Device and method for dedusting tablets or capsules

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dedusting tablets (48) or capsules produced in a production machine (100), comprising a product inlet (210) and a first surface (54) which receives tablets (48) or capsules fed in via the product inlet (210) and is designed to convey fed tablets (48) or capsules to a product outlet (60) of the device (200). An ultrasonic device which excites the first surface (54) to ultrasonic vibrations is coupled to the first surface (54). A separating device is provided which feeds dust released from the tablets (48) or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations to a dust outlet (64) of the device (200), which is separate from the product outlet (220). The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for dedusting tablets or capsules produced in a production machine, comprising a product inlet and a first surface receiving tablets or capsules fed via the product inlet, which first surface is designed to convey fed tablets or capsules to a product outlet of the device. The invention also relates to a method for dedusting tablets or capsules produced in a production machine.

[0002] Tablets or capsules produced in production machines such as rotary tablet presses or capsule filling machines often have residues of product dust on their surface after production. This product dust must be removed as completely as possible from the tablets or capsules before further processing, especially packaging. Dust collectors are known for removing powder residues adhering to tablets or capsules, for example, (screen) drum dust collectors, vibrating dust collectors, or upward dust collectors.

[0003] Depending on their specific properties, design, and functionality, the dust collectors used for dedusting tablets or capsules can remove a certain amount of adhering dust from tablets or capsules. However, this can result in various side effects that can negatively impact the tablets or capsules, the process, or the production machine, including its interfaces and peripherals.

[0004] Examples include undesirable physical influences on the tablet or capsule (stress) in a drum dust collector, the considerable space or installation space required in the process chamber in an upward dust collector, relatively low transport performance and complexity of cleaning due to the large number of individual parts, for example, in an upward dust collector, and considerable effort in terms of maintenance, costs, and energy consumption. Furthermore, the media required for the dust collection process in the state-of-the-art technology and their processing can incur further significant costs.

[0005] Based on the prior art explained above, the object of the invention is therefore to provide a device and a method of the type mentioned at the outset, with which an undesirable physical influence on the tablets or capsules is avoided and a high dedusting performance and a high throughput are achieved with little effort.

[0006] The invention solves the problem by the independent claims 1 and 18. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0007] For a device of the type mentioned at the outset, the invention achieves the object in that an ultrasonic device is coupled to the first surface, which excites the first surface to ultrasonic vibrations, and in that a separating device is provided, which feeds dust released from the tablets or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations to a dust outlet of the device which is separate from the product outlet.

[0008] For a method of the type mentioned above, the invention solves the problem by the following steps: Tablets or capsules produced in a production machine are fed via a product inlet to a first surface which conveys the tablets or capsules to a product outlet. While the tablets or capsules are conveyed via the first surface to the product outlet, the first surface is excited to ultrasonic vibrations so that dust is released from the tablets or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations. The dust released from the tablets or capsules is fed to a dust outlet separate from the product outlet.

[0009] According to the invention, the tablets or capsules to be dedusted are fed to a first surface via a product inlet. The product inlet can be connected directly or indirectly to a machine outlet of the production machine. The tablets or capsules to be dedusted are conveyed via the first surface to a product outlet of the device. During this conveyance, the tablets or capsules are freed of dust particles adhering to their surface. For this purpose, an ultrasonic device coupled to the first surface is provided. The ultrasonic device excites the first surface to ultrasonic vibrations, which are correspondingly transmitted to the tablets or capsules located on the first surface.

[0010] The ultrasonic vibrations transmitted to the tablets or capsules detach dust particles adhering to the surface of the tablets or capsules. This exploits the fact that the ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the first surface to the tablets or capsules cause the tablets or capsules, on the one hand, and dust-like product residues, on the other, to vibrate differently, thereby separating them. In particular, the particles separated from the tablets or capsules due to their different geometric configuration and mass change their local position, for example, rising, which further promotes the physical separation.Of course, in addition to the first surface, other components of the device, for example wall sections, frames, other surfaces or similar, can also be excited to ultrasonic vibrations, so that corresponding product residues can also be removed from such other components.

