Gentle 'Bulk' Tablet Handling, Improving Quality And Efficiency

Traditional methods for the handling of Tablets
Tablets are traditionally transferred from compression to coating and then to packing in small kegs and drums. This is usually due to a lack of height under the tablet De-duster or Coater and to reduce the possible risk of damage or marking due to 'head load' pressure when stored in drums in larger volumes or transferred through interconnecting chutes.

Such methods greatly increase manual handling with multiply open transfers of the ‘split' production batches of tablets, creating concerns over GMP and product quality.

Single or multiply Batch transfer of Tablets in modern facilities
There is now an increasing global trend towards improving manufacturing efficiencies, particularly in large multi-product pharmaceutical facilities. Where either single or multibatches of tablets are transferred in one single container or Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC).

Bulk tablet handling IBCs are now regularly seen in modern multi-floor facilities, with tablets gravity fed directly from IBCs through floor to the coating and packing machines on the floors below. In single floor facilities the ‘cores' can be elevated using de-dusting machines, filled into IBCs and transferred to coating and packing etc. where the IBCs are raised above the packing lines using Pillar Lifts or Fork Lift trucks.

New Bulk Tablet Handling Technology from Matcon
Matcon has now developed a range of gentle transfer devices for the filling and discharging of Bulk Tablet IBCs directly from compression to coating and blister packing machines. The range includes polyethylene IBCs from 300 to 1500ltr, special fill heads, gentle transfer spirals and soft edged cone seal designs to allow controlled refilling and emptying of the IBCs with no degradation of the tablets.

Tablets are simply fed down deceleration chutes incorporated into the IBCs; this allows tablets to fall sideways from the chutes as they back up. The tablet drop height is thereby kept to a minimum to prevent any possible damage during the filling process.

During discharge the specially designed IBC outlet and cone seal, prevents any crushing or degradation and allows for either complete batch transfer or accurate controlled volumetric feed to the down stream process.

If required the ‘air tight' cone seal design also allows for a part empty IBC to be removed from the discharge station and returned to store for future use without trapping or damaging the final product.

Contact Matcon
For further information on Matcon Technology and existing installed Bulk Tablet handling Systems or to discuss a future or existing project, either respond to this article or visit www.matconibc.com.