FILL UNIT FOR A ROTARY PRESS AND A METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN OPTIMIZED ROTARY PRESS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a filling unit for a rotary press having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method for providing an optimized rotary press having features of the independent claim.

[0002] Rotary presses are used in the pharmaceutical, technical, chemical or food industries to produce tablets or pellets in large quantities from powdered materials.

[0003] Rotary presses feature a rotating die plate with die holes arranged within it, which move in a circular path. They typically have upper and lower punches that move with the die plate on a circular path, moving up and down during rotation. The upper and upper punches are designed so that their upper and lower punch ends engage the die holes arranged in the die plate, respectively, to compress the powder material introduced into them into tablets.

[0004] The powder to be pressed is fed into the die holes via a hopper with an attached filling unit with rotating impellers. Such filling units are shown, for example, in EP 3 406 436 A1 and DE 20 2007 002 707 U1.

[0005] WO 2015 / 186905 A1 discloses a filling unit with features of the preamble of claim

[0006] The impellers assist the powder flow from the hopper into the die holes to ensure consistent filling and thus a constant weight for each individual tablet.

[0007] The impellers are usually available with flat or round blades and a circular hub. The flow behavior and properties of the powder are influenced, for example, by the immersion depth of the impellers and the blade shape (e.g., flat impellers with a rectangular cross-section or cylindrical impellers with a round cross-section). The flat impeller profile is suitable for free-flowing, non-sticky mixtures and ensures good filling of the die holes as long as the cohesive forces of the materials remain relatively low.

[0008] For powder materials with higher cohesive forces (fines content, moisture content, surface structure), round-shaped blades have a smaller contact area and cut better through the powder bed instead of compacting it.

[0009] Depending on the flow behavior / properties of the powder, the filling unit can be equipped with appropriate impellers and therefore manually converted in order to achieve an adapted dosing behavior.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a filling unit for a rotary press and a method for providing an optimized rotary press which eliminates the above disadvantages.

[0011] This object is achieved by the filling unit according to the invention for a rotary press with the features of claim 1. The filling unit according to the invention comprises: a filling wheel, which is designed to fill a medium to be dosed, in particular powder, into die bores of a die plate of the rotary press. The filling wheel is designed as an impeller. The filling wheel has vanes and is designed to convey the medium to be dosed through a rotating movement by means of its vanes. In other words, the vanes of the filling wheel, designed as an impeller, move in a circular path around the center of the filling wheel.

[0012] The filling unit further comprises a dosing wheel designed to precisely dose a quantity of medium to be dosed into the respective die bores of the die plate. The dosing wheel is designed as an impeller. The dosing wheel has vanes and is designed to precisely dose the quantity of medium to be dosed by sweeping over the die bores of the die plate with its vanes by means of a rotating movement. Excess medium is removed by sweeping over the die bores of the die plate. In other words, the vanes of the dosing wheel designed as an impeller move in a circular path around the center of the dosing wheel, sweeping over the die bores.

[0013] The filling wheel moves the powder into the die holes of the die table. Typically, the underside of the die hole is sealed by a corresponding lower punch. Before the die hole reaches the metering wheel, the lower punch can be raised slightly to a precisely specified position to define a precisely defined die hole size. The portion of powder protruding upward from the die hole is then "scraped off," or removed, by the metering wheel.

[0014] The filling unit can have a feed wheel designed to feed the medium to be dosed to the filling wheel. The feed wheel is designed as an impeller. The feed wheel has vanes and is designed to convey the medium to be fed to the filling wheel through a rotating movement by means of its vanes. In other words, the vanes of the feed wheel designed as an impeller move in a circular path around the center of the feed wheel. In doing so, they convey the medium to be dosed to the filling wheel.

[0015] The filling unit further comprises at least one media supply unit configured to supply the medium to the filling wheel. Alternatively or additionally, the media supply unit can supply the medium to the feed wheel. The medium enters the filling unit via the media supply unit. The media supply unit can comprise, for example, a funnel, a pipe, or a hose.

[0016] The blades of the filling wheel, dosing wheel and / or feed wheel designed as an impeller are designed in such a way that a conveying surface of the respective blades can be varied in its shape.

[0017] The conveying surface of the vanes is formed by the surface area of ​​the vanes with which the respective impeller conveys the medium. The conveying surface is therefore the part of the vanes that, during operation of the filling unit, is designed and configured to contact the medium and convey or meter it through the respective rotational movement.