[0011] A separation device is provided that feeds the dust particles released from the tablets or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations to a dust outlet separate from the product outlet. The dust-free tablets or capsules thus enter the product outlet, while the detached dust is fed to the separate dust outlet for disposal. The tablets or capsules discharged through the product outlet are effectively dedusted and can be sent for further processing, such as inspection, coating, and / or packaging.

[0012] The invention realizes a number of advantages over the prior art. Firstly, the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention exert a considerably lower physical influence (stress) on the tablets or capsules to be dedusted. At the same time, the inventive excitation of ultrasonic vibrations and the resulting separation of the dust particles from the tablets or capsules achieves a considerably increased dedusting performance, whereby even the smallest dust particles can be removed from the tablets or capsules. At the same time, the space requirement of the device according to the invention is small and the device can be flexibly positioned on or near a production machine or even completely separately from it. Flexible adjustment and expansion of the device and the method are also possible in order to meet different dedusting requirements.Compared to the state of the art, higher throughput and transport performance are achievable. Undesirable interaction with the overall system, comprising a production machine and its peripherals, is minimal. Dust removal from a single surface ensures easy cleaning and minimal assembly and disassembly effort. At the same time, manufacturing costs are low, and energy and maintenance requirements are reduced.

[0013] The first surface can be partially or completely closed. The first surface can be a flat surface or a curved surface, such as the surface of a cylinder. Steel, preferably stainless steel, is a suitable material for the first surface, especially with regard to cleanability and food contact compliance. Plastics can also be considered as a material for the first surface.

[0014] The first surface can be enclosed by at least one frame to prevent the tablets or capsules from falling off the first surface, thus ensuring targeted conveying to the product outlet. The product outlet can be arranged opposite the product inlet, in particular at opposite ends of the first surface. The first surface and any further surfaces provided can be rigidly installed on the device or can be exchangeable to increase flexibility with regard to different applications, in particular different tablet or capsule sizes, dust load, product properties (sticky products, statically charged products). The first surface and any further surfaces, as well as basically all components of the device, can be enclosed by at least one housing, in particular to prevent unwanted escape of dust particles into the environment.

[0015] The device can be designed as a stand-alone device. It can also be partially or fully integrated into the production machine, for example, by connecting the product inlet directly to a tablet or capsule outlet of the production machine, or even by using the tablet or capsule outlet as the product inlet of the device. The tablets or capsules to be dedusted can therefore be fed directly or indirectly, for example via peripheral devices such as vacuum conveyors, compressed air conveyors, or the like, to the product inlet of the device. If at least one additional surface is provided in addition to the first surface, the tablets or capsules conveyed over the first surface can be transferred to the at least one additional surface at a transfer point. During conveyance over the first surface and, if necessary, over additional surfaces, dedusting occurs through the excited ultrasonic vibrations.

[0016] According to a particularly practical embodiment, the ultrasound device can comprise an ultrasound generator and an ultrasound transducer connected to the ultrasound generator, wherein the ultrasound transducer is coupled to the first surface directly or indirectly via an ultrasound conductor. In this embodiment, at least one ultrasound transducer is coupled to the first surface. This can be done directly or indirectly, via an ultrasound conductor, such as a planar sound conductor. A planar sound conductor is particularly suitable if the first surface is sieve-shaped or has holes, as will be explained below. The planar sound conductor is then connected at different positions to the sieve-shaped or perforated first surface.The ultrasonic transducer transmits the ultrasonic vibrations, optionally via the ultrasonic conductor, to the first surface and, via the first surface, to the tablets or capsules to be cleaned. If the first surface is bounded by a frame or housing, the frame and / or housing can be vibration-decoupled from the ultrasonic transducer to prevent unwanted ultrasound interference. The ultrasonic transducer is connected to the ultrasonic generator in the usual way, for example, via appropriate cables.

