WO2016157212A2

WO2016157212A2 - Radial guide table section

Info

Publication number: WO2016157212A2
Application number: PCT/IN2016/000078
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anand Goldie
Original assignee: Anand Goldie
Priority date: 2015-03-28
Filing date: 2016-03-28
Publication date: 2016-10-06
Also published as: WO2016157212A3

Abstract

A table section for a capsule manufacturing machine includes two receiving tables, two sets of block chains, two bar lifters, four bar positioners, two radial guides and a bar pusher. The two receiving tables move in vertical reciprocating motion to receive pin bars and place them on to the two sets of block chains. The two bar lifters lifts each of the pin bar and places them adjacent to the two radial guides. The four bar positioners that are present below the two radial guides, drag the pin bars on to the two radial guides. The pin bars turn from a vertical position to a horizontal position as it covers a curvilinear path on the two radial guides. The bar pusher that is positioned above the two radial guides pushes the pin bars into an automatics section of the capsule manufacturing machine.

Description

RADIAL GUIDE TABLE SECTION

BACKGROUND

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a hard gelatin capsule manufacturing machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a table section of the hard gelatin capsule manufacturing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pharmaceutical capsules are typically made of gelatin, which is a thermo-gelling material. A hollow cap and a body shell are attached to each other to form a capsule. Conventional capsule manufacturing machines include a dipping section, a drying section, a table section, an automatics section, and a greaser section which work in conjunction to manufacture capsules.

Initially, a number of pin bars are immersed in a gelatin s.olution so that the gelatin solution sticks and takes the shape of the pins of the pin bars. The pin bars are of two types— one that takes the shape of the cap of the capsule and other that takes the shape of the body of the capsule. These pin bars are transported to the drying section with help of an elevating mechanism. The drying section has an upper deck kiln and a lower deck kiln for drying the gelatin that is accumulated on the pin bars. The dried pin bars enter the table section from the lower deck kiln by way of a conveyor belt. From the table section, each pin bar from cap side and body side are pushed into the automatics section. In the automatics section, the cap and body shells are stripped, trimmed and joined. The empty pin bars are then pushed to the greaser section where grease is applied on the pins of the pin bars to remove the residual particles of the gelatin present on them. It is well known in the art that a conventional capsule manufacturing machine has a table section as discussed above. FIG. 1 represents a block diagram 100 which illustrates various components of the table section for the conventional capsule manufacturing machine. The block diagram 100 represents movement of a pin bar through various components of the table section. In the conventional capsules manufacturing machine, a plurality of pin bars are pushed from the lower deck kiln upon a table 102 located on the table section. The table 102 is present below the lower deck kiln and it has to be lifted at every predefined time interval to a pre-determined height to receive the plurality of pin bars. After the table 102 receives the plurality of pin bars, it moves vertically downward to reach its original position. When the table 102 is lowered to its original position, the extreme edges of the plurality of pin bars come in contact with sprocket chains 104 that are positioned in parallel to each other on the table section so that one edge of the plurality of pm bars is in contact with one of the sprocket chains 104 and other edge of the plurality of pin bars is in contact with the other one of the sprocket chains 104. The rotation of the sprocket chains 104 results in the movement of the plurality of pin bars towards the center of the table section.

A vertically reciprocating movement of an elevating guiding member 106 aids in lifting of a single pin bar at any given time. When the pin bar is lifted, the pluralities of pin bars that are present on the table section are prevented from moving towards the center of the table section. The pin bar remains in upright position at all times during the vertically upward movement of the elevating guiding member 106. The elevating guiding member 106 has levers as well as lifting members that help in the lifting of the pin bars.

The existing table section in the art as the one described above has levers where forward ends of levers engage with pin bar that is being lifted and the rear ends of levers engage to the lifting members. The rear ends of levers are engaged with the lifting members in order to help the forward ends of the levers to lift and turn the pin bars to another position. The pin bars are then pushed into the automatics section with the help of a bar pusher 108. The bar pusher 108 operates on a rack and pinion mechanism and it has two members that push the pin bars (cap shaped and body shaped) into automatics section of the capsule manufacturing machine. Thus, when the elevating guiding member 106 lifts each pin bar so that the pin bar next in line to be lifted halts for some time until the lifted pin bar rotates vertically and the bar pusher 108 pushes it into the automatics section. It is a time consuming process, which hampers productivity 5 of the capsule manufacturing machine. Hence, there is need for a system that aids in the continuous motion of the plurality of pin bars without any time lag.

