Rotary press and method for cleaning a rotary press

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotary press (10), in particular a tablet rotary press, comprising a rotor (14) rotatable about an axis of rotation (12) and a cleaning device (16) for cleaning the rotary press (10), wherein the cleaning device (16) comprises at least one spray opening (18), in particular several spray openings (18), for spraying a cleaning agent (20), wherein the cleaning device (16) is coupled to the rotor (14) and configured such that the spray opening (18) can be rotated about the axis of rotation (12) by rotating the rotor (14). The invention also relates to a method for cleaning such a rotary press (10).

Description

The invention relates to a rotary press, in particular a tablet rotary press, having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for cleaning a rotary press, in particular a tablet rotary press, having features of the subordinate claim.Tablet presses can be wet cleaned at the end of a tablet batch. The cleaning success of a wet cleaning process depends on whether as far as possible all surfaces of the tablet press to be cleaned can be wetted directly with a cleaning liquid. It is therefore desirable that as far as possible no spray shadows are located between the spray nozzles for the cleaning agent and the surfaces to be cleaned.To avoid spray shadows, the number of spray nozzles can be increased. The spray nozzles themselves and / or their supply line can generate their own spray shadows. As a result, an arrangement of the spray nozzles and thus the tablet press itself can become very complex, in particular if the spray nozzles are arranged statically. In order to reduce the spray shadows, the spray nozzles can be moved during the cleaning process.WO 2009 / 021 776 A2 discloses a cleaning device for cleaning a capsule filling machine with a rotating cleaning unit, wherein the cleaning device has spray openings for spraying a cleaning agent.It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a rotary press, in particular a tablet rotary press, and a method for cleaning a rotary press, in particular a tablet rotary press, wherein spray shadows are avoided or at least reduced and the design complexity is kept low.The above object is achieved by a rotary press, in particular a tablet rotary press, having the features of claim 1.The rotary press comprises a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation. The rotor can be designed as a rotor plate. The rotor can be mounted rotatably about the axis of rotation.The rotary press also comprises a cleaning device. The cleaning device serves for cleaning the rotary press. The cleaning device comprises at least one spray opening. The cleaning device comprises in particular a plurality of spray openings. The spray opening serves for spraying a cleaning agent. The cleaning agent can be a liquid, a gas and / or a mixture of liquid and gas. The cleaning agent can be in particular a cleaning liquid.The cleaning device (or the spray opening) is coupled to the rotor and configured in such a way that the spray opening can be rotated about the axis of rotation by rotating the rotor. The spray opening of the cleaning device can be designed to be rotatable about the axis of rotation. The rotor can serve as a drive for the rotating movement of the spray opening. The rotor and the spray nozzle may be coupled to each other such that when the rotor is rotated, the spray opening is also rotated, in particular, at the same angular speed as the rotor. The rotor and the spray opening are designed to be rotatable about the axis of rotation, in particular.The rotary press may be suitable for wet cleaning by means of a cleaning liquid. The rotary press or the cleaning device can comprise feed lines, a pump and / or a corresponding waste water structure.As a result, the (rotational) movement of the rotor can be utilized for the movement of the spray opening. A separate drive for the (rotational) movement of the spray opening can be dispensed with. The structural outlay for a cleaning device can thus be reduced. Due to the rotation of the spray opening, spray shadows can be avoided or at least reduced during the cleaning process. The cleaning process can be carried out optimally and the cleaning time can be reduced. This allows the costs for the rotary press (low design complexity) and for each cleaning operation (on account of avoiding the spray shadows) to be reduced.According to a further development of the rotary press, a static spray nozzle can be arranged at the spray opening.As a result, the cleaning agent can be sprayed in a targeted manner and with a desired pressure measured using simple means. The spray pattern of the detergent can be adjusted as desired.According to a further development of the rotary press, a rotary spray nozzle can be arranged at the spray opening. The rotary spray nozzle can be designed to be spherical. The rotary spray nozzle can be configured to rotate (rotate) during the cleaning process and thus to spray the cleaning agent about its own axis of rotation. The rotary movement of the rotary spray nozzle can be effected by the escape of the cleaning agent (repulsion principle) (similar to a dishwasher).As a result, the cleaning agent can be distributed more effectively over as many surfaces as possible. The spray pattern of the detergent can be adjusted as desired.According to a further development of the rotary press, the cleaning device can comprise at least one internal feed channel, in particular a plurality of internal feed channels, for conducting the cleaning agent to the spray opening. The internal feed channel can be arranged at least in sections, in particular