[0017] As already explained, the first surface can be sieve-shaped or have a plurality of holes, at least in sections. Dust released from the tablets or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations then falls through sieve openings or the holes in the first surface to the dust outlet, in particular into the dust outlet. The first surface can therefore have a specific permeability so that dust released from the tablets or capsules can fall through the first surface or be sucked off. If the first surface is sieve-shaped or has holes, different mesh widths or different hole sizes or hole spacings are possible depending on the application, depending on the product to be dedusted, i.e. the tablets or capsules, and in particular their size. Mesh widths or hole sizes of less than 5 mm, in particular less than 2 mm, and more particularly less than 1 mm are mentioned merely as examples.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the separating device can have a dust outlet opening provided upstream of the product outlet in the conveying direction of the tablets or capsules, through which dust released from the tablets or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations falls to the dust outlet, in particular into the dust outlet. In this way, a physical separation of the dust from the tablets or capsules is achieved in a particularly simple manner.

[0019] To assist in conveying the dust to the dust outlet, a suction device can be provided that sucks dust released from the tablets or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations to the dust outlet, in particular into the dust outlet. As already explained, the suction can be effected in particular through sieve openings or holes in the first surface. The suction can be arranged or act either below or above the first surface and optionally additional surfaces, or laterally between several surfaces.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the first surface can be structured at least in sections and / or have at least one depression and / or elevation. Examples of possible structuring include ribbing, roughening, or patterning. Examples of elevations or depressions include geometric irregularities, such as a step or groove. For example, if the first surface has a step, it can have several surface sections arranged vertically offset from one another by a step. While structuring can improve dust removal on the one hand and promote deburring of tablets on the other, geometric irregularities can be used to change the orientation of tablets or capsules, for example by rotating them, in order to dedust the surface of the tablets or capsules as completely as possible. For example, a step causes mechanical disruption in the conveying of the tablets or capsules.This can improve the detachment of dust particles from the surface of the tablets or capsules. For particularly effective disruption, the step can have a height that is greater than the diameter of circular tablets or, in the case of other tablet shapes, greater than the greatest length of tablets, for example, oblong tablets. A step height of at least 5 mm, in particular more than 10 mm, is mentioned merely as an example.

[0021] The first surface can be arranged at a non-zero angle to the horizontal, so that the tablets or capsules are conveyed at least partially by gravity to the product outlet, in particular into the product outlet, for example entirely by gravity. By arranging the first surface at an angle, both the tablets or capsules and the detached dust particles are conveyed in the desired manner over the first surface and to their respective outlet. To achieve the desired gravitational effect, even small angles of inclination of around 5° or less than 5° are possible. Larger angles of inclination are of course also conceivable. In principle, however, the angle of inclination should not be too great in order to avoid excessively rapid conveyance and thus incomplete dedusting of the tablets or capsules. For example, the angle of inclination can be no greater than 15°.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, a second surface can be provided downstream of the first surface in the conveying direction of the tablets or capsules, to which second surface the tablets or capsules are fed from the first surface during their conveyance, and from which second surface the tablets or capsules are conveyed further to the product outlet of the device. In this case, the tablets or capsules reach a transfer point from the first surface to a second surface. In this embodiment, the product outlet is arranged in particular at the end of the conveying path of the second surface or, if appropriate, further surfaces. The second surface can, for example, be arranged below the first surface or at a lower vertical level than the first surface. The tablets or capsules can then fall from the first surface to the second surface at the transfer point. The second surface can be variably aligned, just like the first surface.In this way, different directions of the flow of tablets or capsules relative to the first surface can be realized, for example, as an extension, in the opposite direction, rotated by an angle, for example, 90°, etc. The second surface can be directly connected to the first surface. However, it is also possible to provide another component between the first surface and the second surface, for example, another surface or a feed component, such as a chute or similar.

[0023] In principle, the second surface can be designed in the same way as the first surface or differently. All possible designs described for the first surface can also be provided for the second surface or, if necessary, for additional surfaces. Accordingly, the ultrasonic device can also be coupled to the second surface and also excite the second surface to ultrasonic vibrations. In this case, the tablets or capsules are further dedusted while being conveyed over the second surface. If both surfaces are excited to ultrasonic vibrations, the surfaces can be excited at the same or different frequencies.

[0024] The second surface can again be sieve-shaped or have a plurality of holes, at least in sections, so that dust released from the tablets or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations falls through sieve openings or the holes in the second surface to the dust outlet, in particular into the dust outlet, again through the sieve openings or holes in the second surface. The possible configurations in this regard were explained for the first surface. They can also be provided for the second surface.

