Rotary tablet press with filling device and support assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotary tablet press comprising a filling device and a support assembly. The rotary tablet press (1) comprises a housing (2), a turret (10) disposed in a compression section in an operating position, and at least one filling device (12) associated with the turret (10). A support assembly (160) is provided to support a feeder (15) of the filling device (12) of the rotary tablet press (1), the support assembly being configured such that the view into the second portion and across the gap is substantially unobstructed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary tablet press including a turret having a die disc, an upper punch guide, a bottom punch guide, and a plurality of punches, the rotary tablet press including at least one filling device, the filling device including a feeder disposed between the die disc and the upper punch guide. [Background technology]

[0002] In such rotary tablet presses, at least one filling device typically delivers the input material that the tablet press turret is to process. This input material can be in the form of a powder or granules. In many cases, the at least one filling device must typically be positioned at a specific, predetermined location relative to the die disc for the filling device to be able to deliver the input material to the die disc. The at least one filling device can be positioned at the predetermined location by an operator visually inspecting or measuring the distance between the die disc and the side of the at least one filling device.

[0003] Conventionally, various operating conditions of the rotary tablet press, such as temperature of the rotary tablet press and turret parts and / or wear of certain parts, can cause the die disc and the at least one filling device to move relative to one another, which can cause the at least one filling device to move away from a specific, predetermined position relative to the die disc, which in turn can result in material loss.

[0004] An existing solution to this problem is to mount the feeder on a support structure that is vertically below the operating conditions of the rotary tablet press, i.e., below the axial direction of the turret, and that can be moved vertically to adjust the vertical position of the feeder relative to the die disc.

[0005] However, such known existing solutions are typically large and bulky, taking up space around the feeder, which again makes adjusting the position of the filling device relative to the die disc difficult and cumbersome due to poor accessibility and / or visibility.

[0006] US Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 207107 (Patent Document 1) discloses an example of a rotary tablet press in which the feeder is supported by a fairly complex support structure that, in turn, occupies space below the feeder.

[0007] It would therefore be desirable to provide a rotary tablet press that allows for easy and improved adjustment of the position of the filling device relative to the die disc.

[0008] Additionally, it is generally desirable to enhance the cleanability and facilitate easier cleaning of rotary tablet press parts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 207107 Summary of the Invention

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary tablet press that overcomes at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0011] This and further objects are achieved by a rotary tablet press according to the present invention, which comprises: a turret including a die disc, an upper punch guide, a bottom punch guide, and a plurality of punches; at least one filling device associated with the turret, the filling device including a feeder disposed between the die disc and the upper punch guide and having a bottom side facing the top side of the die disc; The turret defines an axial direction, a radial direction, and a tangential direction; The rotary tablet press includes a support assembly for providing support for the filling device; The rotary tablet press further comprises: The bottom side of the feeder comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion overlapping the top side of the die disk; the support assembly comprises at least one pillar, the at least one pillar configured to establish a predetermined axial gap between the bottom side of the feeder and the top side of the die disk at the overlapping first portion; and the at least one pillar configured to provide a substantially unobstructed view into the second portion and across the gap.

[0012] By providing the support assembly with at least one pillar configured to set a predetermined gap between the first portion and the die disk, easy adjustment of this distance can be provided. Furthermore, because the view across the gap is substantially unobstructed, visual inspection of the gap or mechanical inspection with a ruler or gauge can be provided, thereby further enabling easy and accurate adjustment. Of note, if the adjustment means for adjusting the gap with the pillar is located outside the turret enclosure, such adjustment can be performed without removing the enclosure, if such is provided.

[0013] By configuring at least one pillar to provide an unobstructed view into the second portion, the second portion can include a removable cover that provides access to the interior of the feeder and can provide improved cleaning of the feeder. Additionally, providing an unobstructed view into the second portion can further provide for instrumental inspection of gaps, as this leaves more space available for a user to hold and / or navigate the device.

[0014] It should be understood herein that a substantially unobstructed view into the second portion and across the gap allows a user to see substantially all or a major portion of the second portion, e.g., a surface of the second portion. It should be understood herein that a substantially unobstructed view across the gap allows a user to see substantially all or a major portion of the gap, e.g., when viewing the gap radially within at least a selected angular range. The term "unobstructed" should be understood in its ordinary sense, i.e., the view into the second portion and across the gap is substantially free of obstacles and obstructions that may block the user's line of sight.

