Device and method for dedusting tablets or capsules

Abstract

To provide a device and a method capable of: preventing an undesired physical influence on the tablets or capsules; and achieving a high dedusting capacity with a small outlay.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a device for dedusting tablets or capsules manufactured in a production machine. The device includes: a product inlet; a product outlet; and a first surface designed to receive the tablets or capsules fed through the product inlet and to convey the fed tablets or capsules to the product outlet. The device is provided with a separating apparatus in which an ultrasonic apparatus is coupled to the first surface and excites the first surface to vibrate ultrasonically, thereby, which feeds dust that detaches from the tablets or capsules due to the ultrasonic vibrations to a dust outlet of the device that is separate from the product outlet. The present invention also relates to a method corresponding to the device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for dust removal of tablets or capsules manufactured by a manufacturing machine, the apparatus comprising a product inlet and a first surface designed to receive tablets or capsules supplied through the product inlet and convey the supplied tablets or capsules to a product outlet of the apparatus. The present invention also relates to a method for dust removal of tablets or capsules manufactured by a manufacturing machine.

Background Art

[0002] Tablets and capsules manufactured by manufacturing machines such as rotary tablet presses and capsule filling machines often have product dust remaining on their surfaces after manufacturing. This product dust must be removed as completely as possible before further processing the tablets or capsules, especially before packaging. To remove powder residues adhering to tablets or capsules, dust collectors such as (screen) drum dust collectors, vibrating dust collectors, or vertical dust collectors are known.

[0003] Dust collectors aimed at dust removal of tablets or capsules can remove some of the adhering dust of tablets or capsules to a certain extent due to their respective unique characteristics, structural designs, and functionalities. However, this is accompanied by various secondary effects that have an adverse impact on the manufacturing machine including tablets or capsules, methods, or interfaces and peripheral devices.

[0004] These include, for example, in the case of a drum dust collector, undesirable physical effects (stress) on tablets or capsules, in the case of a vertical dust collector, a rather large space or rather installation space requirement in the manufacturing area, relatively low transport capacity and the complexity of cleaning a large number of individual parts, as well as significant expenses related to maintenance, costs, and energy requirements. Furthermore, other significant costs can arise in the media required for the dust removal process in the prior art and in the preparation of such media.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to advance from the described prior art and provide an apparatus and method of the type mentioned at the beginning that prevent undesirable physical effects on tablets or capsules and can achieve high dust removal capacity and high processing capacity at low cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention achieves the object according to independent claims 1 and 18. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0007] Regarding an apparatus of the type mentioned at the beginning, the present invention achieves the object by providing a separation device in which an ultrasonic device is coupled to a first surface and operated to ultrasonically vibrate the first surface, and dust separated from the tablets or capsules by the ultrasonic vibration is supplied to a dust outlet of a device separate from the product outlet.

[0008] Regarding a method of the type mentioned at the beginning, the present invention achieves the object in the following steps. · A step of supplying tablets or capsules manufactured by a manufacturing machine from a product inlet to a first surface that conveys the tablets or capsules to a product outlet; · A step of operating the first surface to ultrasonically vibrate while the tablets or capsules are being conveyed from the first surface to the product outlet, and separating dust from the tablets or capsules by the ultrasonic vibration; · A step of supplying the dust separated from the tablets or capsules to a dust outlet separate from the product outlet.

[0009] According to the present invention, the tablets or capsules to be dust-removed are supplied to the first surface through the product inlet. The product inlet may be directly or indirectly connected to the machine outlet of the manufacturing machine. The tablets or capsules to be dust-removed are conveyed from the first surface to the product outlet of the device. During this conveyance, the tablets or capsules are released from the dust adhering to their surfaces. For this purpose, an ultrasonic device coupled to the first surface is provided. The first surface is vibrated ultrasonically by the ultrasonic device, and the vibration is appropriately transmitted to the tablets or capsules located on the first surface.

[0010] Due to the ultrasonic vibrations transmitted to the tablets or capsules, the dust adhering to the surfaces of the tablets or capsules is released from the tablets or capsules. This process utilizes the fact that, on the one hand, the tablets or capsules and, on the other hand, the powdery product residues are separated from each other by receiving different vibrations due to the ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the first surface to the tablets or capsules. In particular, the particles separated from the tablets or capsules change their local positions due to the differences in their geometric shapes and masses, for example, rise, and the physical separation is further promoted. Of course, other components of the device, such as wall parts, frames, other surfaces, etc., can also be vibrated ultrasonically in addition to the first surface to peel off the corresponding product residues from these other components.