[0025] Again, it is possible for the second surface to be structured at least in sections and / or to have at least one recess and / or elevation. The possible configurations and advantages in this regard were also explained for the first surface. They can be applied accordingly to the second surface.

[0026] The second surface can also be arranged at a non-zero angle to the horizontal, so that the tablets or capsules are conveyed at least partially to the product outlet by gravity, in particular, are conveyed into the product outlet, for example, entirely by gravity. Again, for possible configurations and the function of such an inclination of the second surface, reference is made to the above explanations regarding the first surface, which can also apply to the second surface.

[0027] As already explained, the first surface and / or the second surface can have a step. It is also possible for a step to be provided between the first surface and the second surface. As already explained, such a step causes mechanical disruption in the conveyance of the tablets or capsules. This can improve the detachment of dust particles from the surface of the tablets or capsules. For particularly effective disruption, the step can have a height that is greater than the diameter of circular tablets or, in the case of a different tablet shape, greater than the greatest length of tablets, for example oblong tablets. A step height of at least 5 mm, in particular more than 10 mm, can again be mentioned merely as an example.

[0028] The step can be designed such that the tablets or capsules are turned over as they are conveyed over the step, so that after the step they rest with a different surface, for example on the first surface or the second surface, than before the step. According to a further embodiment, the second surface can be arranged such that the tablets or capsules are turned over as they are conveyed from the first surface to the second surface, so that they rest on the first surface with a different surface than on the second surface. For example, the underside of the tablets or capsules resting before the step or on the first surface can form their upper side after the step or on the second surface. At the step or the transfer point from the first surface to the second surface, the tablets or capsules can fall to a lower vertical level.The aforementioned design allows the tablets or capsules to rotate in such a way that they subsequently rest on the substrate with a different surface than before. This allows for particularly complete dust removal from the surface of the tablets or capsules.

[0029] The invention also relates to a system comprising a production machine, in particular a tablet press, such as a rotary tablet press, or a capsule filling machine, with a machine outlet for tablets or capsules produced in the production machine, and further comprising a device according to the invention, the product inlet of which is directly or indirectly connected to the machine outlet of the production machine.

[0030] The method according to the invention can be carried out using a device according to the invention. Accordingly, the device according to the invention can be designed to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0031] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below. They show schematically: Fig. 1 shows a system according to the invention in a side view, Fig. 2 shows a rotary tablet press provided in the system according to the invention in an angled representation of the rotor, Fig. 3 shows a part of a device according to the invention in a sectional view, Fig. 4 shows a part of the Fig. 3 Fig. 5 shows a partially illustrated device according to the invention in a plan view, Fig. 5 shows a device according to the invention in a sectional view according to a further embodiment, and Fig. 6 shows a device according to the invention in a sectional view according to a further embodiment.

[0032] Unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols in the figures refer to the same objects.

[0033] In Figure 1 A production machine 100 is shown, which may be, for example, a tablet press, in particular a rotary tablet press, or a capsule filling machine. The production machine 100 has a machine outlet 110 through which tablets or capsules produced in the production machine 100 are discharged therefrom. The machine outlet 110 is directly connected to a product inlet 210 of a device 200 according to the invention for dedusting the tablets or capsules produced in the production machine 100. The device 200 further has a product outlet 220, via which the tablets or capsules dedusted in the device 200 can be discharged and fed for further processing, for example, testing, coating, and / or packaging.

[0034] In Fig. 2 A rotary tablet press is shown as an example of a possible production machine 100. The Figure 2The rotary press shown is a rotary press for tablet production in which powdered material is compressed into tablets. The rotor of the rotary press is driven in rotation by a rotary drive and comprises a die plate 10 having a plurality of receptacles 12. The receptacles 12 can be formed, for example, by bores in the die plate 10. The rotor further comprises a plurality of upper press punches 14 and lower press punches 16 that rotate synchronously with the die plate 10. The upper press punches 14 are axially guided in an upper punch guide 18, and the lower press punches 16 are axially guided in a lower punch guide 20. The axial movement of the upper press punches 14 and lower press punches 16 during the rotation of the rotor is controlled by upper control cam elements 22 and lower control cam elements 24.Furthermore, a filling device 26 is provided, which has a filling reservoir 28 and a filling chamber 30, which are connected via a filling tube 32. In this way, in the present example, powdered material flows from the filling reservoir 28 via the filling tube 32 into the filling chamber 30 due to gravity, and from there, via a filling opening provided on the underside of the filling chamber 30, into the receptacles 12 of the die plate 10 due to gravity.

