A punch exchange device and method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a punch exchange device for use in exchanging a punch in a turret of a rotary tablet press, to a system comprising the punch exchange device and a turret of a rotary tablet press, comprising the turret having one or more punches, and to a method for exchanging a punch of a turret of a rotary tablet press.

Background Art

In rotary tablet presses, one or more turrets are traditionally used, in which tablets are pressed based on an input often comprising one or more active ingredients. Such input is often fed to each of the turrets in the form of powder or granulates.

In each of the turrets, punches are typically used to compress powder or granulates into tablets. Such punches are often arranged in a respective punch guide on one or both sides of a die disc, so that the movement of the punches causes the punches to compress the powder or granulates into tablets. Typically, such punches are moved linearly back and forth along an axis to compress the powder or granulates into tablets when in operation. Rotary tablet presses are, for instance, used in pharmaceutical manufacture, in which pharmaceutical components, such as active pharmaceutical ingredients, are processed.

Despite such punches generally being durable, the punches will often need to be exchanged at some point due to wear and tear, damages thereto, and/or a test rejecting any of the punches.

The process of exchanging a punch in a turret of the rotary tablet press is typically done manually by an operator. During this exchanging process, caution must typically be shown, as the punch has been in direct contact with the input and thus is contaminated with the input, such as a pharmaceutical component, which may impose a health risk to the operator. Furthermore, when the punch is removed, a direct opening will typically be provided to the die disc which is also contaminated with the active ingredient.

To reduce health risk to the operator, the contaminated part of the punch is often wrapped in a wet cloth when extracted from the turret to prevent the input, notably when in powder form, from being borne in the air and inhaled by the operator.

There is, however, a desire to provide a way of exchanging a punch of a turret of a rotary tablet press, which further reduces the health risk of the operator, whilst providing an in use easy exchange of the punch.

Summary of the Invention

An objection of the present invention is to address the above-mentioned drawbacks, in particular to obtain an easy-to-use device for use in exchanging a punch of a turret of a rotary tablet press allowing for a reduced health risk for an operator exchanging the punch.

According to a first aspect, this and further objects are achieved by a punch exchange device for use in exchanging a punch in a turret of a rotary tablet press, comprising the turret having one or more punches and one or more punch guides, each of the one or more punches being arranged in a respective one of the one or more punch guides of the turret, wherein the punch exchange device comprises a housing enclosing a cavity and being configured to store a plurality of punches in the cavity, wherein the housing comprises an opening for inserting a punch into and extracting a punch from the cavity, a connecting portion for connecting the punch exchange device to the turret of the rotary tablet press so that the opening of the housing is aligned with an opening of a respective punch guide of the rotary tablet press turret, wherein the housing and connecting portion are configured to provide a connection between the punch exchange device and turret of the rotary tablet press so that the cavity, in a connected state of the punch exchange device to the turret, is a contained volume.

By the housing being configured to store a plurality of punches by and connecting portion being configured to provide a connection so that the cavity is a contained volume it has been realised that a potentially contaminated punch may be removed, i.e. extracted, from the turret and into the cavity and a new punch can be inserted into the punch guide while the contained volume is provided. Thereby, the direct opening to the die disc when the punch is removed is provided only to the contained volume, thereby reducing the risk of inter alia powder particles or the like from a die disc being brought into air of the surroundings, i.e., into air which can be inhaled by the operator. Thereby a reduced health risk for a potential operator performing the punch exchange may be provided.

Throughout this description, the term “contaminated” may refer to that the punch has been in contact with and/or may have on a surface thereof an amount of input, which the rotary tablet press is processing into tablets. The term “contaminated” is, thus, used regardless of the specific type of input. As will be understood, such input may be in the form of a powder or a granulate. Correspondingly, a “contaminated punch” may be a punch, which has been installed in the turret and/or which may have been used in the turret during operation of the tablet press.

Furthermore, by the cavity being configured to store a plurality of punches in the cavity, the device may be pre-loaded with one or more clean punches to replace punches from the punch guides of the turret, allowing for an easy punch exchange, as a punch may be extracted from the turret into the cavity and a pre-loaded punch may subsequently be inserted from the cavity into the turret without having to remove the device from the connected state.

By the connecting portion being provided so that the opening of the housing is aligned with an opening of a respective punch guide of the rotary tablet press turret, the device may be mounted to allow for an in use easy extraction of one punch from the punch guide and an equally easy insertion of a punch into the punch guide through the opening. This, again, allows for the device providing an, in use, easy exchange of the punch(es).

By the housing enclosing a cavity and having an opening, an easy cleaning of the cavity after a punch exchange may furthermore be provided, as a cleaning fluid or cleaning liquid, such as water, may be sprayed into and drained form the cavity through the opening.

By the opening of the housing being aligned with the opening of the punch guide may be understood positioning the device relative to the punch guide so that a punch can be directly transferred from the punch guide to the housing (or vice versa) via the opening in the punch guide and the opening in the housing. Alternatively or additionally, by the housing being aligned with the opening may be understood that the housing is arranged above, such as directly above, or below, such as directly below, the respective punch guide and/or an opening thereof.

The opening of the punch guide may be an opening configured to allow a punch to be inserted into and extracted from the punch guide. Specifically, the opening of the punch guide may allow a punch to pass through the opening. The opening in the punch guide may be a punch insertion opening.

By the punch exchange device being for use in exchanging a punch in a turret of a rotary tablet press may be understood that the punch-exchanging device may be suitable for aiding and/or configured to aid in exchanging one or more punches in the turret of the rotary tablet press. It will furthermore be appreciated that the punch exchange device may be used when the turret is installed in the rotary tablet press and/or when it is removed from the tablet press. The rotary tablet press may comprise one or more turrets, and the punch exchange device may be for use in exchanging a punch in some or all of the one or more turrets.

It will be appreciated that the term “connected state” of the punch exchange device throughout this disclosure refers to the condition or state, in which the punch exchange device is arranged and connected to the punch exchange so that a punch exchange can be performed.

The punch exchange device may be for use in a manual punch exchange, a semi-automatic punch exchange, or a fully automatic punch exchange.

The one or more punch guides may be provided as apertures, in which a respective punch is arranged. The one or more punches may be configured to move, such as move linearly, along a first axis in a use condition of the rotary tablet press turret, i.e. during operation of the turret of the rotary tablet press. In some embodiments, the one or more punches may be configured to move up and down in the respective punch guide. The one or more punches may be extracted by moving it upwards or downwards beyond the punch guide. In some embodiments, each punch comprises a barb portion so that a force must be exerted to extract the punch.