[0011] A separation device is provided to supply the dust peeled off from the tablets or capsules by ultrasonic vibrations to a dust outlet different from the product outlet. As a result, the peeled-off dust is supplied to a separate dust outlet, and while passing through this and being discarded, the tablets or capsules released from the dust reach the product outlet. The tablets or capsules discharged through the product outlet are effectively dust-removed and can be supplied for further processing such as inspection, coating, and / or packaging.

[0012] The present invention realizes a series of advantages over the prior art. First, by means of the device according to the invention or alternatively by the method according to the invention, the physical effects (stress) exerted on the tablets or capsules to be dusted are much smaller. At the same time, by the excitation according to the invention for causing ultrasonic vibrations and the resulting separation of dust particles from the tablets or capsules, a significantly high dust removal capacity is achieved, and even the smallest dust particles can be separated from the tablets or capsules. At the same time, the space requirements according to the invention are small, and the device can be flexibly arranged on or around the manufacturing machine, or even completely separated therefrom. The device according to the invention or the alternative method can also be configured and improved in a flexible manner to meet different dust removal requirements. Compared with the prior art, a higher processing capacity, or rather a higher conveying capacity, can be achieved. The undesirable interaction between the manufacturing machine and the entire system constituting its peripheral equipment is minor. By dusting the surface, cleaning is facilitated and it is guaranteed that the labor for assembly and disassembly is reduced. At the same time, the manufacturing cost is low, and the energy consumption and maintenance work are reduced.

[0013] The first surface may be a partially closed surface or a completely closed surface. The first surface may be a flat surface or a curved surface such as, for example, the side surface of a cylinder. Suitable materials for the first surface include steel, preferably stainless steel, especially from the viewpoints of cleanability and food safety. Plastics are also considered as materials for the first surface.

[0014] The first surface may be surrounded by at least one frame, so that tablets or capsules do not fall from the first surface, thus ensuring targeted conveyance to the product discharge port. The product discharge port can be arranged on the opposite side of the product inlet, particularly at the end opposite the first surface. The first surface and other surfaces may be fixedly installed on the device, or may be made replaceable to enhance adaptability to different applications, particularly different tablet or capsule sizes, dust contamination, and product characteristics (sticky products, electrostatic products). In particular, to prevent unwanted outflow of dust particles to the surroundings, the first surface and other surfaces, and in principle all components of the device, may be surrounded by at least one housing.

[0015] The device may be designed as a "stand-alone" device. Also, for example, the device may be designed to be partially integrated or fully integrated into the manufacturing machine, such as when the product inlet is directly connected to the tablet or capsule discharge port of the manufacturing machine, or when the tablet or capsule discharge port is used as the product inlet of the device. Thus, the tablets or capsules to be dust-removed may be supplied directly or indirectly to the product inlet of the device via peripheral devices such as a vacuum conveyor or a pneumatic conveyor. If at least one other surface is provided in addition to the first surface, the tablets or capsules conveyed on the first surface can be transferred to at least one other surface at the transfer point. Dust removal is performed by ultrasonic vibrations that operate while the tablets or capsules are being conveyed on the first surface and other surfaces.

[0016] According to a particularly practical embodiment, the ultrasonic device may include an ultrasonic generator and an ultrasonic vibrator connected to the ultrasonic generator. The ultrasonic vibrator is directly or indirectly coupled to the first surface via an ultrasonic conductor. In this embodiment, at least one ultrasonic vibrator is coupled to the first surface in this way. This may be done directly or indirectly via an ultrasonic conductor, such as a flat-type sound conductor. The flat-type sound conductor is considered particularly when the first surface is designed like a screen or has holes, as will be described below. Next, the flat-type sound conductor is connected at different positions on the first surface designed like a screen or provided with holes. The ultrasonic vibrator, if applicable, transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the first surface via the ultrasonic conductor and then to the tablet or capsule to be cleaned located thereon via the first surface. When the first surface is delimited by a frame or housing, the frame and / or housing may be decoupled from the ultrasonic vibrator to prevent unwanted ultrasonic interference. The ultrasonic vibrator is usually connected to the ultrasonic generator via a corresponding line, for example.

