Rotary tablet press with torque motor drive assembly comprising a telescopic drive shaft

Abstract

A rotary tablet press includes a tablet press housing having a bottom end and a top end. A compression assembly within the press housing includes a pressure roller assembly. A drive housing extends outwardly from the top end of the press housing. A motor drive assembly is located within the drive housing and includes a turntable motor that rotatably drives a drive shaft extending downward from a turntable motor, the drive shaft being mounted for axial movement along a vertical axis in the turntable motor. A drive shaft controller is operable to controllably raise and lower the drive shaft. A turntable assembly is located below the drive housing and mounted to the press housing about a vertical axis, such that the pressure roller assembly engages the turntable assembly, and the drive shaft engages the turntable assembly to rotate the turntable assembly in response to the drive shaft controller lowering the drive shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a rotary tablet press, and more specifically, to a retractable drive shaft. Background Technology

[0002] Oral-dose medications are typically manufactured by directly compressing granules on a rotary tablet press. The tablet press uses a tool to identify and produce the specific product. This tool consists of an upper punch, a lower punch, and a die. To form a tablet, granular powder material must be fed into a cavity formed by the two punches and the die. Sufficient force is used to press the punches together to fuse the powder into a tablet.

[0003] All the particles are abrasives; due to the force applied during compression, the tool wears down and must be replaced. Maintaining high-quality tools is crucial for product consistency. They also require frequent cleaning.

[0004] In a rotary tablet press, a turntable rotates about a vertical axis and carries multiple dies. Each die has an associated top and bottom punch, driven by top and bottom cams to compress granules into tablets. For cleaning between batches or for changing to different tablets, the turntable with punches and cams can be removed from the tablet press as a unit.

[0005] Such rotary tablet presses are available from various manufacturers, such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,988,275 and 6,676,863 and EP1050399.

[0006] Existing detachable turntable press designs contain a single press frame for structural support of the turntable and pressure roller assemblies. These designs prevent the removal of the turntable and the machine base that supports it. These designs typically require the operator to disconnect, move, and / or remove several components, including removing the heavy turntable and loading it onto an auxiliary trolley, in order to change the press to a different tool size or configuration, such as double or triple. These designs also limit the tablet press to using only turntables with the same diameter and height dimensions. Existing designs require cleaning, and extreme care must be taken when moving the equipment to a clean room to avoid the risk of cross-contamination. Existing presses with detachable or removable turntables include a mechanism that connects to and drives the turntable from below. This requires not only an auxiliary trolley but also the disconnection, movement, and / or removal of press components, and the lifting and loading of the turntable.

[0007] Pending application 17 / 326,653, filed May 21, 2021, discloses a rotary tablet press including a base assembly and a compression assembly within a press housing. The base assembly includes the press housing, and the compression assembly includes a pressure roller assembly. A removable module is removably mounted to the base assembly, which includes a module base supporting a turntable housing. A turntable assembly is rotatably mounted within the turntable housing about a vertical axis. The turntable assembly includes multiple die stations. The removable module is selectively positioned at the base assembly such that the pressure roller assembly engages with the turntable assembly to compress granules into tablets at the die stations. A turntable drive assembly includes a turntable motor and a drive shaft. The drive shaft is aligned with the vertical axis and engages with the turntable assembly to rotate the turntable assembly.

[0008] The present invention aims to improve the design of removable turntables. Summary of the Invention

[0009] One object of the present invention is to provide a tablet press having a motor drive assembly having a retractable drive shaft for selectively engaging a turntable assembly.

[0010] The motor drive assembly can be mounted on top of the turntable assembly to facilitate the removal of the turntable assembly without removing the motor drive assembly.