In all the existing table sections, the lifting movement of table 102 is due to a cam and roller mechanism. The table 102 often experiences jerks due to its vertical reciprocating motion. These

L0 jerks results in fall of the pin bars on the sprocket chains 104. Also, the existing table sections do not allow the change in the feed rate of the sprocket chains 104. The unguided pin bars stuck in between the sprocket chains 104 and result in breakage of it which in turn increases the down time of the capsule manufacturing machine. Thus, there is need for a table section that eliminates these jerks and also allows a user to set the feed rate of the sprocket chains 104 thereby

L5 increasing productivity of the capsule manufacturing machine.

The existing table sections are mechanical driven sections. So there is always a high chance of breakdown and also wear of mechanical parts. Moreover, back lashes disturb final motion of the pin bars and mechanical faults result in stoppage of the capsule manufacturing machine which in -0 turn reduces the productivity. The pin bars are not guided continuously in the existing table sections. The unguided pin bars fall of the table section which causes damage to the shells of capsule bodies and caps on the pins of the pin bars and it also results in human accidents. The capsule manufacturing machine speed cannot be increased because of the unguided pin bars.

25 In light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need for a table section that guides the motion of the pin bars continuously and also minimizes the time taken to feed the pin bars into the automatics section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

30 An object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the above mentioned table section used in a gelatin capsule manufacturing machine. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a table section of the gelatin capsule manufacturing machine includes two receiving tables, two sets of block chains, two bar lifters, four bar positioners, two radial guides 5 and a bar pusher. A first receiving table and a second receiving table receive a plurality of pin bars from a lower deck kiln of the capsule manufacturing machine. The first receiving table and the second receiving table move in a vertical reciprocating motion. The first receiving table and the second receiving table place the plurality of pin bars on a first set of block chains and a second set of block chains of the table section.

-0

The first set of block chains and the second set of block chains rotate in anti-clock wise and clock wise direction respectively and due to friction between the both the block chains and the plurality of pin bars, the plurality of pin bars move towards center of the table section. A first bar lifter and a second bar lifter which are present at the end of the first set of block chains and the

L5 second set of block chains, lift a single pin bar at a time due to their vertically reciprocating movement. A first set of bar positioners and a second set of bar positioners reciprocate horizontally and this horizontal motion of the first and second bar positioner helps in dragging the plurality of pin bars on to a first radial guide and a second radial guide respectively. The first radial guide and the second radial guide help to guide the plurality of pin bars on a curvilinear

10 path where they shift from vertical position to horizontal position. A bar pusher is placed above the first radial guide and the second radial guide to push the plurality of pin bars into an automatics section of the capsule manufacturing machine.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first receiving table and the second receiving .5 table move in a horizontal direction. This movement helps to increase the length of the table section so that it can accommodate more plurality of pin bars.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

SO The invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings and examples. Such discussion is for purposes of illustration only. Modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention, set forth in the appended claims, will be readily apparent to one of skill in the art. Terminology used throughout the specification and claims herein is given its ordinary meaning except as more specifically defined: Fig. 1 represents a block diagram of various components of a table section for a conventional capsule manufacturing machine according to an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 2 represents a block diagram of various components of the table section for the capsule manufacturing machine, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 3 represents a schematic representation of the table section for the capsule manufacturing machine, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "an article" may include a plurality of articles unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the Figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, in order to improve the understanding of the present invention! There may be additional components described in the foregoing application that are not depicted on one of the described drawings. In the event such a component is described, but not depicted in a drawing, the absence of such a drawing should not be considered as an omission of such design from the specification. Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of system components which constitutes a radial guide table section for a capsule manufacturing machine. Accordingly, the components and the method steps have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a block diagram 200 which illustrates various components of a table section used in the capsule manufacturing machine. The block diagram 200 represents the movement of a plurality of pin bars through various components of the table section. The capsule manufacturing machine consists of two parts substantially alike and operating in conjunction with and in parallel to each other. One of these parts produces a capsule body and the other produces a capsule cap. The body and the cap are then joined together to form a complete capsule, which is delivered from the capsule manufacturing machine. It will be understood that the two parts of the machine are placed adjacent to each other so that their operations are simultaneous. Only one of these is described in detail in FIG.2. A receiving table 202 receives the plurality of pin bars from a lower deck kiln (not shown) of the capsule manufacturing machine. The receiving table 202 moves vertically upward and downward to collect and place the plurality of pin bars on to the table section. The receiving table places the plurality of pin bars on a couple of block chains 204 that are positioned in parallel and separated by a predefined distance. The edges of the plurality of pin bars touch the upper side of the two block chains 204 and due to the friction, the plurality of pin bars move towards the center of the table section. A bar lifter 206 collects each of the plurality of pin bars at a time and lifts it to a position which is just above a radial guide 210. A first set of bar positioners 208 is positioned just below the radial guide 210 so as to push each of the plurality of pin bars received by the bar lifter 206 on to the radial guide 210. The radial guide 210 guides each of the plurality of pin bars and due to curvilinear path of the radial guide 210, the each of the plurality of pin bars turns from a vertical position to a horizontal position. A bar pusher 212 is positioned just above the radial guide 21 0 to push the each of the plurality of pin bars into an automatics section of the capsule 5 manufacturing machine. The bar pusher 212 moves in a horizontal reciprocating motion and it includes pushing members to push each of the plurality of pin bars into the automatics section of the capsule manufacturing machine. It should be appreciated that the terms plurality of pin bars and pin bars can be interchangeably used in the current disclosure.

