Method for pre-cleaning a rotary press and the press housing of a rotary press.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotary press comprising a press housing and a rotor disposed within the press housing, the rotor having upper and lower punch guides for upper and lower press punches and a die plate between the punch guides, the press punches interacting with a container of the die plate, and further comprising at least one filling device in which the material to be compressed is filled into the container, and further comprising at least one pressure device, the pressure device interacting with the upper and lower press punches while in operation, causing the upper and lower press punches to compress the material located in the container into tablets, and an extruder for tablets produced by the rotary press. The present invention also relates to a method for pre-cleaning the press housing of a rotary press.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary press comprising a press housing and a rotor disposed within the press housing, the rotor having upper and lower punch guides for upper and lower press punches and a die plate between the punch guides, the press punches interacting with a container of the die plate and further comprising at least one filling device in which a material to be compressed is filled into the container, further comprising at least one pressure device which, during operation, interacts with the upper and lower press punches to compress the material located within the container by the upper and lower press punches into tablets, and an ejection device for tablets produced by the rotary press.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for pre-cleaning the press housing of a rotary press according to the present invention and a method for inserting a spray nozzle into the press housing of a rotary press according to the present invention.

Background Art

[0003] In a rotary press, there are typically multiple upper and lower press punches, each assigned in pairs to one cavity in the die plate. During operation of the rotary press, the upper and lower press punches rotate with the die plate, and their axial movement is controlled by control cams and guided by upper and lower punch guides. As it rotates, the die plate passes through various components of the rotary press, namely a filling device that guides the powder material to be compressed into the cavity of the die plate, and a pressure device that typically pushes the upper and lower press punches into the cavity with upper and lower pressure rollers, compressing the powder material into pellets such as tablets. Following the pressure device, the upper press punches are guided upward from the cavity, and the pellets generated in the cavity are pushed out to the upper side of the die plate by the lower press punches. Therefore, for this purpose, an extrusion cam is provided to move the lower press punches upward. The pellets are then scraped off the die plate, for example by a scraper, and sent into the exit of a rotary press, from where they are fed to further processes.

[0004] Product dust is generated during the manufacturing of tablets in a rotary press, for example, when supplying powdered material to be compressed, when compressing the material into tablets, or when removing the manufactured tablets. Product dust can remain inside the press housing and may require complete or partial removal by manual extraction when changing products or replacing components of the rotary press, such as punches, or other wear parts. This is particularly important when opening the press housing to prevent press dust from entering the environment and creating health risks, for example, in the case of pharmaceutical materials. Currently, personal protective equipment is used to protect workers. Dry cleaning, such as manual extraction, is known to remove product dust from the surface of the rotary press, for example, from the window flaps of the press housing. However, dry cleaning does not always completely remove product dust from the surface, or especially from the air.

[0005] It is also known that rotary presses, particularly the press housing, can be comprehensively cleaned by spraying a cleaning solution. For this purpose, a spraying device can be used to spray the cleaning solution onto the surfaces of the internal space of the rotary press, especially the press housing, to bind and wash away any powder residue. One problem here is that, depending on the amount of liquid required to clean the surface, the liquid accumulates, especially on the horizontal surfaces of the press housing, and this liquid needs to be drained after cleaning is complete. This is especially true if, due to the horizontal surface, the residual cleaning solution does not flow out through drainage channels provided for this purpose under the influence of gravity. The liquid remaining inside the press housing can also cause corrosion of the press housing surface, increasing the effort required for drying and cleaning. Furthermore, an external liquid supply device needs to be connected to the rotary press in order to supply the cleaning solution to the inside of the rotary press.

[0006] Therefore, German Patent Application Publication No. 102008046670 proposes using an actuator to tilt the press housing or the entire tablet press machine by an inclination angle in order to discharge the cleaning fluid accumulated on the horizontal surface, so that the cleaning fluid accumulated in the press housing can be drained through a drain channel. However, this involves considerable design effort and time. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102008046670 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Therefore, based on the prior art described above, the present invention aims to provide a rotary press and method of the type mentioned at the beginning. The present invention makes it possible to remove product dust from the internal space of the press housing in a more effective and simpler manner compared to the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This invention achieves this objective through independent claims. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims, specification, and drawings.

