Internal material supply machine and manufacturing method of molded products

Abstract

To provide a feeder suitable for feeding a built-in object to be included in a molded article for a powder compression molding machine.SOLUTION: Built-in object feeders B, C, and D for feeding a built-in object to be included in a molded article to a mortar hole 4 of a powder compression molding machine A comprise: conveyance mechanisms B and C provided with conveyance members B1 and C1 for capturing and conveying the built-in object; and a feeding mechanism D provided with a scraping member which is disposed to intersect a conveyance path of the built-in object by the conveyance members B1 and C1 of the conveyance mechanisms B and C and with which the built-in object conveyed by the conveyance members collide, a sliding member having a recessed groove formed to collide with the scraping member, guide the built-in object scraped from the conveyance members, and guide it to the vicinity directly above the mortar hole 4 of a table 31 of the powder compression molding machine A, and a press-feeding member D31 having a projected part, which abuts against the built-in object to push the built-in object into the start end of the recessed groove of the sliding member, and moves along the recessed groove to feed the built-in object to the tail end of the recessed groove.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a feeder for supplying contents to a die cavity of a molding machine that compresses powder filled in the die cavity with a pestle to form a molded product, and to a method for manufacturing a molded product with contents inside. [Background technology]

[0002] A rotary powder compression molding machine is known in which die holes are provided on a turntable table, upper and lower punches are slidably held above and below each die hole, and both the table and the punches are rotated horizontally to compress (or tablet) the powder filled in the die holes when the pair of upper and lower punches passes between the upper and lower rolls. This type of powder compression molding machine is used to manufacture pharmaceutical tablets, food products, electronic components, etc.

[0003] Molded products sometimes have some kind of built-in substance embedded in them. In particular, in recent years, attempts have been made to embed an IC chip equipped with a very small sensor in a molded pharmaceutical product, so that it is possible to confirm that the patient has taken the drug (see, for example, the non-patent document below). The applicant of this patent has previously filed a patent application for a feeder for feeding built-in substances to be embedded in a molded product into the die holes of the table of a powder compression molding machine (see, for example, the patent document below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-229181 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] "World's first digital medicine, Abilify MyCite (registered trademark), approved in the U.S.," [online], November 14, 2017, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., [Retrieved July 20, 2019], Internet<URL:https: / / www.otsuka.co.jp / company / newsreleases / 2017 / 20171114#1.html> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a suitable feeder for feeding an object to be embedded in a molded product to a powder compression molding machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This disclosure provides a feeder for supplying internals to be incorporated into a die cavity of a powder compression molding machine, which fills a die cavity formed on a table with powder and compresses the powder with upper and lower punches to form a molded product. The feeder includes a conveying mechanism with a conveying member that captures and conveys the internals, a scraping member that is positioned so as to intersect the conveying path of the internals by the conveying member of the conveying mechanism and against which the internals conveyed by the conveying member collide, a sliding member with a groove that guides the internals scraped from the conveying member when it collides with the scraping member and leads them to a position directly above the die cavity of the table of the powder compression molding machine, and a pushing member with a protrusion that contacts the internals that collide with the scraping member, pushing the internals into the beginning of the groove of the sliding member and moving along the groove to send the internals to the end of the groove. This internals feeder allows the internals conveyed by the conveying mechanism to be properly fed into the die cavity of the table of the powder compression molding machine via the feed mechanism.

[0008] The conveying member of the conveying mechanism and the pushing member of the supply mechanism are each a rotating body. IfFor example, with the minimum necessary configuration, a series of processes such as receiving the contents to be embedded in the molded product, transporting the contents, and feeding them into the die hole of the molding machine can be performed. In this embedded content feeder, there is no need for a total of four or more rotating bodies.

[0009] In addition, if the supply mechanism is equipped with a knock-down member that is supported by the pushing member, moves together with the protrusion, and strikes the contents that have reached the end of the groove of the sliding member from above, dropping them into the die hole of the table of the powder compression molding machine, then even if the contents sliding or gliding along the groove of the sliding member become charged, the contents can be reliably dropped into the die hole of the table of the molding machine.

[0010] If the supply mechanism is equipped with a suction device for sucking and holding the internal contents that have collided with the scraping member until the protrusion of the pushing member pushes the internal contents into the starting end of the groove of the sliding member, the internal contents scraped from the conveying member of the conveying mechanism can be reliably guided into the groove of the sliding member.

[0011] Furthermore, if the supply mechanism is provided with an outlet for blowing out air for neutralizing the stored contents at a position facing the stored contents that are pushed into the starting end of the groove of the sliding member, charging of the stored contents can be suppressed.

[0012] The built-in object includes, for example, an IC chip, particularly a chip for communicating between the inside and outside of the body of a person who has the molded article placed inside their body. The molded article is, for example, a medicine.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a molded product by compression molding a molded product containing internal components in a die hole provided on a turntable table. The method includes the steps of transporting the internal components using a carrier tape (or tape carrier), removing the internal components transported by the carrier tape, adsorbing them to the underside of a first rotor, and transporting them to a first position using the first rotor, transferring the internal components from the first rotor to the upper surface of a second rotor at the first position, and using the second rotor to suck the internal components and transport them to a second position, and pushing the internal components from the upper surface of the second rotor at the second position using a pushing member provided on a third rotor in a direction different from the rotational direction of the second rotor, transporting them to the position of the die hole on the turntable. This method can perform a series of processes, such as receiving the internal components to be incorporated into the molded product, transporting the internal components, and feeding them into the die hole of the molding machine, with a minimum necessary configuration. In this method, there is no need for a total of four or more rotors.

[0014] The pushing member sends the contents from the upper surface of the second rotating body to the upper surface of a sliding member provided below the pushing member, and causes the contents to slide on the sliding member.

[0015] In the second position, the contents on the upper surface of the second rotating body are scraped off by a scraping member provided above the second rotating body.

[0016] The present disclosure also relates to a feeder for supplying internal contents to be incorporated into a molded product into the die bore of a powder compression molding machine, which fills a die bore formed in a table with powder and compresses the powder to form a molded product. The feeder includes a first rotor that removes the internal contents transported by a carrier tape, adsorbs the internal contents on its lower surface, and transports it to a first position; a second rotor that receives the internal contents from the first rotor at the first position, adsorbs the internal contents on its upper surface, and transports it to a second position; and a pushing member attached to a third rotor that, at the second position, pushes the internal contents on the upper surface of the second rotor in a direction different from the rotation direction of the second rotor. This internal contents feeder can perform a series of processes, such as receiving the internal contents to be incorporated into a molded product, transporting the internal contents, and supplying them to the die bore of the molding machine, with a minimum necessary configuration.

[0017] The internal contents supplying machine may include a sliding member that is provided below the pushing member and serves as a sliding surface for the internal contents pushed from the upper surface of the second rotating body.

[0018] The offal feeder may include a scraping member that is provided above the second rotating body and scrapes the offal from the upper surface of the second rotating body at the second position.