[0011] According to the present invention, a rotary tablet press includes a tablet press housing having a bottom end and a top end, the bottom end for resting on a support surface. A compression assembly within the press housing includes a pressure roller assembly. A drive housing extends outwardly from the top end of the press housing. A motor drive assembly is located within the drive housing and includes a turntable motor that rotatably drives a drive shaft extending downward from a turntable motor, the drive shaft being mounted for axial movement along a vertical axis in the turntable motor. A drive shaft controller is operable to controllably raise and lower the drive shaft. The turntable assembly includes a plurality of die stations, the turntable assembly being mounted to the press housing below the drive housing and about a vertical axis, such that the pressure roller assembly engages with the turntable assembly to compress granules into tablets at the die stations, and the drive shaft engages with the turntable assembly to rotate the turntable assembly in response to the drive shaft controller lowering the drive shaft.

[0012] Other features can be easily seen from the instruction manual and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a rotary tablet press according to the present invention, which includes a frame and a detachable turntable module; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Right side view of the press; Figure 3 yes Figure 1A perspective view of the press, in which the turntable module has been removed from the frame; Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Right side view of the press; Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Left side view of the press; Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the frame, showing the connecting components used to mount the turntable module to the frame; Figure 7 yes Figure 2 The right rear perspective view of the turntable module; Figure 8 yes Figure 2 Left rear perspective view of the turntable module; Figure 9 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a rotary tablet press, in which the AGV trolley has been removed from the turntable module; Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the AGV trolley after the cover has been removed; Figure 11 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the press, with the turntable module in the raised position; Figure 12 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the press, with the turntable module in a lowered position; Figure 13 This is a rear perspective view in section. For clarity, some parts have been removed. It shows the turntable module in the raised position and the disengaged electrical and mechanical connection components. Figure 14 It is similar to Figure 13 The rear cross-sectional perspective view shows the turntable module in the raised position, revealing the engaged electrical and mechanical connection components; Figure 15 It is along Figure 11 The sectional view taken by line 15-15 shows the turntable module in the raised position; Figure 16 It is along Figure 12 The cross-sectional view taken from line 16-16 shows the turntable module in the lowered position; Figure 17 It is along Figure 11 The cross-sectional view taken from line 17-17 shows the turntable module in the raised position; Figure 18 It is along Figure 12 The cross-sectional view taken from line 18-18 shows the turntable module in the lowered position.

[0014] Figure 19This is a cross-sectional view of a motor drive assembly according to the present invention, wherein the drive shaft is in a raised position or a retracted position; Figure 20 It is similar to Figure 19 A sectional view showing the drive shaft in either a lowered or extended position; Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the motor drive system, in which the drive shaft is in a lowered or extended position and engaged with the turntable assembly. Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 21, in which the drive shaft is in the raised or retracted position, detached from the turntable assembly; Figure 23 yes Figure 19 An enlarged view of a portion of the image, showing that the shaft safety locking mechanism has been released; Figure 24 It is similar to Figure 23 An enlarged view shows the shaft safety locking mechanism engaged; Figure 25 This is a perspective view of an exemplary turntable component; and Figure 26 yes Figure 1 A block diagram of the control system of a rotary tablet press. Detailed Implementation

[0015] This invention relates to a rotary tableting machine comprising a base assembly or frame and a detachable module. The frame includes an electrically operated pressure roller assembly and an optional turntable drive assembly. The detachable module includes a module base, a turntable base, a turntable, a cam body, a cam, a feeder, a tablet discharge chute, a hopper, an upper housing, and a protective door. The detachable module can also be combined with a pressure roller assembly for two- or three-layer applications. The turntable includes circumferentially arranged chambers for housing an upper punch, a lower punch, and a die. As the turntable rotates, the punches reciprocate along cam tracks into and out of the die, receiving granules as the die rotates under the feeder. Tablets are formed when the punches contact the pressure rollers, causing the granules in the die to be compressed.

[0016] The disclosed tablet compressor offers greater configurability and flexibility for tablet manufacturers, requires less time for batch changeovers, and limits dust generation during the tableting operation to minimize operator exposure. This is achieved by housing the compression roller assembly and the turntable assembly in two separate and distinct support structures that can be connected to each other and operate as a unified tablet compressor.

