Sealed Dust Removal Ramp for Pharmaceutical Tablets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional dedusting devices for pharmaceutical tablets or capsules are complex to produce, require external containment enclosures for dust containment, and have limited dust removal capacity due to the size of the central cylindrical element, leading to inefficiencies and contamination risks during cleaning and composition changes.
Innovation Solution
A dedusting device with a conveying ramp forming a sealed pipe and integrated suction chamber, eliminating the need for an external enclosure and allowing for a smaller central cylindrical element, enhancing dust containment and capacity while simplifying production and cleaning through a self-cleaning fluid system using existing pipes for fluid and air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional dedusting device uses a central cylindrical element with slots for suction, then dust removal function is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to welding requirements and external enclosure needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conveying ramp and suction chamber into a single integrated component. The suction chamber is formed directly within the ramp structure, eliminating the need for separate central cylindrical elements and external enclosures. This integration simplifies manufacturing by removing welding operations and reduces device complexity while maintaining dust removal functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the suction function from a separate central cylindrical element and integrates it directly into the conveying ramp structure. By forming suction slots directly in the ramp, the design eliminates unnecessary structural components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
2Productivity
If a large central cylindrical element is used for effective dust suction, then dust removal capacity is improved, but the column diameter must increase reducing overall device efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating suction slots strategically within the conveying ramp where dust generation is highest. Rather than requiring a large central element, the suction function is localized to specific areas of the ramp, maintaining effective dust removal capacity while minimizing the overall column diameter and volume.
3Ease of operation
If the conveying ramp is not sealed, then tablets can be conveyed freely, but dust escapes and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the conveying and suction functions into a single integrated ramp structure with built-in suction slots. This integration creates an inherently sealed system where dust is captured at the source during conveyance, preventing escape and contamination while maintaining smooth tablet flow through the ramp.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If an external enclosure is added to contain dust, then contamination is prevented, but the device becomes more complex and harder to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dust containment function from a separate external enclosure and integrates it directly into the conveying ramp structure. The suction slots in the ramp create an inherent containment system that captures dust at the source, eliminating the need for additional external enclosures and simplifying the overall device design.
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
The device ensures impermeable conveyance and suction, increasing dust removal capacity, reducing contamination risks, and simplifying cleaning by using existing pipes for fluid and air flow, achieving efficient and effective dust removal without external enclosures.
Implementation Method 1
this central cylindrical element is depressed by a suction means so that the powdery dust covering the tablets or capsules is sucked by said slots through the central cylindrical element and thus evacuated from the device
Implementation Method 2
an oscillating electromagnetic motor, which when engaged drives the column with a vibratory movement which drives the tablets or capsules from its base to its top
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
Device for removing dust from pharmaceutical tablets or capsules, comprising a dust removal column (1) with a first ramp (2) for controlled conveying in a helical shape, said ramp comprising a first base (3) having a front face (3a) and a rear face (3b), a first peripheral edge (5) and a first internal edge (6). Said first ramp is composed of a conveying conduit (11) which has walls leaktight with respect to the tablets or capsules and which comprises an inlet in the lower part of the column and an outlet in the upper part of the column, this column comprising a chamber which aspirates dust from tablets or capsules (12) and which has walls that are leaktight with respect to the conveyed tablets or capsules, of which a first wall is composed of one of said first peripheral or internal edges or of said first base of the conveying ramp, and a passage (4, 4') for aspiration of dust from tablets or capsules is provided in said first wall between the conveying conduit and the aspiration chamber, and the whole assembly formed by the conveying conduit and the aspiration chamber is configured such that the column is leaktight with respect to the dust from the tablets or capsules. In such a device, no tablet can protrude from the conveying conduit and no dust can spread to the outside of the column, and the latter does not have to be surrounded by a confinement enclosure.