L0 Referring now to FIG. 3 which is a schematic representation of the above mentioned process in Fig. 2 illustrates the table section 300 of the capsule manufacturing machine. The table section 300 includes a first receiving table 302, a second receiving table 304, a first set of block chains 306, a second set of block chains 308, a first bar lifter 310, a second bar lifter 312, a first set of bar positioners 314, a second set of bar positioners 3 1 6, a first rail guide 318, a second rail guide

L5 320 and a bar pusher 322.

In the capsule manufacturing machine, the movement of the plurality of pin bars is segregated into two paths - one which eventually produces the caps and other which eventually produces the body of the capsules. The plurality of pm bars are dipped in a gelatin bath of a dipping 10 section and then transported through conveyors on to a drying section. The drying section has an upper deck kiln and a lower deck kiln. The plurality of pin bars move from the upper deck kiln to the lower deck kiln through an elevator table.

Initially, the first receiving table 302 and the second receiving table 304 move vertically upward IS so that it comes in alignment with the lower deck kiln (not shown) to receive the plurality of pin bars. The lower deck kiln (not shown) pushes the plurality of pin bars at a predetermined time on to the first receiving table 302 and the second receiving table 304. When the plurality of pin bars are being collected by the first receiving table 302 and the second receiving table 304, both the receiving tables (302, 304) move vertically downward to their initial position on the table section iO 300. In one embodiment, the initial position is the position when the receiving tables (302, 304) are in contact with the table section 300. In an embodiment, both the first receiving table 302 and the second receiving table 304 move in horizontal direction. The horizontal movement allows the table section 300 to increase its length so that it can accommodate more number of pin bars at any given time. When the first receiving table 302 and second receiving table 304 reach their initial position on the table section 300, the base of the plurality of pin bars come in contact with the a first set of block chains 306 and a second set of block chains 308. The base of the plurality of pin bars rest on the first set of block chains 306 and the second set of block chains 308 and due to friction between the plurality of pin bars and the block chains (306, 308) the plurality of pin bars move on the table section 300. The first set of block chains 306 and the second set of block chains 308 rotate in anti-clock wise direction and clock wise direction respectively, thereby directing the pin bars to the center of the table section 300.

Each of the first set of block chains 306 and the second set of block chains 308 includes two block chains which are separated by a distance that is nearly equal to the width of the table section 300. The first set of block chains 306 and the second set of block chains 308 feed the plurality of pin bars towards the center of the table section 300. In one embodiment, the first set of block chains 306 feed the plurality of pin bars to the first bar lifter 310 and second set of block chains 308 feed the plurality of pin bars to the second bar lifter 312.

In an embodiment, the first set of block chains 306 and the second set of block chains 308 are operated by an induction motor with variable frequency drive. This helps to achieve required feed rate thereby increasing operating speed of the capsule manufacturing machine. In another embodiment, the first set of block chains 306 and second set of block chains 308 run by servo motor with a variable frequency drive.

The first set of block chains 306 and the second set of block chains 308 feed the plurality of pin bars continuously towards the center of the table section 300 where the first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter 312 are present. Further, the plurality of pin bars moving away from the first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter 312 is blocked by blocking members (not shown) that are present next to the first bar lifter 310 and second bar lifter 312. The first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter 312 are well positioned to receive one pin bar at any given time. The first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter 312 each lift a single pin bar periodically. When the first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter 312 move vertically upward, the movement of the rest of the plurality of pin bars present adjacent to the lifted pin bar on the table section 300 is blocked by 5 lifting rods of the first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter 312. When the first bar lifter 310 and second bar lifter 312 move vertically downward and reaches their initial position, the pin bar next in line to the lifted pin bar moves forward and takes the place of the lifted pin bar. Thus, a void is created for the movement of the plurality of pin bars on the first set of block chains 306 and the second set of block chains 308.