[0019] Furthermore, the feeder according to the present disclosure, which supplies internal contents to be incorporated into molded products to the die holes of a powder compression molding machine that fills a die hole formed in a table with powder and compresses the powder to form a molded product, includes a conveying mechanism with a conveying member that captures and conveys the internal contents, a feed mechanism with a scraping member that is positioned so as to intersect with the conveying path of the internal contents by the conveying member of the conveying mechanism and against which the internal contents conveyed by the conveying member collide, and a pushing member with a protrusion that abuts against and sends the internal contents that collide with the scraping member. With this internal contents feeder, the internal contents conveyed by the conveying mechanism can be properly supplied to the die holes of the table of the powder compression molding machine via the feed mechanism.

[0020] The rotation of the conveying member and the rotation of the pushing member are synchronized.

[0021] The term "powder" refers to an aggregate of minute particles, and encompasses both aggregates of particles such as granules and aggregates of powders smaller than particles. Specific examples of powders include powders containing a main ingredient (active ingredient), excipients for increasing the bulk and weight of the molded product to an appropriate size, lubricants for preventing the powder from adhering to the die hole or punch, binders for binding powder particles together, disintegrants such as starch as a disintegrant that absorbs moisture to make the molded product more easily crumble, crystalline cellulose and carbonates, stabilizers for stabilizing quality, and preservatives for extending shelf life. A powder containing two or more types of powder is also a type of powder referred to in the present disclosure, and a mixture of a powder main ingredient and a powder additive also falls under the category of powder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a feeder suitable for feeding an object to be embedded in a molded product to a powder compression molding machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rotary powder compression molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the powder compression molding machine and the internal material supplying machine of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cylindrical view of the powder compression molding machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an object to be built into the molded product in the embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an object to be built into the molded product in the embodiment. [Figure 4C] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the built-in components and the carrier tape that houses them. [Figure 5] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of a molded product using the powder compression molding machine of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a conveying mechanism of the internal material supplying machine of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a supply mechanism of the internal material supply machine of the embodiment. [Figure 9] 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a scraping member, a sliding member, a suction device, an air outlet, a lifting band, and a rail in the supply mechanism of the internal contents supply machine of the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view of a supply disk including a pushing member and a knocking member in the supply mechanism of the internal material supply machine of the embodiment, as seen from below. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a knocking-off member alone in the supply mechanism of the internal material supply machine of the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a supply mechanism of the internal material supply machine of the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a supply mechanism of the internal material supplying machine and a table of the powder compression molding machine according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overall overview of a rotary powder compression molding machine A in this embodiment will be described. In the molding machine A, an upper punch 5 and a lower punch 6 are held above and below a die hole 4 that penetrates vertically so as to be able to slide vertically. Powders M1 and M2 filled in the die hole 4 are compressed by the upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6 to form a molded product P, such as a pharmaceutical tablet. The die hole 4 and the upper and lower punches 5 and 6 form a mold for molding the molded product P.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a vertical shaft 2 serving as a rotation axis is installed within the frame 1 of this molding machine A, and a turntable 3 is fixed to the upper part of the vertical shaft 2. The turntable 3 rotates horizontally around the axis of the vertical shaft 2, i.e., rotates on its own axis. The rotation direction of the turntable 3 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2. The turntable 3 comprises a table (die disk) 31, an upper punch holder 32, and a lower punch holder 33. As shown in FIG. 2, the table 31 is approximately disk-shaped when viewed from the top-bottom direction of the rotation axis of the turntable 3. A plurality of die holes 4 are formed on the outer periphery of the table 31 at predetermined intervals along the rotational direction, i.e., the circumferential direction. The die holes 4 penetrate the table 31 in the vertical direction. The table 31 may be divided into multiple plates. Furthermore, instead of drilling the die holes 4 directly into the table 31 itself, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of die members that are separate from the table 31 and that can be attached to and detached from the table 31 are attached to the table 31, and the die holes 4 that penetrate vertically through each of these die members.

[0026] An upper punch 5 and a lower punch 6 are arranged above and below each die hole 4. The upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6 are held by an upper punch holder 32 and a lower punch holder 33 so that they can each slide up and down independently relative to the die hole 4. The punch tip 53 of the upper punch 5 moves in and out of the die hole 4. The punch tip 63 of the lower punch 6 is always inserted in the die hole 4. The upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6 rotate horizontally, i.e., revolve, around the axis of the vertical shaft 2 together with the turntable 3 and the die hole 4.

[0027] A worm wheel 7 is attached to the lower end of the vertical shaft 2. A worm gear 10 meshes with the worm wheel 7. The worm gear 10 is fixed to a gear shaft 9 driven by a motor 8. The driving force output by the motor 8 is transmitted to the gear shaft 9 by a belt 11, and drives the vertical shaft 2, the turntable 3, and the punches 5 and 6 to rotate via the worm gear 10 and the worm wheel 7.

[0028] Powders M1 and M2, which are the raw materials, i.e., constituent materials, of the molded product P, are filled into the die hole 4 from feeders X1 and X2, which are filling devices. The feeders X1 and X2 are either agitating feeders or open feeders, and either type may be used. The powders M1 and M2 are supplied to the feeders X1 and X2 from a hopper 19.

[0029] 2 and 3, on the revolution orbit of the punches 5, 6 around the axis of the vertical shaft 2, there are a pre-compression upper roll 12 and a pre-compression lower roll 13, and a main compression upper roll 14 and a main compression lower roll 15, which are paired above and below so as to sandwich the punches 5, 6. The pre-compression upper roll 12 and the pre-compression lower roll 13, and the main compression upper roll 14 and the main compression lower roll 15 urge the upper and lower punches 5, 6 in a direction to move closer to each other so that the powders M1, M2 filled in the die hole 4 are compressed from above and below by the tip surfaces of the punch tips 53, 63.

[0030] The upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6 have heads 51 and 61 pressed by the rolls 12, 13, 14, and 15, respectively, and body portions 52 and 62 having a smaller diameter than the heads 51 and 61. The upper punch holding portion 32 of the turntable 3 holds the body portion 52 of the upper punch 5 so that it can slide up and down, and the lower punch holding portion 33 holds the body portion 62 of the lower punch 6 so that it can slide up and down. The tip portions of the body portions 52 and 62, i.e., punch tips 53 and 63, are thinner than the other portions so that they can be inserted into the die bore 4, and have a diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the die bore 4. As the punches 5 and 6 revolve, the rolls 12, 13, 14, and 15 approach the heads 51 and 61 of the punches 5 and 6 and come into contact with them by climbing up onto the heads 51 and 61. Furthermore, rolls 12, 13, 14, and 15 press down the upper punch 5 and press up the lower punch 6. While the rolls 12, 13, 14, and 15 are in contact with the flat surfaces of the punches 5 and 6, the punches 5 and 6 continue to apply a constant pressure to the powders M1 and M2 in the die cavity 4.

[0031] A recovery position 16 for the completed molded product P is located further along the rotation direction of the turntable 3 and punches 5, 6 from the pressure application position by the main pressure upper roll 14 and main pressure lower roll 15. A scraper (or damper) 17 is installed at the recovery position 16.