[0018] The shape of the conveying surface can be varied by rotating the vanes of the impeller-shaped filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel around their respective axes of extension. For this purpose, the vanes of the impeller-shaped filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel can be designed to rotate around their respective axes of extension. The vanes can be brought into at least two rotational positions by rotating around their respective axes of extension, in which the vanes form differently shaped conveying surfaces. The medium to be dosed can be conveyed with differently shaped conveying surfaces depending on the rotational position of the vanes.

[0019] By rotating / turning the vanes into different rotational positions, variously shaped conveying surfaces can be created. The rotation / turning of the vanes can be achieved, for example, by a gear mechanism, a sliding mechanism, a crank drive, a cable pull, a piston drive, and / or cam-controlled.

[0020] The vanes can have a conveying surface in the shape of a circular segment, in particular a semicircle, on a first side, and a flat conveying surface can be provided on an opposite side. By simply rotating the vanes 180 degrees, the conveying surface can be switched back and forth between the shape of a vane with a circular cross-section and a vane with, for example, a square cross-section.

[0021] The vanes can, in particular, have a triangular cross-section. In particular, the cross-section of the vanes can correspond to an isosceles triangle, in particular an equilateral triangle. The vanes can be rotated into a position where one corner of the triangular cross-section points downward, thus forming an angular underside of the vanes. This allows a "sharp-edged" underside to be created. The vanes can also be rotated so that one corner of the triangular cross-section points upward. In this case, one of the triangular sides of the cross-section forms the underside of the vanes. This allows selection between the various undersides of the vanes and a desired setting. Of course, the conveying surface of vanes with a triangular cross-section can also be varied by rotating the vanes.Here, too, you can choose between a flat conveying surface and a square conveying surface.

[0022] The vanes can, in particular, have a rectangular, particularly square, cross-section. With a rectangular cross-section, two opposite sides can be shorter and the other two opposite sides longer. The two longer sides of the rectangular cross-section form a larger side surface of the vanes than the two shorter sides of the rectangular cross-section. Thus, by rotating the vanes, it is possible to select between a conveying surface with a larger surface area and a conveying surface with a smaller surface area.

[0023] The shape of the conveying surface can be changed by a variable inclination of the blades with respect to a radial direction extending from the axis of rotation of the respective impeller.

[0024] In other words, the vanes of the filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel, which are designed as impellers, can be configured in such a way that an angle spanned by the respective extension axis of the vanes (or their extension) and a radial direction of the respective impeller extending from the rotational axis can be varied. The inclination of the vanes can also be achieved using a gear mechanism. A type of "cable pull" for changing the inclination of the vanes is also conceivable.

[0025] The shape of the conveying surface can be varied by a variable curvature of the vanes of the filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel designed as an impeller. A curvature, as defined in this application, refers to a deviation from a straight line, at least in sections, in particular an arcuate one. In particular, the curvature can be a deviation, at least in sections, in particular an arcuate one, from the radial direction extending from the rotational axis of the respective impeller. The vanes can have at least one section with a variable curvature.

[0026] A variable curvature of the blades can be achieved, for example, using a bimetal strip, a cable pull, and / or a tension or compression element. It is also conceivable that the variable curvature can be implemented along only one section or several sections of the blades. In particular, the variable curvature can be implemented along the entire length of the blades.

[0027] By changing the shape of the impeller's conveying surface, the impeller-designed filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel can be adapted to different media with different flow behaviors / properties without having to replace the individual impellers. This eliminates the need to remove the respective impellers. The shape of the impeller's conveying surface can be varied / changed while the respective impeller is still installed, without having to remove the impeller.

[0028] It is therefore conceivable that the shape of the conveying surface of the wings can be varied / adjusted during operation of the rotary press.

[0029] It is conceivable that the shape of the conveying surfaces could be varied during the tablet production process or while the respective impellers are conveying the medium to be dosed through the filling unit. However, it is also possible for the tablet production process or the conveying of the medium to be dosed through the filling unit to be briefly paused (interrupted), then the shape of the conveying surfaces is changed, and then the tablet production process or the conveying of the medium to be dosed through the filling unit is resumed. In both cases, disassembly of the respective impellers or the filling unit is not necessary.

[0030] The vanes of the filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel designed as an impeller can be configured such that they can be moved parallel to the axis of rotation of the respective impeller. In other words, the vanes are designed to be height-adjustable. For example, when the vanes, whose cross-section deviates from a circular shape, rotate about their respective axis of extension, the lower edge of the vanes can be kept at a constant height or level. This ensures that no gaps arise between the impeller and the element of the filling unit arranged below it. In other words, by adjusting the height of the vanes, it can be ensured that while the medium is being conveyed by means of the respective impeller, the entire medium to be conveyed is captured and conveyed by the vanes.