By the term “contained volume” is herein to be understood that the volume is to fulfil certain requirements to containment, i.e. that the volume, when the punch exchange device is in the connected state, is at least dust tight. Correspondingly, a contained volume may be a volume, which in the connected state of the punch exchange device, is configured to prevent that extensive amounts, such as detectable amounts and/or amounts over a certain threshold, of an input composition, which the turret of the rotary tablet press is processing, are emitted from the contained volume into the surroundings, such as into a room in which it is arranged or into an enclosure surrounding at least a part of the turret and the punch exchange device in a connected state of the punch exchange device. By “contained volume” may herein be understood that the volume, in a connected state of the punch exchange device, is to have a containment capability of dust containment of up to 10 pg per m ³ Correspondingly the contained volume may be a volume, which when in the installed is configured to have a dust containment of up to 10 pg per m ³

The connecting portion of the punch exchange device may comprise an adaptor, which provides a sealed connection to the turret at least around the opening of the punch guide of a respective punch to be exchanged, i.e. a punch guide, in which the punch to be exchanged is arranged. Alternatively or additionally, the punch exchange device may comprise a seal and/or a gasket configured to, in a connected state of the punch exchange device, provide a sealing against at least a portion of the turret, such as around the opening of the punch guide of a respective punch to be exchanged. The housing and the connecting portion may be provided in a material, which aids in providing contained volume, when the punch exchange device is in the connected state. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting portion may comprise a portion allowing a user to align the punch exchange device with a respective punch guide opening of the turret or a portion which, when the punch exchange device is in the connected state, causes or offsets the housing so that the opening is aligned with the respective punch guide opening of the turret.

In some embodiments, the connecting portion comprises one or more connecting elements for removably securing the punch exchange device to at least a portion of the turret so that the punch exchange device is in the connected state. The one or more connecting elements may comprise one or more magnets, one or more fastening means, such as screws, one or more clamping devices, such as eccentric clamping devices, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, a punch to be removed may need to be initially released from the punch guides by a separate mechanism or manually, such as by hand, prior to extracting the punch from the punch guide. In such embodiments, the punch exchange device may be configured to remove the punch when this is in a released state. Alternatively or additionally, a punch to be inserted may need to be finally engaged into the punch guides by a separate mechanism or manually, such as by hand, after inserting the punch from the cavity by means of the punch exchange device.

The connecting portion may be a connecting portion configured to connect the punch exchange device to the turret of the rotary tablet press so that the opening of the housing of the punch exchange device is aligned with an opening of a respective punch guide of the rotary tablet press turret to bring the punch exchange device into the connected state.

In some embodiments, the rotary tablet press, such as the turret, comprises further elements, such as a die disc, a feeder for feeding an input composition, for instance a pharmaceutical component potentially comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient, to the die disc, a tablet chute, or the like.

Alternatively or additionally, the turret may comprise an enclosure, which during operation encloses at least part of the turret and typically at least the die disc, punch guides, and punches, potentially in a contained manner. An example of a such enclosure may be an enclosure as known from the Exchangeable Compression Module (ECM) concept.

Where an enclosure enclosing the at least part of the turret is provided, the punch exchange device may be connected to the enclosure, e.g. to an ECM, to be brought into the connected state. The ECM may comprise a connecting section for connecting to the connecting portion of the punch exchange device. The ECM may comprise a sealable opening which is configured to remain sealed when no punch exchange device is connected to the ECM and configured to align with the opening of the punch exchange device in a connected state of the punch exchange device to the ECM so that a punch may be passed through, such as extracted via or inserted via, the opening of the ECM.

In some embodiments, the housing comprises a sealing arrangement configured to seal the opening in a disconnected state of the punch exchange device to the turret.

Thereby, the cavity may be sealed from the surroundings, when the punch exchange device is not in the connected state, i.e. in the disconnected state, thereby reducing the risk of potential contamination from a punch extracted from the turret, such as a powder from the rotary tablet press, from escaping from the cavity and into the air.

The sealing arrangement may comprise one or more seals, which is closed unless the punch exchange system is in the connected state or unless the seals are manually opened, e.g. to insert clean one or more clean punches into the cavity prior to replacing the punch(es) of the turret. The one or more seals may be configured to provide an at least dust-tight closing of the cavity in the disconnected state, potentially so that the cavity is a contained volume in the disconnected state.

In some embodiments, the punch exchange device further comprises an air vent configured to allow an air flow through the housing in a connected of the punch exchange device.

Thereby, an under-pressure may be provided inside the punch exchange device via the opening, thus allowing for potential contamination, such as powder from a contaminated punch, to be sucked out through the opening in the connected state. This, again, reduces the amount of contamination in the cavity, in turn allowing for an easier cleaning of the punch exchange device, and further reduces the risk that the contamination escapes from the cavity into the surroundings.

Where the punch exchange device is used with an ECM, the underpressure may be provided by means of the ECM. Alternatively or additionally, the punch exchange device may comprise a vacuum pump configured to provide an under-pressure in the chamber.

It will be appreciated that the under-pressure described herein refers to a lower air pressure, such as a partial vacuum, inside the cavity than in air surrounding the housing on an external side of the housing, such as air in the room, in which the punch exchange device and turret are arranged in use.

In some embodiments of the punch exchange device, the cavity comprises at least two storage portions, wherein each storage portion is configured to store at least one punch.

Thereby, there may be provided a storage portion for at least one extracted, potentially contaminated, punch, and at least one punch to be inserted into the punch guide.

The at least two storage portions may each be configured to store the at least one punch in a respective storage position within the cavity. For instance, where a punch is stored in a respective storage portion, the punch may be in its storage position.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least two store portions may be movable within the cavity so as to move the respective at least one punch within the cavity.

The at least two storage portions may comprise a respective housing so that the two storage portions are isolated from one another in a contained manner from one another. Alternatively, the two storage portions may be arranged in fluid connection with each other, i.e. so that air can freely move between the two storage portions.

Each of the at least two storage portions may be movable within the housing, potentially independently or in a linked manner, i.e. so that a movement of one of the at least two storage portions causes a corresponding movement of the remaining storage portions. For instance, the at least two storage portions may be movable manually, i.e. by means of hand, and/or may be disposed on a structure, on which the at least two storage portions are movable, e.g. slidably movable. As an example, the structure may be or comprise a set of rails arranged within the housing, along which the at least two storage portions may be movable. The structure may comprise a handling means for allowing or facilitating movement of the at least two storage portions. The handling means may comprise a handle part potentially arranged outside, i.e. externally of, the housing. Thereby a user may be able to displace or move the at least two storage portions inside the cavity from the outside while maintaining the contained volume in the connected state of the punch exchange device.

