System, assembly and method for separating a flow of tablets compacted by a compacting device

An assembly for separating tablets compacted by a compacting device comprising a plurality of separating systems for separating tablets and being positioned in series and/or in parallel and being interconnected by conveying devices;

• each separating system comprising:
• an input line configured to recover a flow of tablets at an output of the compacting device;
• two output lines to eject tablets from the separating system;
• a device for accumulating tablets positioned between the input line and the output lines and configured for a periodic accumulation of a given number of tablets, the accumulating device comprising a line for accumulating tablets and an assembly for regulating flow of tablets, the assembly for regulating flow of tablets comprising a member for retaining the tablets to allow accumulation of the tablets in the accumulating line, and a member for pushing the tablets to forcibly eject the accumulated tablets from the accumulating line;
• a conveying surface placed under the accumulating line and to accompany displacement of the tablets of the input line in a direction of the output lines;
• a routing device to direct a flow of tablets coming from the input line in the direction of one or the other of the output lines.

A method for separating a flow of tablets which have been compacted by a compacting device, the method comprising the following steps:

• A. recovering in an input line a flow of tablets at an output of a compacting device;
• B. accumulating, in an accumulating line, tablets coming from the input line;
• C. once a given number of tablets has been accumulated in the accumulating line:
• C1. blocking the tablets in the input line to stop the flow of tablets entering the accumulating line;
• C2. starting a forced ejection of the accumulated tablets of the accumulating line in a direction of a first output line at an ejection speed greater than a speed of conveying of the tablets through the accumulating line;
• D. once the forced ejection of the tablets of step C2 has begun, unblocking the tablets accumulated in the input line so that the tablets accumulate in the accumulating line;
• E. once a given number of tablets has been accumulated in the accumulating line:
• E1. blocking the tablets in the input line in order to stop the flow of tablets entering the accumulating line;
• E2. starting a forced ejection of the accumulated tablets of the accumulating line in a direction of a second output line;
• F. once the forced ejection of the tablets in step E2 has started, unblocking the tablets accumulated in the input line so that the tablets accumulate in the accumulating line, and starting steps C to F again.