[0017] As already explained, the first surface may be at least partially designed like a screen or provided with a plurality of holes. The dust detached from the tablet or capsule by ultrasonic vibrations then falls through the openings or holes of the screen of the first surface, particularly into the dust outlet. Thus, the first surface may have a specific permeability, and the dust detached from the tablet or capsule can fall through the first surface or alternatively be sucked through the first surface. When the first surface is designed like a screen or has holes, different mesh widths or different hole sizes, or alternatively hole spacings, can be selected according to its use and the product to be dusted, i.e., the tablet or capsule, particularly according to its size. Mesh sizes or hole sizes less than 5 mm, particularly less than 2 mm, and more particularly less than 1 mm are merely given as examples.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the separating device may have a dust outlet provided upstream of the product outlet in the conveying direction of the tablets or capsules, and through this dust outlet, the dust separated from the tablets or capsules by ultrasonic vibration falls to the dust outlet, particularly into the dust outlet. In this way, physically separating the dust from the tablets or capsules is performed in a particularly simple manner.

[0019] In order to facilitate the conveyance of the dust to the dust outlet, a suction device may be provided to suck the dust separated from the tablets or capsules by ultrasonic vibration into the dust outlet, particularly into the dust outlet. As already explained, the suction may be performed particularly through the screen openings or holes in the first surface. The suction means may be arranged or rather act below or above the first surface and any other surface, as well as laterally between a plurality of surfaces.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the first surface may be at least partially structured and / or may have at least one depression and / or elevation. Fluting, roughening, or patterning are selectable examples of structuring. Geometrically irregular displacements, such as steps or grooves, are selectable as elevations or depressions. For example, when the first surface has steps, the first surface may comprise a plurality of surface portions displaced in a direction perpendicular to each other via the steps. Structuring can promote deburring of the tablets while at the same time improving dust removal. However, by utilizing geometrically irregular displacements, the orientation of the tablets or capsules can be changed, for example, the tablets or capsules can be rotated, and thus the surface of the tablets or capsules can be dusted as completely as possible. For example, the steps cause mechanical disturbances in the conveyance of the tablets and capsules. As a result, the release of dust particles from the surface of the tablets or capsules is improved. In order to cause a particularly effective disturbance, the steps may have a height greater than the diameter of the circular tablets, or alternatively, in the case of different tablet shapes, such as oblong tablets (oval tablets), may have a height greater than the maximum length of the tablets. The fact that the height of the steps is at least 5 mm, particularly 10 mm or more, is merely given as an example.

[0021] The first surface may be arranged at an angle other than 0 degrees with respect to the horizontal, and the tablets or capsules are at least partially conveyed by gravity to the product discharge port, in particular into the product discharge port, for example, completely by gravity. Due to the inclined arrangement of the first surface, the tablets or capsules, and the released dust particles are conveyed in a desired manner on the first surface and to the associated discharge port. To obtain a desirable gravitational effect, a small inclination angle of about 5 degrees or less is also possible. Of course, larger inclination angles are also conceivable. However, in principle, the inclination angle should not be too large in order to prevent the conveying speed of the tablets or capsules from being too fast and the dust removal from becoming incomplete. For example, the inclination angle can be 15 degrees or less.

[0022] According to another embodiment, a second surface may be provided downstream of the first surface in the conveying direction of the tablets or capsules. When the tablets or capsules are conveyed from the first surface, they are supplied to this second surface, and from this second surface, the tablets or capsules are further conveyed to the product discharge port of the device. In this case, the tablets or capsules reach the transfer point from the first surface to the second surface. In this embodiment, the product discharge port is particularly arranged at the end of the conveying path of the second surface or other surfaces. The second surface may be arranged, for example, below the first surface, or rather at a lower vertical level than the first surface. The tablets or capsules can then fall from the first surface onto the second surface at the transition point. Similar to the first surface, the second surface may also be variably orientable. In this way, different directions of the flow of the tablets or capsules with respect to the first surface can be realized, for example, as the longitudinal direction, the opposite direction, an angle, for example, a 90° rotation, etc. The second surface may be directly adjacent to the first surface. However, it is also possible to provide another component, for example, another surface such as a chute or a supply component, between the first surface and the second surface.