L0

The first set of block chains 306 and the second set of block chains 308 rotate continuously which in turn set the motion for the plurality of pin bars., the movement of plurality of pin bars present on the first set of chains 306 and the second set of block chains 308 which are next in line to be lifted is restricted due to the presence of the blocking members and the lifting rods of L5 the first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter 312. The main function of the first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter 312 is to lift the pin bars and place them just above the first radial guide 318 and the second radial guide 320. In an embodiment, the first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter 312 work on a rack and pinion mechanism. In another embodiment, the first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter 312 work on a ball and screw mechanism.

10

The first set of bar positioners 314 and the second set of bar positioners 316 are positioned below the first radial guide 318 and the second radial guide 320 respectively. The first set of bar positioners 314 and the second set of bar positioners 316 drag each of the plurality of the pin bars on to the first radial guide 318 and the second radial guide 320 respectively. The first set of bar

IS positioners 314 and the second set of bar positioners 316 move horizontally back and forth in a reciprocating motion to guide the pin bars on to the first radial guide 318 and the second radial guide 320 respectively. Both the first set of bar positioners 314 and the second set of bar positioners 316 stay in their initial positions until the first bar lifter 310 and second bar lifter 312 lift a pin bar. In one embodiment, the initial position is besides the start point of the first radial

30 guide 318 and the second radial guide 320. In an embodiment, the first set of bar positioners 314 and the second set of bar positioners 316 work on the rack and pinion mechanism. In another embodiment, each of the first and second sets of bar positioners 314 and 316 work on a single and two rack pinions.

The first radial guide 318 and the second radial guide 320 are two guiding means to guide the 5 plurality of pin bars towards the top of the table section 300. Further, the design of the first radial guide 318 and second radial guide 320 is curvilinear such that the plurality of pin bars turn from vertical position to horizontal position as it approaches the top of the table section 300. The vertical position of pin bar is defined as a position where studs or pins of pin bar are vertical to the ground surface. The horizontal position of pin bars is defined as the position where the studs .0 or pins of pin bar are horizontal to the ground surface. The first radial guide 318 and the second radial guide 320 have guide paths where the extreme ends of the plurality of pin bars can fit in, so that the plurality of pin bars move along the curvilinear path. The plurality of pin bars move continuously on the first rail guide 318 and the second radial guide 320 without any time lag. The plurality of pin bars is guided throughout the table section 300.

.5

The first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter move vertically upward in a first vertical guide path (not shown) and a second vertical guide path (not shown) with a single pin bar each and places them above the first radial guide 318 and the second radial guide 320 respectively. The first vertical guide path (not shown) is a path that guides the single pin bar above the first radial

!0 guide 318 by the first bar lifter 310. The second vertical guide path (not shown) is a path that guides the single pin bar above the second radial guide 320 by the second bar lifter 312. The first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter 312 start their downward movement only when each of the pin bars carried by the first bar lifter 310 and the second bar lifter 312 reach the end of the first vertical guide path (not shown) and the second vertical guide path (not shown). The length of the

!5 first and second bar lifters (310 and 312) is such that there is space for the first and second sets of bar positioners to move from the initial position. When the first bar lifter 310 reaches end of its upward movement, then the first set of bar positioners 314 moves from its initial position horizontally so that the single pin bar on the first bar lifter 310 rests on it. Once the single pin bar rests on the first set of bar positioners 314, the first bar lifter 310 starts its downward movement0 and the first set of bar positioners 314 starts horizontal movement to guide the pin bar towards the first radial guide 318. When the second bar lifter 312 reaches a position which is below the start point of the second radial guide 320 in its vertically downward movement, then the second set of bar positioners 316 moves out of its initial position. The second set of bar positioners 316 moves horizontally so that the single pin bar that is moving vertically downward rest on it. Once the pin bar rests on the second set of bar positioners 316, it starts its horizontal movement to

5 guide the pin bar towards the second radial guide 320. As the process is continuous, both the pin bars that are being pushed by first set of bar positioners 314 and the second set of bar positioners 316 push the adjacent pin bars that are already present on the first radial guide 318 and second radial guide 320 respectively. Thus, the pin bars reach the top of the first radial guide 318 and the second radial guide 320 and they turn form vertical position to horizontal position as it travels in

L0 the curvilinear path of the radial guides (318 and 320).