[0031] The blades of the impeller-shaped filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel have a triangular or at least partially rounded cross-section. Of course, cross-sections with other geometric shapes are also conceivable. For example, a quadrangular, particularly square, cross-section is conceivable.

[0032] The vanes of the filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel configured as an impeller can have a constant cross-section along a portion of their respective extension axis. In particular, the cross-section can be the same along the entire respective extension axis. However, it is also conceivable for the area of ​​the cross-section along the respective extension axis to increase or decrease in the radial direction from the respective rotation axis, or to change along the extension axis, in particular uniformly.

[0033] The number of vanes of the filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel designed as an impeller can vary for each impeller and can be even and / or odd. The vanes of the filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel designed as an impeller can be designed to be interchangeable. In particular, the vanes can be designed as a replacement element of the individual impellers. This allows the vanes to be quickly and easily replaced with other vanes, particularly with a different cross-section. For example, if a vane is damaged, the corresponding vane can be replaced without having to replace the entire impeller. Furthermore, the interchangeability expands the number of different shapes of the conveying surface.

[0034] The filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel configured as impellers can each have vanes with a different cross-section along their respective extension axes. In other words, the filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel can each have differently shaped vanes. For example, the filling wheel can have vanes with a triangular cross-section, the dosing wheel can have vanes with a round cross-section, and the feed wheel can have vanes with a square cross-section.

[0035] The blades of the filling wheel, dosing wheel and / or feed wheel designed as an impeller can be arranged such that an extension of the respective extension axis runs at a distance from a rotation axis of the respective impeller. The extension of the respective extension axis thus forms a tangent to a circle around the rotation axis, wherein the circle has a radius different from zero. In other words, the blades are arranged inclined with respect to a radial direction emanating from the center of the respective impeller. In other words, the extension of the respective extension axis and the radial direction emanating from the center of the respective impeller span an angle different from zero, in particular between zero and 90 degrees, in particular between zero and 45 degrees, in particular between 0 and 20 degrees.

[0036] The filling unit can be designed such that the direction of rotation and / or the rotational speed of the filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel, which are configured as impellers, can be varied. The direction of rotation and / or the rotational speed can be preset before tablet production according to the respective medium (or powder). However, it is also conceivable that the direction of rotation and / or the rotational speed can be varied during tablet production, i.e., during the conveying of the medium (or during the rotation of the respective impellers). In particular, the direction of rotation can be varied independently of the rotational speed.

[0037] The filling unit can be designed such that the feed wheel can be switched into or out of a conveying path of the medium to be dosed. This can be done in particular by a pivoting movement of the feed wheel. In particular, the feed wheel can be pivoted about a rotational axis of the dosing wheel designed as an impeller. A corresponding pivoting device can be provided for this purpose. The feed wheel can be bridged or bypassed in particular by means of a second media feed unit. It is also conceivable for the media feed unit to be designed to be displaceable such that by moving the media feed unit it can be selected whether the conveying path of the medium to be dosed leads through the feed wheel or not.

[0038] In this case, the conveying path of the medium to be dosed refers to the path of the medium through the filling unit into the die bores.

[0039] The media feed unit can include a conveyor switch. This conveyor switch allows the medium to be dosed to be fed either to the feed wheel or the filling wheel. This allows a choice to be made as to whether the medium is conveyed via the feed wheel or not, without having to remove the feed wheel or switch it off or pivot it out of the conveying path.

[0040] The filling unit can have at least one electric motor. The electric motor can drive the filling wheel, dosing wheel, or feed wheel, which is designed as an impeller, directly or indirectly, for example, via at least one gear and / or a toothed belt. It is also conceivable for multiple impellers to be driven by the electric motor. However, it is also conceivable for each impeller to be driven by a separate electric motor.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, the electric motor can directly or indirectly, for example via at least one gearwheel and / or a toothed belt, vary the rotational position of the blades and / or the inclination or the angle spanned by the respective extension axis of the blades and a radial direction of the respective impeller extending from the rotational axis. It is conceivable that the rotational position of the blades and the inclination of the blades with respect to a radial direction extending from the rotational axis of the respective impeller are varied by means of the same electric motor. However, it is also conceivable that a separate electric motor can be provided for varying the rotational position and the inclination of the blades.

[0042] In particular, several electric motors can form an electric motor group and can be designed as a single replacement element. This allows several electric motors to be quickly and easily replaced with another electric motor group (e.g., in the event of damage). It is also conceivable that the gears that transmit torque from the electric motors to the impellers can be designed as a single gear group, whereby these can also be designed as a single replacement element.