[0032] The molding machine A of this embodiment is used to mold a molded product P containing an internal object Q. The internal object Q includes a chip Q1 for communication between the inside and outside of a person who has taken the pharmaceutical product P. Figures 4A and 4B show an example of the internal object Q. The internal object Q is a very small package consisting of an IC chip Q1 sandwiched between upper and lower films Q2 and Q3, such as cellulose films, and is harmless to the human body. The film Q2, which is placed on top of film Q3, is not necessarily a thin film material and may be a liquid that has been applied or dropped and then solidified. Additionally, the internal object Q in this embodiment has a thin thickness in the vertical direction. When the pharmaceutical product P reaches the stomach and the sensor mounted on chip Q1 comes into contact with gastric juice, chip Q1 emits a signal. This signal can be received by a detector outside the person's body, allowing information such as the fact that the person has taken pharmaceutical product P and the date and time of ingestion to be collected.

[0033] To outline the manufacturing process of the molded product P, as shown in Figure 5, first, as the turntable 3 rotates, the die hole 4 into which the pestle tip 63 of the lower punch 6 is inserted passes directly below the first feeder X1, and the die hole 4 is filled with powder M1 from the first feeder X1 (I). The amount of powder M1 filled is a portion of the amount necessary to mold the molded product P. Note that prior to filling with the powder M1, a lubricant or other propellant may be sprayed from a sprayer (not shown) onto the inner circumferential surface of the die hole 4 into which the pestle tip 63 of the lower punch 6 is inserted, the upper end surface of the pestle tip 63 of the lower punch 6, and the lower end surface of the pestle tip 53 of the upper punch 5. In the die hole 4 filled with the powder M1, the lower punch 6 rises once to scrape off the powder that has overflowed from the die hole 4, and the amount of powder M1 in the die hole 4 becomes appropriate, after which the lower punch 6 descends again.

[0034] Next, when the die hole 4 passes directly below the supply mechanism D of the contents supplying machines B, C, and D, the contents Q are supplied into the die hole 4 from the supply mechanism D (II).

[0035] Furthermore, when the die hole 4 passes directly below the second feeder X2, the powder M2 is filled into the die hole 4 from the second feeder X2 (III). The amount of powder M2 filled is part of the amount necessary to form the molded product P. In other words, the combined amount of powder M1 and powder M2 is the amount necessary to form the molded product P. In the die hole 4 filled with powder M2, the lower punch 6 rises and scrapes off the powder that has overflowed from the die hole 4, so that the amounts of powder M1 and M2 in the die hole 4 are appropriate.

[0036] Thereafter, the upper punch 5 descends, and the pre-compression upper roll 12 and pre-compression lower roll 13 press against the head 51 of the upper punch 5 and the head 61 of the lower punch 6, and the tips 53, 63 of the punches 5, 6 perform pre-compression, compressing the powders M1, M2 in the die cavity 4. Next, the main compression upper roll 14 and main compression lower roll 15 press against the head 51 of the upper punch 5 and the head 61 of the lower punch 6, and the tips 53, 63 of the punches 5, 6 perform main compression, compressing the powders M1, M2 in the die cavity 4 (IV).

[0037] Finally, the lower punch 6 rises until the upper end surface of the punch tip 63 of the lower punch 6 is at approximately the same height as the upper end of the die hole 4, i.e., the upper surface of the table 31, and the molded product P in the die hole 4 is pushed out of the die hole 4 onto the table 31 (V). The molded product P coming out of the die hole 4 comes into contact with the scraper 17 due to the rotation of the turntable 3, and moves along the scraper 17 toward the molded product chute 18.

[0038] Hereinafter, the internals supplying machines B, C, and D for supplying the internals Q to the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A will be described in detail. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the internals supplying machines B, C, and D of this embodiment are equipped with conveying mechanisms B and C that capture and convey the internals Q, and a supplying mechanism D that receives the internals Q from the conveying mechanisms B and C, guides them to just above the table 31 of the molding machine A, and drops them into the die hole 4. The internals supplying machines B, C, and D can suitably carry out a series of processes, such as picking up the internals Q, which are thin objects, conveying them to the table 31 of the molding machine A, and then dropping them into the die hole 4.

[0039] There are multiple stages of transport mechanisms B and C. The first transport mechanism B, located upstream, is responsible for sequentially removing the contents Q housed in pockets T11 of the carrier tape T for transporting the contents Q as shown in Fig. 4C, and transporting the contents Q toward the second transport mechanism C, located downstream. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the first transport mechanism B is equipped with a first rotor B1, which is a transport member that suctions, captures, and transports one contents Q at a time in each suction hole B11, a shaft B2 that rotates and drives the rotor B1, and a duct B3 that supplies the negative pressure required to suction the contents Q into the suction holes B11 of the rotor B1.

[0040] The rotor B1 is fixed to the top of the shaft B2 and rotates horizontally, i.e., spins, integrally with the shaft B2 around the axis of the shaft B2. The direction of rotation of the rotor B1 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2. The rotor B1 is generally disk-shaped when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis, i.e., the vertical direction, in a plan view. A plurality of suction holes B11 are provided at predetermined intervals on the outer periphery along the rotational direction, i.e., the circumferential direction. The suction holes B11 penetrate the rotor B1 in the vertical direction.

[0041] While the rotor B1 rotates, the duct B3 remains stationary and does not rotate. The duct B3 is a cylindrical body that extends in a partial arc shape along the outer periphery of the rotor B1 in a plan view, at least from the removal position B4 of the contents Q by the first transport mechanism B to the transfer position C4 to the first position, the second transport mechanism C. The internal space of this duct B3 is suctioned by a pump (not shown) to create a negative pressure. The rotor B1 of the first transport mechanism B suctions and holds the contents Q on its underside. To this end, the duct B3 is located above the rotor B1 and opens downward, and is located close to the top surface of the rotor B1 so that its opening is positioned directly above the suction hole B11.

[0042] The embossed carrier tape T is unwound from a reel by a tape feeder (not shown) and transported to a removal position B4 of the internal object Q in the first transport mechanism B. During this process, as shown schematically in FIG. 4C, the cover tape (top tape) T2, which serves as a lid, is peeled off from the bottom tape T1 having the pocket T11, and the pocket T11 containing the internal object Q opens upward. The bottom tape T1 enters directly below the outer periphery of the rotating body B1 at the removal position B4 of the internal object Q. Then, one of the opened pockets T11 overlaps one of the suction holes B11 of the rotating body B1 in a plan view, and the suction hole B11, to which negative pressure is supplied from the duct B3, sucks the internal object Q from below upward, thereby removing the internal object Q from the pocket T11 and engaging the internal object Q with the opening edge on the underside of the suction hole B11. At this time, a mechanism provided in the tape feeder may insert a pin F into the pocket T11 from below the pocket T11 to push the contents Q upward.

[0043] Then, as the rotor B1 rotates, each of the contents Q sucked by each of the suction holes B11 moves from the removal position B4 to the transfer position C4. When the contents Q arrive at the transfer position C4, they are transferred from the first transfer mechanism B to the second transfer mechanism C, as will be described later.

[0044] The second transport mechanism C is responsible for sequentially receiving the contents Q captured in each suction hole B11 of the rotor B1 of the first transport mechanism B, and transporting these contents Q toward the supply mechanism D located downstream. As shown in Figures 6 to 9, the second transport mechanism C is equipped with a second rotor C1, which is a transport member that adsorbs, captures, and transports each of the contents Q in each suction hole C11, a shaft C2 that rotates the rotor C1, and a duct C3 that supplies the negative pressure required to adsorb the contents Q into the suction holes C11 of the rotor C1.