[0023] As a rule, the second surface may be designed in the same way as, or differently from, the first surface. All possible embodiments described with respect to the first surface can also be provided on the second surface or any other surface. Thus, the ultrasonic device may also be coupled to the second surface and may vibrate the second surface ultrasonically. In this case, further dust removal of the tablets or capsules is carried out during conveyance on the second surface. When vibrating the two surfaces ultrasonically, the surfaces may vibrate at the same frequency or at different frequencies.

[0024] Similarly, the second surface may be designed to be at least partially screen-like or to have a plurality of holes, such that dust detached from the tablets or capsules due to ultrasonic vibration falls through the screen-like openings or holes of the second surface to the dust outlet, particularly to the dust outlet. Related possible embodiments have been described with respect to the first surface. They may also be provided for the second surface.

[0025] Similarly, it is also possible for the second surface to be at least partially structured and / or to constitute at least one depression and / or elevation. Related possible embodiments and advantages have also been described with respect to the first surface. Therefore, they may also be applied to the second surface.

[0026] The second surface may also be arranged at an angle other than 0 degrees relative to the horizontal such that the tablets or capsules are conveyed at least partially by gravity to the product outlet, particularly into the product outlet completely by gravity. Similarly, reference should be made to the above-described embodiments of the first surface with respect to possible embodiments and the function of such an inclination of the second surface, which can also be applied to the second surface.

[0027] As already explained, the first surface and / or the second surface may have a step. It is also possible to provide a step between the first surface and the second surface. As already explained, this kind of step causes mechanical disturbance during the conveyance of tablets or capsules. As a result, the release of dust particles from the surface of the tablets or capsules can be improved. To cause a particularly effective disturbance, the step may have a height greater than the diameter of the circular tablet, or, in the case of different tablet shapes, for example, in the case of an oval tablet (elliptical tablet), may have a height greater than the maximum length of the tablet. Similarly, the fact that the height of the step is at least 5 mm, particularly 10 mm or more, is merely given as an example.

[0028] The step may be designed such that the tablet or capsule is inverted when passing through the step, for example, a surface different from that before passing through the step comes into contact with the first surface or the second surface. According to another embodiment, the second surface may be arranged to be inverted when the tablet or capsule is conveyed from the first surface to the second surface, and a surface different from the second surface comes into contact with the first surface. For example, the lower surface of the tablet or capsule that was in contact with the step or the first surface before may become the upper surface after the step or on the second surface. The tablet or capsule may fall to a lower vertical position at the step or at the transition point from the first surface to the second surface. According to the above embodiment, the tablet or capsule can be rotated, and as a result, a surface different from the previous one comes into contact with the lower surface. As a result, particularly complete dust removal from the surface of the tablet or capsule can be achieved.

[0029] The present invention also relates to a system comprising a manufacturing machine, particularly a tablet press, such as a rotary tablet press, or a capsule filling machine, having a mechanical outlet for tablets or capsules manufactured by the manufacturing machine, and further comprising an apparatus according to the present invention in which a product inlet is directly or indirectly connected to the mechanical outlet of the manufacturing machine.

[0030] The method according to the present invention can be implemented using the apparatus according to the present invention. Therefore, the apparatus according to the present invention can be designed to implement the method according to the present invention.

[0031] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0033] Unless otherwise specified, in the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same objects.

[0034] In FIG. 1, a manufacturing machine 100 is shown, which may be, for example, a tablet press machine, particularly a rotary tablet press machine, or a capsule filling machine. The manufacturing machine 100 includes a machine outlet 110, and the tablets or capsules manufactured by the manufacturing machine 100 are discharged therefrom. The machine outlet 110 is directly connected to the product inlet 210 of the device 200 according to the present invention for dust removal of the tablets or capsules manufactured by the manufacturing machine 100. The device 200 further includes a product discharge outlet 220, and the tablets or capsules dust-removed within the device 200 through the product discharge outlet 220 are distributed and supplied for further processing such as inspection, coating, and / or packaging.