[0015] In this specification, by the first portion overlapping the upper side of the die disc, it is understood that the first portion overlaps the upper side of the die disc when viewed along the axial direction. Alternatively or additionally, the first portion may also overlap the upper side of the die disc in the radial and / or tangential direction, so that, for example, one or more points of the first portion and one or more points of the die disc have the same radial coordinate. The first portion may overlap a portion or part of the upper side of the die disc. The gap may extend axially at and / or have a predetermined height.

[0016] It should be understood that throughout this specification, pillar may refer to any support structure suitable and / or configured to support a feeder. It is notable that the terms "pillar" and "supporting structure" may be used interchangeably in this text. Such pillars or support structures may be elongated or substantially columnar or columnar, or may have different shapes, for example, substantially cylindrical, cylindrical, substantially rectangular, rectangular, substantially triangular, triangular, substantially conical, conical, or combinations thereof. The pillars or support structures may be configured to provide support in any direction, for example, vertically, horizontally, or at an angle to the vertical and / or horizontal.

[0017] Furthermore, it should be understood that where the term "radial direction" is used throughout this application, this may refer to any radial direction. In particular, throughout this text, any direction having a direction vector parallel to a radial unit vector may be referred to as a radial direction. Alternatively or additionally, a radial direction may be any direction having a direction vector perpendicular to an axial direction, or any direction in a plane to which the axial direction vector is perpendicular and / or to which the axial direction is orthogonal.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the radial direction may be any direction within a substantially horizontal or horizontal plane.

[0019] In some embodiments, the second portion has a bottom surface, and the at least one pillar is configured to provide a substantially unobstructed view to the bottom surface of the second portion. The bottom surface of the second portion may be substantially parallel to the surface of the first portion and / or to the top surface of the upper side of the die disk. Alternatively or additionally, the bottom surface of the second portion may extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axial direction, and / or the axial unit vector is a normal vector to that plane.

[0020] At least one pillar is in physical contact with, e.g., engaged with, physically connected to, and / or formed of a single piece with, a portion of the second portion or a portion of the bottom surface of the bottom side of the feeder or a portion of the top or side of the feeder. The portion of the second portion or the portion of the bottom surface may be less than 25%, preferably less than 20%, preferably less than 15%, preferably less than 10%, e.g., less than 5%, of the second portion or bottom surface, respectively.

[0021] The axial direction may be substantially vertical at operating conditions of the rotary tablet press. The unobstructed view into the second portion may be an unobstructed view from vertically below. Alternatively or additionally, the unobstructed view into the gap may be radial and / or substantially horizontal, perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0022] It should be understood that throughout this disclosure, features described in relation to the bottom side of the feeder may be applied to the top side of the feeder as well.

[0023] It may be appreciated that the at least one pillar may be configured to set a predetermined axial gap between the bottom side of the feeder and the top side of the die disk at the first overlapping portion, thereby allowing the pillar to allow adjustment of the axial gap between the bottom side of the feeder and the top side of the die disk at the overlapping portion. Specifically, the at least one pillar may be configured to physically move the feeder, possibly by moving the feeding device.

[0024] The support assembly may include any number of adjustment means operably connected to at least one pillar for setting a predetermined gap.

[0025] A rotary tablet press may include at least one turret, and may include one or more turrets.

[0026] In some embodiments, the at least one pillar is configured to be positioned such that an axial gap between a surface of the second part and another part of the rotary tablet press, such as the bottom surface of the rotary tablet press or the bottom wall of the enclosure, extends over at least 50% of the surface of the second part, such as at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the surface of the second part.

[0027] The surface of the second part may be the surface of the second part facing the rest of the rotary tablet press, or alternatively, it may be the entire surface of the second part.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the pillars may be arranged such that, when viewed axially, the voids are present across at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the surface of the second portion.

[0029] In some embodiments, the feeder is supported axially and / or radially by one or more pillars.

[0030] In some embodiments, at least one of the at least one pillars extends between the bottom surface of the rotary tablet press and the bottom side of the feeder, preferably one, two, or three pillars.

[0031] Thereby, stable support for the feeder can be provided by the at least one pillar.