[0017] The press consists of two main components, referred to here as the frame and the removable turntable module. The frame contains the electrically powered pressure roller assembly, which can move linearly and axially. Using linear movement, the pressure rollers automatically move toward or away from each other to a position, allowing the turntable module to be undisturbed and removed from the press frame if necessary. Axial movement allows the compression assembly housed in the frame to adjust tablet thickness during operation and allows for the configuration of various turntable modules containing turntables of different physical dimensions.

[0018] The press frame can be integrated with a turntable drive mechanism, allowing the drive shaft to be mounted above the turntable. This frees up space in the module below the turntable for integrating vacuum, cleaning functions, or other requirements. Furthermore, since the drive motor and components do not need to be included in the module, module cost and weight are reduced.

[0019] By isolating and housing the control components within the frame, the requirement to calibrate the pressure roller position, load cell or strain gauge, and turntable speed when disassembling or connecting modules is eliminated.

[0020] The turntable modules are secured to the frame using precision pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, physical connections, or other methods. The alignment and mounting design ensures that the modules can be precisely detached from and attached to the frame without affecting machine performance.

[0021] The detachable module includes a module base, turntable base, turntable, cam body, cam, feeder, tablet discharge chute, hopper, upper housing, and protective door, eliminating the need for an external trolley and significantly reducing changeover time. The operator simply disconnects the powder inlet connection, presses the detach module button in the tablet press HMI software, disconnects the cable connector (if necessary), and removes the module within minutes using an automated guided vehicle (AGV) or other suitable material handling mechanism. The AGV can be integrated into the detachable module or be removable. According to the invention, the AGV includes a controllable lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the detachable module to selectively attach it to the frame.

[0022] The rotary press shown and described improves upon prior art tablet presses by isolating the pressure roller assemblies in separate and distinct frames from a detachable turntable module (which includes the turntable and a base supporting it). This provides customers with a faster, more configurable, and safer solution, eliminating the need to lift and remove the heavy turntable unit and load it onto an auxiliary trolley. Sealing the module minimizes the risk of operator exposure to grinding dust particles and allows the module to be moved to a clean room, reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Prior art presses include a mechanism that attaches to and drives the turntable from below. The detachable module, including a turntable support base, eliminates the need for an auxiliary trolley, as well as the requirements for disconnecting, moving, and / or removing press components, and lifting and loading the compression unit and / or turntable.

[0023] First refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A rotary tablet press 10 according to the present invention is shown. The rotary tablet press 10 includes a frame 12 and a removable / detachable module 14, see also Figure 3-5 .

[0024] According to the present invention, the frame 12 is designed to isolate the turntable drive assembly and pressure roller assembly (described below) within the frame 12 from the removable module 14, providing customers with a faster, more configurable, and safer solution. The removable module 14, incorporating the turntable support base described below, eliminates the need for auxiliary trolleys, as well as the requirements for disconnecting, moving, and / or removing press components, and for lifting and loading the compression unit and / or turntable.

[0025] The frame 12 includes a press housing 16. The press housing 16 is generally parallelepiped in shape and has a front insertion portion 18 for receiving a removable module 14. The upper end of the press housing 16 extends forward above the insertion portion 18 and defines a drive housing 20 at the top of the press housing 16. A connecting base 22 extends forward from the bottom of the press housing 16 and is aligned with the drive housing 20. A plurality of adjustable pads 24 are disposed on the underside of the press housing 16 and the connecting base 22 for supporting and leveling the frame 12 on the ground.

[0026] The press housing 16 includes internal space for control components (not shown) and includes an operator control panel 26. Necessary electrical connections are also specified between the controllers within the press housing 16. See also... Figure 6 The connection base 22 includes a concave electrical quick connector 28 for providing electrical and pneumatic connections between the rack 12 and the removable module 14, as described in more detail below. The connection base 22 also includes four zero-point clamp receivers 30 for mechanically securing the removable module 14 to the rack 12.