[0035] In FIG. 2, a rotary tablet press is shown as a manufacturable manufacturing machine 100. The rotary press machine shown in FIG. 2 is a rotary press machine for pressing a powder raw material into a tablet to manufacture a tablet. The rotor of the rotary press machine is rotationally driven by a rotational drive device and includes a die plate 10 having a plurality of receptacles 12. The receptacle 12 can be formed, for example, by holes provided in the die plate 10. Further, the rotor includes a plurality of upper press punches 14 and lower press punches 16 that circulate in synchronization with the die plate 10. The upper press punch 14 is axially guided by an upper punch guide 18, and the lower press punch 16 is axially guided by a lower punch guide 20. The axial movement of the upper press punch 14 and the lower press punch 16 during the rotation process of the rotor is controlled by an upper control cam component 22 and a lower control cam component 24. Further, a filling device 26 is provided, and this filling device 26 has a filling reservoir 28 and a filling chamber 30 connected via a filling pipe 32. In this way, in this embodiment, the powdery material enters the filling chamber 30 from the filling reservoir 28 through the filling pipe 32 by gravity, and then enters the receptacle 12 of the die plate 10 by gravity through the filling opening provided on the lower surface of the filling chamber 30

[0036] The rotary press machine also includes a pressing device 34. In the example, the pressing device 34 includes a preliminary pressing device in which an upper pressing roller 36 is held by an upper holder and a lower pressing roller 38 is held by a lower holder, and a main pressing device in which an upper pressing roller 40 is held by an upper holder and a lower pressing roller 42 is held by a lower holder. Further, the rotary press machine has a discharging device 44 and a scraping device 46. The scraping device includes a scraping component that supplies the tablets 48 manufactured by the rotary press machine to a discharging device 50. The scraping device 46 preferably includes, for example, a sickle-shaped scraping component. In the area of the discharging device 44, the tablets 48 conveyed from the die plate 10 by the lower press punch 16 are scraped off from the upper surface of the die plate 10 and supplied to the discharging device 50. The discharging device 50 is connected to the machine outlet 110 of the manufacturing machine 100. Further, the rotary press machine also includes a control device 52 for controlling the operation of the rotary press machine.

[0037] Note that, instead of the rotary tablet press, a capsule filling machine may be provided as the manufacturing machine 100. This type of capsule filling machine is used to fill capsules composed of an upper part and a lower part of the capsule. Generally, it includes a machine housing where a machine table is arranged, and a conveyor wheel provided with a plurality of capsule holders around it. Each capsule holder may be provided with a plurality of capsule receiving parts for accommodating one capsule each. Further, a conveyor wheel driving device capable of regularly rotating the conveyor wheel is provided, and the capsule holders move regularly along the conveying path. A plurality of processing steps are provided on or above the machine table along the conveying path. These processing steps include at least one supply step for supplying capsules for filling the capsule receiving parts, at least one opening step for opening the capsules to be filled by separating the upper part and the lower part of the capsule, at least one filling step for filling the lower part of the capsule with materials, at least one closing step for closing the filled capsule by connecting the upper part and the lower part of the capsule, and at least one discharging step for discharging the filled capsule. The discharging step may further be connected to the machine outlet 110 of the manufacturing machine 100.

[0038] FIG. 3 partially shows a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the device includes a first surface 54. In the illustration, the first surface 54 includes parts 55 and 57 of two surfaces connected to each other via a step 53, and parts of each surface are arranged at an angle other than 0 degrees, for example, about 5 degrees, with respect to the horizontal direction. Due to the step 53, a part 57 of the second surface is arranged at a lower position in the vertical direction than a part 55 of the first surface. The product discharge port 60 is at the end of a part 57 of the second surface, and the dust-removed tablets 48 are discharged from the device through this discharge port. In the illustration, the tablets 48 fall to the product discharge port 60 by gravity. Further, a dust discharge port 64 through which dust discharged from the dust-removed tablets 48 is discharged separately from the tablets is located upstream of the product discharge port 60 in the conveying direction of the tablets 48. The dust particles also fall to the dust discharge port 64 by gravity.

[0039] The first surface 54 is vibrated ultrasonically by an ultrasonic device (not shown in detail in FIG. 3), and the vibration is transmitted to the tablet 48. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the portions 55 and 57 of the surface may each be part of a closed flat surface. Dust particles adhere to the surface of the tablet 48, and when the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the tablet 48, the dust particles are detached from the tablet 48 and gather on the first surface 54. Due to the combined effect of the inclination of the portions 55 and 57 of the first and second surfaces and the ultrasonic operation, the tablet 48 and the dust particles released therefrom are conveyed on the first surface 54 toward the dust discharge port 64 and the product discharge port 60. In the region of the step 53, the tablet 48 falls a short distance from a portion 55 of the first surface to a portion 57 of the second surface due to gravity, and as a result, the dust particles are more effectively released from both the upper and lower surfaces of the tablet 48. Also, the tablet 48 is deburred.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an ultrasonic device that can be used in the device shown in FIG. 3. This device includes an ultrasonic generator 66 and an ultrasonic vibrator 68 connected thereto. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic vibrator 68 is disposed on the first surface 54, for example, a portion 55 of the first surface, and the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic generator is transmitted to the first surface 54, particularly a portion 55 of the first surface, and as a result, is transmitted to the tablet 48. Accordingly, the ultrasonic generator may also be connected to a portion 57 of the second surface via the ultrasonic vibrator.

