Rotary Press Stripping Channel Vacuum for Stable Tablet Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary presses face challenges in reliably and efficiently conveying pressed products, such as tablets, in a space-saving and resource-conserving manner, due to the accumulation and misalignment of tablets during ejection, which requires large vacuum systems and high airflow rates.

Innovation Solution

Integrate a vacuum device into the stripping channel above the die disc to stabilize tablets immediately after ejection, using a suction effect generated by vacuum nozzles to guide them to the discharge point, reducing the need for extensive airflow and space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vacuum systems are used to convey tablets through the stripping channel, then reliable tablet transport is achieved, but the system requires considerable space and high airflow rates which are resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetablet transport reliabilityVSAvoidairflow quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The air knife applies airflow to tablets before they fully enter the stripping channel, pre-stabilizing them and preventing accumulation at the channel entrance. This preliminary action reduces the need for high airflow rates throughout the entire stripping channel, thereby conserving air resources while maintaining reliable transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying vacuum or airflow uniformly throughout the entire stripping channel, the invention applies air knives at specific locations (above the die and at the channel entrance) to provide localized stabilization. This local quality approach reduces overall airflow requirements while ensuring tablets are properly positioned for smooth conveyance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If vacuum stripping systems are implemented to prevent tablet accumulation, then tablet transport is stabilized, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetablet flow stabilityVSAvoidstripping system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses air knives (pneumatic devices) instead of complex vacuum stripping systems. The air knives generate controlled airflow to stabilize tablets, achieving reliable tablet flow with a simpler pneumatic system rather than a complex vacuum system, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The air knives enable tablets to self-stabilize and self-align as they enter the stripping channel, reducing the need for additional mechanical guides or complex control mechanisms. This self-service approach simplifies the overall stripping system while maintaining stable tablet flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If tablets are allowed to accelerate vertically during ejection, then they are properly ejected from cavities, but accumulation occurs after leaving the cavity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection speedVSAvoidtablet flow stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The air knife applies airflow to tablets immediately after ejection, before they can accumulate or misalign. This preliminary stabilization action occurs at the critical moment when tablets transition from the cavity to the stripping channel, preventing accumulation while preserving the ejection speed achieved by the lower press rams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The air knife acts as an intermediary between the ejection process and the stripping channel, mediating the transition by stabilizing tablets in flight. This intermediary airflow cushion prevents direct contact and potential accumulation, allowing tablets to maintain their ejection speed while becoming stable for channel entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Ensures reliable and efficient tablet conveyance with reduced resource consumption by minimizing the distance and airflow required, preventing tablet jams and misalignment, and allowing for compact design.

Implementation Method 1

the section of the stripping channel arranged above the die disc has a vacuum device by which the press pieces located on the die disc are sucked along the stripping channel to the first press piece discharge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4678384A1Rotary press
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 FETTE COMPACTING GMBH
  • EP4678384A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4678384A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4678384A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a rotary press comprising a rotor rotatable by means of a rotary drive, wherein the rotor has an upper punch guide (18) for upper press punches (14) and a lower punch guide (20) for lower press punches (16), as well as a die disk (10) arranged between the punch guides (18, 20), wherein the press punches (14, 16) interact with cavities (12) of the die disk (10), wherein the rotary press further comprises a filling device (26) by which powder material to be compressed is filled into the cavities (12) of the die disk (10), and wherein the rotary press comprises a pressure device (34) with an upper pressure unit (40) and a lower pressure unit (42), which, in operation, engage with the upper press punches (14) and with the lower press punches (16) to compress the powder material in the cavities (12) of the die disk (10). Pressings (48) work together,and wherein the rotary press comprises a stripping device (44) for stripping the compacts (48) ejected onto the top of the die (10) after compression by the lower press punches (16), wherein the stripping device (44) has a stripping channel (46) arranged at least partially above the die (10), so that compacts (48) ejected from the cavities (12) onto the top of the die (10) by the lower press punches (16) are guided along the stripping channel (46) from the die (10) to a first compact discharge (58).