[0010] With respect to the rotary press of the type mentioned at the beginning, the present invention achieves its objective in that a binder tank containing a liquid binder is located inside or outside the press housing, at least one spray nozzle is located inside the press housing, and a binder line runs from the binder tank to the spray nozzle in at least a portion of the inside of the press housing, and a conveying device is installed to transport the binder from the binder tank to the spray nozzle via the binder line during operation, thereby causing the spray nozzle to generate a spray mist from the binder inside the press housing, and the spray mist binds the dust inside the press housing.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention achieves its objective by a method for pre-cleaning the press housing of a rotary press according to the present invention. In this method, a spray mist made from a binder is generated inside the press housing by a spray nozzle, and the spray mist binds to the dust inside the press housing.

[0012] The basic design of the rotary press provided by the present invention and / or used in the method according to the present invention was described at the beginning. As described, upper and lower punch guides guide the press punch during its axial movement. The punch head interacts with a control cam that moves the press punch axially, particularly towards and away from each other, so that the press punch rotates with the rotor. The control cam is usually composed of multiple control cam elements. The control cam either houses the punch head in a corresponding guide container or contacts only the mirror surface of the punch head. The pressure device usually comprises an upper pressure roller and a lower pressure roller, which interact with the punch heads of the upper and lower press punches, respectively. It is also possible to have multiple pressure devices of this type, e.g., a pre-pressure device and a main pressure device. The extrusion cam as part of the control cam moves the lower press punch upward after pellets have been generated in their respective cavities. This allows each pellet to reach the upper side of the die plate, from which it may be guided to the tablet exit by a scraper fixed above the die plate, for example.

[0013] According to the present invention, at least one spray nozzle, for example, two or more spray nozzles, is arranged inside the press housing. A binder line is provided between the binder tank, which is located inside or outside the press housing, for example on top of the press housing, and the spray nozzle, and passes through at least a portion of the inside of the press housing. The conveying device of the rotary press conveys the binder, in particular, from the binder tank to the spray nozzle via the binder line. The spray nozzle sprays a mist made from the supplied binder into the inside of the press housing, and the mist binds to dust present in the press housing, specifically dust present in the air inside the press housing, i.e., product dust from particularly powdered materials compressed by the rotary press, thereby rendering the dust harmless. In particular, the spray nozzle generates only a mist and does not spray any liquid onto the surface of the press housing, like a cleaning lance. The dust bound by the mist of the binder slowly falls into the press housing with the mist due to gravity. The spray mist, made from a liquid binder, binds dust present in the air inside the press housing on the one hand, and dust present on the surface of the press housing on the other hand. This removes, for example, product dust that is problematic for the operator from the internal space of the press housing. According to the present invention, a pre-cleaning system that does not require a pharmaceutical cleaning system is provided, and the system can be used after performing the method according to the present invention without additional cleaning. If necessary, additional cleaning of the press housing can be performed according to the method according to the present invention, for example by extracting the bound dust. The present invention is based on the finding that by binding and removing dust from the press housing by the method according to the present invention, access to the internal space of the press is possible without risk and without complex additional protective measures. At the same time, when spraying large amounts of cleaning liquid, the effort required to remove liquid from the internal space of the press is avoided.

[0014] The binder is supplied from a binder tank, which can be installed inside the press housing, elsewhere inside the rotary press, or even on the rotary press. The spray nozzle may be, for example, a two-component nozzle. Thus, a gas-liquid mixture is processed by the spray nozzle to generate a spray mist, which is then ejected. One or more spray nozzles can be positioned above the rotor of the rotary press. The spray mist generated by the spray nozzle, unlike, for example, a cleaning liquid sprayed onto the surface of the press housing by a thermal spray lance, is automatically and widely dispersed within the internal space of the press housing, thereby effectively binding dust throughout the internal space of the press housing. The operation of the conveying device for generating the spray mist by the spray nozzle can be initiated, for example, by an operator, for example, via the user interface (human-machine interface, HMI) of the rotary press. The spray nozzles can be pre-installed in the press housing or introduced according to the process according to the present invention, as will be described in more detail later.

