Distributor Unit Tablet Alignment Pneumatic Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current transfer channels in distributor units are limited in productivity, managing only about 400 tablets per unit of time, and require careful calibration of fluidization systems to prevent tablets from being emitted too quickly, leading to inefficiencies and residue issues.

Innovation Solution

A distributor unit design featuring a horizontal aligner channel cooperating with a vertical transfer channel, utilizing multiple feed channels to deliver jets of gaseous fluid at specific angles and pressures to facilitate the movement of tablets, with adjustable jet angles and pressures to optimize tablet alignment and flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fluidization systems are used at the exit of transfer channels to increase tablet discharge speed, then productivity is improved, but tablets may be emitted too fast and come out from the blister it is supposed to go in

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetablet discharge speedVSAvoidtablet positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A gaseous fluid jet is introduced as an intermediary medium between the tablet and the transfer channel wall. The jet acts as a mediator that reduces friction and facilitates tablet movement without requiring direct mechanical contact or excessive force, thereby enabling controlled high-speed discharge while maintaining positioning accuracy through precise jet calibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a directed jet of gaseous fluid to interact with the tablet surface. This pneumatic mechanism reduces friction and enables controlled acceleration of tablets through the transfer channel, achieving high productivity while maintaining precision through adjustable jet parameters such as pressure, flow rate, and angle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If the number of transfer channels is increased to increase productivity, then overall productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall tablet throughputVSAvoidnumber of transfer channels
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the transfer channel system by introducing controllable gaseous fluid jets. This allows a single transfer channel to operate at higher speeds and capacities, effectively increasing productivity without requiring proportional increases in the number of channels, thereby reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If gaseous fluid jets are used to facilitate tablet movement, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetablet transit speedVSAvoidenergy consumption of feed channels
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The gaseous fluid jets are applied partially, only in the specific zones where friction needs to be reduced (entrance transitory and exit zones). The jet parameters are optimized to provide just enough energy to overcome friction and enable smooth tablet transit, avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Increases the number of tablets that can be managed per unit of time, reduces energy consumption, and ensures precise positioning of tablets in containing means, minimizing residue and excessive speed issues.

Implementation Method 1

Fluidization systems are also known which work in the end part of the single transfer channel in order to more quickly free the exit of the tablets and facilitate their descent toward the organized containing means, thrusting them.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidization: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 2

at least a first feed channel is associated to the entrance of the transfer channel and is able to deliver a first jet of gaseous fluid, which can be a jet of air or any other gaseous fluid suitable to the purpose, acting on the upper part of the tablets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow action: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP2825489B1Distributor unit
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 IMA IND MASCH AUTOMATICHE SPA
  • EP2825489B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2825489B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2825489B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A distributor unit, suitable to distribute tablets, comprises an aligner channel cooperating with a transfer channel having an entrance zone. Feed means are associated to said transfer channel in order to work on the tablets.