In some embodiments, the punches may be manually moved within the housing, e.g. by hand. Preferably, gloves are worn and/or a set of gloves may be integrated with the housing.

In some embodiments, the housing may be configured to, at least in the connected state of the punch exchange device, allow one or more punch(es) to be manually handled within the housing, such as extracted from and/or inserted into the respective punch guide of the rotary tablet press turret. By manually handled may herein be understood manipulated or moved by hand, for instance by an operator.

The housing may be configured to allow the punch(es) to be manually handled within the housing while maintaining a containment of the contained volume.

The housing may be configured to allow the punch(es) to be manually handled within the housing by means of one or more handling means, optionally manual handling means, such as one or more gloves, a flexible cover, a flexible membrane, or the like. The handling means may be configured to allow a hand of a user to grab a punch. Alternatively or additionally, the handling means may be configured to at least partly conform to a shape of a hand of a user. Preferably, such one or more handling means are configured to allow the user to manually handle the punch(es) within the housing whilst maintaining the containment. By means of such handling means, the user may handle the punch(es) within the housing, at least in the connected state of the punch exchange device, without breaking containment.

For example, the housing may comprise one or more gloves. The one or more gloves may be fixed to and/or fixably retained by the housing. The glove(s) may be provided in the housing in a manner similar to a glove box.

In some embodiments, the one or more gloves may be replaceable. For instance, a portion of the glove(s) may be fixed to and/or fixably retained by a portion of housing by means of a sealing mounting member, such as a flange or a mounting ring. The glove(s) may be fixed to and/or fixably retained by the housing in a sealed manner.

The housing may comprise a number of side portions, optionally including a top portion and a bottom portion. One or more of the portions may be rigid and/or may comprise rigid material. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the portions may be flexible and/or may comprise a flexible material.

By housing may herein be understood any enclosure or structure substantially surrounding, enclosing, and/or encompassing a volume or cavity. It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, a such housing may comprise openings, recesses etc. and need not surround, enclose, and/or encompass the volume in an air-tight manner in itself.

For instance, it will be appreciated that the housing, such as any optional side, top, and/or bottom portions, and any optional covers, manual handling means, sealing handling means, may be configured to, in a connected state of the punch exchange device to the turret of the rotary tablet press, provide a connection between the punch exchange device and turret of the rotary tablet press so that the cavity, in a connected state of the punch exchange device to the turret, is a contained volume.

In some embodiments, such as embodiments in which the housing comprise one or more manual handling means, the housing may be configured to enclose a cavity or volume and be configured to store at least one punch in the cavity.

In some embodiments of the punch exchange device, the housing comprises at least one carrier for supporting one or more of the plurality of punches inside the cavity.

In some embodiments, the at least two storage portions each comprise at least one carrier.

The at least one carrier may be a respective portion of a storage portion, which portion is configured to physically move one or more punches of the at least one punches.

The at least one carrier may alternatively or additionally be configured to support the one or more of the plurality of punches. Potentially, the at least one carrier or the at least two storage portions comprising a respective at least one carrier may be configured to align and/or position the one or more of the plurality of punches in a predetermined direction and/or at a predetermined position relative to the opening of the housing. In some embodiments, the at least one carrier or the at least two storage portions comprising a respective at least one carrier may be configured to support the one or more of the plurality of punches so as to align a punch of the one or more of the plurality of punches with the opening.

The at least one carrier may be movable within the housing. For instance, the at least one carrier may be movable manually, i.e. by means of hand, and/or may be disposed on a structure, on which the at least one carrier is movable, e.g. slidably movable. As an example, the structure may be or comprise a rail arranged within the housing and/or provided in the storage portion, along which the at least one carrier may be movable.

The at least one carrier, such as each of the at least one carrier, may comprise a carrier handling arrangement, such as a handle, for allowing or facilitating movement of the carrier.

Alternatively, the housing may comprise a carrier handling arrangement, configured to be operably connected to, such as engaged with, one or more of the at least one carrier, potentially sequentially or one carrier at a time. The carrier handling arrangement may be configured to move a respective carrier within the housing, such as along a first axis.

The carrier handling arrangement may comprise a handle part potentially arranged outside, i.e. externally of, the housing. Thereby a user may be able to displace or move the at least one carrier from the outside while maintaining the contained volume in the connected state of the punch exchange device. By moving or displacing the at least one carrier, a punch may be moved or displaced, respectively.

In some embodiments the at least one carrier may be configured to allow an insertion of a punch to be supported by the carrier into the housing via the opening of the housing and/or extraction of the punch supported by the carrier from supported position in the housing and out through the opening of the housing.

In some embodiments, the punch exchange device comprises a plurality of carriers, potentially each supporting one or more of the plurality of punches, such as supporting a respective punch

In some embodiments of the punch exchange device, the at least one carrier is displaceable within the housing along a first axis so as to physically move a punch along the first axis.

Thereby an easy alignment of a carrier with the opening of the housing may be provided.

The carrier may be displaceable within the housing along a first axis to physically move the punch along the first axis so as to insert into and extract from the cavity a punch supported by the carrier via the opening by the movement along the first axis.

Where a carrier handling arrangement is provided, the carrier handling arrangement may be configured to displace the carrier along the first axis, potentially so as to insert into and extract from the cavity a punch supported by the carrier via the opening by the movement along the first axis. The carrier handling arrangement may comprise a movable handle part configured to engage with a portion of a carrier of a carrier of the at least one carrier, supporting or carrying a respective punch, to physically move the punch along the first axis. The carrier handling arrangement may further comprise an elongate recess or an elongate groove, elongate in a direction along the first axis, in which the handle part can move. The handle part may comprise a locking means for locking or releasing an engagement with a respective carrier.

Alternatively or additionally, in the connected state of the punch exchange device, a movement of a first storage portion comprising a first carrier, which movement causes the first carrier to be in a position, in which the first carrier is aligned with the opening of the housing, may further cause movement of the first carrier along the first axis to extract a punch from a punch guide and into the first carrier so that the punch is stored in the first storage portion. A movement of a second storage portion, potentially linked with the movement of the first storage portion, comprising a second carrier, which movement causes the second carrier to be in a position, in which the second carrier is aligned with the opening of the housing, may further cause movement of the second carrier along the first axis to insert a punch from the second carrier and into a punch guide.