[0043] In particular, the electric motor can be designed as a servomotor or a compressed air motor. In particular, all electric motors can be designed as servomotors or compressed air motors. It is also conceivable that a pneumatic and / or hydraulic drive can be provided as an alternative or in addition to the electric motor. Other drive types, including manual drive ("by hand"), are also conceivable.

[0044] The vanes of the filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel configured as an impeller can be designed to rotate by more than 180°, in particular by 360°. In other words, the vanes can be freely rotatable by at least more than 90°, in particular by 180°, in particular by 270°, in particular by at least 360°. The vanes can thus be brought into various rotational positions within the specified angular range. In particular, the vanes are designed to rotate about their respective extension axes.

[0045] Due to the large angle of rotation, e.g. at least 180°, it is possible to use different (more) sides of the blade profile (cross-section of the blades) to transport the medium to be dosed on the die plate.

[0046] The vanes of the filling wheel, dosing wheel, and / or feed wheel configured as an impeller can have a cross-section that includes at least one corner and a rounded section. The vanes can, for example, have a drop-shaped cross-section.

[0047] With such a cross-section of the blades, especially in conjunction with a large angle of rotation, e.g. at least 180°, an increased number of different shapes of the conveying surfaces of the respective blades (profile sections) results, which can be used for dosing, especially in conjunction with the die plate.

[0048] The above object is also achieved by the inventive method for providing an optimized rotary press with the features of the independent claim. The inventive method comprises the steps of: providing a first rotary press with an adjustable filling unit. The adjustable filling unit has at least one element with at least one adjustable configuration parameter. A configuration parameter, as used in this application, refers to a variable that influences the conveyance of the medium within the filling unit (or rotary press) and / or the properties of the produced tablets (e.g., tablet quality).

[0049] Production of multiple tablets with the first rotary press, each with different configuration parameter settings. For example, batches of tablets can be produced, with each batch being produced with a different configuration parameter setting.

[0050] Thus, using the first rotary press with the adjustable filling unit, different settings for a configuration parameter can be tested to find the optimal settings. Changing and / or replacing the corresponding elements related to the configuration parameter is not necessary.

[0051] Analyzing the produced tablets for desired properties in order to identify a tablet (or batch of tablets) with preferred properties among the produced tablets. These can particularly include quality characteristics of the tablet (e.g., particularly good strength, weight, breaking strength, land height).

[0052] Identification of the configuration parameter setting at which the tablet (or batch) with preferred properties was produced.

[0053] Provision of at least one second rotary press with an optimized filling unit. The optimized filling unit has at least one element with a fixed, predefined configuration parameter, in which the tablet (or tablet batch) was produced with preferred properties.

[0054] In other words, after the optimal configuration parameter has been identified using the first rotary press with the adjustable filling unit, this configuration parameter is transferred to a second rotary press. This configuration parameter can then no longer be adjusted on the second rotary press. It is also conceivable for the first rotary press to be configured with such an optimized filling unit. In other words, the first rotary press with an adjustable filling unit can be converted into a rotary press with an optimized filling unit.

[0055] Because the elements of the second rotary press already have the optimal configuration parameters and no longer require adjustment, these elements can be designed more simply. Additional elements / parts required for adjustability can be omitted. This makes the corresponding elements cheaper to manufacture. The second rotary press can therefore be designed more economically and smaller. Furthermore, the elements of the second rotary press can be designed more robustly and with a longer service life.

[0056] When producing tablets using a rotary press, a certain start-up time is necessary. For example, it takes some time until the medium to be dosed is evenly distributed along the entire conveying path. This means that the first tablets in a batch may have different properties than the remaining tablets in the same batch. It is therefore conceivable that, in order to identify the optimal configuration parameter, the first tablets in a batch are not taken into account in the analysis of the produced tablets. However, it is also conceivable that the batch contains such a large number of tablets that the deviation in the tablet properties between the first tablets and the remaining tablets in a batch is negligible due to the high number of tablets in the batch.

[0057] The adjustable filling unit of the first rotary press is a filling unit according to the above description.

[0058] The adjustable configuration parameter can be the direction of rotation or the rotation speed of the filling wheel, dosing wheel / or feed wheel designed as an impeller.

[0059] It is also conceivable that the adjustable configuration parameters can be speed, pre-pressure, main pressure, weight dosing, immersion depth or position of the compact in the die.

[0060] Switching the feed wheel from the conveying path to the conveying path of the medium to be dispensed can also represent a configuration parameter. In other words, a configuration parameter can represent the positioning of the feed wheel in or outside the conveying path of the medium to be dispensed.