completely, within the rotor. The internal feed channel can open into the spray opening.In this way, the spray opening (or at least partially the cleaning device) can be integrated into the rotor. This allows external components, such as, for example, components to be tested. It is possible to dispense with feed lines of the cleaning agent and static cleaning nozzles. These would likewise have to be cleaned in a complicated manner after a batch process. The integration of the spray opening into the rotor (plate) eliminates this additional cleaning effort of these components. In other words, due to the integration of the spray opening (or the cleaning technique) into the rotor, many, in particular static, externally arranged cleaning nozzles and their feed lines can be saved. This reduces the cleaning time, increases the clarity of the machine and saves costs.According to a further development of the rotary press, the cleaning device can comprise at least one external feed channel, in particular a plurality of feed channels, for conducting the cleaning agent to the spray opening. The external feed channel can be arranged at least in sections, in particular completely, outside the rotor. The external feed channel can open into the spray opening.As a result, a spray opening rotating by means of the rotor can be implemented with simple means. There is no need for a modification and / or replacement of the rotor. Thus, a rotary press with a rotor which does not have any internal feed channels for conducting the cleaning agent can be "upgraded".According to a further development of the rotary press, the rotary press can comprise at least one upper tabletting punch. Alternatively or additionally, the rotary press can comprise at least one lower tabletting punch. The upper and the lower tabletting punch can be configured such that they cooperate for pressing a powder in order to produce in particular a tablet. The upper and / or the lower tabletting punch can each be designed as a tabletting tool or as a stuffing punch. The cleaning device can comprise at least one cleaning punch. The cleaning punch can be designed to be replaceable with the lower and / or the upper tabletting punch. Within the cleaning plunger, at least one channel for conducting the cleaning agent to the spray opening can be arranged. The channel can open into the spray opening.As a result, the cleaning agent can be sprayed in a targeted manner also on surfaces which are otherwise difficult or impossible to reach, such as a guide curve of the tabletting punches or stuffing punches. The cleaning process can thus be further optimized.According to a further development of the rotary press, the cleaning device can comprise at least one guide element. The guide element can be tubular. The guide element can be designed as a tube. The guide element can be designed to be fixable (or fixable) to the rotor. The spray opening can be arranged in or on the guide element. Within the guide element, at least one guide channel for guiding the cleaning agent to the spray opening can be arranged. The guide channel can open into the spray opening.As a result, a spray opening can be displaced radially outwards with simple means. The arrangement (radial with respect to the rotor) of the spray opening can thereby be variably or specifically adjusted. The spraying of the cleaning agent can thus be adjusted in a targeted manner.According to a further development of the rotary press, the cleaning device can comprise an inlet for conducting the cleaning agent into the rotor. The inlet can open into the rotor in the region of the axis of rotation. The inlet can be fluidically coupled to the internal feed channel, the external feed channel, the channel of the cleaning plunger and / or the guide channel of the guide element. The inlet can be sealed off on the rotor via a sliding seal. The inlet can be designed as a separate rotary feedthrough.The internal feed channel, the external feed channel, the channel of the cleaning plunger and / or the guide channel of the guide element can each be fluidically coupled to one another.In the present case, a fluidic connection or a fluidic coupling means that a gas and / or a liquid (fluid) can flow between two fluidically coupled elements or between two elements which are in fluidic connection.In this way, the cleaning agent can be conducted through the rotor to the spray opening with simple means.According to a further development of the rotary press, the cleaning device can comprise a pump for pumping the cleaning agent through the spray opening.As a result, the cleaning agent can be conveyed with simple means and thus sprayed through the spray opening.The above object is also achieved by a method for cleaning a rotary press, in particular a tablet rotary press, according to the above explanations with the features of the subordinate claim.The method comprises the steps of:rotating the spray orifice about the axis of rotation by rotating the rotor.spraying the cleaning agent through the spray opening and / or through the static spray nozzle and / or through the rotary spray nozzle.With regard to the advantages which can be achieved thereby, reference is made to the relevant explanations relating to the rotary press. For a further embodiment of the method, the measures described in connection with the rotary press and / or the measures explained below can be used.The method may comprise the step of:pumping the cleaning agent in a circuit. The cleaning agent can be pumped in a circuit (in particular by means of a pump), i.e. can be used several times.This allows the cleaning agent to be used multiple times and thus to be saved. Thus, the cost of the detergent can be reduced.The method