In some embodiments of the punch exchange device, the at least one carrier is furthermore linearly and/or rotatably displaceable within the housing to physically move the punch, preferably relative to a second axis, the second axis preferably being substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

Thereby an easy alignment of a carrier with the opening of the housing may be provided.

The at least one carrier may be displaceable along or on a structure, such as a structure comprising one or more rails.

In some embodiments, the at least two storage portions and/or at least one carrier may each be arranged at a fixed position within the housing and relative to the housing. The housing may be movable, e.g. by means of the connecting portion and/or a docking part of the turret, so that each of the at least two storage portions may be aligned with an opening of a punch guide of the turret in a connected state of the punch exchange device. In an example, the housing may be connected to the turret, e.g. by means of the connecting portion and/or a docking part of the turret and arranged in a first position so that a first portion of the housing opening is aligned with the opening of the punch guide. The remaining portion(s) of the housing opening may be sealed by a sealing means. A first storage portion and/or carrier may in the first position of the housing be aligned with the opening so that a punch can be extracted from the turret into the first storage portion, potentially by means of the first carrier supporting the punch, via the first portion of the opening. When the punch has been inserted into the housing, the housing may be moved to a second position, in which a align a second portion of the housing opening is aligned with the opening of the punch guide. In the second position, a second storage portion and/or carrier may be aligned with the opening so that a punch can be extracted from the second storage portion and/or second carrier, potentially by means of the second carrier supporting the punch, via the second portion of the housing opening.

In some embodiments of the punch exchange device, the at least one carrier comprises an engagement portion configured to engage with at least a portion of the punch.

In some embodiments, the at least one carrier is configured to engage with a barb portion and/or flange portion of the punch.

In some embodiments of the punch exchange device, at least a portion of the housing is made from a rigid material.

Alternatively or additionally, the housing may be stable against deformation and/or may be dimensionally stable.

Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the housing is made from a solid material.

The rigid and/or solid material may potentially not be flexible and/or may be able to withstand a certain pressure.

In some embodiments of the punch exchange device, the housing comprises a textile or non-woven material.

As an example, one or more sides of the housing may be made from a textile or non-woven material. The textile or non-woven material may be arranged around and/or fastened to a rigid structure, such as skeleton structure, potentially to cover the rigid structure. The textile or non-woven material may be arranged around the rigid structure so that the rigid structure stretches or spans out the textile or non-woven material.

The rigid structure may be made from a rigid material and/or from a solid material.

In some embodiments of the punch exchange device, the housing comprises a transparent portion. Potentially, the housing comprises at least one transparent portion.

An alternative first aspect of the invention relates to a punch exchange device for use in exchanging a punch in a turret of a rotary tablet press, comprising the turret having one or more punches and one or more punch guides, each of the one or more punches being arranged in a respective one of the one or more punch guides of the turret, wherein the punch exchange device comprises a housing enclosing a cavity and being configured to contain or store at least one punch in the cavity, wherein the housing comprises an opening for inserting a punch into and/or extracting a punch from the cavity, the housing further comprising at least one handling means configured to allow handling of a punch, such as extraction of a punch from or insertion of a punch into the cavity through the opening; a connecting portion for connecting the punch exchange device to the turret of the rotary tablet press so that the opening of the housing is aligned with an opening of a respective punch guide of the rotary tablet press turret, wherein the housing and connecting portion are configured to provide a connection between the punch exchange device and turret of the rotary tablet press so that the cavity, in a connected state of the punch exchange device to the turret, is a contained volume.

A punch exchange device according to the alternative first aspect may comprise any feature described with respect to the punch exchange device according to the first aspect. Notably, the housing may be as disclosed with respect to the punch exchange device of the first aspect and/or the handling means may be a handling means as disclosed with respect to the punch the punch exchange device of the first aspect.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a system comprising a rotary tablet press, the rotary tablet press comprising a turret having one or more punches and one or more punch guides, each of the one or more punches being arranged in a respective punch guide of the turret, wherein the system further comprises a punch exchange device for use in exchanging a punch in the turret of the rotary tablet press, wherein the punch exchange device comprises a housing enclosing a cavity and being configured to store a plurality of punches in the cavity, wherein the housing comprises an opening for inserting a punch into and/or extracting a punch from the cavity, a connecting portion for connecting the punch exchange device to the turret so that the opening is arranged over a punch guide of the turret of the tablet press, and wherein the housing and connecting portion are configured to provide a connection between the punch exchange device and turret so that the cavity, in a connected state of the punch exchange device to the turret, is a contained volume.

An alternative second aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising a rotary tablet press, the rotary tablet press comprising a turret having one or more punches and one or more punch guides, each of the one or more punches being arranged in a respective punch guide of the turret, wherein the system further comprises a punch exchange device for use in exchanging a punch in the turret of the rotary tablet press, wherein the punch exchange device comprises a housing enclosing a cavity and being configured to contain or store at least one punch in the cavity, wherein the housing comprises an opening for inserting a punch into and/or extracting a punch from the cavity, the housing further comprising at least one handling means configured to allow handling of a punch, such as extraction of a punch from or insertion of a punch into the cavity through the opening; a connecting portion for connecting the punch exchange device to the turret of the rotary tablet press so that the opening of the housing is aligned with an opening of a respective punch guide of the rotary tablet press turret, wherein the housing and connecting portion are configured to provide a connection between the punch exchange device and turret of the rotary tablet press so that the cavity, in a connected state of the punch exchange device to the turret, is a contained volume.

The system according to the second aspect may provide identical or similar advantages to the punch exchange device according to the first aspect of the invention. The system according to the alternative second aspect may provide identical or similar advantages to the punch exchange device according to the alternative first aspect of the invention

The punch exchange device of the system according to the second aspect of the invention may comprise any feature and/or provide any advantage described with respect to the punch exchange device according to the first aspect of the invention. Alternatively or additionally, the punch exchange device may be a punch exchange device according to the first aspect of the invention. Embodiments of the punch exchange device of this system may be the same as described with respect to the punch exchange device according to the first aspect of the invention.

The punch exchange device of the system according to the alternative second aspect of the invention may comprise any feature and/or provide any advantage described with respect to the punch exchange device according to the alternative first aspect of the invention. Alternatively or additionally, the punch exchange device of the system according to the alternative second aspect may be a punch exchange device according to the alternative first aspect of the invention. Embodiments of the punch exchange device of the system according to the alternative second aspect may be the same as described with respect to the punch exchange device according to the first aspect of the invention or with respect to the punch exchange device according to the alternative aspect of the invention.