[0061] The adjustable configuration parameter can be the shape of the vanes' conveying surfaces or the vane inclination. The shape of the vanes' conveying surfaces can be changed by rotating the vanes around their respective extension axes. The inclination of the vanes refers to the angle spanned by the respective extension axis (or its extension) of the vanes and a radial direction of the respective impeller extending from the rotation axis.

[0062] During the tablet production step with the first rotary press, several configuration parameters can be changed simultaneously. It is conceivable that several configuration parameters can be set on the same element. However, it is also conceivable that several configuration parameters can be set on several elements, whereby, in particular, one configuration parameter can be set on each element.

[0063] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1a side view of a rotary press with a filling unit; Fig. 2a top view of the filling unit with a die plate according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a further embodiment of the filling unit; Fig. 4 a perspective view of a further embodiment of the filling unit; Fig. 5 a perspective view of a further embodiment of the filling unit; Fig. 6 a section of a perspective view of the filling unit according to. Fig. 5 from a different perspective; Fig. 7 a perspective view of a filling wheel, dosing wheel and feed wheel designed as an impeller, including gears; Fig. 8 a perspective view of an impeller according to Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the impeller; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the impeller; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the impeller; and Fig. 12 is a flowchart of a method for providing an optimized rotary press.

[0064] In the following description and in the figures, corresponding components and elements bear the same reference symbols. For the sake of clarity, not all reference symbols are shown in all figures.

[0065] Figure 1 shows a side view of a rotary press 12 with a filling unit 10. In this case, the medium to be dosed, i.e. the powder to be pressed into the tablets, enters the rotary press 12 via a hopper 13. After the tablets have been pressed, they are transported out of the rotary press 12 via the outlet chute 15.

[0066] Figure 2 shows a top view of the filling unit 10 with a die plate 18 according to Fig. 1 . The die plate 18 has a plurality of die bores 16 arranged on a circular path, into which the medium to be compressed into the tablets is metered by means of the filling unit 10.

[0067] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the filling unit 10. The medium to be dosed is fed to a filling wheel 14 via the media feed unit 36. In this case, the media feed unit 36 ​​is designed as a straight pipe.

[0068] The filling wheel 14 is designed as an impeller 20 with vanes 22. The filling wheel 14 conveys the medium to be dosed into the die bores 16 of the dosing slide 18. This occurs by rotating the filling wheel 14 about its axis of rotation 42 (indicated by a dashed line).

[0069] The quantity of medium to be metered into the die bores 16 of the die plate 18 is precisely metered by a metering wheel 24. The metering wheel is designed as an impeller 26 with vanes 28. This is achieved by rotating the metering wheel 24 around its axis of rotation 42 (indicated by a dashed line). The vanes 28 of the metering wheel 24 sweep over the die bores 16, removing excess medium and leaving a precisely defined quantity of medium in the die bores 16.

[0070] The amount of medium remaining in a die bore 16 is then compressed into a tablet. This can be achieved, for example, by means of a lower and / or upper punch, which are moved relative to each other (not shown).

[0071] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the filling unit 10. The filling unit 10 shown has, analogously to the Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the filling unit 10 comprises a filling wheel 14 and a dosing wheel 24. In the present case, the die plate 18 with the die bores 16 is not shown. In this embodiment, the filling unit 10 also comprises a feed wheel 30.

[0072] The media supply unit 36 ​​supplies the medium to be dosed to the feed wheel 30. The feed wheel 30 is designed as an impeller 32 with vanes 34. The medium to be dosed is supplied to a filling wheel 14 by means of the feed wheel 30. This occurs by rotating the feed wheel 30 about its axis of rotation 42 (indicated by a dashed line).

[0073] In this case, the feed wheel 30 is mounted on a pivoting device 33. The pivoting device 33, and thus also the feed wheel 30, can be pivoted about the pivot axis 35. In this case, the pivot axis 35 and the rotation axis 42 of the metering wheel 24 are identical. Thus, the feed wheel 30 can be pivoted out of the medium conveying path or into the medium conveying path.

[0074] The illustrated conveying path of the medium runs through the media feed unit 36, which feeds the medium to the feed wheel 30. This feed wheel conveys the medium to the filling wheel 14 by rotating about its rotational axis 42. The filling wheel 14 fills the die bores 16 (not shown) by rotating about its rotational axis 42 (not shown). Subsequently, the medium filled into the die bores 16 is precisely metered by sweeping over them with the vanes 28 of the metering wheel 24. This is also achieved by rotating the metering wheel 24 about its rotational axis 42.

[0075] If the feed wheel 30 is pivoted out of the conveying path about the pivot axis 35, the conveying path of the medium then runs via the media feed unit 36, which feeds the medium directly to the filling wheel 14. The medium is then filled into the die bores by the filling wheel and then precisely metered by the metering wheel 24 (see above).