[0032] At least one of the at least one pillar may be, for example, rigidly or adjustably connected to said bottom surface and may be, for example, rigidly or adjustably connected to a bottom side of the feeder. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the at least one pillar may be rigidly fixed to and / or attached to the bottom surface.

[0033] The adjustable connection may include one or more rollers, bearings, or the like to allow movement in one or more of the axial, radial, and tangential directions.

[0034] At least one of the at least one pillars may comprise an adjustment means for allowing at least axial adjustment of said at least one portion of the at least one pillar to adjust the position of the feeder. The adjustment means may be provided by a thread, for example, on the pillar, on a portion rigidly connected to the pillar, and / or on a nut, comprising one or more turns, and comprising a screw, bolt, or similar corresponding threaded connector. In this example, the position of the feeder can be adjusted in the respective direction by rotating the threaded connector. Alternatively or additionally, said at least one of the at least one pillar may comprise a locking means configured to lock the position of the feeder.

[0035] In some embodiments, at least one of the at least one pillar extends between the bottom surface of the rotary tablet press and the second portion of the bottom side of the feeder, preferably there are one, two, or three pillars.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the at least one pillar may extend between the bottom surface of the rotary tablet press and the first portion of the bottom side of the feeder, preferably there are one, two or three pillars. At least one of the at least one pillar may be substantially L-shaped.

[0037] In some embodiments, at least one of the at least one pillar extends between a top surface of the rotary tablet press or its enclosure and an upper side of the feeder.

[0038] Thereby, stable support of the feeder can be provided by the at least one pillar. By at least one of the at least one pillar extending between the top surface of the rotary tablet press or its enclosure and the top side of the feeder, support of the feeder can be assisted by the at least one of the at least one pillar, in which case it does not need to interface with the bottom side. Thereby, the number of pillars or structures that may obstruct the view to the second portion of the bottom side can be reduced.

[0039] The upper surface may be a surface disposed above the die disc, such as an upper punch guide, etc. The upper surface may be disposed vertically above the die disc and / or upper punch guide under operating conditions of the rotary tablet press.

[0040] The top side of the feeder may be opposite the bottom side of the feeder, and may be positioned vertically above the bottom side at operating conditions of the rotary tablet press.

[0041] At least one of the at least one pillar may be, for example, rigidly or adjustably connected to the top surface and may be, for example, rigidly or adjustably connected to an upper side of the feeder. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the at least one pillar is rigidly fixed to and / or attached to the top surface.

[0042] In some embodiments, the feeder is suspended by at least one pillar, and preferably only by at least one pillar, to allow adjustment of the bottom side of the feeder relative to the top side of the die disk.

[0043] Thereby, the number of components on or around the second part of the bottom side can be reduced, and in some cases, no components of the support assembly are installed on or around the second part of the bottom side. Furthermore, adjustment means for axially adjusting the position of the feeder can be arranged on and / or above the top side of the feeder, thereby allowing for easy adjustment of the position of the feeder.

[0044] It should be understood herein that by the feeder being suspended, it means that the feeder is suspended and / or hung vertically from above at the operating conditions of the rotary tablet press.

[0045] The adjustment means may comprise one or more of a screw, a bolt, or a similar threaded device. The adjustment means may be arranged such that adjustment by the adjustment means may be configured to physically move the feeder.

[0046] In some embodiments, at least one of the at least one pillar extends between a side of the rotary tablet press or its enclosure and the feeder.

[0047] This can provide additional support to the feeder.

[0048] The side surface can be disposed between and / or extend between the bottom and top surfaces of the rotary tablet press. The side surface can be substantially perpendicular to at least a portion of the top surface and / or at least a portion of the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the side surface can be a first side surface that faces away from the axis of rotation of the die disc of the bottom punch guide and / or the upper punch guide under operating conditions of the rotary tablet press.

[0049] At least one of the at least one pillar may be, for example, rigidly or adjustably connected to said side surface or may be, for example, rigidly or adjustably connected to a top side of the feeder. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the at least one pillar is rigidly fixed to and / or attached to the top surface.

[0050] At least one of the at least one pillar may be configured to allow adjustment of the feeder in a radial and / or tangential direction.

[0051] In some embodiments, the rotary tablet press includes an enclosure that, in its operating position, encloses the turret within the compression section of the rotary tablet press.