may comprise the step of:collecting and disposing of the sprayed cleaning agent after the cleaning agent has been sprayed once through the spray opening and / or through the static spray nozzle and / or through the rotary spray nozzle.Thus, the cleaning agent is used only once. Thus, a fresh and unloaded cleaning agent is always available to the cleaning process. The cleaning effect can thereby be improved.The method may comprise the step of:conducting the cleaning agent through the internal feed channel, the external feed channel, the channel of the cleaning punch and / or the conducting channel of the conducting element.The cleaning agent can thus be conducted to the spray opening with simple means and sprayed by means of the spray opening.The method may comprise the step of:closing the spray opening and / or the internal feed channel. The closing can be implemented by means of the upper and / or the lower tabletting punch.In this way, the spray opening and / or the internal feed duct can be closed or released again using simple (already present) means. As a result, the spraying of the cleaning agent from the spray opening can be adjusted (the spray opening closed or released) in a controlled or desired manner.Further features, details and advantages of the invention are evident from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments on the basis of the drawings. The following are shown: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary press with a rotor; FIG. 2 is a side view of the rotary press according to FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the rotor of the rotary press according to a first exemplary embodiment; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the rotor of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 shows a detail of the sectional view according to FIG. 4 ; FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the rotor according to a second exemplary embodiment; FIG. 7 shows a detail of a perspective view of the rotor according to a third exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 8 shows a detail of a sectional view of the rotor according to FIG. 7.In the following description and in the figures, corresponding components and elements bear the same reference numerals. For the sake of better clarity, not all reference numerals are reproduced in all figures.FIGS. 1 and 2 show a perspective view and a side view of a rotary press 10 with a rotor 14, The rotary press 10 is designed in the present case as a tablet rotary press.FIG. 3 shows a perspective view and FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the rotor 14 of the rotary press 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment.The rotor 14 is designed to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 12. The rotor 14 comprises in the present case a plurality of upper tabletting punches 30 and a plurality of lower tabletting punches 31.The rotor 14 comprises a cleaning device 16 for cleaning the rotary press 10. the cleaning device 16 comprises at least one spray opening 18 for spraying a cleaning agent 20.The cleaning device 16 is coupled to the rotor 14 and is configured in such a way that the spray openings 18 can be rotated about the axis of rotation 12 by rotating the rotor 14. The cleaning device 16 and in particular the spray openings 18 are thus rotated together with the rotor 14. The cleaning device 16 is integrated in particular into the rotor 14.The cleaning device 16 comprises in the present case a lower internal feed channel 26, a middle internal feed channel 27 and an upper internal feed channel 29 for conducting the cleaning agent 20 to the respective spray openings 18.The internal feed channels 26, 27, 29 are arranged completely within the rotor 14. The internal feed channels 26, 27, 29 are each fluidically connected to the corresponding spray openings 18.In the present case, the internal feed channels 26, 27, 29 are each designed as a bore within the rotor 14. In the present case, the internal feed channels 26, 27, 29 designed as a bore are oriented perpendicularly to the axis of rotation 12, i.e. run in a straight line in the horizontal (perpendicular to the direction of gravity 15). The direction of gravity 15 is indicated in FIGS. 4 to 8 by means of an arrow. It is likewise conceivable for the internal feed channels 26, 27, 28 designed in the present case as a bore to have a slight gradient, i.e. to run at an inclination to the horizontal. Thus, after the cleaning process, the internal feed channels 26, 27, 28 can automatically idle.In the present case, the cleaning device 16 has an inlet 40 for conducting the cleaning agent 20 into the rotor 14. The inlet 40 is merely indicated schematically by means of a large arrow (in FIGS. 4 and 6 ). The inlet 40 is arranged in the region of the axis of rotation 12. The inlet 40 thus opens centrally into the rotor 14. The inlet 40 can, as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 6, open into the rotor 14 from below with respect to the direction of gravity 15. It is likewise conceivable for the inlet 40 to be able to open into the rotor 14 from above with respect to the direction of gravity 15.The cleaning device 16 comprises a pump 42 for pumping the cleaning agent 20 in the present case. The pump is indicated only schematically (in FIGS. 4 and 6 ). The cleaning agent 20 is conveyed by means of the pump 42 through the inlet 40 into the rotor 14. In the rotor 14, the cleaning agent 20 pumped in through the inlet 40 is forwarded to the respective spray openings 18 by means of the internal feed channels 26, 27, 29.The internal feed channels 26, 27, 29 can each open with their right-hand end in FIG. 4 into the inlet 40. The