[0076] Alternatively or in addition to the pivoting device 33, the media feed unit 36 ​​can have a conveyor switch (not shown) that selectively feeds the medium either directly to the feed wheel 30 or to the filling wheel 14. Thus, a choice can be made between a conveyor path with the feed wheel 30 and a conveyor path without the feed wheel 30, without the feed wheel 30 having to be pivoted out of the conveyor path.

[0077] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the filling unit 10. In the present case, the filling wheel 14, the feed wheel 30 and the dosing wheel 24 are not shown as they are covered by a cover 51.

[0078] In the present case, six electric motors 50, which are designed as servomotors 52, are shown. In each case, two servomotors 52 are arranged opposite each other. Each servomotor 52 can be controlled or operated individually and independently of the remaining servomotors 52. The servomotors 52 can be designed as a servomotor group, which is designed as an exchange element. For example, the Figure 5 three upper servo motors 52 form an exchange element and the Figure 5 The three lower servo motors 52 form another replacement element. This allows the servo motors 52 to be replaced quickly and easily, for example, in the event of a defect.

[0079] Figure 6 shows a section of a perspective view of the filling unit 10 according to Fig. 5 from a different perspective. In this case, the cover 51 is not shown, so that the Figure 5The concealed filling wheel 14, the feed wheel 30 and the dosing wheel 24 are visible.

[0080] The filling wheel 14, the feed wheel 30, and the dosing wheel 24 are coupled to the servomotors 52 by means of gears 46, 48. Through the gears 46, 48, a torque can be transmitted from the respective servomotor 52 to the filling wheel 14, feed wheel 30, or dosing wheel 24. The transmitted torque can then be used to rotate the filling wheel 14, configured as an impeller 20, 26, 32, the feed wheel 30, and / or the dosing wheel 24, and / or to adjust the rotational position, inclination, and / or curvature of the vanes 22, 28, 34 of the corresponding impeller 20, 26, 32.

[0081] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a filling wheel 14, dosing wheel 24 and feed wheel 30 together with gears 46, 48. Six servo motors 52 are indicated by dashed lines. In this case, the torque is generated by three Figure 7top-mounted servo motors 52 are each transmitted to a first gear 46. This gear meshes with a second gear 46 and the second gear 46 meshes with a third gear 46, which is arranged on the filling wheel 14, dosing wheel 24 or feed wheel 30. Accordingly, the torque is transmitted by the three remaining (in Figure 7 The torque is transmitted by the servomotors 52 (located below) to a first gear 48. This gear meshes with a second gear 48, and the second gear 48 meshes with a third gear 48, which is located on the filling wheel 14, the dosing wheel 24, or the feed wheel 30. Thus, the torque of the respective servomotor 52 is transmitted to the filling wheel 14, the dosing wheel 24, or the feed wheel 30.

[0082] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of an impeller 20, 26, 32 according to Fig. 7 The impeller 20, 26, 32 shown can be a filling wheel 14, a feed wheel 30 or a dosing wheel 24.

[0083] The impeller 20, 26, 32 has a rotational axis 42 around which the filling wheel 20, 26, 32 is rotatable. The impeller 20, 26, 32 has ten vanes 22, 28, 34. In the present case, the vanes 22, 28, 34 extend radially outward from the rotational axis 42 and perpendicular to the rotational axis 42. The vanes 22, 28, 34 have an extension axis 38 that corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the vanes 22, 28, 34.

[0084] The wings 22, 28, 34 have a triangular cross-section in the present case, wherein in the position shown, one corner of the triangle represents the lower edge of the respective wing 22, 28, 34.

[0085] The impeller 20, 26, 32 has an upper gear 46 and a lower gear 48, with the impeller 20, 26, 32 and the two gears 46, 48 each having the same rotational axis 42, thus being arranged coaxially with one another. The impeller 20, 26, 32 is designed to be rotatable via the lower gear 48. This can be achieved, for example, by coupling the lower gear 48 and the impeller 20, 26, 32 to one another in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0086] If the impeller 20, 26, 32 is rotated, it rotates around the axis of rotation 42 and conveys the medium located between the individual vanes 22, 28, 34 with a respective conveying surface 40.

[0087] The upper gear 46 allows the blades 22, 28, 34 to be rotated about their respective extension axes 38. It is also conceivable that the height (displacement parallel to the rotation axis 42), inclination, and / or curvature of the blades 22, 28, 34 can be changed via the gear 46. The elements required for this, for example in the form of a corresponding mechanical and / or electrical system, can be arranged in a body 49 of the blade wheel 20, 26, 32.