[0015] According to the present invention, by generating a spray mist from a liquid binder and dispersing the spray mist over a wide area within the press housing, the spray mist can be reliably and widely dispersed within the press housing. This eliminates the need to spray specific areas of the press housing with the cleaning solution. Furthermore, the generation of the spray mist and its uniform dispersion within the internal space of the press housing prevent, for example, the accumulation of liquid on the horizontal surface of the press housing, particularly the formation of puddles. Therefore, according to the present invention, after the pre-cleaning process is completed, i.e., after the spray mist is generated, it is not necessary to drain the liquid from the press housing through a drain channel. Thus, the press housing or rotary press according to the present invention may not have a drain channel for draining the cleaning solution.

[0016] According to the present invention, dust from materials compressed by a rotary press is effectively and reliably bound in a simpler way in terms of design and time. At the same time, corrosion of the surface of the press housing is avoided. Because the dust bound by the spray mist is not airborne, it is not dispersed into the environment even when the press housing is open, and therefore is not inhaled by the operator. There is no need to completely immerse the press housing in the manner proposed in the prior art, and a high level of operator protection can be achieved. There is no need for a drainage channel for cleaning liquid from the rotary press, especially the press housing. Furthermore, the binder tank and binder line eliminate the need to supply expensive external media for cleaning fluid. By binding airborne dust, the press housing may be opened without complete protection, depending on the operator's assessment or responsibility. According to the present invention, the assembly of the components, and disassembly as needed, is simple.

[0017] According to one embodiment, a control device may be installed that controls the conveying device for a period of less than 5 minutes, preferably less than 2 minutes, more preferably less than 1 minute, specifically less than 30 seconds, and more specifically less than 20 seconds, to convey the binder from the binder tank to the spray nozzle via the binder line, thereby generating a spray mist by the spray nozzle. When the conveying device is activated, the spray nozzle continuously generates a spray mist from the supplied binder. According to the embodiment, by activating the conveying device and thereby generating the spray mist for only a short period, for example less than 30 seconds, dust present in the press housing is reliably bound while avoiding the supply of a large amount of liquid into the internal space of the press housing. Thus, the accumulation of liquid on the surface of the press housing, and consequently the risk of corrosion or the need to discharge these liquid accumulations are reliably avoided. The control device can be integrated into a mechanical control system for controlling the operation of the rotary press, or it can form a separate control device.

[0018] In particular, according to practical embodiments, the binder tank can be located outside the press housing. The binder line can then pass from the binder tank to the spray nozzle through a dustproof opening in the press housing. In particular, the binder tank can be coupled to the press housing via a rapid transfer port (RTP). On the one hand, this embodiment allows for particularly simple and standardized assembly of the binder tank, including the connection of the binder line between the binder tank and the spray nozzle. On the other hand, this embodiment is particularly suitable for a contained press because it is possible to operate through a dustproof opening, such as a rapid transfer port, without opening the press housing and thus breaking the containment, or without breaking the containment. Therefore, the rotary press according to the present invention can be a contained rotary press, as described below.

[0019] The binder may contain water and / or a cleaning agent and / or a preservative. Water is a particularly effective binder against product dust. As mentioned above, a mixture of air and water can be treated by a spray nozzle to produce a spray mist, or applied as a spray mist. Furthermore, if the binder contains a cleaning agent, the cleaning effect may be improved, especially if the binder is deposited on the surface of the press housing. The preservative contained in the binder provides even more reliable prevention of corrosion of the press housing surface that comes into contact with the spray mist.

[0020] The conveying device may include a compressed air device that uses compressed air to convey the binder from the binder tank to the spray nozzle. This allows the binder to be conveyed in a particularly reliable and simple manner.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the spray nozzle can be rotatably arranged within the press housing, and during the generation of the spray mist, a rotary actuator for rotating the spray nozzle within the press housing is installed. The rotary actuator can, in particular, automatically rotate the spray nozzle as soon as the conveying device conveys the binder from the binder tank to the spray nozzle and, in turn, the nozzle generates the spray mist. By rotating the spray nozzle during the generation of the spray mist, the spray mist can be dispersed extensively and uniformly, particularly within the press housing. The dust binding effect is further improved, and the risk of liquid water accumulation on the surface is further reduced.

