Tablet press

Abstract

The invention concerns a tablet press ( 10 ) which is typically portable and comprises a base ( 12 ) and a press member ( 24 ) held relative to the base by a spacer ( 20 ). The base ( 12 ) comprises a die ( 38 B) for receiving a powder in use, wherein the spacer ( 20 ) depends from the base and is moveable relative thereto under the control of an actuator ( 28 ) such that the press member ( 24 ) is reversibly actuable between an at-rest condition in which the press member is spaced from the die and an actuated condition in which the press member is located in the die so as to apply a load to a powder therein so as to compact the powder into a tablet. The actuator is operated under the control of an electronic controller, typically in response to desired tablet parameters input by a user. A table-top tablet press of this kind is particularly beneficial for individual or small-batch tablet production, for example for research purposes.

1 . A tablet press comprising:
 a base;   a press member held relative to the base by a spacer, the base comprising a die for receiving a powder in use, wherein the spacer depends from the base and is moveable relative thereto under the control of an actuator such that the press member is reversibly actuable between an at-rest condition in which the press member is spaced from the die and an actuated condition in which the press member is located in the die and applies a load to a powder therein; and   an electronic controller for controlling operation of the actuator.   
     
     
         2 . A tablet press according to  claim 1 , wherein the tablet press is portable. 
     
     
         3 . A tablet press according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises an electric motor. 
     
     
         4 . A tablet press according to  claim 1  wherein the controller is arranged for digital control of the actuator. 
     
     
         5 . A tablet press according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the actuator to undergo a single pressing cycle in response to a user input. 
     
     
         6 . A tablet press according to  claim 5 , wherein the pressing cycle comprises a first actuation of the press member to compact powder in the die and thereby form a tablet and a further actuation of the press member to eject the tablet from the die. 
     
     
         7 . A tablet press according to  claim 1 , wherein the speed of actuation of the pressing member is controlled by the controller to be constant during a compaction phase of a pressing cycle. 
     
     
         8 . A tablet press according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is controlled by the controller based upon a value of a desired applied load and/or a desired tablet dimension input by a user. 
     
     
         9 . A tablet press according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller automatically controls cessation and/or retraction of the press member by the actuator according to an open or closed feedback loop. 
     
     
         10 . A tablet press according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors for determining instantaneous values of one or more operational variables in use. 
     
     
         11 . A tablet press according to  claim 10 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise a load sensor for determining the compacting load applied by the press member and/or a position sensor for determining the location of the press member relative to the die. 
     
     
         12 . A tablet press according to  claim 10 , wherein the controller receives the operational variable values and controls cessation or reversal of the press member actuation upon determination that the operational variable has met or exceeded a predetermined value. 
     
     
         13 . A tablet press according to  claim 12 , wherein the controller records data pertaining to said operational variable values and allows for output of said data on a display. 
     
     
         14 . A tablet press according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a plurality of pillars, said pillars being arranged to move uniformly in response to operation of the actuator. 
     
     
         15 . A tablet press according to  claim 1 , comprising a guide member depending from an open end of the die for guiding powder into the die. 
     
     
         16 . A tablet press according to  claim 1 , wherein the die comprises a die floor member which is moveable between a closed condition for forming a tablet and an open condition which allows for ejection of the tablet from the die. 
     
     
         17 . A tablet press according to  claim 16 , wherein the die floor comprises a slider plate having an opening therein, said opening being offset from the die in the closed condition and aligned with the die in the open condition. 
     
     
         18 . A tablet press according to  claim 1 , wherein the press member is arranged such that its free end in use defines a surface of the produced tablet.