internal feed channels 26, 27, 29 can be designed at least in sections as a common channel. Between the internal feed channels 26, 27, 29 and the inlet 40, a chamber 41 can be arranged, which fluidically connects the internal feed channels 26, 27, 29 and the inlet 40 to one another. The chamber 41 can function as a detergent reservoir or buffer.In the present case, the lower internal feed duct 26 opens with its left-hand end in FIG. 4 into a spray opening 18, which is blocked or closed by means of a lower tabletting punch 31. Thus, the lower tabletting punches 31 can be included in the cleaning process. The lower internal feed channel 26 and the corresponding spray opening 18 can be closed and released again in the present case by displacing the corresponding lower tabletting punch 31 along the direction of gravity 15.The cleaning device 16 comprises at least one guide element 36 in the present case. the guide element 36 is embodied in the form of a straight tube in the present case. The guide element 36 can be fixed to the rotor 14 (illustrated in FIG. 4 ). At a left-hand end of the guide element 36, as seen in FIG. 4, a spray opening 18 is arranged. Within the guide element 36, a guide channel 38 is arranged in the present case for guiding the cleaning agent 20 to the spray opening 18. The guide channel 38 opens on the one hand (with its left-hand end in FIG. 4 ) into the corresponding spray opening 18 and on the other hand (with its right-hand end in FIG. 4 ) into the central internal feed channel 27.At the spray opening 18, which is arranged on the guide element 36, a static spray nozzle 22 is arranged in the present case. It is likewise conceivable that a rotary spray nozzle 24 (cf. FIGS. 7 and 8 ) or another spray nozzle can be arranged on the spray opening 18. By selecting the spray nozzle, the type of spraying of the cleaning agent 20 (spray angle, spray direction, spray speed, spray pattern, etc.) can be adjusted as desired.The cleaning device 16 comprises at least one cleaning punch 32 in the present case. the cleaning punch 32 is designed to be replaceable with an upper tabletting punch 30. The cleaning punch 32 can thus be arranged or fixed on the rotor 14 instead of an upper tabletting punch 30. The cleaning punch 32 is replaced in the present case by an upper tabletting punch 30 and is arranged on the rotor 14.FIG. 5 shows a detail of the sectional view according to FIG. 4, in which the cleaning punch 32 is shown on an enlarged scale.The cleaning plunger 32 has four spray openings 18 for spraying the cleaning agent 20. The four spray openings 18 are arranged on the cleaning plunger 32. Within the cleaning plunger 32, four channels 34 are formed in the present case for conducting the cleaning agent 20 to the respective spray openings 18 arranged on the cleaning plunger 32. On the one hand, the four channels 34 each open into the corresponding spray opening 18, and on the other hand, the four channels 34 converge and open into the upper internal feed channel 29 of the rotor 14. the cleaning agent 20 can be sprayed by means of the cleaning plunger 32, in particular in the region of the guide curve 35 of the upper tabletting plungers 30.FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the rotor 14 according to a second exemplary embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in Figs. 3 to 5 in the following:The cleaning device 16 in the present case additionally has at least one external feed channel 28 for conducting the cleaning agent 20 to a spray opening 18.The external feed channel 28 opens on the one hand into the chamber 41 and / or the inlet 40 and on the other hand into the corresponding spray opening 18. By means of the rotary spray nozzle 24, spraying of the cleaning agent 20 in as far as possible all spatial directions is possible.The external feed channel 28, the spray opening 18 arranged on the feed channel 28, and also a rotary spray nozzle 24 arranged on this spray opening 18 are illustrated merely schematically (in FIG. 6 ).FIG. 7 is a perspective view portion and FIG. 8 is a sectional view portion of the rotor 14 according to a third embodiment. The third embodiment differs from the first and / or second embodiment in the following:At the spray opening 18, which is arranged on the guide element 36, a spherical, rotary spray nozzle 24 is arranged instead of the static spray nozzle 22. By means of the spherical, rotary spray nozzle 24, spraying of the cleaning agent 20 in as far as possible all spatial directions can be made possible.The method for cleaning the rotary press 10 as described above will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 in the following:The method comprises the steps of:Rotating the spray orifices 18 about the axis of rotation 12 by rotating the rotor 14 Since the spray orifices 18 are integrated with the rotor 14 and / or coupled to the rotor 14, they rotate with the rotor 14.spraying the cleaning agent 20 through the spray openings 18 and / or through the static spray nozzle 22 and / or the rotary spray nozzle(s) 24.In the present case, the method comprises the step:pumping the cleaning agent 20 in a circuit. For this purpose, the cleaning agent 20 can be pumped by means of the pump 42 in a circuit, through the rotor 14 and / or the cleaning device 16. The cleaning agent 20 can thus be reused several times.Alternatively, the method may comprise the step of:After a single spraying of the cleaning agent 20, the sprayed cleaning agent 20 can be collected and disposed of through the spray openings 18 and / or through the static spray nozzle 22 and / or through the rotary spray nozzle(s) 24.The method comprises the step:Conducting the cleaning agent 20 through the internal feed channels 26, 27, 29, the external feed channel 28, the channels 34 of the cleaning plunger 32 and / or the conducting channel 38 of the conducting element 36 Thus, all channels and / or spray openings 18 which are in particular fluidically connected to one another are charged or supplied with the cleaning agent 20.The method comprises the step:Closing a spray opening 18 and / or the lower internal feed channel 26 This can be implemented, for example, by means of a lower tabletting punch 31. By moving the lower tabletting punch 31 along the direction of gravity 15, the lower internal feed duct 26 or the spray opening 18 arranged on the lower internal feed duct 26 can be closed or released again. As a result, the spray pattern of the cleaning agent 20 can be influenced and set as desired.