Correspondingly, the rotary tablet press may comprise any features described with respect to the first aspect, such as a plurality of turrets, one or more ECMs, or the like.

In some embodiments, the turret may be removable from the tablet press.

In an embodiment of the system, the rotary tablet press comprises a, potentially removable, docking part for receiving and connecting the turret to the punch exchange device so that the opening, in a connected state of the punch exchange device to the turret, is aligned with a punch guide of the turret.

Thereby, an, in use, easier connection, i.e. docking, of the punch exchange device to the turret may be provided.

The docking part may be configured to receive and connect the punch exchange device to the turret.

The connecting portion and the docking part may each comprise one or more corresponding pairs of connecting elements for removably securing the punch exchange device to the docking part so that the punch exchange device is in the connected state. The one or more connecting corresponding elements may comprise a pair of magnets, one or more corresponding pairs of fastening means, such as screws and nuts or threads, one or more clamping devices and receiving portions, such as eccentric clamping devices and receiving portions, or any combination thereof.

According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method for exchanging a punch of a turret of a rotary tablet press, the turret having one or more punches, each of the one or more punches being arranged in a respective punch guide of the turret, wherein the method comprises: providing a punch exchange device according to the first aspect of the invention or according to the alternative first aspect of the invention; inserting a first punch into the cavity; connecting the punch exchange device to the turret of the rotary tablet press so that the opening of the housing is aligned with an opening of a punch guide of the turret; extracting, through the opening of the punch exchange device, a second punch from the punch guide of the turret into the cavity; and inserting, through the opening of the punch exchange device, the first punch from the cavity into the punch guide of the turret.

The method may provide identical or similar advantages to the punch exchange device according to the first aspect of the invention, to the punch exchange device according to the alternative first aspect of the invention, and/or to the system according to the second aspect of the invention. The punch exchange device of the method according to the third aspect of the invention may comprise any feature and/or provide any advantage described with respect to the punch exchange device according to the first aspect of the invention or the punch exchange device according to the alternative first aspect of the invention. Embodiments of the punch exchange device of the method may be the same as described with respect to the punch exchange device according to the first aspect of the invention or the punch exchange device according to the alternative first aspect of the invention.

In some embodiments, such as where a punch exchange device according to the alternative first aspect is provided, the step of inserting the first punch into the cavity may be optional or may not be present. Alternatively or additionally, the step of inserting, through the opening of the punch exchange device, the first punch from the cavity into the punch guide of the turret may be optional or may not be present in some embodiments, such as where a punch exchange device according to the alternative first aspect is provided.

In some embodiments, the steps are performed sequentially in the order of providing the punch exchange device, inserting the first punch, connecting the punch exchange device, extracting the second punch, and inserting the first punch.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise disconnecting the device from the turret.

By disconnecting may be understood that the device is removed from its connected position, in which the opening of the housing is aligned with the opening of the punch guide.

The method may further comprise the step of sealing the opening of the housing after the disconnecting the device, such as immediately after disconnecting.

Where the device comprises a sealing arrangement, sealing the opening may be performed by means of the sealing arrangement.

In some embodiments of the method, the step of inserting the first punch into the punch guide comprises arranging in the first punch in insertion position, in which the first punch is aligned with the opening of the punch exchange device and the punch guide of the turret, and subsequently inserting, through the opening of the punch exchange device, the first punch into the punch guide of the turret. Alternatively, the method may, after the step of extracting the second punch but before the steps of inserting the first punch, comprise the step of arranging in the first punch in insertion position, in which the first punch is aligned with the opening of the punch exchange device and the punch guide of the turret.

The arranging may be provided by means of two or more storage portions and/or at least one carrier for supporting one or more punches, where the punch exchange device comprises two or more storage portions and/or at least one carrier.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that any one or more of the above aspects of this disclosure and embodiments thereof may be combined with any one or more of the other aspects of the disclosure and embodiments.

Brief Description of Drawings

In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a punch exchange device according to the present invention,

FIG. 1 B shows another perspective view of the embodiment of the punch exchange device shown in FIG. 1A,

FIG. 1 C shows another perspective view of the embodiment of the punch exchange device shown in FIG. 1A,

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the punch exchange device shown in FIG. 1A,

FIG. 3A-3F each show a respective plane view of an embodiment of the punch exchange device according to the present invention during a punch exchange,

FIG. 4A-4F each show a respective cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the punch exchange device according to the present invention during the punch exchange,

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a part of a system according to the invention, FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a docking part of a turret of a rotary tablet press of the system shown in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a part of the system shown in FIG.

5, and

FIG. 8 shows another perspective view of a part of the system shown in FIG. 5,

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention,

FIG. 10 shows a view of the system shown in FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the system shown in FIG. 9,

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention,

FIG. 13 shows a view of the system shown in FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 shows a different view of the system shown in FIG. 12, and

FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the system shown in FIG. 12.

Similar reference numerals are used for similar elements across the various embodiments and figures described herein.

Detailed Description

The present invention will now be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms within the scope of the claims set out herewith and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a punch exchange device 1 according to the present invention. FIGs. 1 B and 1 C show other perspective views of the punch exchange device 1 . FIG. 2 shows a cross- sectional view of the punch exchange device 1 .

FIGs. 5, 7, and 8 show perspective views of a part of a system 3 according to the invention comprising the punch exchange device 1 and a turret 2 of a rotary tablet press. The turret 2 comprises a connecting portion. The punch exchange device 1 is for use in exchanging a punch in a turret 2 of a rotary tablet press, comprising the turret 2, wherein the turret 2 has one or more punches and one or more punch guides 21 , each of the one or more punches being arranged in a respective one of the one or more punch guides 21 of the turret 2.

The punch exchange device 1 comprises a housing 10 enclosing a cavity and being configured to store a plurality of punches P1 , P2 in the cavity, wherein the housing 10 comprises an opening 104 for inserting a punch P, P1 , P2 into and extracting a punch P, P1 , P2 from the cavity.

The punch exchange device 1 further comprises a connecting portion for connecting the punch exchange device 1 to the turret 2 of the rotary tablet press so that the opening 104 of the housing 10 is aligned with an opening of a respective punch guide 21 of the rotary tablet press turret 2.

The housing 10 and connecting portion are configured to provide a connection between the punch exchange device 1 and turret 2 so that the cavity, in a connected state of the punch exchange device to the turret, is a contained volume.

The connecting portion comprises connecting elements 16 for removably securing the punch exchange device 1 to at least a portion of the turret so that the punch exchange device 1 is in the connected state.

