, the dust extraction system 16 can be operated during operation of the rotary tablet press 1 for extracting dust from the suction nozzle 17 by the suction device 19, and during the emptying procedure of the charging device 12 for emptying residual powder. The selective opening and closing of the valves 81.1 and 18.3 allows for optimal extraction and emptying performance.

[0071] Thus, a method for cleaning a rotary tablet press, such as the rotary tablet press 1 described above, typically comprises the following steps:

[0072] connecting the emptying arrangement 80 to the dust extraction system 16 of the rotary tablet press 1, and

[0073] The emptying procedure is performed by sucking the residual powder by means of the suction device 19 of the dust suction system 16 to empty the charging device 12 of the residual powder.

[0074] The step of connecting the emptying arrangement 80 to the dust extraction system 16 comprises opening a first valve comprising a shut-off valve 81 . 1 associated with the charging device 12 to establish a connection between the charging device 12 and the powder discharge pipe 81 .

[0075] If a second valve is provided, for example the valve 81 . 3 associated with the dust suction tube 18 leading from the suction nozzle 17 , this valve 81 . 3 is placed in the closed position before starting the emptying procedure.

[0076] In another embodiment of the rotary tablet press, the emptying arrangement 80 is configured to be connected to a cleaning system. Fig.10 An exemplary configuration of such a further embodiment is shown, in which a cleaning system 90 is connected to the emptying arrangement 80 by means of a cleaning pipe 91 which leads to the charging device 12 .

[0077] like Fig.10 As shown, this other embodiment has Figure 8 In this case, the manifold 18 . 1 is connected via a discharge valve 94 to a discharge pipe 92 leading to a discharge waste system 93 .

[0078] The above-described method for cleaning a rotary tablet press 1 may further comprise the additional step of supplying a cleaning fluid to the charging device after the emptying procedure. The cleaning fluid is typically water, but may also comprise a cleaning liquid containing a detergent.

[0079] As another aspect, a rotary tablet press is provided, comprising: a housing having a compression section; a turntable positioned in the compression section when in an operating position; a dust suction system comprising a dust suction pipe and optionally an emptying arrangement comprising a powder discharge pipe; and a housing surrounding the turntable in its operating position in the compression section of the rotary tablet press, the housing comprising a bottom wall, a top wall and a plurality of side walls extending between the bottom wall and the top wall. In this aspect, the dust suction pipe and / or the powder discharge pipe are provided with a discharge valve.

[0080] In a further development of this aspect, the bottom wall of the housing is provided as a plurality of funnel shapes, preferably comprising a rear funnel shape and a front funnel shape in the bottom wall of the housing, or as comprising two inclined inner parts.

[0081] Although the further aspect described above applies independently to rotary tablet presses without a connection between the dust extraction system and the emptying arrangement, this further aspect also applies to embodiments of the present invention.

[0082] Therefore, if Figures 2 to 7 as well as Figure 8 and Fig.10 As shown, both the dust suction pipe 18 and the powder discharge pipe 81 are provided with discharge valves 18.4, 81.2.

[0083] In particular, in embodiments comprising a manifold 18.1 and a cleaning system 90, it is advantageous if the powder discharge pipe 81 of the emptying arrangement 80 is connected to the manifold 18.1 at a height above the connection of the dust suction pipe 18 to the manifold 18.1.

[0084] pass Figure 6 and Figure 7 The feature most clearly shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 is that the bottom wall 71 of the housing 70 includes two inclined inner portions 71a, 71b, which improves the drainage of any dust and / or cleaning fluid remaining in the housing 70.

[0085] List of Reference Numerals

[0086] 1 Rotary tablet press

[0087] 2 Housing

[0088] 2a Wall element

[0089] 2b Display

[0090] 3 Framework

[0091] 4 Outer lining

[0092] 5 Drive Sections

[0093] 6 Compression Section

[0094] 7 Bottom frame

[0095] 8 Attachments section

[0096] 9 Top frame

[0097] 10 Turntable

[0098] 11 Tablet slot

[0099] 12. Loading device

[0100] 13 Powder inlet pipe

[0101] 14 Powder dispensing device / loading shoe

[0102] 15 Feeder

[0103] 16 Vacuum system

[0104] 17 Nozzle

[0105] 18 Duct / vacuum hose

[0106] 18.1 Manifold

[0107] 18.2 Suction tube

[0108] 18.3 Second valve (at the suction nozzle)

[0109] 18.4 Discharge valve

[0110] 19 Suction device

[0111] 40 mold tray

[0112] 60 Suspension

[0113] 70 Housing

[0114] 71 bottom wall

[0115] 71a First inclined inner portion of the bottom wall

[0116] 71b Second inclined inner portion of bottom wall

[0117] 72 Top wall

[0118] 72.2 Orifice for powder inlet pipe

[0119] 73 First side wall

[0120] 74 Second side wall

[0121] 77 End cap

[0122] 78 End cap

[0123] 80 Emptying arrangement

[0124] 81 Powder discharge pipe

[0125] 81.1 First valve / stop valve at the charging device

[0126] 81.2 Discharge valve

[0127] 90 Cleaning system

[0128] 91 Cleaning pipe

[0129] 92 discharge pipe

[0130] 93 Discharge waste system

[0131] 94 Discharge valve

Claims

1. A rotary tablet press (1), comprising: a housing (2) having a compression section (6), a turntable (10) which, when in an operating position, is positioned in the compression section, at least one charging device (12) associated with the turntable (10), and A dust suction system (16), comprising a suction device (19), a duct (18) and a suction nozzle (17) located in the compression section (6), the suction nozzle having an opening, the dust suction system (16) being configured to extract dust from the compression section (6) to the suction device (19) via the duct (18) of the dust suction system (16) during operation of the rotary tablet press, It is characterized in that The rotary tablet press comprises an emptying arrangement (80) configured to allow the charging device (12) to be emptied of residual powder, and The emptying arrangement (80) is connected or connectable to a dust extraction system (16) of the rotary tablet press (1).