[0088] The lower gear 48 is arranged between the upper gear 46 and the impeller 20, 26, 32. Of course, it is conceivable that the upper gear 46 is arranged between the lower gear 48 and the impeller 20, 26, 32, or that the functions of the upper and lower gears 46, 48 are reversed.

[0089] Figure 9shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the impeller 20, 26, 32. In the present case, the impeller 20, 26, 32 has straight blades 22, 28, 34 with a quadrangular (square) cross-section.

[0090] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the impeller 20, 26, 32. In the present case, an impeller 20, 26, 32 with inclined blades 22, 28, 34 is shown. The extension of the respective extension axis 38 of the blades 22, 28, 34 (indicated by dashed lines) does not intersect the center point of the impeller 20, 26, 32, marked as an "x" and designated by the reference number 47. The respective extension axis 38 or its extension is thus arranged at a distance from the center point 47.

[0091] In an impeller 20, 26, 32 with a variable inclination, the blades 22, 28, 34 can be adjusted such that the angle between the extension axis 38 (or its extension) of the respective blade 22, 28, 34 and the radial direction 45 can be varied. For example, a blade 54 can be moved from its sketched first arrangement 56 into a second arrangement 58 indicated by a dashed line. As can be clearly seen, the angle between the blade 54 in the first arrangement 56 and the radial direction 45 is different (larger) than that between the blade 54 in the second arrangement 58 and the radial direction 45. The variation in the inclination is indicated here by a double arrow.

[0092] Figure 11shows a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the impeller 20, 26, 32. The present exemplary embodiment of the impeller 20, 26, 32 has vanes 22, 28, 34 with a curvature. The vanes 22, 28, 34 each have a first section 60, in which the vanes 22, 28, 34 extend along the radial direction 45 (i.e., straight radially outwards). The first section 60 is followed by a second section 62, which is curved with respect to the radial direction 45. The second section 62 is followed by a third section 64, which is again straight (analogous to the first section 60).

[0093] A possible variable curvature of the blades 22, 28,34 of the impeller 20, 26, 32 is (analogous to Figure 10) is indicated by a double arrow and a first arrangement 66 and a second arrangement 68 (indicated by dashed lines) of the blade 70. In this case, varying the curvature also changes the outer diameter of the impeller 20, 26, 32. A greater curvature of the blades 22, 28, 34 with respect to the radial direction 45 results in a smaller outer diameter of the impeller 20, 26, 32. A lesser (smaller) curvature of the blades 22, 28, 34 with respect to the radial direction 45 results in a larger outer diameter of the impeller 20, 26, 32.

[0094] Figure 12 shows a flowchart of a method for providing an optimized rotary press. The method step of providing a first rotary press 12 with an adjustable filling unit 10, wherein the adjustable filling unit 10 has at least one element with at least one adjustable configuration parameter, is designated by reference numeral 72.

[0095] The subsequent process step of producing several tablets with the first rotary press 12 with different settings of the configuration parameter is designated by the reference number 74.

[0096] This process step 74 can be carried out as often as desired with as many different configuration parameters as desired.

[0097] After the tablets have been produced, the next step is to analyze the produced tablets for desired properties, especially quality characteristics, in order to identify a tablet with preferred properties among the produced tablets. This step is described in the Figure 12 designated by the reference number 76.

[0098] The process step of identifying the configuration parameter setting at which the tablet with preferred properties was produced is identified by reference number 78.

[0099] The final method step of providing at least one second rotary press with an optimized filling unit, wherein the optimized filling unit has at least one element with a fixed configuration parameter, in which the tablet was produced with preferred properties, is designated by reference number 80. It is also conceivable that, alternatively or in addition to providing a second rotary press, the first rotary press can be converted into a rotary press with an optimized filling unit.

[0100] The Figure 12 The flowchart shown is intended to illustrate, in particular, the temporal sequence of the individual process steps 72, 74, 76, 78, and 80. Process steps 72, 74, 76, 78, and 80 are carried out sequentially in the sequence shown in the flowchart.

[0101] However, it is also conceivable that a process step is repeated as often as desired before the next process step is carried out.