[0035] The rotary press further comprises a printing device 34. In the example shown, the printing device 34 comprises a pre-pressing device with an upper pre-pressing roller 36 held on an upper holder and a lower pre-pressing roller 38 held on a lower holder, as well as a main printing device with an upper main pressure roller 40 held on an upper holder and a lower main pressure roller 42 held on a lower holder. In addition, the rotary press comprises an ejection device 44 and a stripping device 46 with a stripping element which feeds the tablets 48 produced in the rotary press to a discharge device 50 for removal from the rotary press.The stripping device 46 can, for example, comprise a preferably crescent-shaped stripping element which, in the region of the ejection device 44, strips tablets 48 conveyed by the lower press rams 16 onto the upper side of the die plate 10 from the die plate 10 and feeds them to the discharge device 50. The discharge 50 leads to the machine outlet 110 of the production machine 100. Furthermore, the rotary press comprises a control device 52 for controlling the operation of the rotary press.

[0036] It should be noted that, as an alternative to a rotary tablet press, a capsule filling machine can be provided as the production machine 100. Such a capsule filling machine is used to fill capsules composed of an upper capsule part and a lower capsule part and generally comprises a machine housing in which a machine table is arranged and a conveyor wheel, on the circumference of which a plurality of capsule holders are provided. The capsule holders can each have a plurality of capsule receptacles, each for one capsule. Furthermore, a conveyor wheel drive is provided, with which the conveyor wheel can be rotated intermittently, so that the capsule holders move intermittently along a conveyor track.A plurality of process stations arranged on or at the machine table are provided along the conveyor track. The process stations include at least one feed station for feeding capsules to be filled into the capsule receptacles, at least one opening station for opening the capsules to be filled by separating the capsule upper parts from the capsule lower parts, at least one filling station for filling the capsule lower parts with the material to be filled, at least one closing station for closing the filled capsules by connecting the capsule upper parts to the capsule lower parts, and at least one ejection station for ejecting the filled capsules. The ejection station can, in turn, be connected to the machine outlet 110 of the promotion machine 100.

[0037] In Fig. 3 A first embodiment of a device according to the invention is partially shown. The device comprises in the embodiment according to Fig. 3a first surface 54. In the example shown, the first surface 54 comprises two surface sections 55 and 57 connected to one another by a step 53, each of which is arranged at a non-zero angle to the horizontal, for example, an angle of approximately 5°. Due to the step 53, the second surface section 57 is at a lower vertical level than the first surface section 55. At the end of the second surface section 57 is a product outlet 60, through which, in the example shown, dedusted tablets 48 are discharged from the device. In the example shown, the tablets 48 fall into the product outlet 60 due to gravity. Upstream of the product outlet 60 in the conveying direction of the tablets 48 is a dust outlet 64, through which dust detached from the tablets 48 is discharged separately from the tablets. The dust particles also fall into the dust outlet 64 due to gravity.

[0038] By means of a Fig. 3 The first surface 54 is excited to ultrasonic vibrations by means of an ultrasonic device (not shown in detail), which are then transferred to the tablets 48. In the Fig. 3In the example shown, the surface sections 55, 57 can each be closed and flat surface sections. On the surface of the tablets 48 there are dust particles which are detached from the tablets 48 as a result of the ultrasonic vibrations transmitted to the tablets 48 and collect on the first surface 54. Due to the inclination of the first and second surface sections 55, 57 in conjunction with the ultrasonic excitation, the tablets 48 and the dust particles detached from them are conveyed over the first surface 54 in the direction of the dust outlet 64 and the product outlet 60. In the region of the step 53, the tablets 48 fall due to gravity over a short distance from the first surface section 55 onto the second surface section 57, whereby dust particles on both the top and bottom of the tablets 48 are more effectively detached. In addition, the tablets 48 are deburred.