[0052] The enclosure can enclose a volume within which the bottom punch guide, the die disk, and the top punch guide are disposed.

[0053] The enclosure may provide an enclosed volume within the enclosure.

[0054] By the term "contained volume" herein it is understood that the volume should meet certain requirements of sealing, i.e. that the volume of the enclosure is at least dust-tight. Correspondingly, the contained volume may be a volume configured to prevent significant, e.g. detectable and / or above a certain threshold, amounts of the input composition processed by the turret of the rotary tablet press from being released from the contained volume to the surroundings, e.g. the room in which it is located or an enclosure surrounding at least part of the turret. By "contained volume" herein it is meant that the volume should meet certain requirements of sealing, i.e. that the volume of the enclosure is at least dust-tight. Correspondingly, the contained volume may be a volume configured to prevent significant, e.g. detectable and / or above a certain threshold, amounts of the input composition processed by the turret of the rotary tablet press from being released from the contained volume to the surroundings, e.g. the room in which it is located or to an enclosure surrounding at least part of the turret. 3 It can be seen that the sealed volume has a dust-tight capacity of up to 10 μg / m when installed.3 The volume may be configured to be dust-resistant up to 1000 psi.

[0055] In some embodiments, the enclosure is suspended from a suspension device positioned above the upper punch guide.

[0056] A suspension device may be provided to suspend the enclosure such that rotation of the die disc, bottom punch guide, and top punch guide does not cause rotation of the top punch guide.

[0057] In some embodiments, the at least one pillar is suspended from the enclosure.

[0058] This allows the enclosure and the at least one pillar to have the same reference point, i.e., with respect to the rotating die disc, bottom punch guide, and top punch guide, via the suspension device. This allows for more precise adjustment. Furthermore, this may allow adjustments to be made while the rotary tablet press is in operation and / or without compromising the seal, for example if the enclosure provides a sealed volume within the enclosure.

[0059] In some embodiments, adjustment of the enclosure may lead to adjustment of the feeder by at least one pillar.

[0060] At least one of the at least one pillar may be configured to extend between a top surface of the enclosure, e.g., an inner side of the top surface of the enclosure and a top surface of the feeder. Possible adjustment means for adjusting at least one of the at least one pillar may be provided on an outer side of the enclosure. The inner side may be a side facing a volume enclosed by the enclosure. The outer side may be a side facing an exterior of the enclosure.

[0061] In some embodiments, the enclosure has a bottom and sides.

[0062] In some embodiments, the bottom side of the feeder is substantially planar.

[0063] In some embodiments, the second portion on the bottom side is free-hanging so that the view into the second portion and across the gap is unobstructed.

[0064] The second part may be freely suspended by at least one pillar which extends only between the upper side of the feeder and the top surface of the rotary tablet press, e.g. the top surface of its enclosure, and / or between the side of the feeder and the side of the rotary tablet press, e.g. the side of its enclosure.

[0065] In some embodiments, the at least one pillar extends from a bottom surface of the rotary tablet press or its enclosure to the feeder, and the geometric extension of the at least one pillar when projected onto the second portion of the bottom surface and when projected onto a vertical plane parallel to the axial direction z is less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, of the second portion of the bottom surface and the projected area, respectively.

[0066] Thereby, a pillar extending between the bottom side, for example its second portion, and the bottom surface can be positioned so that it does not obstruct the view to the second portion and preferably the view to the gap.

[0067] The maximum cross-sectional area of ​​a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, i.e., a plane towards which a unit vector extending axially is the normal vector of said at least one pillar, may be less than 20%, preferably less than 15%, preferably less than 10%, preferably less than 5% of the surface area of ​​the surface of the second portion.

[0068] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second portion is openable, preferably by a hinged connection.

[0069] This can lead to improved cleaning, since the inside of the feeder can be accessed by opening the second part. For example, this allows a suction device, such as a vacuum cleaner, to be applied to the feeder via the openable second part. Alternatively or additionally, this allows a cleaning fluid or cleaning liquid to be applied to the inside of the feeder, for example dissolved in water and sprayed, and the cleaning fluid or cleaning liquid to be discharged by the openable second part.