[0045] The rotor C1 is fixed to the upper part of the shaft C2 and rotates horizontally, i.e., rotates around the axis of the shaft C2 together with the shaft C2. The rotation direction of the rotor C1 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2. The rotation direction of the rotor C1 is opposite to the rotation direction of the rotor B1. The rotor C1 is also approximately disk-shaped when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis, i.e., the vertical direction, in a plan view. The rotor C1 has a plurality of suction holes C11 formed on its outer periphery at predetermined intervals along the rotation direction, i.e., the circumferential direction. The suction holes C11 penetrate the rotor C1 in the vertical direction. At the transfer position C4, the outer periphery of the rotor C1 partially overlaps the outer periphery of the rotor B1 of the first transfer mechanism B in a plan view. The upper surface of the outer periphery of the rotor C1 is close to the lower surface of the outer periphery of the rotor B1 of the first transfer mechanism B.

[0046] While the rotor C1 rotates, the duct C3 remains stationary. The duct C3 is a cylindrical body that extends in a partially arc-shaped manner along the outer periphery of the rotor C1 in a plan view, at least from the first position (i.e., the transfer position C4 where the second transport mechanism C receives the contents Q) to the second position (i.e., the scraping position D9 where the contents Q is released to provide the supply mechanism D). The internal space of the duct C3 is suctioned by a pump (not shown) to create a negative pressure. The rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C suctions and holds the contents Q on its upper surface. To this end, the duct C3 is located below the rotor C1 and opens upward. Its opening is located directly below the suction hole C11 and is close to the underside of the rotor C1.

[0047] 7, the suction holes B11 of the rotor B1 of the first transfer mechanism B and the contents Q captured by said suction hole B11 reach directly above the outer periphery of the rotor C1 at the transfer position C4. Then, one of the suction holes B11 of the rotor B1 of the first transfer mechanism B overlaps with one of the suction holes C11 of the rotor C1 of the second transfer mechanism C in a plan view, and the suction hole C11, to which negative pressure is supplied from the duct C3, sucks the contents Q from above downward, thereby receiving the contents Q dropping from the suction hole B11 and causing said contents Q to engage with the opening edge on the upper surface of the suction hole C11.

[0048] Then, as the rotor C1 rotates, each of the contents Q sucked by each suction hole C11 moves from the transfer position C4 to the scraping position D9. When the contents Q reach the scraping position D9, they are released from the rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C and provided to the supply mechanism D, as will be described later.

[0049] Furthermore, when transferring the internal object Q from the rotating body B1 of the first conveying mechanism B to the rotating body C1 of the second conveying mechanism C at the transfer position C4, it is possible, although rare, that although the internal object Q is adsorbed to the suction hole C11, its center position may be significantly shifted from the center of the suction hole C11.

[0050] Such contents Q can be transported directly to above the table 31 of the molding machine A via the supply mechanism D and supplied to the die hole 4. However, the relative position of the contents Q sucked into each suction hole C11 with respect to the suction hole C11 can be optically measured using a camera or the like, and contents Q whose center position is significantly deviated from the center of the suction hole C11 can be removed halfway without being transported to the scraping position D9 in the supply mechanism D.

[0051] In the case of adopting a mode in which an internal object Q whose position relative to the suction hole C11 is significantly misaligned is removed midway, for example as shown in Figure 6, an optical measurement means C5 such as a camera that photographs the suction hole C11 passing directly below and the internal object Q that is sucked into it is installed in a position that overlaps the trajectory of the horizontal rotational movement of the internal object Q that accompanies the rotation of the rotor C1 and the suction hole C11. Also, a nozzle C6 is installed that blows compressed air at the internal object Q that is significantly misaligned relative to the suction hole C11, detaching the internal object Q from the suction hole C11 and blowing it outwards from the rotor C1 to remove it.

[0052] Furthermore, when the contents Q are removed from the suction hole C11, the contents Q are not supplied to the die hole 4 of molding machine A corresponding to that suction hole C11, and the molded product P compression-molded in that die hole 4 will not contain the contents Q. This molded product P is a defective product and must be separated and removed from normal molded products that contain the contents Q. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, for example, an optical measuring device 21 such as a camera is installed at a position overlapping the trajectory of the horizontal rotational movement of the powder M1 and contents Q as the table 31 and die hole 4 rotate, to photograph the die hole 4 passing directly below and the contents Q that should have been supplied to that die hole 4. In addition, a nozzle 20 is installed to blow compressed air toward the molded product P molded in the die hole 4 where the contents Q were not supplied, blowing the molded product P outward from the table 31 and removing it.

[0053] However, the above-mentioned measuring means C5, 21 and removal nozzles C6, 20 are not essential components of the internal material supplying machines B, C, D and molding machine A of this embodiment.

[0054] The supply mechanism D has the role of sequentially scraping the contents Q captured in each suction hole C11 of the rotor C1 of the second conveying mechanism C from the suction hole C11, transporting the contents Q toward the molding machine A located downstream, and finally dropping them one by one into each die hole 4 of the table 31. As shown in Figures 6, 8 to 13, the supply mechanism D is equipped with a scraping member D1 that scrapes off the internal contents Q transported by the rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C, a sliding member D2 with a groove D21 that guides the internal contents Q scraped off from the rotor C1, a supply disk D3 that pushes the internal contents Q scraped off from the rotor C1 into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2 and pushes it along the groove D21, and then knocks the internal contents Q at the terminal end D212 of the groove D21 into the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A, a suction device D4 that assists the supply disk D3 in pushing the internal contents Q into the starting end D211 of the groove D21, an air outlet D5 that blows air to neutralize the internal contents Q, and a rail D6 and a lifting band D7 that cause the supply disk D3 to knock the internal contents Q into the die hole 4 of the table 31.

[0055] At the scraping position D9, the scraping member D1 scrapes the contents Q that are sucked to the suction holes C11 of the rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C from the suction holes C11, thereby functioning as a scraper to release the contents Q from the rotor C1. Therefore, the scraping member D1 is fixed in a position that blocks the trajectory of horizontal rotation of the contents Q that accompanies the rotation of the rotor C1 and the suction holes C11. The scraping member D1 faces the scraping position D9 and has a side surface D11 that intersects or is perpendicular to the trajectory of horizontal rotation of the contents Q to be scraped. The contents Q are scraped off by colliding with this side surface D11. The side surface D11 is approximately flush with the side surface on the inner periphery of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2. In other words, the side surface D11 is a partially arcuate surface when viewed in a plan view from the direction of the rotation axis of the supply disc D3, i.e., from the top to bottom, and is an upright partially cylindrical surface whose axis and diameter are approximately equal to those of the side surface on the inner periphery of the groove D21.