[0022] The spray nozzle or a plurality of spray nozzles can be arranged on one or more nozzle blocks, and the nozzle block or a plurality of nozzle blocks comprise a rotary actuator. The rotary actuator can be, in particular, a rotary actuator operating with gas in a particularly practical way. Further, the nozzle block can comprise a rotary distributor. Thereby, when the spray nozzle moves, there is no need to move the binder line, specifically the air and / or water line.

[0023] As described above, the spray nozzle or a plurality of spray nozzles can be arranged above the rotor within the press housing. Thereby, the spray mist can be surely and optimally dispersed within the press housing by the induction of gravity.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, it may be provided that the rotary press is an enclosed rotary press equipped with an extraction device. The extraction device generates a negative pressure within the press housing with respect to the environment of the press housing. The rotary press can have, for example, a containment level of OEB3 or higher, measured according to, for example, the SMEPAC test (Standard Measurement Method for Floating Particle Substance Concentration of Equipment). Such an enclosed rotary press usually comprises an extraction device that generates a negative pressure within the press housing with respect to the environment, whereby any toxic product dust is extracted from the press housing without flowing into the environment.

[0025] Next, according to a further embodiment, a control device for operating the extraction device can be installed during the generation of the spray mist in the press housing by the spray nozzle. Thereby, the extraction device generates a negative pressure in the press housing with respect to the environment of the press housing. The spray mist is dispersed in the press housing by the turbulent flow generated by the extraction device. The control device can be integrated into the mechanical control device of the rotary press or can be a separate control device. In particular, the control device can be the same as the control device for operating the conveying device for the binder. Also, the control device operates the rotating shaft of the rotary actuator of the spray nozzle as necessary. By extraction, a turbulent flow is generated in the press housing, and the spray mist is more likely to be dispersed throughout the press housing, particularly in areas that are outside the direct spraying range of the spray nozzle because they are covered by components in the press housing, for example. The flow generated by the extraction enables easy access to such areas.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the spray nozzle can be detachably arranged in the press housing. The binder tank and / or the binder line can also be detachably arranged. This also applies to the nozzle block that can hold the spray nozzle. Thereby, it is possible to attach or remove the components as necessary.

[0027] Also, the rotary press can include a manually operable spraying lance that allows an operator to spray into the area inside the press housing with the binder, specifically the binder from the binder tank. Thus, the spraying lance can be supplied from the binder tank that supplies the binder to the spray nozzle. However, it is also possible to provide a separate binder tank, for example, equipped with a liquid cleaning agent, for the spraying lance. Also, the manually operable spraying lance can generate a spray mist that binds the dust in the press housing. Thereby, the operator can manually spray into hard-to-reach areas of the press housing that cannot be reached by the spray nozzle, for example, the filling device.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a method for introducing a spray nozzle into the press housing of a rotary press according to the present invention. The method involves introducing the spray nozzle and optionally a nozzle block that holds the spray nozzle into a container outside the press housing, and then introducing the container into the press housing, particularly through a dustproof supply opening, such as a rapid transfer port. Subsequently, the spray nozzle and optionally a nozzle block that holds the spray nozzle are removed from the container inside the press housing and connected to a binder line within the press housing.

[0029] As mentioned above, the spray nozzle can be detachably positioned within the press housing. In this case, according to the present invention, the spray nozzle, and if possible, the nozzle block that holds the spray nozzle, must be moved into the press housing and installed inside the press housing before pre-cleaning. Particularly in the case of a sealed rotary press, this must be done without opening the press housing and without breaking the containment. To do this, the spray nozzle, and if necessary, the nozzle block, must be located in the internal space of the press housing. Before loading, coarse dust can be extracted from the press housing using a manual extraction device. A manual extraction device is usually present in such a rotary press and may be, for example, manual. In the next step, the spray nozzle, and if necessary, the nozzle block that holds the spray nozzle, is introduced into a container that functions to protect the spray nozzle or nozzle block. The spray nozzle, with the nozzle block, if necessary, in the container, is then loaded into the press housing of the rotary press, i.e., through a dust-proof supply opening in the press housing, preferably such as a rapid transfer port. This allows the components to be loaded while maintaining containment within the rotary press. Within the press housing, the spray nozzle, along with the nozzle block as needed, can be removed from its container, fitted into place, and connected to the binder tank via the binder line. Removal of the spray nozzle, and the nozzle block as needed, from the press housing during disassembly can be performed in the reverse order.