When the single pin bar in vertical position from each of the first radial guide 318 and the second radial guide 320 reach at the top, the bar pusher 322 that is positioned just above the first radial guide 318 and the second radial guide 320 pushes both the pin bars into an automatics section L5 (not shown) of the capsule manufacturing machine. The bar pusher 322 moves in a horizontal reciprocating motion and provides the sliding movement to both the pin bars that are being pushed on top of the first radial guide 318 and the second radial guide 320. Both the pin bars are positioned in such that they face each other thereby resulting in the simultaneous formation of the capsule body and the capsule cap.

10

The bar pusher 322 has two pushing members and a longitudinal rod. The pushing members come in contact with both of the pin bars that are received from the first radial guide 318 and the second radial guide 320, thereby guiding them to the automatic section of the capsule manufacturing machine. The longitudinal rod helps in guiding the movement of pushing 25 members of the bar pusher 322. In the horizontally forward movement of the bar pusher 322, the pushing members push the two pin bars into the automatics section which creates a space for the pin bars next in line. In an embodiment, the bar pusher 322 works on the ball and screw mechanism to push pin bars. In another embodiment, the bar pusher 322 works on the rack and pinion mechanism to push the pin bars.

30 In an embodiment, elements of the table section 300 are made up of carbon steel. In another embodiment, the elements of the table section 300 are made up of an alloy steel. In an embodiment, the table section 300 is a servo driven section. All the components of the table section are driven by individual servo motors. This results in effective operation of the capsule manufacturing machine without any breakdowns. In the capsule manufacturing machine, both cap and body shells are formed on pin bars simultaneously. Both the cap and body shells are joined together in the automatics section to form the capsule. In the capsule manufacturing machine, two sets of rows of pin bars move continuously where the first set of rows of pin bars form the body shells of the capsule and the second set of rows of pin bars form the cap shells of the capsule.

The present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Although selected embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail, it may be understood that various substitutions and alterations are possible. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings may recognize additional various substitutions and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and as defined by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A table section for a capsule manufacturing machine, the table section comprising: at least one receiving table for receiving a plurality of pin bars from a lower deck kiln; at least one set of block chains for facilitating the movement of the plurality of pin bars, wherein the at least one set of block chains receive the plurality of pin bars from the at least one receiving table; at least one bar lifter for lifting each of the plurality of pin bars from the at least one set of block chains to a pre-determined height; and at least one radial guide for receiving the plurality of pin bars from the at least one bar lifter, wherein the at least one radial guide facilitates the movement of the plurality of pin bars in a continuous curvilinear path.

2. The table section of claim 1 further comprising at least one set of bar positioners for guiding each of the plurality of pin bars from the at least one bar lifter to the at least one radial guide.

3. The table section of claim 1 further comprising at least one bar pusher for providing a longitudinal movement to each of the plurality of pin bars received from the at least one radial guide.

4. A table section for a capsule manufacturing machine, the table section comprising: first and second receiving tables for receiving a plurality of pin bars in a first position from a lower deck kiln; first and second sets of block chains for facilitating the movement of the first plurality of pin bars, wherein the first set of block chains and the second set of block chains receive the first plurality of pin bars from the first receiving table and the second receiving table respectively; first and second bar lifters for lifting each of the first plurality of pin bars from the first set of block chains and the second set of block chains respectively to a pre-determined height; and first and second radial guides for receiving each of the first plurality of pin bars from the first bar lifter and the second bar lifter respectively, wherein the first and the second radial guides facilitate the movement of the plurality of pin bars in a continuous curvilinear path.

The table section of claim 4 further comprising first and second sets of bar positioners for guiding each of the first plurality of pin bars from the first and the second bar lifters to the first and the second radial guides respectively.

The table section of claim 4 further comprising a bar pusher for providing a longitudinal movement to each of the first plurality of pin bars received from the first and the second radial guides.

The table section of claim 4, wherein the first and the second bar lifters reciprocate vertically.

The table section of claim 4, wherein the first and second sets of bar positioners reciprocate horizontally.

The table section of claim 4, wherein the first and the second receiving tables move vertically.

10. The table section of claim 4, wherein the first set of block chains rotates in a first direction and the second set of block chains rotates in a second direction, wherein the first and the second directions are opposite to each other.