Claims

1. Filling unit (10) for a rotary press (12), the filling unit (10) comprising: A filling wheel (14) which is designed to fill a medium to be dosed into die bores (16) of a die plate (18) of the rotary press (12); wherein the filling wheel (14) is designed as an impeller wheel (20) and is designed to convey the medium to be dosed by a rotating movement by means of its blades (22); A dosing wheel (24) which is designed to dose a quantity of medium to be dosed in the respective die bores (16) of the die plate (18), in particular as accurately as possible, wherein the dosing wheel (24) is designed as an impeller wheel (26) and is designed to dose the quantity of medium to be dosed by sweeping over the die bores (16) of the die plate (18) with its blades (28) by means of a rotating movement, in particular as accurately as possible, and to remove excess medium; Optionally, a feed wheel (30) designed to feed the medium to be dosed to the filling wheel (14), wherein the feed wheel (30) is designed as an impeller wheel (32) and is designed to convey the medium to be fed to the filling wheel (14) by a rotating movement by means of its blades (34); At least one media feed unit (36) which is designed to feed the medium to the filling wheel (14) and / or the feed wheel (30), wherein the blades (22, 28, 34) of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) each have a conveying surface (40) with which the respective impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) conveys the medium characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) are designed such that a conveying surface (40) of the respective blades (22, 28, 34) can be varied in shape, wherein the blades (22, 28, 34) of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) have a triangular or an at least partially rounded cross-section, wherein the shape of the conveying surface (40) can be changed by rotating the blades (22, 28, 34) of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) about their respective extension axis (38), or can be changed by a variable inclination of the blades (22, 28, 34) of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) with respect to a radial direction (45) extending from the axis of rotation (42) of the respective impeller wheel (20, 26, 32), or can be changed by a variable curvature of the blades (22, 28, 34) of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32).

2. Filling unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) are designed to be adjustable in parallel with the axis of rotation (42) of the respective impeller wheel (20, 26, 32).

3. Filling unit (10) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) have a constant cross-section along at least a region of their respective extension axis (38), in particular along their entire respective extension axis (38).

4. Filling unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) are designed to be exchangeable, in particular are designed as an exchange element between the individual impeller wheels (20, 26, 32).

5. Filling unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) each have blades (22, 28, 34) with a different cross-section along their respective extension axis (38).

6. Filling unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) are arranged such that an extension of the respective extension axis (38) runs at a distance from an axis of rotation (42) of the respective impeller wheel (20, 26, 32).

7. Filling unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling unit (10) is designed in such a way that the direction of rotation and / or the speed of rotation of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) can be varied.

8. Filling unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling unit (10) is designed in such a way that the feed wheel (30) can be switched into or out of a conveying path of the medium to be dosed, in particular by a pivoting movement, in particular about an axis of rotation (42) of the dosing wheel (24) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32).

9. Filling unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the media feed unit (36) comprises a conveying switch by means of which the medium to be dosed can be fed selectively to the feed wheel (30) or the filling wheel (14).

10. Filling unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling unit (10) has at least one electric motor (50), in particular a servo motor (52), wherein the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) are driven directly or via at least one gear wheel (48) by the electric motor (50), in particular servo motor (52), and / or wherein the rotational position of the blades (22, 28, 34) and / or the inclination of the blades (22, 28, 34) with respect to a radial direction (45) extending from the axis of rotation (42) of the respective impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) is varied directly or via at least one gear wheel (46) by the electric motor (50), in particular servo motor (52).

11. Filling unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) are designed to be rotated by more than 180°, in particular by 360°.

12. Filling unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blades (22, 28, 34) of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32) have a cross-section which has at least a corner and a rounded section.

13. Method for providing an optimized rotary press comprising the steps of: Providing a first rotary press (12) having an adjustable filling unit (10), the adjustable filling unit (10) having at least one element with at least one adjustable configuration parameter; Producing a plurality of tablets with the first rotary press (12) with different settings of the configuration parameter in each case; Analyzing the produced tablets for desired properties, in particular quality characteristics, in order to identify a tablet with preferred properties among the tablets produced; Identifying the configuration parameter setting at which the tablet with preferred properties was produced; Providing at least a second rotary press having an optimized filling unit, the optimized filling unit having at least one element with a fixedly predetermined configuration parameter at which the tablet with preferred properties was produced, wherein the adjustable filling unit is a filling unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the adjustable configuration parameter is the direction of rotation or the speed of rotation of the filling wheel (14), dosing wheel (24) and / or feed wheel (30) designed as an impeller wheel (20, 26, 32), or the shape of the conveying surfaces (40) of the blades (22, 28, 34), wherein the shape of the conveying surfaces (40) can be changed by rotating the blades (22, 28, 34) about their respective axis of extension (38), or by inclining the blades (22, 28, 34) with respect to a radial direction (45) extending from the axis of rotation (42) of the respective impeller wheel (20, 26, 32), or by varying the curvature of the blades (22, 28, 34), or the switching of the feed wheel (30) in / out of the conveying path of the medium to be dosed.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that in the step of Producing tablets with the first rotary press (12), the settings for multiple configuration parameters are changed simultaneously.