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, which are schematic in nature. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1] A rotary press in a diagram showing the rotor flattened. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of the rotary press according to the present invention. [Figure 3] A schematic cross-sectional view of a binder tank in a rotary press according to the present invention. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram of a nozzle block equipped with a spray nozzle on top for a rotary press according to the present invention.

[0032] Unless otherwise specified, identical reference numerals in drawings refer to the same thing. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] The rotary press shown in Figure 1 is a rotary press for tablet manufacturing that can be used in the present invention, and in the rotary press, powdered material is compressed into tablets. The rotor of the rotary press is rotationally driven by a rotary drive device and comprises a die plate 10 having a plurality of cavities 12. The cavities 12 can be formed, for example, by holes 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 guided axially within an upper punch guide 18, and the lower press punches 16 are guided axially within 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 an upper control cam element 22 and a lower control cam element 24. Furthermore, a filling device 26 is provided, which has a filling reservoir 28 and a filling chamber 30, and the filling reservoir 28 and the filling chamber 30 are connected via a filling tube 32. Thus, in this embodiment, the powder material reaches the filling chamber 30 by gravity from the filling reservoir 28 through the filling tube 32, and from there, again by gravity, reaches the cavity 12 of the die plate 10 through the filling opening provided at the bottom of the filling chamber 30.

[0034] The rotary press further comprises a pressure device 34. The pressure device 34 further comprises a pre-pressure device comprising an upper pre-pressure roller 36 held on an upper holder 35 and a lower pre-pressure roller 38 held on a lower holder 37, and a main pressure device comprising an upper pressure roller 40 held on an upper holder 39 and a lower pressure roller 42 held on a lower holder 41. Furthermore, the rotary press comprises an extrusion device 44 and a scraper device 46 having a scraper element. The scraper element supplies tablets 48 manufactured by the rotary press to a discharge device 50 for discharge from the rotary press. The scraper device 46 preferably comprises a crescent-shaped scraper element, which scrapes off tablets 48 that have been conveyed to the upper side of the die plate 10 by the lower press punch 16 within the area of ​​the extrusion device 44, and supplies the tablets 48 to the discharge device 50.

[0035] Furthermore, the rotary press is equipped with a control device 52 for controlling the operation of the rotary press and for carrying out the method according to the present invention, as will be described in more detail later.

[0036] Figure 2 shows a rotary press according to the present invention, which comprises a press housing 54 in which the components shown in Figure 1 are arranged together with a rotor 56. A binder tank 58 is located on the press housing 54 and may be connected in a dustproof manner to the internal space 60 of the press housing 54, for example, via a rapid transfer port. The rotary press may be a contained rotary press that generates negative pressure within the internal space 60 of the press housing 54 relative to the environment, for example, by an extraction device located inside the press housing 54.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, two nozzle blocks 62 are positioned above the rotor 56 within the internal space 60 of the press housing 54. Each nozzle block 62 holds at least one spray nozzle, as will be described in more detail later. The nozzle blocks 62 and the spray nozzles equipped with the nozzle blocks 62 are connected to a binder tank 58 via a binder line 64, which is very schematically shown in Figure 2. During operation, a liquid binder, particularly water, to which cleaning agents and / or preservatives can be optionally added, is supplied to the nozzle blocks 62 and the spray nozzles equipped with the nozzle blocks 62 by a conveying device, specifically a compressed air device, integrated into the binder tank 58. As a result, spray mist 66 is sprayed by the spray nozzles into the internal space 60 of the press housing 54. This process can be automatically controlled by a control device 52, particularly after the process has been initiated by an operator, for example, via the operating terminal of the rotary press. The sprayed spray mist binds to dust from the compressed powder material in the rotary press that is present in the air within the internal space 60 of the press housing 54, preventing the dust particles from floating in the air. Therefore, when the press housing 54 is opened, dust particles are prevented from leaking into the environment and creating health risks to workers.