[0056] The sliding member D2 is a member having a groove D21 formed on its outer periphery, extending in a partial arc shape in a plan view, and is fixed to the base D8 and immovable. The groove D21 is a groove that is open only upward, with the inner and outer sides enclosed by opposing inner and outer periphery sides, respectively, and the lower end closed by a bottom. As already mentioned, the inner periphery side of the groove D21 is an upright partial cylindrical surface whose axis and diameter are approximately equal to those of the side D11 of the scraping member D1. The outer periphery side of the groove D21 is an upright partial cylindrical surface whose axis is approximately equal to that of the inner periphery side and whose diameter is larger than that of the inner periphery side. The width of the groove D21, i.e., the distance between the inner periphery side and the outer periphery side, is approximately constant from the starting end D211 to the ending end D212. A starting end D211 of the groove D21 is spaced slightly downstream from the scraping position D9. A terminal end D212 of the groove D21 overlaps with the outer periphery of the table 31 of the molding machine A and the die hole 4 in a plan view. The bottom surfaces of the sliding member D2 and its groove D21 are higher than the upper surface of the table 31.

[0057] The supply disc D3 has as its main elements a third rotor D31 which is a pushing member having a protrusion D311 which contacts and pushes the contents Q scraped from the suction hole C11 of the rotor C1, a shaft D32 which rotates and drives the rotor D31, and a knocking member D33 which is supported on the upper surface side of the rotor D31 and knocks the contents Q from above and drops them into the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A.

[0058] The rotor D31 is fixed to the upper part of the shaft D32 and rotates horizontally, i.e., rotates on its own axis, around the axis of the shaft D32 together with the shaft D32. The rotation direction of the rotor D31, i.e., the rotation direction of the supply disc D3, is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2. The rotation direction of the supply disc D3 and the rotor D31 is the same as the rotation direction of the rotor C1 but is opposite to the rotation direction of the turntable 3 and table 31 of the molding machine A. The rotor D31 has a roughly disk-shaped outer shape when viewed in plan from the direction of the rotation axis, i.e., the vertical direction. The axial centers of the rotor D31 and the shaft D32 are roughly aligned with the axial center of the side surface D11 of the scraping member D1, which is a partial cylindrical surface, and the axial center of the side surface of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2. As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, 12 and 13, a plurality of protrusions D311 are provided at predetermined intervals on the lower surface of the outer periphery of the rotor D31 along the rotational direction, i.e., the circumferential direction.

[0059] In addition, pin holes D312, the number of which is the same as the number of protrusions D311, are drilled at locations adjacent to each protrusion D311 along the rotational direction of the rotating body D31. The pin holes D312 penetrate the outer periphery of the rotating body D31 in the vertical direction. The lower opening edges of the pin holes D312 are located higher than the lower surfaces of the protrusions D311. Conversely, the protrusions D311 protrude lower than the lower edges of the pin holes D312 and have end faces D3111 facing the pin holes D312. The protrusions D311 and pin holes D312 are inserted from above into the recessed grooves D21 of the sliding member D2 and move within and along the recessed grooves D21.

[0060] Furthermore, communication holes D313 are drilled inward from the side surface of the outer periphery of the rotor D31. The communication holes D313 are present in the same number as the pin holes D312, and open to the side surface of the outer periphery of the rotor D31 to communicate the inside of the pin holes D312 with the outside of the rotor D31.

[0061] The knocking-off members D33 have an appearance in which their width expands in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotor D31, and as shown in Figures 8 and 10, the same number of knocking-off members D33 as the number of pin holes D312 are arranged radially on the rotor D31 in a plan view. One knocking-off member D33 is paired with one set of protrusion D311 and pin hole D312. Needless to say, as the rotor D31 rotates horizontally, each of the multiple knocking-off members D33 rotates horizontally around the axis of the shaft D32.

[0062] As shown in Figures 11 to 13, each knocking member D33 has a support frame D331 fixed to the rotating body D31 and a rocker D332 supported on the support frame D331 so that the rocker D332 can move up and down. More specifically, the support frame D331 is provided with a plurality of support shafts D3311 extending in the vertical direction, while the rocker D332 is provided with a plurality of shaft holes D3321 extending in the vertical direction corresponding to the support shafts D3311. Each support shaft D3311 is inserted into each shaft hole D3321 from above. In this case, a compression coil spring D3312 is interposed between the downward surface of the support frame D331, to which the upper end of the support shafts D3311 is fixed, and the opposing upward surface of the rocker D332. The compression coil spring D3312 elastically biases the rocker D332 downward so as to move away from the support frame D331.

[0063] Furthermore, a retaining portion D3313, which is larger in diameter than the support shaft D3311 and resembles the head of a bolt shaft, is provided at the lower end of each support shaft D3311. The oscillator D332, elastically biased by the compression coil spring D3312, moves downward along the support shaft D3311 relative to the support frame D331 and ultimately the rotating body D31. However, the downward surface of the oscillator D332 abuts against the upward surface of the retaining portion D3313, preventing the oscillator D332 from moving further downward. Furthermore, the support shaft D3311 is prevented from slipping out of the shaft hole D3321, preventing the oscillator D332 from falling off the support frame D331.

[0064] When the oscillator D332 is subjected to an upward external force, the oscillator D332 is displaced upward relative to the support frame D331 and the rotating body D31 while resisting the elastic biasing force of the compression coil spring D3312, and the downward surface of the oscillator D332 moves away from the upward surface of the retaining portion D3313. Figures 11 and 13 show a state in which the downward surface of the oscillator D332 is in contact with or close to the upward surface of the retaining portion D3313, i.e., a state in which the oscillator D332 has descended to its lowest height position. Conversely, Figure 12 shows a state in which the oscillator D332 is subjected to an upward external force of a certain magnitude or more and has risen from its lowest height position.

[0065] A cam follower (or guide roller) D3322 and a sliding base D3323 are provided in the middle of the width direction of the oscillator D332, which is the width direction of the knocking-off member D33 and corresponds to the radial direction of the rotor D31 when the knocking-off member D33 is placed on the rotor D31. As shown in Figures 10, 12, and 13, when the knocking-off member D33 is placed on the rotor D31, the cam follower D3322 and the sliding base D3323 are exposed to the underside of the rotor D31 through a window D314 that is opened in the rotor D31 and penetrates in the vertical direction. The outer ring of the cam follower D3322 is rotatable around a horizontal axis or an approximately horizontal axis that is parallel or approximately parallel to the width direction of the oscillator D332. The cam follower D3322 rolls on the rail D6, and the sliding base D3323 slides on the lifting band D7. The sliding base D3323 is separate from the main body of the oscillating body D332, and is preferably made of a material (which may be a resin material) that has a smaller coefficient of friction and is more resistant to wear than the main body.

[0066] Furthermore, a pin D3324 protruding downward is provided at the outer end in the width direction of the oscillator D332. When the knocking member D33 is placed on the rotor D31, the pin D3324 is inserted from above into a pin hole D312 provided on the outer peripheral edge of the rotor D31. The inner diameter of the pin hole D312 below the communicating hole D313 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pin D3324 inserted therein. In contrast, the inner diameter of the pin hole D312 above the communicating hole D313 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the pin D3324 inserted therein. Therefore, the gap between the pin D3324 and the pin hole D312 above the communicating hole D313 is narrow, but the gap between the pin D3324 and the pin hole D312 below the communicating hole D313 is larger.

[0067] 11 and 13, when the oscillator D332 has descended to the lowest height position, the lower end of the pin D3324 protrudes below the lower edge of the pin hole D312 and the lower surface of the protrusion D311. However, as shown in Fig. 12, when the oscillator D332 is subjected to an upward external force and rises from the lowest height position, the lower end of the pin D3324 retreats above the lower edge of the pin hole D312.