[0041] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a part 55 of the first surface and a part 57 of the second surface are designed like a screen, and the dust particles 62 emitted from the tablet 48 by the ultrasonic device pass through the openings of the screen from the tablet 48 supplied as the tablet flow 49, pass through the parts 55, 57 of the first or second surface, and fall to the dust outlet 64. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a suction device 70 is also provided, and the dust separated from the tablet 48 is sucked through the suction device 71 and sent to the dust outlet 64. In the example shown in Figure 5, the first surface 54 is designed like a screen, and the ultrasonic vibrator is connected to the first surface 54, particularly to a part 55 of the first surface, via the flat sound conductor 69. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, also, since the height of the step 53 between the part 55 of the first surface and the part 57 of the second surface is sufficiently high, when the tablet 48 falls over the step 53, it turns over, and the lower surface of the tablet, which was in contact with the part 55 of the first surface, becomes the upper surface on the part 57 of the second surface. The tablet 48 from which the dust has been separated and deburred is supplied to the product outlet 60 in the discharge direction 51.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a frame 72 of the first surface 54 is provided, and a partially shown housing 74 in which all the components of the device can be arranged is also provided.

[0043] Figure 6 shows another embodiment that substantially corresponds to the embodiment of Figure 5. In the embodiment of Figure 6, a second surface 56 is provided further beyond the first surface 54, which has a part 59 of the first surface and a part 61 of the second surface, and is connected to each other via a step 58. The second surface 56 is also arranged inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, for example, at an angle of about 5 degrees. Similar to the first surface 54, the second surface 56 is also vibrated ultrasonically by an ultrasonic generator 82, an ultrasonic vibrator, and a flat plate type sound conductor 84. In the illustration, as shown by the arrow 86 in Figure 6, the tablet 48 falls from the end of the first surface 54 to the second surface 56, particularly to a part 59 of the first surface, due to gravity, and is further conveyed from there beyond the step 58 and a part 61 of the second surface in the direction of the product discharge port 60. The second surface 56 may be designed in the same manner as the first surface 54 with respect to its arrangement in the space. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the conveyance direction of the tablet 48 is reversed at the transfer point between the first surface 54 and the second surface 56. Further, the tablet 48 falls from the end of the part 57 of the first surface of the second surface to the part 59 of the first surface of the second surface due to gravity. The embodiment shown in Figure 6 can further improve the dust removal ability and burr removal.

Explanation of Signs

[0044] 10 Die plate 12 Receptacle 14 Upper press punch 16 Lower press punch 18 Upper punch guide 20 Lower punch guide 22 Upper control cam part 24 Lower control cam part 26 Filling device 28 Filling storage chamber 30 Filling chamber 32 Filling tube 34 Press device 36 Upper press roller 38 Lower press roller 40 Upper press roller 42 Lower press roller 44 Discharge device 46 Scraper device 48 Tablet / Capsule 49 Tablet flow 50 Discharging device 51 Outlet direction 52 Control device 53 Step 54 First surface 55 Part of the first surface 56 Second surface 57 Part of the second side of the first surface 58 Step 59 Part of the first side of the second surface 60 Product discharge port 61 Part of the second side of the second surface 62 Dust particles 64 Dust discharge port 66 Ultrasonic generator 68 Ultrasonic vibrator 69 Flat plate type sound conductor 70 Suction device 71 Suction direction 72 Frame 74 Housing 76 Third surface 78 Fourth surface 80 Step 82 Ultrasonic generator 84 Flat plate type sound conductor 86 Arrow 100 Manufacturing machine 110 Machine outlet 210 Product inlet 200 Device 220 Product discharge port

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for de-dusting tablets (48) or capsules produced by a production machine (100), comprising: A product inlet (210); a first surface (54) designed to receive tablets (48) or capsules provided via said product inlet (210) and to convey the provided tablets (48) or capsules to a product outlet (60) of the device (200); Equipped with an ultrasonic device coupled to the first surface (54) for ultrasonically vibrating the first surface (54); The apparatus is characterized in that it is provided with a separating device which supplies dust detached from the tablets (48) or capsules by ultrasonic vibration to a dust outlet (64) of the apparatus (200) separate from a product outlet (220).