[0027] The press housing 16 houses two electrically powered pressure roller assemblies 36 and 38. Some designs may use a single pressure roller assembly. The first roller assembly 36 has an upper roller 40 and a lower roller 42. The second roller assembly 38 has an upper roller 44 and a lower roller 46. The plane containing rollers 40 and 42 forms an angle of approximately 120° with the plane containing rollers 44 and 46. Roller assemblies 36 and 38 are driven by a linear drive, one of which is as follows: Figure 17 As shown in 56. Specifically, linear drive 56 operates to move rollers 44 and 46 toward or away from each other, thereby engaging or disengaging the turntable during operation. Similarly, another linear drive (not shown) operates to move rollers 40 and 42 toward or away from each other.

[0028] The drive housing 20 houses the motor drive assembly 60, see Figure 17 It includes a turntable drive torque motor 62, which drives a downwardly suspended drive shaft 64. The motor drive assembly 60 is configured to raise and lower the drive shaft 64 using a drive shaft controller 66 to engage the turntable and rotate therewith, as described in more detail below.

[0029] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 The detachable module 14 is shaped to be accommodated on the frame 12. Specific details of its size and shape are not part of this invention and may be determined for the overall design features of a particular tablet press.

[0030] The removable module 14 includes a module base 70 supporting a turntable housing 72. The turntable housing 72 has a top wall 76 supported on a support column 78, which in turn supports the module base 70. A transparent outer wall 74 surrounds the front of the turntable housing 72 to isolate internal components. The outer wall 74 may be made of transparent polycarbonate material. When the removable module 14 is secured to the frame 12, it is sealed by engaging the upper housing through the outer wall 74. The rear of the turntable housing 72 is open to allow the pressure roller assemblies 36 and 38 to engage the upper and lower punches, as described below.

[0031] In a rotary tablet press, the turntable rotates about a vertical axis and carries multiple dies. Each die has an associated top and bottom punch, driven by top and bottom cams to compress granules into tablets. The top punch, bottom punch, and dies are collectively referred to as a station. This will be discussed below.

[0032] A turntable housing 72 surrounds a turntable assembly 80. The turntable assembly 80 is mounted to a support 81, which in turn is supported on a module base 70. The turntable assembly 80 is rotatable relative to the support 81. The turntable assembly 80 typically includes a die table and upper and lower punch guide assemblies. The turntable module 14 houses the turntable assembly 80, as well as a cam body, cam, feeder, tablet discharge chute, and hopper. Although not shown in detail, the turntable assembly 80 includes multiple circumferentially arranged chambers to accommodate the upper punch, lower punch, and die. As the turntable assembly 80 rotates, the punches reciprocate along cam tracks into and out of the die, receiving particles as the die rotates under the feeder, as in a conventional manner. When the punches contact... Figure 3 When pressure rollers 40, 42, 44, and 46 are used, tablets are formed, as described above, resulting in the compaction of particles in the die. This general operation is routine, and the exact configuration will depend in part on the tablets being manufactured. The present invention relates in particular to the use of a removable and detachable module 14. This isolates the turntable drive, compression assembly, and controller from the turntable, feeder, hopper, discharge chute, cam, and module base. Current presses have removable components (i.e., turntable, column). The unique feature of the removable module is that it creates a quick disconnect mechanism for faster changeovers, providing greater flexibility and versatility for switching to different tool sizes and / or turntable sizes and configurations, offering configurations for two- and three-layer tableting, improving ease of cleaning and closure, and eliminating the need for calibration when moving the press. Furthermore, Figure 17 The top drive 62 of the turntable moves the drive system of the turntable to the top of the press.

[0033] According to the present invention, the turntable assembly 80 is driven by an inlet connector 82 on the top wall 76, the inlet connector 82 being engageable with a drive shaft 64, see Figure 17 A powder inlet 84 is provided in the top wall 76 for supplying granular powder to the feeder assembly 86. The feeder assembly 86 is driven by a feeder motor (not shown) to feed the powder into the mold. A tablet ejector (not shown) guides the tablets into a discharge chute 87 as they are ejected from the mold, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 .