[0068] At the scraping position D9, the outer peripheral edge of the rotor D31 of the supply disc D3 partially overlaps in plan view with the outer peripheral part of the rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C. The lower surface of the protrusion D311 of the rotor D31 is in close proximity to the upper surface of the outer peripheral part of the rotor C1 of the transport mechanism C and the bottom surface of the recessed groove D21 of the sliding member D2 from above.

[0069] Furthermore, at a position further forward than the terminal end D212 of the groove D21 along the rotation direction of the supply disc D3, a part of the outer periphery of the rotor D31 of the supply disc D3 and the outer ends of some of the multiple knocking-down members D33 overlap with the outer periphery of the table 31 of the molding machine A and the die hole 4 in a plan view. The lower surfaces of the protrusions D311 and the lower edges of the pin holes D312 of the rotor D31 and the lower ends of the pins D3324 of the knocking-down members D33 are located higher than the upper surface of the table 31 of the molding machine A.

[0070] The suction device D4 includes a duct that supplies the negative pressure necessary to suck and hold the contents Q scraped by the scraping member D1 until the contents Q are pushed into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2. While the supply disc D3 rotates, the duct D4 remains stationary. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the duct D4 is a cylindrical body that expands to form a partial arc parallel to the side surface D11 of the scraping member D1 and the groove D21 in a plan view, at least from the scraping position D9 to a point beyond the starting end D211 of the groove D21 along the rotational direction of the supply disc D3. The internal space of this duct D4 is suctioned and created a negative pressure by a pump (not shown). The rotating body D31 of the supply disc D3 temporarily sucks and holds the contents Q against the lower surface of its outer periphery, particularly the lower edge of the pin hole D312. For this reason, as shown in Figure 12, the duct D4 is located on the outside of the rotating body D31 and opens inward, and is close to the side of the outer periphery of the rotating body D31 so that its opening is positioned directly next to the communicating hole D313.

[0071] The air outlet D5 is located opposite the duct D4 of the suction device so as to sandwich the internal object Q that is pushed into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2, and compressed air ionized by an electrostatic eliminator (ionizer) not shown is blown upward and / or outward toward the duct D4, hitting the internal object Q and removing static electricity that the internal object Q may be carrying.

[0072] The rail D6 is a strip-shaped body located inward of the sliding member D2 and its groove D21, extending in a circular arc shape with a missing portion in a plan view, and its axis is approximately the same as the axis of the rotor D31 and shaft D32 of the supply disc D3. The rail D6 is fixed to the base D8 and is immovable. The missing portion D63 of the rail D6 is located in a position biased inward along the radial direction of the rotor D31 from the terminal end D212 of the groove D21. An uphill portion D61 and a downhill portion D62 are formed on either side of the missing portion D63. The uphill portion D61 is an inclined surface whose upper surface gradually rises from the missing portion D63, which is the lowest position, and the downhill portion D62 is an inclined surface whose upper surface gradually drops toward the missing portion D63, which is the lowest position. The upper surface of the rail D6 from the end of the uphill portion D61 to the start of the downhill portion D62 is flat. The cam follower D3322 of the oscillator D332 of the knocking member D33 of the supply disc D3 is placed on the upper surface of the rail D6 and rolls along the rail D6.

[0073] The lifting belt D7 is a belt-like body extending in a partially arcuate shape in a plan view between the sliding member D2 and the rail D6, i.e., inward of the sliding member D2 and its groove D21 and outward of the rail D6. Its axis is approximately the same as the axis of the rotor D31 and shaft D32 of the supply disc D3. The lifting belt D7 is fixed to the base D8 and is immobile. The starting end D71 of the lifting belt D7 is located at a point offset radially outward from the flat surface portion of the rotor D31, which is located upstream from the starting end of the descending slope portion D62 of the rail D6 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the supply disc D3. The ending end D72 of the lifting belt D7 is located at a point offset radially outward from the end of the descending slope portion D62 of the rail D6. The upper surface of the lifting belt D7 is flat. The upper surface of this lifting belt D7 is slightly higher than the upper surface of the flat portion of the rail D6. While the upper surface of the descending slope portion D62 of the rail D6 is a gradually descending slope, the upper surface of the lifting belt D7 is cut off at the terminal end D72. The sliding base D3323 of the oscillator D332 of the knocking-off member D33 of the supply disc D3 is placed on the upper surface of the lifting belt D7 and slides along the lifting belt D7.

[0074] The supply disk D3 attached to the top of the shaft D32 covers the sliding member D2, the air outlet D5, the rail D6, the lifting belt D7, and the base D8 from above. In practice, most of the supply disk D3 is covered with a cover D0, as shown in Figures 2, 6, 12, and 13. In addition, air is blown into the cover D0 to prevent drive malfunctions caused by dust adhering to the supply mechanism D.

[0075] The operation of the supply mechanism D to supply the contents Q to the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A will be described. The contents Q, which are adsorbed and captured by the suction hole C11 of the rotor C1 of the second transport mechanism C, are transported by the rotation of the rotor C1, pass directly below the duct D4 of the suction device, and reach the scraping position D9. At the scraping position D9, the contents Q collide with the side of the scraping member D1 and are scraped off from the suction hole C11 of the rotor C1.

[0076] A single contained object Q scraped from the suction hole C11 remains at the scraping position D9 for a short time. When a pair of a protrusion D311 and a pin hole D312 on the rotating supply disk D3 approaches this contained object Q, the communication hole D313 communicating with the pin hole D312 is sucked by the duct D4, a negative pressure is supplied to the pin hole D312, and the pin hole D312 sucks up the contained object Q from below to above.

[0077] 12, the internal contents Q on the rotor C1 of the transport mechanism C are attracted to and engaged with the lower edge of the pin hole D312 of the rotor D31 of the transport disk D3, and the end face D3111 of the protrusion D311 facing the pin hole D312 comes into contact with the internal contents Q, enabling it to be pushed forward. By the internal contents Q remaining at the scraping position D9, the internal contents Q can be reliably attracted to the pin hole D312, and later the internal contents Q can be appropriately dropped into the desired position (for example, the center) of the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A. At this time, the lower end of the pin D3324 inserted in the pin hole D312 is retracted above the lower edge of the pin hole D312. This is because the cam follower D3322 of the rocker D332 of the knocking-off member D33, which has the pin D3324, is riding on the flat surface portion of the rail D6, and the rocker D332 is floating from the lowest height position. Only one contained object Q is engaged with and captured by one set of protrusion D311 and pin hole D312. Two or more contained objects Q will not be retained at the scraping position D9 at the same time.

[0078] Incidentally, the lower edge of the pin hole D312 is countersunk to accommodate the shape of the top surface of the internal object Q, in which the center (particularly the film Q2) is raised higher than the periphery, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B, and is intended to prevent a gap from occurring between the pin hole D312 and the internal object Q that is sucked in, or to prevent the internal object Q from being sucked in an inclined position rather than being roughly horizontal.

