Rotary tablet press and a method of cleaning such a press

Abstract

The rotary tablet press comprises a housing, in which a compression unit ( 14 ) is detachably mounted. The compression unit ( 14 ) comprises a die table ( 15 ) with punches ( 17, 18 ), a feeding device for the supply of material to be compressed into the dies ( 16 ), and a tablet discharge device for removal of compressed material in the form of tablets. The compression unit ( 14 ) encloses each die opening and its corresponding first punch end ( 21, 22 ) in a chamber, the feeding device and the tablet discharge device are enclosed, the feeding device communicates with an inlet for detachable connection with an external supply channel, and the tablet discharge device communicates with an outlet.

1 - 19 . Cancelled  
     
     
         20 . A cleaning station for cleaning of a compression unit detached from a rotary tablet press, the compression unit comprising a number of dies arranged circumferentially in a rotary die table, each die being associated with at least a first punch having a first end receivable in the die through an opening of the die, a feeding device for the supply of material to be compressed into the dies, and a tablet discharge device for removal of compressed material in the form of tablets, wherein the cleaning station comprises at least two separate cleaning fluid devices each having a connection piece for detachable connection with a corresponding connection piece provided on the compression unit and communicating with an enclosure of the compression unit, the cleaning fluid devices being arranged for the supply of cleaning fluid to the compression unit and for the drainage of cleaning fluid from the compression unit.  
     
     
         21 . A cleaning station according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the cleaning fluid devices is provided with a cleaning fluid spray nozzle arranged for automatic introduction through the corresponding connection piece on the compression unit.  
     
     
         22 . A cleaning station for automated cleaning of a compression unit detached from a rotary tablet press, the compression unit comprising a number of dies arranged circumferentially in a rotary die ta-ble, each die being associated with at least a first punch having a first end receivable in the die through an opening of the die, a feeding device for the supply of material to be compressed into the dies, and a tablet discharge device for removal of compressed material in the form of tablets, the cleaning station comprising a cleaning chamber for accommodation of the compression unit during clean-ing, and the cleaning chamber being provided with at least a cleaning fluid spray nozzle, wherein the cleaning station comprises an automatic manipulator for opening at least partially a chamber which is comprised by the compression unit and which before opening encloses at least a die opening and its corresponding first punch end.  
     
     
         23 . A cleaning station according to  claim 22 , wherein the cleaning chamber is adapted so that the second punch ends are accessible for actuation from outside the cleaning chamber.  
     
     
         24 . A cleaning station according to  claim 20 , wherein it comprises a drive shaft for detachable connection to the rotary die table of the compression unit for rotation of the die table during cleaning in order to effect axial displacement of the punches.  
     
     
         25 . A cleaning station according to  claim 24 , wherein it comprises an automatic manipulator for adjustment of a cam of the compression unit.  
     
     
         26 . A cleaning station according to  claim 24 , wherein it comprises at least a cam for cooperation with a second end of the punches in order to effect axial displacement of the punches by rotation of the die table.  
     
     
         27 . A cleaning station according to  claim 20 , wherein it comprises an automatic manipulator for opening and/or moving a powder feeding device and/or a tablet discharge device of the compression unit.  
     
     
         28 . (cancelled).  
     
     
         29 . A method of cleaning a compression unit detached from a rotary tablet press, the compression unit comprising a number of dies arranged circumferentially in a rotary die table, each die being associated with at least a first punch having a first end receivable in the die through an opening of the die, a feeding device for the supply of material to be compressed into the dies, and a tablet discharge de-vice for removal of compressed material in the form of tablets, wherein at least one separate cleaning fluid device by means of a connection piece is connected with a corresponding connection piece provided on the compression unit and communicating with an enclosure of the compression unit, and subsequently cleaning fluid is supplied to the enclosure of the compression unit from the at least one cleaning fluid device.  
     
     
         30 . A method of cleaning according to  claim 29 , wherein at least two cleaning fluid devices are employed, and cleaning fluid is drained from the enclosure to one of the cleaning fluid devices.  
     
     
         31 . A method of cleaning according to  claim 30 , wherein cleaning fluid is circulated through the en-closure of the compression unit in alternating directions.  
     
     
         32 . A method of cleaning a compression unit detached from a rotary tablet press, the compression unit comprising a number of dies arranged circumferentially in a rotary die table, each die being associated with at least a first punch having a first end receivable in the die through an opening of the die, a feeding device for the supply of material to be compressed into the dies, and a tablet discharge de-vice for removal of compressed material in the form of tablets, whereby the compression unit is placed in a closed cleaning chamber, wherein, in the closed cleaning chamber, a chamber comprised by the compression unit and enclosing a die opening and its corresponding first punch end is opened, whereupon the compression unit is cleaned by means of cleaning fluid.  
     
     
         33 . A method of cleaning according to  claim 32 , wherein, in the closed cleaning chamber, the punches are removed from the compression unit. 
 Please add the following new claims:    
     
     
         34 . A cleaning station according to  claim 22 , wherein it comprises a drive shaft for detachable connection to the rotary die table of the compression unit for rotation of the die table during cleaning in order to effect axial displacement of the punches.  
     
     
         35 . A cleaning station according to  claim 22 , wherein it comprises an automatic manipulator for opening and/or moving a powder feeding device and/or a tablet discharge device of the compression unit.