[0034] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 The module base 70 has a bottom support housing 88 for mounting on the rack connection base 22, see Figure 9 The weldment plate 90 is located on top of the supporting housing 88, see... Figure 15 The control housing 92 extends from the supporting housing 88 at the sides and front, as shown in the figure. Figure 9 The Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) trolley 94 has a generally U-shaped construction; see also... Figure 10The AGV trolley 94 is supported by rear wheels 96 and front wheels 98, and is driven by a drive system 100. The AGV trolley can be an integral part of the modular base 70, or it can be detachable as needed or desired.

[0035] The illustrated embodiment uses a screw jack 118 to raise and lower the module base 70. Alternatively, the AGV trolley can be designed to incorporate hydraulic lifting using a hydraulic pump, reservoir, valves, distributor, and multiple cylinders.

[0036] The supporting housing 88 has a bottom wall 102, see Figure 13 and 14 The bottom wall 102 includes four downwardly hanging zero-point clamp connectors, one of which is shown at 104. Connector 104 is positioned to align with the four zero-point clamp receivers 30. The bottom wall also includes a centrally located convex quick connector 106 that mates with a concave connector 28 of the connection base. Figure 13 The support housing 88 in the raised position is shown, wherein the connector 104 and the convex connector 106 are spaced apart from the receiver 30 and the concave connector 28. Figure 14 The support housing 88 in a lowered position is shown, with connector 104 and male connector 106 mate with receiver 30 and female connector 28, respectively. As described below, the raising and lowering of the support housing is accomplished by an AGV trolley. Figure 1-3 As shown, with module 14 positioned together with rack 12, Figure 3 The rollers 40, 42, 44 and 46 shown are positioned relative to module 14 to engage the turntable assembly 80 and the contact punch (not shown) to compress granular powder in a conventional manner to form tablets.

[0037] AGV trolley 94 Figure 10 As shown, for clarity, the outer wall is removed. The AGV cart 94 includes a bottom wall 110 and a top wall 112 connected by a support member 114 to define an internal space 116. The bottom wall 110 supports opposing screw jacks in the internal space 116, one of which is shown as 118. Each screw jack is driven by a motor 120. Each screw jack 118 drives a jack plate 122 through an opening 124 in the top wall 112. The jack plate 122 engages with a weldment plate 90. Thus, the screw jacks 118 are controlled to raise and lower the weldment plate 90, and consequently, to raise and lower the module base 14. The motors are controlled by a cart controller 126. The cart controller 126 is powered by a battery 128 in the internal space 116. Figure 23 As shown, the control panel 130 may include joysticks or buttons, etc., for commanding the operation of the AGV trolley via the drive wheel driver 100.

[0038] Figure 19 An exemplary motor drive system 60 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The drive motor 62 includes a brushless toroidal torque motor, such as the Etel SA TMB+ type, which is a frameless three-phase motor with an open servo motor stator.

[0039] The drive motor 62 includes a cylindrical stator frame 200. A rotor ring 202 rotates within the stator 200. A circular fixed top plate 204 is fixed to the top of the stator 200. A circular fixed bottom plate 206 is fixed to the bottom of the stator 200. A circular rotating top plate 208 is fixed to the top of the rotor 202. A circular rotating bottom plate 210 is fixed to the bottom of the rotor 202. Multiple connecting posts 212 (two shown in the figure) connect between the rotating plates 208 and 210. The drive plate 214, located on top of the drive shaft 64, has an opening 216 journaled onto the connecting post 212. An upper bearing 218 is disposed between the fixed top plate 204 and the rotating top plate 208. A lower bearing 220 is disposed between the fixed bottom plate 206 and the rotating bottom plate 210. Therefore, the rotation of rotor 202 causes rotating plates 208 and 210 to rotate, which in turn causes drive plate 214 and drive shaft 64 to rotate about vertical axis A.

[0040] According to the present invention, the motor drive assembly 60 uses a retractable drive shaft 64. An encoder housing 222 is mounted on a fixed top plate 204. The drive shaft controller 66 includes a cylinder 224, which includes a housing 226 having a top port 228 and a bottom port 230. The cylinder 224 utilizes the power of compressed gas to generate a reciprocating linear motion force. Ports 228 and 230 are for connection to a controlled pressurized gas source. The cylinder housing 226 surrounds a piston disc 232, which is connected to the top of a piston rod 234, which extends from the bottom of the housing 226. The piston rod 234 is connected to a cylinder shaft 236. The cylinder shaft 236 extends into a drive motor 62 and is operatively connected to a drive plate 214.