[0079] As the supply disc D rotates, the contained object Q captured by the set of protrusion D311 and pin hole D312 is transferred along the trajectory of the horizontal rotational motion of the protrusion D311 and pin hole D312. That is, the contained object Q is pushed from the scraping position D9 into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2, then slides or glides within the groove D21 to the terminal end D212 of the groove D21, from which it falls into the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A. The direction and trajectory of movement of the contained object Q are indicated by arrows in Figure 9. As the contained object Q is pushed from the scraping position D9 into the starting end D211 of the groove D21, the static elimination air blown out from the outlet D5 is blown against the contained object Q.

[0080] The supply of negative pressure from the duct D4 to the pin hole D312 of the pair of protrusion D311 and pin hole D312 that captures the internal object Q is stopped after the internal object Q is pushed into the recessed groove D21. Thereafter, the protrusion D311 pushes the internal object Q with its end face D3111, sending the internal object Q along the recessed groove D21 to the terminal end D212.

[0081] As already described, the cam follower D3322 of the oscillating body D332 of the knocking-off member D33, which is paired with the set of the protrusion D311 and pin hole D312 that captures the built-in content Q, rolls on the flat surface portion of the rail D6. While the knocking-off member D33 rotates horizontally from the starting end D211 to the terminal end D212 of the recessed groove D21, the sliding base D3323 provided on the oscillating body D332 of the knocking-off member D33 reaches the starting end D71 of the lifting band D7, and thereafter the lower surface of the sliding base D3323 comes into sliding contact with or very close to the upper surface of the lifting band D7.

[0082] When the set of the protrusion D311 and pin hole D312 that captures the built-in object Q approaches the terminal end D212 of the recessed groove D21, the cam follower D3322 of the oscillator D332 of the paired knocking-down member D33 approaches the descending slope portion D62 of the rail D6 and rolls down the descending slope portion D62. The oscillator D332 loses support from the cam follower D3322 and begins to descend, so that the sliding base D3323 provided on the oscillator D332 comes into contact with the upper surface of the lifting belt D7 and continues to support the oscillator D332 while sliding against the upper surface of the lifting belt D7.

[0083] As the supply disc D3 continues to rotate and the knocking member D33 further pivots, the sliding base D3323 of the oscillating body D332 reaches the terminal end D72 of the lifting belt D7, causing the sliding base D3323 to fall from the upper surface of the lifting belt D72. The oscillating body D332, no longer supported by the sliding base D3323, begins to descend toward the lowest height position. Accordingly, the pin D3324 inserted in the pin hole D312 begins to protrude downward from the pin hole D312.

[0084] Immediately after that, the pair of protrusion D311 and pin hole D312 capturing the contained object Q reaches the end D212 of the groove D21. This causes the contained object Q to be pushed out from the end of the groove D21 and drop from the bottom of the groove D21. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 13, the lower end of the pin D3324 of the knocking-off member D33, which pairs with the pair of protrusion D311 and pin hole D312 capturing the contained object Q, protrudes below the lower edge of the pin hole D312, poking the contained object Q and reliably knocking it off the rotor D31 of the supply disc D3. At this time, the die hole 4 filled with powder M1 is located directly below the contained object Q, and the contained object Q drops into this die hole 4. Thus, the contained object Q can be properly supplied to the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A.

[0085] After knocking down the contents Q, the oscillating body D332 rises again from the lowest height position as the supply disc D3 further rotates and the cam follower D3322 climbs onto the ascending portion D61 of the rail D6, and the pin D3324 retracts above the lower edge of the pin hole D312.

[0086] The turntable 3 of molding machine A, the rotors B1 and C1 of conveying mechanisms B and C, and the supply disk D3 of conveying mechanism D must rotate synchronously. To synchronize the rotations of the turntable 3, the rotors B1 and C1, and the supply disk D3, for example, servo motors or stepping motors are used as motors that rotate the turntable 3, the rotors B1 and C1, and the supply disk D3, and an angular position sensor such as a rotary encoder is used to detect the rotation angle and rotation speed of the turntable 3, the rotors B1 and C1, and the supply disk D3, and feedback control is performed on the rotation speed of each motor so that the rotations are synchronized. Alternatively, the turntable 3, the rotors B1 and C1, and the supply disk D3 may be mechanically connected and interlocked via a gear transmission mechanism, a winding transmission mechanism, or the like.

[0087] In this embodiment, the powder compression molding machine A fills the die hole 4 formed in the table 31 with powders M1 and M2 and compresses the powders M1 and M2 with upper and lower punches 5 and 6 to form a molded product P. The machine supplies B, C, and D to supply the contents Q to be built into the molded product P to the die hole 4 of the powder compression molding machine A. The machine supplies B, C, and D to supply the contents Q to be built into the molded product P to the die hole 4 of the powder compression molding machine A. The machine supplies B, C, and D to supply the contents Q to be built into the molded product P. The machine supplies C, C, and D to convey the contents Q ... The built-in object supplying machines B, C, and D are configured with a sliding member D2 with a groove D21 formed therein that guides the built-in object Q that collides with the scraping member D1 and is scraped off from the conveying member C1, and leads it to a position immediately above the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the powder compression molding machine A, and a supply mechanism D equipped with a pushing member (rotating body) D31 with a protrusion D311 that comes into contact with the built-in object Q that collides with the scraping member D1 and pushes the built-in object Q into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2, and moves along the groove D21 to send the built-in object Q to the terminal end D212 of the groove D21. According to this embodiment, the built-in object Q to be built into the molded product P can be properly supplied to the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the powder compression molding machine A.

[0088] In the internal contents supply machines B, C, and D of this embodiment, the conveying members B1 and C1 of the conveying mechanisms B and C and the pushing member D31 of the supply mechanism D are each rotating rotors, and there are three of these rotors B1, C1, and D31 in total. This allows for a minimum necessary configuration, that is, after picking up extremely small and thin internal contents Q, to be properly supplied to the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A via only three mechanisms: two suction conveying mechanisms B and C and one sliding supply mechanism D. In these internal contents supply machines B, C, and D, there are no more than four rotors B1, C1, and D31.

[0089] The supply mechanism D is equipped with a knocking-down member D33 that is supported by the pushing member D31, moves together with the protrusion D311, and strikes the internal object Q that has reached the terminal end D212 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2 from above, dropping it into the die hole 4 of the table 31 of the powder compression molding machine A.Therefore, even if the internal object Q (especially the cellulose films Q2, Q3) adheres to the pushing member D31 due to static electricity or the like, the internal object Q can be reliably knocked off from the pushing member D31 at the terminal end D212 of the groove D21 and dropped into the die hole 4 of the table 31.

[0090] The supply mechanism D is equipped with a suction device D4 for sucking and holding the internal object Q that has collided with the scraping member D1 until the protrusion D311 of the pushing member D31 pushes the internal object Q into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2, thereby ensuring the operation of pushing the internal object Q into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 and sliding or gliding within the groove D21.

[0091] The supply mechanism D is equipped with an outlet D5 for blowing out air for neutralizing the stored object Q at a position facing the stored object Q that is pushed into the starting end D211 of the groove D21 of the sliding member D2, so that static electricity charged on the stored object Q to be supplied to the molding machine A can be removed.