[0070] The at least one retractable portion of the second part may be substantially the entire second part and / or may cover more than 30%, such as more than 40%, such as more than 50%, such as more than 60%, such as more than 70%, such as more than 80% of the second part or the surface of the second part. Alternatively, the retractable portion of the second part may be a discharge portion of the second part, which may in some cases be less than 30% of the second part.

[0071] The second part may be openable and closable from below when viewed vertically.

[0072] A portion of the second part may be openable by one or more hinges, possibly at least partially disposed on a non-openable portion of the second part, or alternatively, the second part may be openable by one or more magnets, screws, bolts, or the like.

[0073] In some embodiments, the at least one pillar is provided with a clamping device for locking the filling device in a predetermined position.

[0074] Thereby, a predetermined position of the filling device or feeder can be maintained, for example, during operation.

[0075] If an enclosure is provided, the clamping device may be located outside the enclosure.

[0076] In some embodiments, at least one pillar of the support assembly comprises one or more adjustment devices configured to allow adjustment of the position of the filling device in axial, radial, and tangential directions.

[0077] Thereby, six degrees of freedom for the movement of the feeder can be provided, thus enabling even greater accuracy in positioning the feeder at a predetermined location.

[0078] One or more adjusting devices may be disposed on each of the at least one pillar, so that in some cases each of the at least one pillar includes a respective adjusting device.

[0079] The adjustment device may be provided by means of a screw and bolt or a screw or the like on each of the at least one pillar.

[0080] Presently preferred embodiments and further advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the above aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with one or more of the other aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0081] In the following description, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0082] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary tablet press according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side of the rotary tablet press. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the bottom retractable portion of the feeder shown in the open position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rotary tablet press according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side of the rotary tablet press. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 3, showing the bottom retractable portion of the feeder in the open position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of details of a rotary tablet press according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, shown from a different angle. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a detail of a rotary tablet press according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of details of a rotary tablet press according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view of a detail of FIG. 9, shown from a different angle. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 9, with the bottom retractable portion of the feeder shown in the open position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a sixth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing details of a rotary tablet press according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of details of a rotary tablet press according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram of an eighth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0083] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth below. Rather, these embodiments are provided for the purposes of thoroughness and completeness.

[0084] 1 and 2 show a rotary tablet press, generally designated 1, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side of the rotary tablet press 1. The rotary tablet press 1 has a housing 2 including a frame 3 and an outer lining 4. The housing 2 is made up of three sections, which are arranged on top of each other and separated by partition walls. The lower section, referred to as the drive section 5, is separated from the middle section, referred to as the compression section 6, by the bottom frame 7 of the rotary tablet press 1, and the compression section 6 is separated from the upper section, referred to as the attachment section 8, by the top frame 9 of the rotary tablet press 1. The wall elements 2a, 2b are openable and closable, as suggested by the positions shown, and during operation, the wall elements 2a, 2b close the compression section 6. Further parts may be present, but are not shown, including caps to prevent excessive contamination of the mechanical parts within the compression section 6.

[0085] In a manner known per se, the housing 2 houses a turret 10. The turret 10 is located in an operating position within the compression section 6 of the housing 2 during operation of the tablet press, but can also be removed from the compression section 6 to allow cleaning, part replacement, etc. The turret 10 comprises several rotating parts, of which only the die disk 40 is shown. The die disk 40 is substantially plate-shaped and has a die disk surface, and has a number of bores, which typically house a corresponding number of dies adapted to form tablets of a desired shape and size. Further parts include upper and lower punch guides with guide bores in which the upper and lower punches are reciprocally housed. The first end of each punch can enter a corresponding die, or the bore itself if no die is present, by displacement of the associated punch within its guide bore, to compress the material in the die or bore.

[0086] A filling device 12 is associated with the turret 10. More than one filling device 12 may be provided. The filling device 12 includes a feeder 15 disposed between the die disk 40 and the upper punch guide 20. The feeder 15 is connected to a powder inlet tube 13 and a powder dispensing device, also referred to as a filling shoe 14. The feeder 15 has a bottom side facing the top side 42 of the die disk 40. See FIG. 8.

[0087] The turret 10 defines an axial direction z, a radial direction r, and a tangential direction θ.

[0088] Further details shown in Figure 1 include a tablet chute 11 that projects at an angle from turret 10 to direct the material compressed into a tablet away from the die bore. Tablet chute 11 is one of several attachment elements associated with turret 10.