[0039] In Fig. 4is an example of the Fig. 3 The ultrasound device shown in FIG. 1 comprises an ultrasound generator 66 which is connected to an ultrasound transducer 68. The ultrasound transducer 68 is arranged in Fig. 4 In the example shown, it is arranged on the first surface 54, for example on the first surface section 55, so that the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic generator is transmitted via the ultrasonic transducer to the first surface 54, in particular the first surface section 55, and thus to the tablets 48. In a corresponding manner, an ultrasonic generator can be connected to the second surface section 57 via an ultrasonic transducer.

[0040] In Fig. 5A further embodiment of a device according to the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the first surface section 55 and the second surface section 57 are sieve-shaped, so that dust particles 62 detached by the ultrasonic device from the tablets 48 supplied as a tablet stream 49 fall through the sieve openings of the first and second surface sections 55, 57 downwards into a dust outlet 64. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5 Furthermore, a suction device 70 is provided, which sucks the dust released from the tablets 48 along a suction device 71 to the dust outlet 64. Since in the Fig. 5In the illustrated example, the first surface 54 is sieve-shaped, the ultrasonic transducer in this example is coupled to the first surface 54, in particular the first surface section 55, via a surface sound conductor 69. The step 53 between the first surface section 55 and the second surface section 57 is in the embodiment according to Fig. 5 Furthermore, the height of the tablets 48 allows them to be turned over as they fall over the step 53, so that their underside resting on the first surface section 55 forms their upper side on the second surface section 57. The dust-free and deburred tablets 48 are fed to the product outlet 60 along an outlet direction 51.

[0041] In the embodiment according to Fig. 5 a frame 72 of the first surface 54 is also provided, as well as a partially shown housing 74 in which all components of the device can be arranged.

[0042] In Fig. 6 A further embodiment is shown, which initially largely corresponds to the embodiment according to Fig. 5 Beyond the first surface 54, in the embodiment according to Fig. 6 a second surface 56 is provided, with a first surface section 59 and a second surface section 61, which in turn are connected to each other via a step 58. The second surface 56 is also arranged inclined relative to the horizontal, for example at an angle of approximately 5°. Like the first surface 54, it is excited to ultrasonic vibrations by means of an ultrasonic generator 82, an ultrasonic transducer, and a surface sound conductor 84. As in Fig. 6As can be seen at the arrow 86, tablets 48 in the example shown fall due to gravity from the end of the first surface 54 onto the second surface 56, in particular the first surface section 59, from which they are conveyed via the step 58 and the second surface section 61 in the direction of the product outlet 60. The second surface 56 can be designed identically to the first surface 54 except for its spatial arrangement. Fig. 6 In the embodiment shown, the conveying direction of the tablets 48 is reversed at the transfer point between the first surface 54 and the second surface 56. In addition, the tablets 48 fall at the end of the second surface section 57 of the first surface 54 due to gravity onto the first surface section 59 of the second surface 56. Due to the design according to Figure 6 the dust removal performance and deburring can be further improved. List of reference symbols

[0043] 10Die plate 12Receptacles 14Upper press ram 16Lower press ram 18Upper ram guide 20Lower ram guide 22Upper control cam elements 24Lower control cam elements 26Filling device 28Filling reservoir 30Filling chamber 32Filling tube 34Pressure device 36Upper pressure roller 38Lower pressure roller 40Upper pressure roller 42Lower pressure roller 44Ejection device 46Scraper device 48Tablets / capsules 49Tablet stream 50Discharge device 51Outlet direction 52Control device 53Step 54First surface 55First surface section of the first surface 56Second surface 57Second surface section of the first surface 58Step 59First surface section of the second surface 60Product outlet 61Second surface section of the second surface 62Dust particles 64Dust outlet 66Ultrasonic generator 68Ultrasonic transducer 69Surface sound conductor 70Extraction device 71Extraction direction 72Frame 74Housing 76Third surface 78Fourth surface 80Step 82Ultrasonic generator 84Surface sound conductor 86Arrow 100Production machine110Machine outlet 210Product inlet 200Device 220Product outlet