[0092] The manufacturing method of the molded product P in this embodiment is for compression molding a molded product P containing an internal object Q in a die hole 4 provided on the table 31 of the turntable 3, and includes the steps of transporting the internal object Q using a carrier tape T, removing the internal object Q transported by the carrier tape T, adsorbing it to the underside of a first rotor B1, and transporting it to a first position C4 using the first rotor B1, transferring the internal object Q from the first rotor B1 to the upper surface of a second rotor C1 at the first position C4, and using the second rotor C1 to suck up the internal object Q and transport it to a second position D9, and pushing the internal object Q on the upper surface of the second rotor C1 at the second position D9 using a pushing member D31 provided as a third rotor in a direction different from the rotation direction of the second rotor C1 (i.e., a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the trajectory of the horizontal rotational movement of the internal object Q captured and transported by the second rotor C1), and transporting it to the position of the die hole 4 of the turntable 3. According to this method, with the minimum necessary configuration, a series of processes such as receiving the object Q to be embedded in the molded product P, transporting the object Q, and feeding it into the die hole 4 of the molding machine A can be performed. In this method, there is no need for a total of four or more rotating bodies B1, C1, and D31.

[0093] The pushing member D31 sends the built-in object Q from the upper surface of the second rotating body C1 to the upper surface of a sliding member D2 provided below the pushing member D31, and causes the built-in object Q to slide on the sliding member D2.

[0094] At the second position D9, the internal contents Q on the upper surface of the second rotating body C1 are scraped off by a scraping member D1 provided above the second rotating body C1.

[0095] In addition, in this embodiment, the built-in object supplying machines B, C, and D are configured to supply the built-in object Q to be built into the molded product P to the die hole 4 of the molding machine A, which fills the die hole 4 formed in the table 31 with powders M1 and M2 and compresses the powders M1 and M2 to form the molded product P. The built-in object supplying machines B, C, and D include a first rotor B1 that takes out the built-in object Q transported by the carrier tape T, adsorbs the built-in object Q on its lower surface, and transports it to a first position C4, a second rotor C1 that receives the built-in object Q from the first rotor B1 at the first position C4, adsorbs the built-in object Q on its upper surface, and transports it to a second position D9, and a pushing member D31 that is provided on a third rotor and pushes the built-in object Q on the upper surface of the second rotor C1 in a direction different from the rotational direction of the second rotor C1 at the second position D9. According to this embodiment, a series of processes such as receiving the contents Q to be built into the molded product P, transporting the contents Q, and supplying the contents Q to the die hole 4 of the molding machine A can be performed with a minimum necessary configuration.

[0096] The internal contents supplying machines B, C, and D include a sliding member D2 that is provided below the pushing member D31 and serves as a sliding surface for the internal contents Q pushed from the upper surface of the second rotating body C1.

[0097] The internal contents feeders B, C, and D are provided above the second rotating body C1 and include a scraping member D1 that scrapes the internal contents Q from the upper surface of the second rotating body C1 at a second position D9.

[0098] In this embodiment, the internals supplying machines B, C, and D are configured to supply internals Q to be contained in molded product P to the die hole of molding machine A, which fills die hole 4 formed in table 31 with powders M1 and M2 and compresses the powders M1 and M2 to form molded product P. The internals supplying machines B, C, and D are equipped with a conveying mechanism C equipped with a conveying member C1 that captures and conveys the internals Q, a scraping member D1 that is positioned to intersect with the conveying path of the internals Q by the conveying member C1 of conveying mechanism C and against which the internals Q conveyed by the conveying member C1 collide, and a feeding mechanism D equipped with a pushing member D31 with a protrusion D311 that abuts against and feeds the internals Q that collide with the scraping member D1. According to this embodiment, the internals Q conveyed by the conveying mechanism C can be appropriately supplied to the die hole 4 of table 31 of molding machine A via the feeding mechanism D.

[0099] The rotation of the conveying member C1 and the rotation of the pushing member D31 are synchronized.

[0100] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the above embodiment, the molded product P to be manufactured is a pharmaceutical product, and the internal object Q includes a chip Q1 for communicating between the inside and outside of the body of a person who has taken the pharmaceutical product. However, the molded product P is not limited to pharmaceutical products, and the internal object Q is not limited to those that include such a chip Q1. The molded product P may be food, or a small medical device, diagnostic device, measuring device, etc. that can be taken or placed in the human body. The internal object Q may include micromachines, nanomachines, or tiny robots that circulate inside the human body.

[0101] In addition, the specific configuration of each part can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] A...Powder compression molding machine 31...Table 4...Mill hole 5...Upper pestle 6...Lower pestle B, C...Transport mechanism of internal material supply machine B1...conveying member (first rotating body) C1...conveying member (second rotating body) C4...Delivery position (first position) D...Feeding mechanism of internal organs feeder D1...Scraping member D2: Sliding member D21…concave groove D211…Starting end D212…Terminal part D31... Pushing member (third rotating body) D311…Protrusion D33...Knock-down material D4...Suction device (duct) D5…Air outlet D9...Scraping position (second position) P…molded product Q...Internal organs Q1...Chip T...Carrier tape

Claims

1. A feeder for supplying an object to be embedded in a molded product to a die hole of a powder compression molding machine that fills a die hole formed on a table with powder and compresses the powder with upper and lower punches to form a molded product, a conveying mechanism including a conveying member for capturing and conveying the contents; a scraping member that is arranged so as to intersect with the transport path of the internal contents by the transport member of the transport mechanism and against which the internal contents transported by the transport member collide; a sliding member with a groove formed therein that guides the internal contents that collide with the scraping member and are scraped off the transport member, and leads them to the vicinity of just above the die hole of the table of the powder compression molding machine; and a pushing member with a protrusion that comes into contact with the internal contents that collide with the scraping member, pushes the internal contents into the starting end of the groove of the sliding member, and moves along the groove to send the internal contents to the terminal end of the groove. An internal material supply machine equipped with the above.

2. 2. The internal contents supplying machine according to claim 1, wherein the conveying member of said conveying mechanism and the pushing member of said supplying mechanism are each a rotating body.

3. 2. The internal material supplying machine according to claim 1, wherein the supply mechanism is provided with a knock-down member that is supported by the pushing member, moves together with the protrusion, and strikes the internal material that has reached the end of the groove of the sliding member from above and drops it into the die hole of the table of the powder compression molding machine.

4. 2. The internal contents supply machine according to claim 1, wherein the supply mechanism is provided with a suction device for sucking and holding the internal contents after they collide with the scraping member until the protrusion of the pushing member pushes the internal contents into the starting end of the groove of the sliding member.

5. 4. The internal contents supply machine according to claim 3, wherein the supply mechanism is provided with a suction device for sucking and holding the internal contents after they collide with the scraping member until the protrusion of the pushing member pushes the internal contents into the starting end of the groove of the sliding member.

6. 5. A built-in item supplying machine according to claim 4, wherein the supply mechanism is provided with an outlet for blowing out air for neutralizing the built-in items at a position facing the built-in items being pushed into the starting end of the groove of the sliding member.

7. 6. A built-in item supplying machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the supply mechanism is provided with an outlet for blowing out air for neutralising the built-in items at a position facing the built-in items being pushed into the starting end of the groove of the sliding member.

8. 2. The internal organs supplying machine according to claim 1, wherein the internal organs include a chip for communicating between the inside and outside of the body of a person who has the molded product placed inside their body.

9. 9. The internal substance supplying machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the molded product is a medicine.

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