[0089] Further details not shown may include scrapers, ejection fingers, reciprocating fingers and further cams adapted to scrape off excess powder and thereby ensure that only the desired amount of powder is present in the die disc. Other elements may be present in the rotary tablet press 1 and means may be provided for controlling the tablet press according to desired settings as well.

[0090] The rotary tablet press includes a support assembly 160 for providing support for the filling device 12 .

[0091] Looking again to FIG. 8 for an indication of the relevant details of the feeder 15 and the die disc 40, the bottom side of the feeder 15 comprises a first portion 15.1 and a second portion 15.2, which are defined such that the first portion 15.1 is the portion that overlaps the top side 42 of the die disc 40.

[0092] As described in more detail below for each of the six illustrated embodiments of the rotary tablet press 1, the support assembly includes at least one pillar configured to define a predetermined axial gap z between the bottom side of the feeder 15 and the top side 42 of the die disc 40 at the overlapping first portion 15.1, and the at least one pillar configured to provide a substantially unobstructed view into and across the gap to the second portion 15.2.

[0093] Throughout the above embodiments, the feeder 15 and die disc 40 are shown to have a consistent configuration, although other configurations are possible.

[0094] In the first embodiment, the support assembly 160 comprises five pillars 161, 162, 163, 164, 165 extending between the top surface of the rotary tablet press and the upper side of the feeder. It is implemented such that two pillars 161, 162 forming the lower set of pillars are connected at one end to the upper side of the feeder 15 and at the opposite end to a plate 169. Correspondingly, three pillars 163, 164, 165 forming the upper set of pillars are connected at one end to the plate 169 and to the top surface of the rotary tablet press 1, to the upper frame 9 as shown.

[0095] As shown schematically, adjustment means 167 are provided on the upper set of pillars for adjusting the position of the feeder. Throughout the embodiment, at least one pillar of the support assembly may be provided with one or more adjustment devices allowing adjustment of the position of the filling device 12 in the axial direction z, the radial direction r and the tangential direction θ.

[0096] Thus, in the first embodiment, the feeder 15 is suspended by pillars, and although support from below could conceivably be provided, here the feeder 15 is suspended only by at least one pillar, allowing adjustment of the bottom side of the feeder 15 relative to the top side of the die disc.

[0097] A feature of the first embodiment is shown in Figure 2, namely that part 15.3 of second part 15.2 is openable and closable, in this embodiment by means of hinge connection 15.4 as shown.

[0098] The bottom side of the feeder is substantially planar, ie all areas of the first part 15.1 and the second part 15.2 lie in a continuous plane.

[0099] According to the configuration of the support assembly 160 of the first embodiment, the second portion 15.2 on the bottom side of the feeder 15 is freely suspended so that the view into the second portion 15.2 and across the gap formed between the overlapping first portion 15.1 and the top side 42 of the die disk 40 is unobstructed.

[0100] 3 and 4, a second embodiment is described. Elements having the same or analogous function as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals increased by 100. In the following, only the differences will be described in detail.

[0101] In the second embodiment, the pillars 261, 262, 263, 264, 265 extend between the bottom surface of the rotary tablet press, here the bottom frame 7, and the bottom second part 15.2 of the feeder 15. It is also conceivable that the pillars extend from the bottom surface of the rotary tablet press to the top or sides of the feeder. As in the first embodiment, the pillars are divided into an upper set and a lower set.

[0102] Since the pillars of the support assembly 260 of the second embodiment extend from the bottom surface of the rotary tablet press, here from the bottom frame 7, to the feeder 15, the pillars necessarily obscure the view into the second portion 15.2 and slightly obscure the gap between the first portion 15.1 and the upper surface 42 of the die disc 40. Since obstructions are preferably minimized, it is preferred that the geometrical extension of said at least one pillar, when projected onto the second portion of the bottom surface and when projected onto a vertical plane parallel to the axial direction z, is less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, of the second portion of the bottom surface and the projected area, respectively.

[0103] Turning now to Figures 5-7, a third embodiment is shown. Elements having the same or analogous function as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals plus 200. In the following, only the differences will be described in detail.