The one or more punch guides 21 are provided as apertures, in which a respective punch is arranged. The punches are configured to move, such as move linearly, along a first axis in a use condition of the turret 2 of the rotary tablet press, i.e. during operation of the turret 2 of the rotary tablet press.

The turret 2 comprises an enclosure 4, which during operation encloses at least part of the turret 2 including at least the die disc, punch guides 21 , and punches in a contained manner.

The punch exchange device 1 further comprises an air vent 12 configured to allow an air flow through the housing in a connected of the punch exchange device. The air vent 12 comprises a one-way valve. In other embodiments, the air vent alternatively or additionally comprises a different type of valve, such as a shut-off valve. The cavity of the punch exchange device 1 comprises a first 13a and a second storage portions 13b. Each storage portion 13a, 13b is configured to store a respective first P1 and second punch P2.

The first and second storage portions 13a, 13b are configured to store the respective punches P1 , P2 in a respective storage position within the cavity.

The first and second storage portions 13a, 13b are movable within the cavity so as to move the first and second punches P1 , P2 within the cavity.

The first and second storage portions 13a, 13b are arranged in fluid connection with each other, i.e. so that air can freely move between the two storage portions 13a, 13b.

The first and second storage portions 13a, 13b are movable within the housing in a linked manner.

The first and second storage portions 13a, 13b are disposed on a structure 11 , on which the first and second storage portions 13a, 13b are movable, e.g. slidably movable. The structure comprises a set of rails 110 arranged within the housing, along which the at least one first and second storage portions 13a, 13b are movable. The structure 11 comprises a handling means 112 for allowing or facilitating movement of the first and second storage portions 13a, 13b. The handling means 112 comprises a handle part arranged outside, i.e. externally of, the housing 10.

The housing 10 further comprises at a first 14a and a second carrier 14b for supporting the first and second punches P1 , P2, respectively, inside the cavity.

The first and second carriers 14a, 14b are configured to support the first and second punches P1 , P2, respectively. Potentially, the first and second carriers 14a, 14b are configured to align and/or position the punches P1 , P2 in at a predetermined position relative to the opening 104 of the housing 10. In FIGs. 1A-1 C, a punch P is arranged in the opening 104 of the housing 10. In FIG. 2, a second punch P2 is arranged in the opening 104 and a first punch P1 is arranged in the cavity of the housing 10.

The first and second carriers 14a, 14b are configured to support a respective punch P, P1 , P2 so as to align a punch P, P1 , P2 with the opening 104.

The first and second carriers 14a, 14b are movable within the housing 10. The first and second carriers 14a, 14b are arranged on the structure 11 and connected to the first and second storage portions 13a, 13b, respectively.

The housing 10 comprises a carrier handling arrangement 15, configured to be operably connected to and engaged with one or more of the first and second carriers 14a, 14b one carrier 14a, 14b at a time. The carrier handling arrangement 15 is configured to move a respective carrier 14a, 14b within the housing 10 to lead a punch P, P1 , P2 through the opening 104.

The carrier handling arrangement 15 comprises a handle part 150 arranged outside, i.e. externally of, the housing 10. By moving or displacing the first or second carrier 14a, 14b, a punch, such as P1 , P2, is moved or displaced through the opening 104 of the housing.

The first carrier 14a is configured to allow an insertion and extraction of a first punch P1 to be supported by the carrier 14a into and from, respectively, the housing 10 via the opening 104 of the housing 10. The second carrier 14b is configured to allow insertion and extraction of a second punch P2 supported by the second carrier 14b into and from, respectively, the supported position in the housing 10 and out through the opening 104 of the housing 10.

The carriers 14a, 14b are displaceable within the housing along a first axis so as to physically move a punch along the first axis to physically move a punch P, P1 , P2 along the first axis so as to insert into and extract from the cavity a punch P1 , P2 supported by a respective carrier 14a, 14b via the opening by the movement along the first axis.

The carriers 14a, 14b are manually displaceable by means of the carrier handling arrangement 15 including the handle part 150.

The carrier handling arrangement 15 may comprises an elongate recess 152, elongate in a direction along the first axis, in which the handle part 150 can move.

The first and second carriers 14a, 14b are linearly displaceable within the housing 10 to physically move a punch P, P1 , P2 relative to a second axis, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The first and second carriers 14a, 14b are displaceable by means of the structure 11 .

Each of the first and second carriers 14a, 14b comprises a respective first 140a and second engagement portion 140b, each of which are configured to engage with at least a portion of a punch P, P1 , P2. In the examples shown in FIGs. 1-5 and 7-8, the first carrier 14a has a first engagement portion 140a configured to engage with a first punch P1 , whereas the second carrier 14b has a second engagement portion 140a configured to engage with a punch P (in FIGs. 1A-1 C) or with a second punch P2 (in FIGs. 2-5, 7-8).

The housing 10 comprises a rigid portion 100 made from a rigid and solid material. The rigid portion 100 is non-transparent. The housing 10 further comprises a transparent section 102. The transparent section 102 is made from a rigid and solid transparent material, such as glass or plexiglass.

FIG. 3A-3F each show a respective plane view of the punch exchange device 1 during a punch exchange. FIG. 4A-4F each show a respective cross- sectional view of the punch exchange device 1 the punch exchange shown. Correspondingly, FIG. 3A and 4A show a plane view and cross-sectional view of the punch exchange device 1 during the same step of the punch exchange. Similarly, each of figure pairs FIG. 3B and 4B, FIG. 3C and 4C, FIG. 3D and 4D, FIG. 3E and 4E, and FIG. 3F and 4F show a plane view and cross-sectional view of the punch exchange device during a respective same step of the punch exchange.

In FIGs. 3A-3F and 4A-4F, the punch exchange device 1 is part of system 3 and connected on the turret 2 so that the opening 104 of the housing is aligned with an opening of the punch guide 21 of the turret 2.

In the step of the punch exchange procedure shown in FIG. 3A and 4A, the punch exchange device 1 has been pre-loaded with a clean punch P1 stored in a first storage position by first storage portion 13a. A second storage portion 13b is empty. None of the storage portions 13a, 13b or carriers 14a, 14b are aligned with the opening 104 of the housing.

In the step of the punch exchange procedure shown in FIGs. 3B and 4B, the carriers 14a, 14b are displaced so that the second carrier 14b is aligned with the opening 104 and is engaged with the carrier handling arrangement 15, specifically with the carrier handle part 150. The carrier handle part 150 and the second carrier 14b is in a lowermost position, i.e. in a first extreme position, so that the second carrier 14b is engaged with a second punch P2, specifically by means of the second engagement portion 140b. The carriers 14a, 14b are displaced by means of the handle part 1 12 of the structure 11 , displacing the carriers 14a, 14b along the rails 110.

