Contactless Inkjet Tablet Printing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for printing identification codes on tablets, such as stamping and transcription, face challenges with clear printing on film-coated and sugar-coated tablets due to surface properties, leading to poor readability and increased costs, while contactless laser printing is limited by the presence of titanium oxide on coated tablets.
Innovation Solution
A tablet printing apparatus that uses a CCD camera for image detection, an inkjet printer for contactless printing, and a system to distribute and convey tablets in rows, allowing for clear printing on uncoated, film-coated, and sugar-coated tablets without physical contact, and includes a defective rejection mechanism for pinpoint accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If stamping is used to imprint identification codes on tablets, then the method is suitable for uncoated and film-coated tablets, but the punch may not leave the tablet smoothly due to pharmaceutical formulation and powder properties, causing imprint failures and poor readability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stamping system with a transcription system using a transfer roller that applies ink to the tablet surface. This substitution eliminates the problem of punches failing to leave tablets smoothly, as the transcription method does not require compressive forming that interacts with powder and granule properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transfer roller as an intermediary between the printing mechanism and the tablet surface. The transfer roller carries ink and transfers it to the tablet, acting as a mediator that avoids direct mechanical contact issues between the punch and tablet, thereby improving imprint clarity across different tablet types.
2Manufacturing precision
If transcription is used to print on tablets, then clear print is available on film-coated and sugar-coated tablets, but printing fails on uncoated tablets due to ink absorption and powder attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the transcription process by adjusting printing parameters such as ink formulation, printing pressure, and transfer roller properties to accommodate different tablet surface characteristics. This allows the same transcription system to achieve clear prints on coated tablets while preventing ink absorption issues on uncoated tablets.
3Ease of manufacture
If contact printing with punch or transfer roller is used, then identification codes can be imprinted on tablets, but imprinting or printing failures occur due to surface properties, reducing product yield rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact printing methods with a refined transcription system using a transfer roller that maintains controlled contact with the tablet surface. This substitution reduces printing failures by eliminating the harsh compressive forces of stamping while maintaining the clarity benefits of transcription, thereby improving reliability across all tablet types.
4Ease of operation
If laser printing is used on tablets, then contactless printing is achieved, but color printing cannot be produced on uncoated tablets that do not contain titanium oxide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces laser printing with an inkjet-based contactless printing system. This substitution allows for color printing on uncoated tablets by using inkjet technology that does not depend on the presence of titanium oxide, thereby maintaining contactless operation while expanding versatility to all tablet types.
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
Enables clear and efficient printing on various tablet types without surface damage, reduces production costs by allowing easy changes in identification codes, and ensures accurate rejection of defective tablets.
Implementation Method 1
an inkjet printer to print on the works during conveyance of the conveyor based on work information by the CCD camera
Implementation Method 2
a CCD camera to detect and photograph the works introduced in a predetermined area
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are for contactless-printing on tablets that are supplied successively at random spacings in the conveyance direction, respectively in plural rows. The apparatus includes a hopper to supply tablets, a distributing unit to distribute the supplied tablets in plural rows, a conveyor to convey the tablets randomly with the random spacings in the conveyance direction and with the rows maintained, a detection camera to detect the tablets during conveyance, an inkjet printer to print on the tablets based on data detected by the detection camera, an inspection camera to check a printing state on the tablets, and a defective tablet rejection unit to reject a defective tablet during conveyance of the tablets based on the check result of the inspection camera.