2. The rotary tablet press according to claim 1, wherein: The emptying arrangement (80) comprises a powder discharge pipe (81) which is connected or connectable to the charging device (12) and is configured to connect the charging device (12) with the suction device (19) of the dust extraction system (16).

3. The rotary tablet press according to claim 2, wherein: The conduit of the dust suction system (16) comprises a dust suction pipe (18) connecting the suction nozzle (17) to the suction device (19) of the dust suction system (16), and wherein a powder discharge pipe (81) of the emptying arrangement (80) is connected to the dust suction pipe (18).

4. The rotary tablet press according to claim 3, wherein: The dust suction pipe (18) of the dust suction system (16) is connected to the powder discharge pipe (81) by means of a manifold (18.1), and wherein the pipeline of the dust suction system comprises a suction pipe (18.2) connecting the manifold (18.1) with the suction device (19) of the dust suction system.

5. The rotary tablet press according to claim 4, wherein: The powder discharge pipe (81) of the emptying arrangement (80) is connected to the manifold (18.1).

6. The rotary tablet press according to claim 2, wherein: The powder discharge pipe (81) of the emptying arrangement (80) is configured to connect the charging device (12) directly to the suction device (19) of the dust extraction system (16).

7. A rotary tablet press according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The emptying arrangement (80) can be selectively connected and disconnected from the dust suction system (16) by means of at least one valve (81.1, 81.2, 18.3, 18.4), the at least one valve being configured to assume a plurality of operating positions including a closed position and an open position.

8. A rotary tablet press according to claim 7 when dependent on any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein The first valve comprises a stop valve (81.1) associated with the charging device (12), the stop valve being configured to adopt a closed position during operation of the rotary tablet press (1) and to adopt an open position during an emptying procedure so as to establish a connection between the charging device (12) and the powder discharge pipe (81) when the stop valve (81.1) is in the open position.

9. The rotary tablet press according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: A second valve (18.3), preferably a shut-off valve, is associated with the dust suction duct (18) leading from the suction nozzle (17) and is configured to assume an open position during operation of the rotary tablet press and a closed position during an emptying procedure of the charging device (12).

10. A rotary tablet press according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The emptying arrangement (80) is configured to be connected to a cleaning system (90), preferably by means of a cleaning pipe (91).

11. A rotary tablet press according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 5, wherein The manifold (18.1) is preferably connected via a discharge valve (94) to a discharge pipe (92) leading to a discharge waste system (93).

12. The rotary tablet press according to claim 11, wherein: The dust suction pipe (18) and / or the powder discharge pipe (81) are provided with a discharge valve (18.4, 81.2).

13. The rotary tablet press according to any one of claims 11 and 12, wherein: The powder discharge pipe (81) of the emptying arrangement (80) is connected to the manifold (18.1) at a height above the connection of the dust suction pipe (18) to the manifold (18.1).

14. A rotary tablet press according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The rotary tablet press (1) comprises a housing (70) which surrounds a turntable (10) in its operating position in a compression section (6) of the rotary tablet press, the housing (70) comprising a bottom wall (71), a top wall (72) substantially parallel to the bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls (73, 74) extending between the bottom wall and the top wall.

15. The rotary tablet press according to claim 14, wherein: The bottom wall (71) of the housing is configured as a plurality of funnel shapes, preferably including a rear funnel shape and a front funnel shape in the bottom wall of the housing, or configured to include two inclined inner portions (71a, 71b).

16. A method for cleaning a rotary tablet press (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the method comprising the following steps: connecting the emptying arrangement (80) to the dust extraction system (16) of the rotary tablet press (1), and The residual powder is sucked by the suction device (19) of the dust suction system (16) to perform an emptying procedure so as to empty the residual powder in the charging device (12).

17. Method for cleaning a rotary tablet press according to at least claims 8 to 9 according to claim 16, wherein: The step of connecting the emptying arrangement (80) to the dust extraction system (16) comprises opening the first valve to establish a connection between the charging device (12) and the powder discharge pipe (81) of the emptying arrangement (80), the first valve comprising a shut-off valve (81.1) associated with the charging device (12).

18. The method of claim 17, wherein: Before starting the emptying procedure, the second valve (18.3) associated with the dust suction pipe (18) leading from the suction nozzle (17) of the dust suction system (16) is placed in a closed position.

19. A method for cleaning a rotary tablet press according to any one of claims 16 to 18, comprising: An additional step of supplying cleaning fluid to the charging device (12) follows the emptying procedure.

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