2. The ultrasonic device includes an ultrasonic generator (66) and an ultrasonic transducer (68) connected to the ultrasonic generator (66); 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer (68) is coupled to the first surface (54) directly or indirectly via an ultrasonic conductor (69).

3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first surface (54) is at least partially designed like a screen or is provided with a plurality of holes, so that dust detached from the tablets (48) or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations falls through the screen openings or the holes in the first surface (54) into the dust outlet (64).

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the separating device has a dust outlet opening (64) arranged upstream of the product outlet (220) in the conveying direction of the tablets (48) or capsules, and the dust detached from the tablets (48) or capsules by the ultrasonic vibration falls through the dust outlet opening (64) into the dust outlet (64).

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is provided with a suction device (70) for sucking up dust detached from the tablets (48) or capsules by the ultrasonic vibration and transporting it to the dust outlet (64).

6. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first surface (54) is at least partially structured and / or comprises at least one depression and / or ridge.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface (54) is disposed at an angle other than 0 degrees to the horizontal, whereby the tablets (48) or capsules are transported to the product outlet (60) at least partially by gravity.

8. 8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second surface (56) arranged downstream of the first surface (54) in the conveying direction of the tablets (48) or capsules, the tablets (48) or capsules being fed to the second surface as they are conveyed from the first surface (54), and the tablets (48) or capsules being further conveyed from the second surface (56) to the product outlet (60) of the device (200).

9. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the ultrasonic device is also coupled to the second surface (56) for ultrasonically vibrating the second surface (56) as well.

10. 10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the second surface (56) is at least partially designed like a screen or is provided with a plurality of holes, so that dust detached from the tablets (48) or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations falls through the screen openings or the holes in the second surface (56) into the dust outlet (64).

11. 11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the second surface (56) is at least partially structured and / or comprises at least one depression and / or ridge.

12. 12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the second surface (56) is arranged at an angle other than 0 degrees to the horizontal, whereby the tablets (48) or capsules are transported to the product outlet (60) at least partially by gravity.

13. 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first surface (54) and / or the second surface (56) comprises a step (53) and / or a step (58) is provided between the first surface (54) and the second surface (56).

14. 14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that the height of the steps (53, 58) is greater than the diameter of the round tablets (48) or capsules to be dedusted by the device (200) or greater than the maximum length of the round tablets (48) or capsules to be dedusted by the device (200).

15. 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the steps (53, 58) are designed so that the tablet (48) or capsule inverts as it is transported over the step (53, 58) and the tablet (48) or capsule contacts a different surface after the step (58) than before the step (58).

16. 16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the second surface (56) is arranged so that it inverts when the tablet (48) or capsule is transported from the first surface (54) to the second surface (56) and the tablet (48) or capsule contacts the first surface (54) with a side different from the second surface (56).

17. A system comprising a manufacturing machine (100), in particular a tablet press or capsule filling machine, having a machine outlet (110) for tablets (48) or capsules produced by said manufacturing machine (100), 17. A system further comprising an apparatus (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a product inlet (210) of said apparatus (200) is connected to the machine outlet (110) of said manufacturing machine (100).

18. A method for de-dusting tablets (48) or capsules produced by a production machine (100), comprising the steps of: - feeding tablets (48) or capsules produced by the machine (100) through a product inlet (210) to a first surface (54) which conveys said tablets (48) or capsules to a product outlet (220); - ultrasonically vibrating the first surface (54) while the tablets (48) or capsules are conveyed over the first surface (54) to the product outlet (220), whereby dust is dislodged from the tablets (48) or capsules by the ultrasonic vibrations; - feeding the dust detached from the tablets (48) or capsules to a dust outlet (64) separate from the product outlet (220); A method comprising:

19. 19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that it is carried out using an apparatus (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 16 or a machine (100) according to claim 17.

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