[0038] Figure 3 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the binder tank 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the binder tank 58 comprises two tank containers 68 filled with binder and connected to a line connection section 70 to which the binder line 64 is connected. Furthermore, a compressed air supply device 72 of the conveying device is located inside the binder tank 58 and supplies compressed air to convey the binder from the tank containers 68 to the line connection section 70 and to the spray nozzle via the binder line. At one end face, the binder tank 58 has an interface 74 for coupling to the press housing 54 of a rotary press, specifically an interface 74 for connecting to the rapid transfer port of the rotary press.

[0039] Figure 4 shows one of the nozzle blocks 62 in more detail. The nozzle block 62 is equipped with a rotary actuator 76, to which a rod-shaped nozzle block 78 is attached, and the nozzle block 78 rotates about its longitudinal axis, i.e., the vertical direction in Figure 4, during the operation of the rotary actuator 76. In the illustrated embodiment, two spray nozzles 80 are positioned on the nozzle block 78 and aligned at an angle to each other. A binder line is connected to an additional line connection 82, and the binder supplied through the line connection 82 is supplied to the spray nozzles 80 during operation. The spray nozzles 80 spray the binder into the press housing in the form of a spray mist. The spray nozzles 80 rotate via the rotary actuator 76 as described above while spraying the spray mist. The rotary actuator 76 can be operated, for example, by pneumatics. For this purpose, a pneumatic connection 84, specifically an air connection 84, is provided. As described above, the conveying device and rotary actuator 76 can be operated via the control device 52, especially after the pre-cleaning process has been initiated by an operator.

[0040] According to the present invention, by spraying a mist into the internal space 60 of the press housing 54 via a rotary spray nozzle 80, a fine, dust-binding mist is widely and uniformly dispersed within the internal space 60 of the press housing 54. As a result, the dust is reliably bound and subsequently settles on the surface of the rotor 56 or the press housing 54. The pre-cleaning process, which involves the generation of the mist, can be carried out by the control device 52 for a relatively short time of less than 2 minutes, more preferably less than 1 minute, and specifically less than 30 seconds. This ensures that only a relatively small amount of liquid is applied into the internal space 60 of the press housing 54, thus minimizing the risk of a large amount of liquid accumulating on the surface of the rotary press. The rotary press extraction device for generating negative pressure within the internal space 60 of the press housing 54 supports the dispersion of the mist, particularly by turbulence.

[0041] The nozzle block 62, equipped with the spray nozzle 80, can be detachably positioned within the press housing 54. For assembly or disassembly of the nozzle block 62 equipped with the spray nozzle 80, the nozzle block 62 equipped with the spray nozzle 80 can be moved into a transport container and transported into or out of the press housing 54 via a rapid transfer port without breaking the containment of the rotary press. Line connections 82, 84 provided on the nozzle block 62 for assembly or disassembly are understood to be separated from or connected to the corresponding lines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10 die plates 12 Cavity 14 Upper press punch 16 Lower press punch 18 Upper punch guide 20 Lower punch guide 22 Upper control cam element 24 Lower control cam element 26 Filling equipment 28 Filling reservoir 30 Filling Chambers 32 Filling tubes 34 Pressure device 35 Upper holder 36 Upper pre-pressure roller 37 Lower holder 38 Lower pre-pressure roller 39 Upper holder 40 Upper pressure roller 41 Lower holder 42 Lower pressure roller 44 Extruder 46 Removal device 48 tablets 50 Ejector 52 Control device 54 Press Housing 56 Rotors 58 Binder Tank 60 Interior space 62 Nozzle Block 64 Binder line 66 Spray Mist 68 Tank containers 70 Line connection section 72 Compressed air supply device 74 Interfaces 76 Rotary Actuators 78 Nozzle Holder 80 spray nozzles 82 Line connection section 84 Line connection section