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedWO 2009 / 021 776 A2

[0004]

Claims

Rotary press (10), in particular a tablet rotary press, comprising: - a rotor (14) rotatable about an axis of rotation (12), and - a cleaning device (16) for cleaning the rotary press (10), wherein the cleaning device (16) comprises at least one spray opening (18), in particular a plurality of spray openings (18), for spraying a cleaning agent (20), characterized in that the cleaning device (16) is coupled to the rotor (14) and is configured such that the spray opening (18) can be rotated about the axis of rotation (12) by rotating the rotor (14).Rotary press (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that a static spray nozzle (22) is arranged on the spray opening (18).Rotary press (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that a rotary spray nozzle (24), in particular a spherical rotary spray nozzle, is arranged on the spray opening (18).Rotary press (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (16) comprises at least one internal feed duct (26, 27, 29) for conducting the cleaning agent (20) to the spray opening (18), wherein the internal feed duct (26, 27, 29) is arranged at least in sections, in particular completely, within the rotor (14), in particular wherein the internal feed duct (26, 27, 29) opens into the spray opening (18).Rotary press (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the internal feed duct (26, 27, 29) is designed at least in sections, in particular completely, as a bore within the rotor (14).Rotary press (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (16) comprises at least one external feed duct (28) for conducting the cleaning agent (20) to the spray opening (18), wherein the external feed duct (28) is arranged at least in sections, in particular completely, outside the rotor (14), in particular wherein the external feed duct (28) opens into the spray opening (18).Rotary press (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary press (10) comprises at least one upper tabletting punch (30) and / or at least one lower tabletting punch (31), in particular a stuffing punch, and the cleaning device (16) comprises at least one cleaning punch (32), wherein the cleaning punch (32) is designed to be replaceable with the lower and / or upper tabletting punch (30, 31), wherein the spray opening (18) is arranged in or on the cleaning punch (32), wherein at least one channel (34) for conducting the cleaning agent (20) to the spray opening (18) is arranged within the cleaning punch (32), in particular wherein the channel (34) opens into the spray opening (18).Rotary press (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (16) comprises at least one, in particular tubular, guide element (36), wherein the guide element (36) is designed such that it can be fixed to the rotor (14), wherein the spray opening (18) is arranged in or on the guide element (36), wherein at least one guide channel (38) for guiding the cleaning agent (20) to the spray opening (18) is arranged within the guide element (36), in particular wherein the guide channel (38) opens into the spray opening (18).Rotary press (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (16) comprises an inlet (40) for conducting the cleaning agent (20) into the rotor (14), in particular wherein the inlet (40) opens into the rotor (14) in the region of the axis of rotation (12).Rotary press (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (16) comprises a pump (42) for pumping the cleaning agent (20), in particular through the cleaning device (16) and / or the spray opening (18).Method for cleaning a rotary press (10), in particular a tablet rotary press, according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: - rotating the spray opening (18) about the axis of rotation (12) by rotating the rotor (14); - spraying the cleaning agent (20) through the spray opening (18) and / or through the static spray nozzle (22) and / or through the rotary spray nozzle (24).Method according to claim 11, characterised bythe step: - pumping the cleaning agent (20) in a circuit.Method according to claim 11, characterised bythe step: - collecting and disposing of the sprayed cleaning agent (20) after a single spraying of the cleaning agent (20) through the spray opening (18) and / or through the static spray nozzle (22) and / or through the rotary spray nozzle (24).Method according to one of Claims 11 to 13, characterized bythe step of: - guiding the cleaning agent (20) through the internal feed duct (26, 27, 29), the external feed duct (28), the duct (34) of the cleaning plunger (32) and / or the guide duct (38) of the guide element (36).Method according to one of Claims 11 to 14, characterized bythe step: - closing the spray opening (18) and / or the internal feed duct (26, 27, 29), in particular by means of the upper and / or the lower tabletting punch (30, 31).

Images