Claims

1. A device for dedusting tablets (48) or capsules produced in a production machine (100), comprising a product inlet (210) and a first surface (54) receiving tablets (48) or capsules fed via the product inlet (210), which first surface is designed to convey fed tablets (48) or capsules to a product outlet (60) of the device (200), characterized in that an ultrasonic device is coupled to the first surface (54), which excites the first surface (54) to ultrasonic vibrations, and that a separating device is provided which feeds dust released from the tablets (48) or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations to a dust outlet (64) of the device (200) which is separate from the product outlet (220).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe ultrasonic device comprises an ultrasonic generator (66) and an ultrasonic transducer (68) connected to the ultrasonic generator (66), wherein the ultrasonic transducer (68) is coupled directly or indirectly via an ultrasonic conductor (69) to the first surface (54).

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first surface (54) is at least partially sieve-shaped or has a plurality of holes, so that dust released from the tablets (48) or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations falls through sieve openings or the holes of the first surface (54) to the dust outlet (64) and / or that the first surface (54) is at least partially structured and / or has at least one depression and / or elevation.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe separating device has a dust outlet opening (64) provided upstream of the product outlet (220) in the conveying direction of the tablets (48) or capsules, through which dust detached from the tablets (48) or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations falls to the dust outlet (64).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a suction device (70) is provided which sucks dust released from the tablets (48) or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations to the dust outlet (64).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first surface (54) is arranged at a non-zero angle to the horizontal, so that the tablets (48) or capsules are conveyed at least partially by gravity to the product outlet (60).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thata second surface (56) is provided which is arranged downstream of the first surface (54) in the conveying direction of the tablets (48) or capsules, to which second surface the tablets (48) or capsules are fed from the first surface (54) in the course of their conveyance, and from which second surface the tablets (48) or capsules are conveyed further to the product outlet (60) of the device (200), wherein the ultrasonic device is preferably also coupled to the second surface (56) and also excites the second surface (56) to ultrasonic vibrations.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in thatthe second surface (56) is at least partially sieve-shaped or has a plurality of holes, so that dust released from the tablets (48) or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations falls through sieve openings or the holes of the second surface (56) to the dust outlet (64) and / or that the second surface (56) is at least partially structured and / or has at least one depression and / or elevation.

9. Device according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the second surface (56) is arranged at a non-zero angle to the horizontal, so that the tablets (48) or capsules are conveyed at least partially by gravity to the product outlet (60).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first surface (54) and / or the second surface (56) has a step (53) and / or that a step (58) is provided between the first surface (54) and the second surface (56).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the step (53, 58) has a height which is greater than the diameter of circular tablets (48) or capsules to be dedusted in the device (200) or greater than the greatest length of circular tablets (48) or capsules to be dedusted in the device (200), wherein preferably the tablets (48) or capsules are turned over in the course of their conveyance over the step (53, 58) so that they rest with a different surface after the step (58) than before the step (58).

12. Device according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the second surface (56) is arranged such that the tablets (48) or capsules are turned over during their conveyance from the first surface (54) to the second surface (56) so that they rest on the first surface (54) with a different surface than on the second surface (56).

13. System comprising a production machine (100), in particular a tablet press or capsule filling machine, with a machine outlet (110) for tablets (48) or capsules produced in the production machine (100), and further comprising a device (200) according to one of the preceding claims, the product inlet (210) of which is connected to the machine outlet (110) of the production machine (100).

14. A method for dedusting tablets (48) or capsules produced in a production machine (100), comprising the steps: • tablets (48) or capsules produced in a production machine (100) are fed via a product inlet (210) to a first surface (54) which conveys the tablets (48) or capsules to a product outlet (220), • while the tablets (48) or capsules are conveyed via the first surface (54) to the product outlet (220), the first surface (54) is excited to ultrasonic vibrations so that dust is released from the tablets (48) or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations, • the dust released from the tablets (48) or capsules is fed to a dust outlet (64) separate from the product outlet (220).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that it is carried out with a device (200) according to one of claims 1 to 12 or a production machine (100) according to claim 13.

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