In the step of the punch exchange procedure shown in FIGs. 3C and 4C, the carrier handle part 150 has been moved along the recess 152 to displace the second carrier 14b engaged with a second punch P2 to the uppermost position, i.e. to a second extreme position. Thereby, the second punch P2 has been extracted from the punch guide 21 and inserted into the cavity of the housing 10.

In the step of the punch exchange procedure shown in FIGs. 3D and 4D, the carriers 14a, 14b are displaced so that the first carrier 14a supporting and engaged with the first punch P1 is aligned with the opening 104 and is engaged with the carrier handling arrangement 15, specifically with the carrier handle part 150. The first punch P1 is, thus, moved to a second storage position. Thereby, the second carrier 14b supporting the second punch P2 is disengaged with the carrier handling arrangement 15 and moved to a second storage position in the cavity.

In the step of the punch exchange procedure shown in FIGs. 3E and 4E, the carrier handle part 150 has been moved along the recess 152 to displace the second carrier 14a supporting and engaged with a first punch P1 to the lowermost position, i.e. to the first extreme position. Thereby, the second punch P2 has been extracted from the housing 10 and inserted into the cavity of the punch guide 21 . The second carrier 14b, the second storage portion 13b, and the second punch P2 have been moved so that the second punch P2 is in a third storage position.

In the step of the punch exchange procedure shown in FIGs. 3F and 4F, the first and second storage portions 13a, 13b are moved while the second carrier 14b remains in the same position as in the previous step shown in FIGs. 3E and 4E to support the punch in the third storage position. None of the carriers 14a, 14b are engaged with the carrier handling arrangement in the step shown in FIGs. 3F and 4F.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the docking part 20 of the turret 2.

The docking part 20 comprises two centring portions 22 for centring the docking part 20 based on the punch to be exchanged, in this example the second punch P2, and neighbouring punches. The docking part 24 further comprises an opening 24, which, in the mounted state of the docking part 20, is aligned with the punch guide 21 so that the punch P2 can be extracted or inserted through the opening of the punch guide 21 , the opening 24 of the docking part 20 and the opening 104 of the housing 10 of the punch exchange device 1 . The docking part 20 further comprises connecting elements 26, 26a for connecting the docking part 20 to the punch exchange device 1 via its connecting elements 16.

Correspondingly, each of the connecting elements 26, 26a may form a pair with a respective connecting element 16 of the punch exchange device 16. Each of the connecting elements 26, 26a may be complementary to a respective connecting element 16 of the punch exchange device 16. As an example, connecting elements 26 may be magnets having a north pole facing towards the punch exchange device 1 , whereas connecting elements 26a may be magnets having a south pole facing towards the punch exchange device 1 . Correspondingly, in this example, the punch exchange device 1 may have magnets with a south pole facing the towards the docking part 20 and arranged to engage with connecting elements 26 and magnets with a north pole facing the towards the docking part 20 and arranged to engage with connecting elements 26a.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a system 3' according to the invention. The system 3' comprises a punch exchange device T and the turret 2 of a rotary tablet press. FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the system 3', in which side portions 105, 106, 107 are shown as transparent. Fig. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the system 3'. The punch exchange device 1 ' for use in exchanging a punch P in the turret 2 of a rotary tablet press, comprising the turret 2 having one or more punches P and one or more punch guides. Each of the one or more punches P are arranged in a respective one of the one or more punch guides of the turret 2.

The punch exchange device T comprises a housing 10' enclosing a cavity and being configured to contain or store at least one punch in the cavity. The housing 10' comprises an opening 104 for inserting a punch into and/or extracting a punch from the cavity. The housing 10' further comprising at least one handling means configured to allow handling of the punch, such as extraction of the punch from or insertion of the punch into the cavity through the opening 104. The handling means is in this embodiment illustrated as a glove 17.

The housing 10' is configured to contain a plurality of punches in the cavity. In the embodiment shown in FIGs. 9-11 , the housing 10' contains a first punch P1 . The housing 10' comprises a first storage portion 13a' configured to store the first punch 13a' and a second storage portion 13b' configured to store a second punch. In this embodiment, the storage portions 13a', 13b' are arranged at fixed positions within the housing 10'. In other embodiments, the storage portions may be movable within the housing 10'.

The first storage portion 13a' comprises a first carrier 14a' for supporting the first punch P1 within the housing 10'. Similarly, the second storage portion 13b' comprises a second carrier 14b' for supporting a second punch within the housing 10'. In this embodiment, the first 14a' and second carriers 14b' are arranged at fixed positions within the housing 10' and illustrated as clamps, which are configured to engage with and retain a punch P1 , P2, when inserted into the respective storage portion 13a', 13b'. In other embodiments, one or both storage carrier 14a', 14b' may be movable within the housing and/or may be different from clamps, such as resemble carriers 14a, 14b.

In FIG. 11 , a punch is illustrated in dotted lines within the second storage portion 13b' as would it be supported by the carrier 14b' to illustrate how a punch, such as the second punch P2, may be arranged in the storage portion 13b' and its carrier 14b'. The punch exchange device 1 ' further comprises a connecting portion for connecting the punch exchange device 1 ' to the turret 2 of the rotary tablet press so that the opening 104 of the housing 1 ' is aligned with an opening of a respective punch guide of the rotary tablet press turret 2. The housing 10' and connecting portion are configured to provide a connection between the punch exchange device 1 ' and turret 2 of the rotary tablet press so that the cavity, in a connected state of the punch exchange device 1 ' to the turret 2, is a contained volume. In Fig. 9, the punch exchange device T is shown in a connected state thereof to the turret 2.

The punch exchange device 1 ' differs from the punch exchange device 1 in that housing 10' comprises handling means in the form of a glove 17 as well as glove attachment portion 18, cover portion 19, and openings 1050 in side portions 105, 106 instead of the structure 11 , vent port 12, storage portions 13a, 13b, carriers 14a, 14b, carrier handling arrangement 15 of housing 10. Housing 10' is configured to store or encompass punches P1 and P2 in the cavity.

The housing 10' is configured to, at least in the connected state of the punch exchange device T, allow the punch P1 , P2 to be manually handled within the housing 10', such as extracted from and/or inserted into the punch guide of the rotary tablet press turret 2.

For instance, the second punch P2 may be removed from the punch guide of the turret 2, in which it is arranged, by means of a glove 4

The housing 10' is configured to allow the punch P1 , P2 to be manually handled, i.e. by hand, within the housing 10' while maintaining a containment of the contained volume.