[0104] The rotary tablet press 1 includes an enclosure 70 which, in its operating position, encloses the turret 10 within the compression section 6 of the rotary tablet press. The enclosure 70 includes a top wall 72, a bottom wall 71, and side walls 73, 74.

[0105] The enclosure 70 is suspended from a suspension device 60 located above the upper punch guide 20. A support assembly 360 for the feeder 15 may be connected to this suspension device 60, possibly via a top wall 72 of the enclosure 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the support assembly 360 includes a single pillar 361 that depends from the enclosure.

[0106] The pillar 361 is provided with a clamping device 368 for locking the filling device in a predetermined position.

[0107] The fourth, fifth and sixth embodiment support assemblies 460, 560, 660 show variations in the configuration of the at least one pillar supporting the feeder and will not be described in further detail.

[0108] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of details of a rotary tablet press in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] In this embodiment, a support assembly 760 is provided to support the feeder 15. The support assembly 760 includes two pillars 761, 762, which support the feeder 15. This axially supports the feeder 15 from below. The pillars 761, 762 are disposed between the bottom wall 71 of the enclosure 70 and the feeder 15. In this embodiment, both pillars 761, 762 are disposed between and connected to the bottom wall 71 of the enclosure 70 and the bottom side of the feeder 15. As shown in FIG. 14 , the view into the second portion and across the gap is substantially unobstructed because the pillars 761, 762 are connected to the feeder 15 at a portion that occupies less than 10% of the surface area of ​​the bottom side second portion. Furthermore, the gap between the surfaces of the second portion, which surfaces face the bottom wall 71 of the enclosure 70, extends over at least 90% of said surfaces.

[0110] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of details of a rotary tablet press according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a view of the eighth embodiment of the present invention corresponding to FIG.

[0111] In the eighth embodiment, a support assembly 860 is provided to support the feeder 15. The support assembly 860 includes pillars 861, 862. The pillars 861, 862 are arranged to radially support the feeder 15. The pillars 861, 862 are connected to and extend between each side 74, 73 of the enclosure 70 and the feeder 70. As with the seventh embodiment, the view into the gap is substantially unobstructed, and the pillars 861, 862 are connected to only a fairly small (less than 10%) portion of the surface area of ​​the second portion of the feeder 15, such that the gap between the surface of the second portion facing the bottom wall 71 and the bottom wall 71 extends over a fairly large (greater than 90%) portion of the surface of the second portion.

[0112] In other embodiments, a support assembly may be provided that provides both axial and radial support. For example, a support assembly may be provided that includes any combination of pillars 361, 761, 762, 861, and 862, such as all five pillars 361, 761, 762, 861, and 862, or pillars 762 and 861, or pillars 761 and 862, with or without pillar 361. It should further be understood that the void may extend over more than 90% of the surface of the second portion, or over less than 90% of the surface of the second portion. Similarly, in these or other embodiments, the pillars may be connected to more than 10% of the surface area of ​​the second portion of the feeder, or to less than 10% of the surface area of ​​the second portion of the feeder. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1. Rotary tablet press machine 2. Housing 2a wall element 2b Wall element 3 frames 4 outer lining 5 Drive Section 6 Compression Section 7 Bottom Frame 8. Ancillary Section 9 Upper Frame 10 Turrets 11 Tablet Shoot 12 Filling Device 13 Powder inlet tube 14 Powder dispensing device / fill shoe 15 Feeder 15.1 First part of the bottom side of the feeder 15.2 Second section of bottom side of feeder 15.3 Openable parts 15.4 Hinge Connection 20 Upper punch guide 25 Upper punch 30 Bottom punch guide 35 Bottom punch 40 Didisc 42 Upper side of die disc 60 Support Assembly / Hanging Device 160 Support assembly of the first embodiment 161 Pillar 162 Pillar 163 Pillar 164 Pillar 165 Pillar 167 Regulating Devices 169 Plate 260 Second embodiment support assembly 261 Pillar 262 Pillar 263 Pillar 264 Pillar 265 Pillar 269 ​​Plate 360 Third embodiment support assembly 361 Pillar 368 Clamping Device 460 Support assembly of the fourth embodiment 560 Fifth embodiment support assembly 660 SUPPORT ASSEMBLY OF THE SIXTH EMBODIMENT 760 Support assembly of the seventh embodiment 761 Pillar 762 Pillar 860 Eighth embodiment support assembly 861 Pillar 862 Pillar 70 Enclosure 71 Bottom wall 72 Upper Wall 73 Side wall 74 Side wall