Claims

1. It is a rotary press, The device comprises a press housing (54) and a rotor (56) disposed within the press housing (54), The rotor (56) has upper and lower punch guides (18, 20) for upper and lower press punches (14, 16), and a die plate (10) between the punch guides (18, 20). The press punches (14, 16) interact with the container (12) of the die plate (10), The system further comprises at least one filling device (26), wherein the material to be compressed is filled into the container (12) in the filling device (26). The present invention further comprises at least one pressure device (34), the pressure device (34) interacting with the upper press punch (14) and the lower press punch (16) while in operation, causing the upper press punch (14) and the lower press punch (16) to compress the material located in the container (12) into pellets. A rotary press comprising an extrusion device (44) for the pellets produced by the rotary press, A binder tank (58) containing a liquid binder is located inside or outside the press housing (54). At least one spray nozzle (80) is located inside the press housing (54), The binder line (64) extends from the binder tank (58) to the spray nozzle (80) in at least a portion of the inside of the press housing (54). A rotary press characterized in that, during operation, a conveying device is installed to transport the binder from the binder tank (58) to the spray nozzle (80) via the binder line (64), thereby causing the spray nozzle (80) to generate a spray (66) from the binder inside the press housing (54), and the spray mist binds to the dust inside the press housing (54).

2. The rotary press according to claim 1, characterized in that a control device (52) is installed which is designed to control the conveying device for a period of less than 5 minutes, preferably less than 2 minutes, and more preferably less than 1 minute, and to convey the binder from the binder tank (58) to the spray nozzle (80) via the binder line (64).

3. The rotary press according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the binder tank (58) is located outside the press housing (54).

4. The rotary press according to claim 3, characterized in that the binder line (64) passes from the binder tank (58) to the spray nozzle (80) through a dustproof opening in the press housing (54).

5. The rotary press according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the binder tank (58) is coupled to the press housing (54) via a rapid transfer port.

6. The rotary press according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the binder comprises water and / or a cleaning agent and / or a preservative.

7. The rotary press according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the conveying device comprises a compressed air device that conveys the binder from the binder tank (58) to the spray nozzle (80) by compressed air.

8. The spray nozzle (80) is rotatably arranged within the press housing (54), A rotary press according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a rotary actuator (76) is installed in the press housing (54) to rotate the spray nozzle (80) while the spray mist (66) is being generated.

9. The spray nozzle (80) is positioned on the nozzle block (62), The rotary press according to claim 8, characterized in that the nozzle block (62) comprises the rotary actuator (76).

10. The rotary press according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the rotary actuator (76) is a rotary actuator (76) that is operated by air pressure.

11. The rotary press according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the spray nozzle (80) is positioned above the rotor (56) in the press housing (54).

12. The rotary press is a containment-type rotary press equipped with an extraction device. The rotary press according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the extraction device generates a negative pressure within the press housing (54) relative to the environment of the press housing (54).

13. A control device (52) is installed to operate the extraction device while the spray mist (66) is being generated by the spray nozzle (80), thereby causing the extraction device to generate negative pressure within the press housing (54) relative to the environment of the press housing (54). The rotary press according to claim 12, characterized in that the spray mist (66) is dispersed within the press housing (54) by turbulence generated by the extraction device.

14. The rotary press according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the spray nozzle (80) is detachably arranged within the press housing (54).

15. A rotary press according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a manually operable thermal spray lance is also installed, and the operator can spray a binder into the area inside the press housing (54) using the thermal spray lance.

16. A method for pre-cleaning the press housing (54) of a rotary press according to any one of claims 1 to 15, A method characterized by generating a spray mist from the binder using the spray nozzle (80) inside the press housing (54), and the spray mist binding to the dust inside the press housing (54).

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that no binder flows out from the press housing (54) after the preliminary cleaning is completed.

18. The method according to any one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that the conveying device is operated for a period of less than 5 minutes, preferably less than 2 minutes, and more preferably less than 1 minute, to convey the binder from the binder tank (58) to the spray nozzle (80) via the binder line (64).

19. A method for introducing a spray nozzle into the press housing (54) of a rotary press according to any one of claims 1 to 15, The spray nozzle (80) and optionally a nozzle block (62) for holding the spray nozzle (80) are introduced into a container outside the press housing (54). Subsequently, the container is introduced into the press housing (54) through the supply opening of the press housing (54), The method is characterized by subsequently removing the spray nozzle (80) and optionally a nozzle block (62) that holds the spray nozzle (80) from the container inside the press housing and connecting them to the binder line (64) inside the press housing (54).

Images