[0041] In particular, such as Figure 20 As shown, the drive shaft cover 238 is operatively fixed to the drive plate 214 for rotation with the drive shaft 64. The drive shaft cover 238 houses a bearing 240, and the cylinder shaft 236 has a head 242 extending into the drive shaft cover 238. The bearing 240 allows the cylinder shaft 236 to remain idle and in contact with the drive plate 214 while the drive shaft 64 rotates. When the cylinder 224 engages to lift the drive shaft 64, the drive shaft cover 238 only contacts the cylinder shaft head 242. Figure 20 The drive shaft 64 is shown in either the lowered or extended position, while Figure 19 The drive shaft 64 is shown in either the raised or retracted position.

[0042] A collar 250 is mounted to the bottom end of the drive shaft 64 for engaging the hub 252 of the turntable assembly 80, as shown in Figures 21 and 22. Figure 21 shows the drive shaft 64 in the lowered or extended position, with the collar 250 received in and engaging the hub 252 for rotation therewith. Figure 22 shows the drive shaft 64 in the raised or retracted position, with the collar 250 spaced apart from the hub 252. This allows the turntable assembly 80 to be removed along with the removable module 14.

[0043] To prevent the drive shaft 64 from being accidentally lowered when not in use, a safety lock system 254 is installed on the bottom wall 256 of the drive housing 20. The safety lock system 254... Figure 23 and Figure 24 As shown in the diagram. The safety lock system 254 includes a cylinder 258 having a piston rod 260 that operates the actuator arm 262. The drive shaft 64 includes a pawl or stop 264. When the drive shaft 64 is in the raised position, see... Figure 23 Then, cylinder 258 can be operated to extend arm 262 to engage stop 264, see Figure 24 .

[0044] Figure 25 An exemplary turntable assembly 80 is shown. The turntable assembly 80 includes an upper cam body 190, which includes a hub 252 driven by a drive shaft 64. An upper cam rail assembly 191, a lower cam rail assembly 192, an upper turntable portion 193 (for an upper punch), a lower turntable portion 194 (for a lower punch), and a die table 195 are operatively fixed to the upper cam body 190. Only the turntable portion and the mounted punch and die can rotate. It is well known that a cam (a single part) or a cam rail (a combination of multiple cams in upper and lower sections) does not rotate. As the turntable rotates, the punch rises and falls along a path in the cam. The upper punch (not shown) is conventionally operated by the upper cam rail assembly 191. The lower punch (not shown) is conventionally operated by the lower cam rail assembly 192. The die table 195 includes a plurality of openings 196, each for receiving a die (not shown). As the turntable assembly 80 rotates, the punch follows the corresponding cam rails 191 and 192 and reciprocates relative to the die. As each die rotates under the feeder assembly 86, it receives granules. As is known, when the punches contact the upper rollers 40 and 44 and the lower rollers 42 and 46, the granules in the die are compacted to form tablets. The upper punches are then lifted by the upper cam track 191 and discharged by the lower cam track 192, which causes the lower punches to lift. This general operation is routine; the exact configuration will depend in part on the tablets being manufactured.

[0045] Figure 26This is a block diagram of the relevant parts of the control system of the rotary table press 10. The frame 12 houses the machine controller 150. The machine controller 150 includes a programming processing system using a processor and memory, as is conventional, for controlling the overall operation of the tablet press 10 as needed or desired. The machine controller 150 is operatively associated with a motor drive controller 152 for controlling the drive motor 62. The machine controller also controls a drive shaft controller 154, which operatively controls the lifting cylinder 224 and the safety locking pin 258.