Claims

1. A rotary tablet press machine (1), wherein the rotary tablet press machine is A turret (10) includes a die disc (40), an upper punch guide (20), a bottom punch guide (30), and a plurality of punches (25, 35), The turret (10) is associated with at least one filling device (12), the filling device (12) comprising a feeder (15) positioned between the die disc (40) and the upper punch guide (20), and having a bottom side facing the upper side (42) of the die disc (40), The turret (10) has defined axial (z), radial (r), and tangential (θ) directions. The rotary tablet press machine comprises a support assembly for providing support for the feeder (15), A rotary tablet press machine, characterized in that the bottom side of the feeder (15) comprises a first portion (15.1) and a second portion (15.2), the first portion (15.1) overlapping the upper side (42) of the die disc (40); the support assembly comprises at least one pillar, the at least one pillar configured to set a predetermined axial (z) gap between the bottom side of the feeder (15) and the upper side of the die disc (40) in the overlapping first portion; and the at least one pillar configured such that the view to the second portion and the view across the gap are not substantially obstructed.

2. The rotary tablet press according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pillar is configured to be positioned such that the axial (z) gap between the surface of the second portion (15.2) and the other portion of the rotary tablet press, for example, between the bottom surface (7) of the rotary tablet press or the bottom wall (71) of the enclosure (70), extends over at least 50% of the surface of the second portion (15.2), for example, extending over at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of the surface of the second portion (15.2).

3. The rotary tablet press machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the feeder (15) is supported in the axial direction (z) and / or radial direction (r) by at least one pillar.

4. The rotary tablet press according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one pillars extends between the bottom surface (7) of the rotary tablet press (1) and the feeder (15), for example between the bottom surface (15.2) of the feeder (15), and the number of pillars is preferably one, two, or three.

5. The rotary tablet press according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one pillar (161, 162, 163, 164) extends between the upper surface (9; 72) of the rotary tablet press or its enclosure (70) and the upper side of the feeder.

6. The rotary tablet press machine according to claim 5, wherein the feeder (15) is suspended by at least one pillar, preferably by only at least one pillar, and the bottom side of the feeder (15) can be adjusted relative to the upper side of the die disc.

7. The rotary tablet press according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one pillars extends between the side surface of the rotary tablet press or its enclosure and the feeder.

8. The rotary tablet press machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotary tablet press machine (1) is provided with an enclosure (70) that surrounds the turret (10) within the compression section (6) of the rotary tablet press machine in its operating position.

9. The rotary tablet press machine according to claim 8, wherein the enclosure (70) is suspended from a suspension device (60) positioned above the upper punch guide.

10. The rotary tablet press machine (1) is provided with an enclosure (70) that surrounds the turret (10) within the compression section (6) of the rotary tablet press machine in its operating position, The rotary tablet press machine according to claim 6, wherein at least one pillar (361) is suspended from the enclosure.

11. The rotary tablet press machine (1) is provided with an enclosure (70) that surrounds the turret (10) within the compression section (6) of the rotary tablet press machine in its operating position, The rotary tablet press machine according to claim 7, wherein the side surface is provided on the enclosure.

12. The rotary tablet press machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom side (15.1, 15.2) of the feeder (15) is substantially flat.

13. The rotary tablet press according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second portion (15.2) on the bottom side is freely suspended so as not to obstruct the view to the second portion and the view across the gap.

14. The rotary tablet press according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one pillar extends from the bottom surface (7) or its enclosure (70) to the feeder (15), and the geometric extension of the at least one pillar when projected onto the second portion of the bottom surface and when projected onto a vertical plane parallel to the axial direction (z) is less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, of the second portion of the bottom surface and the projection area, respectively.

15. The rotary tablet press machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the second part is openable and preferably openable by a hinge connection (15.4).

16. The rotary tablet press machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the pillars is provided with a clamping device (368) for locking the feeder in a predetermined position.

17. The rotary tablet press according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one pillar of the support assembly comprises one or more adjustment devices (167) configured to allow adjustment of the position of the filling device (12) in the axial direction (z), the radial direction (r), and the tangential direction (θ).

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