The housing 10' is configured to allow the punch P1 , P2 to be manually handled within the housing by means glove 17. The glove 17 is configured to allow a hand of a user to grab a punch P1 , P2 via the glove 17. The glove 17 is configured to at least partly conform to a shape of a hand of a user.

The glove 17 comprises a finger portion 170 having five sections corresponding to a hand of a user, so that each finger of hand of a user may be in each section during use. In other embodiments, the glove 17 may have sections, such as two sections in a mitten-like arrangement.

The glove 17 may be made from any well-known glove-material, such as rubber, latex, neoprene, butyl, polyethylene, such as chlorosulfonated polyethylene, or the like. Preferably, the glove 17 is made from a material which fulfils the required criteria for containment.

The glove 17 is fixed to and fixably retained by the housing. The glove 17 is provided in the housing 10' in a manner similar to a glove box.

A portion of the glove 17 is fixed to and fixably retained by a portion of housing, namely side portion 106, by means of a sealing mounting member, in this embodiment illustrated as a flange 180. The glove 17 is fixed to and fixably retained by the housing 10' in a sealed manner.

The glove attachment portion 18 comprises attachment means 182, by means of which the flange 180 and the glove 17 are removably attached to the side portion 106. The attachment means 182 are in this embodiment illustrated as screws/bolts engaged with corresponding turns (not shown) provided in the side portion 106. In other embodiments, other attachment means may be provided with similar functions. In some embodiments a seal or gasket may be provided in between the flange 180 or a part thereof and the side portion 106.

The housing 10' comprises a further side portion 105 and top portion 107. Side portions 105, 106 and top portion 107 are rigid and comprise rigid material.

The side portion 105 of the housing 10' comprises an opening 1050. The housing 10' further comprises a cover 19, which is mounted to cover the opening 1050 of the side portion 105. The cover 19 is removably mounted to cover the opening 1050 by means of attachment means 190. The cover 19 is transparent. The attachment means 190 are in this embodiment illustrated as screws engaged with corresponding turns (not shown) provided in the side portion 105. In other embodiments, other attachment means may be provided with similar functions. In some embodiments a seal or gasket may be provided in between the cover 19 or a part thereof and the side portion 105.

In the embodiment shown in FIGs. 9 and 10, the housing 10', cover 19, glove 17, and glove attachment portion 18 are configured to, in a connected state of the punch exchange device 1 ' to the turret 2 of the rotary tablet press, provide a connection between the punch exchange device 1 ' and turret 2 of the rotary tablet press so that the cavity, in a connected state of the punch exchange device 1 ' to the turret 2, is a contained volume.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a system 3" according to the invention. The system 3" comprises a punch exchange device 1" and the turret 2 of a rotary tablet press. FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the system shown in FIG. 12, in which side portions 105', 106', 107' of the housing are shown as transparent and indicated by dashed lines from and FIG. 14 shows the perspective view from a different side. FIG. 15 shows a cross- sectional view of the embodiment of the system 3".

The punch exchange device 1" differs from the punch exchange device T in that punch exchange device 1" comprises a housing 10" with a glove 17' is provided in a top portion 107' of the housing 10" by means of glove attachment portion 18' instead of in the side portion 106 as in housing 10'. The housing 10" comprises side portion 106' having a transparent section 1060 instead of side portion 106 of housing 10'. Furthermore, the housing 10" comprises a side portion 105' without an opening instead of side portion 105 and cover 19 with attachment means 190 of the housing 10'.

The housing 10" comprises the glove 17'. The glove may be identical to glove 17, however arranged in the top portion 107' of the housing 10". The top portion 107' is configured to face upwards in a vertical direction in a connected state of the punch exchange device 1". In other embodiments, top portion 107' may be considered another side portion and need not necessarily face upwards. Similar to glove 17, the glove 17' comprises a finger portion 170.

As shown in FIGs. 13-15, the housing 10" comprises a first 13a ¹ and second storage portions 13b ¹ as described with respect to housing 10'. a first P1 and second punch P2 are arranged in the respective first 13a' and second 13b' storage portions and supported by the respective carriers 14a', 14b' thereof. In other embodiments, only one punch or no punch may be arranged within the housing 10". While housings 10', 10" are illustrated as comprising two storage portions 13a', 13b', it will be appreciated that other embodiments may comprise fewer or no storage portions or may comprise more storage portions, each or some thereof optionally comprising a respective carrier.

The glove attachment portion 18' similar to glove attachment portion 18 comprises a flange 180 and attachment means 182. The glove attachment portion 18' further comprises a support portion 184, to which the flange 180 is attached by means of the attachment means 182. The support portion is made from a rigid material, such as a same material as a side portion, for instance side portion 105', of the housing 10". The support portion 184 is attached to the top portion 107' by means of attachment means 186, illustrated in this embod- iment as screws 186 engaged with corresponding turns (not shown) in the top portion 107'. In other embodiments, other types of attachments means 186 may be provided and/or a gasket, seal or the like may be provided in between the flange 180 and support portion 184 and/or in between the support portion 184 and the top portion 107'. In some embodiments, the punch exchange devices T, 1" may comprise one or more of docking part 20, rails 110, vent port 12, connecting elements 16. Alternatively or additionally, the punch exchange devices T, 1" may comprise storage portions 13a, 13b instead of storage portions 13a ¹ , 13b ¹ .

List of Reference Numerals

1 Punch exchange device

1 ' Punch exchange device

1" Punch exchange device

2 Turret

3 System

3' System

3" System

4 ECM

10 Housing

10' Housing

10" Housing

11 Structure

12 Vent port

13a First storage portion

13a' First storage portion

13b Second storage portion

13b' Second storage portion

14a First carrier

14a' First carrier

14b Second carrier

14b' Second carrier

15 Carrier handling arrangement

16 Connecting elements

17 Glove

17' Glove

18 Glove attachment portion

19 Cover portion

20 Docking part

21 Punch guide

22 Centring portions

24 Opening 6 Connecting elements 00 Rigid portion 02 Transparent portion 04 Opening 05 Housing side portion 06 Housing side portion 06' Housing side portion 07 Housing top side portion 10 Rails

112 Handle means

140a Engagement portion

140b Engagement portion

150 Handle part

152 Recess

170 Finger portion

180 Flange portion

182 Attachment means

184 Support portion

186 Attachment means

190 Attachment means

1050 Opening portion

1060 Transparent portion

P Punch

P1 First punch

P2 Second punch