[0046] During operation, the machine controller 150 allows for transitions such as during the removal and replacement of the removable module 14, as described above. When the removable module 14 is locked in place with the frame 12, see... Figure 1 The drive shaft controller 154 retracts the safety lock pin 258 to release the safety lock mechanism 254, as follows. Figures 24 to 23 As shown. Then, the lifting cylinder 224 is controlled to lower the drive shaft 64, thereby engaging it with the turntable assembly 80. Once the machine is running, the torque motor 62 is controlled to rotate the drive shaft 64, thereby rotating the turntable assembly 80. Obviously, the reverse steps are used to remove the removable module 14.

[0047] According to the invention, the manufacturer can have multiple different turntable modules for use with a single frame 12. Depending on the type of tablets to be produced, each module can have different turntable assemblies and accessories. The machine design will have at least four overall configurations utilizing a frame with compression and drive components, featuring removable modules including turntable, feeder, and cam module assemblies. Each will offer a different turntable configuration. Furthermore, as described below, the different configurations of frame 12 can be equipped with different numbers and configurations of compression roller assemblies.

[0048] For example, the rotary tablet press according to the invention can be configured as single-layer and single-sided (one feeder, one product); single-layer and double-sided (two feeders, two products); double-layer (two feeders, one product); and triple-layer (three feeders, one product). The single-sided press has only one feeder and is designed to manufacture single-layer tablets. It is designed with two equal-sized compression assemblies for pre-compression and main compression. The triple-sided press has three feeders and is designed to manufacture three layers containing three different types of particles. It is designed with one large compression assembly for main compression.

[0049] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The detachable module 14 engaged with the rack 12 is shown in an operational state. Figure 3-5A removable module 14 is shown that can be removed from rack 12 for cleaning or maintenance operations, etc. To remove module 14 from rack 12, drive shaft 64 must be raised as described above, and power to zero-point clamp receiver 30 must be disconnected. Module 14 is then raised by AGV trolley 94. The AGV trolley is then driven to separate module 14 from rack. The module can then be lowered to maintain stability. Similarly, to attach module 14 to rack 12, AGV trolley 94 must first raise module 14, then drive module 14 so that support housing 88 is above connecting base 22, and then lower module 14. Figure 11 , Figure 15 and Figure 17 The diagram shows module 14 in a raised position relative to the connecting base 22, and thus in a raised position relative to the frame 12. Figure 12 , Figure 16 and Figure 18 The diagram shows the lowered position of module 14 relative to the connecting base 22, thus placing it in a lowered position relative to the frame 12. By... Figure 11 The position of the top wall 76 of the turntable shell in the middle is... Figure 12 Compare the positions in the middle, and... Figure 15 and Figure 17 The position of the welding plate 90 in the middle Figure 16 and Figure 18 This is most obvious when comparing the positions in the middle.

[0050] As illustrated in the embodiment, the rotary tablet press includes a frame and a detachable module. Granules are fed from a hopper into the module and then into a feeding chamber. The frame includes an electrically operated pressure roller assembly and a turntable drive assembly. The detachable module includes a module base, a turntable base, a turntable, a cam body, a cam, a feeder, a tablet discharge chute, a hopper, an upper housing, and a protective door. The rotary turntable includes an upper punch, a die, and a lower punch. As the turntable rotates, the die moves below the feeding chamber. Rotary feeder blades move the granules and assist in feeding the powder into the die. As the turntable rotates, the punch moves along a cam track and compresses the powder into tablets upon contact with the pressure rollers. An ejector cam pushes the lower punch upwards, and an ejector rod mounted directly above the die table guides the tablets into the discharge chute. The detachable module is sealed by engaging the upper housing.

[0051] More specifically, the rotary tablet press includes a tablet press housing with a bottom end and a top end, the bottom end for resting on a support surface. The compression assembly within the press housing includes a pressure roller assembly. A drive housing extends outward from the top end of the press housing. A motor drive assembly, located within the drive housing, includes a turntable motor that rotates a drive shaft extending downward from a turntable motor, the drive shaft being mounted for axial movement along a vertical axis within the turntable motor. A drive shaft controller is operable to controllably raise and lower the drive shaft. The turntable assembly includes multiple die stations, and the turntable assembly is mounted to the press housing below the drive housing and surrounds the vertical axis such that the pressure roller assembly engages with the turntable assembly to compress granules into tablets at the die stations, and the drive shaft engages with the turntable assembly to rotate the turntable assembly in response to drive shaft control that lowers the drive shaft.

[0052] Those skilled in the art will understand that many possible modifications can be made to the features and specific forms of the disclosed embodiments while maintaining the spirit of the concepts disclosed herein. Therefore, the specific forms of the disclosed embodiments should not be construed as limiting the claims unless expressly stated in the claims. While some embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments fall within the scope of the following claims.

[0053] The disclosure of the above specific embodiments is intended to illustrate the broad concepts understood in this invention.

Claims

1. A rotary tablet press, comprising: A press housing having a bottom end and a top end, the bottom end being used to rest on a support surface; A compression assembly, including a pressure roller assembly, is housed within the press housing; A drive housing that extends outward from the top of the press housing; The drive housing includes a motor drive assembly for a turntable motor, which rotatably drives a drive shaft extending downward from the turntable motor, the drive shaft being mounted to move axially along a vertical axis in the turntable motor. A drive shaft controller operable to controllably raise and lower the drive shaft; and A turntable assembly including multiple die stations is mounted to the press housing below the drive housing and about the vertical axis, such that the pressure roller assembly engages the turntable assembly to compress granules into tablets at the die stations, and the drive shaft engages the turntable assembly to rotate the turntable assembly in response to a drive shaft controller lowering the drive shaft.

2. The rotary tablet press according to claim 1, wherein, The drive shaft controller includes a cylinder operatively coupled to a cylinder shaft of the drive shaft.

3. The rotary tablet press according to claim 2, wherein, The drive shaft controller includes a drive shaft cover operatively fixed to the drive shaft for rotation with the drive shaft, the drive shaft cover housing a bearing, and the cylinder shaft having a head extending into the drive shaft cover, wherein the bearing enables the cylinder shaft to remain idle and in contact with the drive shaft as the drive shaft rotates, and wherein the cover does not contact the cylinder shaft head before the cylinder engages to lift the drive shaft.

4. The rotary tablet press according to claim 1, wherein, The turntable motor includes a torque motor.

5. The rotary tablet press according to claim 4, wherein, The torque motor includes a brushless toroidal torque motor.

6. The rotary tablet press according to claim 4, wherein, The torque motor includes an annular stator having a circular upper rotating plate and a lower rotating plate attached to the rotor, and a plurality of connecting posts extending between the upper rotating plate and the lower rotating plate.

7. The rotary tablet press according to claim 6, wherein, The torque motor includes a drive plate, the drive plate journal being mounted on the connecting column to rotate with it and fixed to the top of the drive shaft.

8. The rotary tablet press according to claim 7, wherein, The drive board is operatively connected to the drive shaft controller to raise and lower the drive shaft.

9. The rotary tablet press according to claim 6, wherein, The turntable motor includes a fixed top plate and a fixed bottom plate operatively fixed to the stator, and also includes an upper bearing and a lower bearing respectively between the top plate and the upper rotating plate and between the bottom plate and the lower rotating plate.

10. The rotary tablet press of claim 1, further comprising a safety lock fixed to the drive housing for selectively engaging the drive shaft to hold the drive shaft in an elevated locked position.

11. The rotary tablet press according to claim 10, wherein, The safety lock includes a cylinder that operates the actuator arm for selectively engaging a pawl in the drive shaft.

12. The rotary tablet press according to claim 1, further comprising a collar at the lower end of the drive shaft for selectively engaging the upper cam body of the turntable assembly.

13. The rotary tablet press according to claim 1, wherein, The turntable assembly includes multiple dies and associated top and bottom punches, which are driven by top and bottom cams to compress granules into tablets.

14. The rotary tablet press of claim 1 further includes a detachable module removably mounted to the tablet press housing, and includes a module base supporting the turntable housing, the turntable assembly being rotatably mounted in the turntable housing.

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