EP1553910B1 - A capsule filling machine - Google Patents

A capsule filling machine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1553910B1
EP1553910B1 EP03784408A EP03784408A EP1553910B1 EP 1553910 B1 EP1553910 B1 EP 1553910B1 EP 03784408 A EP03784408 A EP 03784408A EP 03784408 A EP03784408 A EP 03784408A EP 1553910 B1 EP1553910 B1 EP 1553910B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
capsule
operating position
nozzle
seats
filling machine
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP03784408A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1553910A1 (en
Inventor
Roberto Trebbi
Enrico Zerbinati
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Original Assignee
IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA filed Critical IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Publication of EP1553910A1 publication Critical patent/EP1553910A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1553910B1 publication Critical patent/EP1553910B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/06—Separating single articles from loose masses of articles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J3/00—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms
    • A61J3/07—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use
    • A61J3/071—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use into the form of telescopically engaged two-piece capsules
    • A61J3/074—Filling capsules; Related operations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B37/00—Supplying or feeding fluent-solid, plastic, or liquid material, or loose masses of small articles, to be packaged
    • B65B37/14—Supplying or feeding fluent-solid, plastic, or liquid material, or loose masses of small articles, to be packaged by pneumatic feeders
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B37/00—Supplying or feeding fluent-solid, plastic, or liquid material, or loose masses of small articles, to be packaged
    • B65B37/16—Separating measured quantities from supply

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a capsule filling machine for the production of hard gelatin capsules containing pharmaceutical material.
  • the pharmaceutical material in the hard gelatin capsules of the type with a capsule lid and a capsule body to which the present invention advantageously refers is in the form of particles, that is to say, micro-tablets or pellets.
  • a capsule filling machine of the known type currently used basically comprises a central turret or carrousel rotating with discontinuous or stepping motion and equipped with a plurality of operating units located along the edge of the turret and driven by the turret by means of reciprocating drive parts. See for example WO 01/70171 .
  • Each operating unit on the turret comprises a slide supporting element for holding one or more capsules to be carried to a plurality of work stations in which successive operating steps take place, in accordance with a known method. For example, closed capsule feed and angled positioning, subsequent opening of each capsule, that is to say, separation of the capsule body from the capsule lid, feeding a quantity of pharmaceutical material into the capsule body, then closing each capsule body with the relative capsule lid and, finally, discharge of the closed filled capsule obtained in this way.
  • dosing units of known type each comprising a hollow punch which forms a cylinder and houses a piston (normally pneumatically driven), pick up the pharmaceutical material by lowering the cylinder into a tank containing the material which is attached to the turret, together with an upward movement of the piston to allow dosing, that is to say, to allow the pharmaceutical material to be held in the cylinder previously immersed in the tank.
  • the cylinder is then lifted out of the tank and, after a scraping or brushing step to remove any excess micro-tablets, the piston downstroke is activated to push the product, dosed according to the volume of the cylindrical chamber, into the capsule body, aligned in succession with the corresponding cylinder.
  • the above-mentioned dosing units are used for efficient, precision dosing of pharmaceutical material in powder form, whilst if capsules are to be filled with particulate material such as micro-tablets or pellets, dosing is not as precise.
  • the piston can pick up precise and constant volumes of powdered pharmaceutical material in the hollow cylinder, in the case of micro-tablets, the piston cannot exert sufficient pick up force on the micro-tablets to guarantee a given and constant number of micro-tablets which will then be released into each capsule body.
  • the aim of the present invention is to produce a capsule filling machine which can overcome the above-mentioned disadvantage of the prior art.
  • the aim of the present invention is to produce a capsule filling machine which guarantees high precision dosing.
  • Another aim of the present invention is to propose a capsule filling machine which, together with the above-mentioned precision dosing, continues to guarantee the reliability, productivity and safety levels required of such machines, as well as the production speed typical of current capsule filling machine, in particular of high productivity continuous-motion capsule filling machines.
  • the present invention provides a capsule filling machine for the production of hard gelatin capsules of the type with a capsule lid and a capsule body containing particles of pharmaceutical material, in particular micro-tablets or pellets, the machine comprising a first rotary carrousel, which supports a plurality of slide units for picking up and handling the capsules in order to open then close the capsules by separating then joining the capsule lids and the capsule bodies; a second carrousel, which rotates in such a way that it is synchronised with the first carousel, having a plurality of reciprocating doser means moving between a first operating position in which the doser means are designed to pick up pharmaceutical material from a tank containing the material which is attached to the machine and a second operating position in which they release the material into the capsule bodies.
  • the machine is characterised in that the doser means each comprise a hollow nozzle with a plurality of seats on its edge for picking up and holding the particulate pharmaceutical material, each seat communicating with pneumatic means.
  • the pneumatic means comprise pneumatic vacuum means which, in the first operating position, suck up and hold individual particles of the pharmaceutical material in respective seats of the nozzle, and pressurised pneumatic means which generate a flow that discharges the particles from the seats in the second operating position to allow the above-mentioned release of material into the capsule bodies.
  • the capsule filling machine disclosed labelled 10 as a whole, is used for filling capsules C of the known type with a capsule lid and a capsule body, labelled 13 and 14 respectively, with given quantities of particles 12 of pharmaceutical material, specifically pharmaceutical micro-tables 12 or pellets.
  • the capsule filling machine 10 comprises a first carrousel rotating about a vertical axis Z in the direction indicated by the arrow L and having radial arms 2a, 2b supporting a plurality of slide units 3 for picking up capsule bodies 14 of capsules C and moving them in a horizontal direction, and a tank 11 with a known, substantially toroidal shape, located at the base of the capsule filling machine 10 and designed to hold a mass of micro-tablets 12 supplied from a feed hopper 30.
  • the machine 10 also comprises a second carrousel 4 ( Figure 2 ), also rotating about the vertical axis Z, again in the direction indicated by arrow L in Figure 1 and synchronised with the first rotary carrousel 2.
  • the carrousel 4 is equipped with a plurality of micro-tablet 12 doser means 21.
  • the doser means 21 are mobile in a vertical direction parallel with the axis Z alternatively between a first, pick up operating position ( Figures 2 and 6 ), in which the means 21 are inside the tank 11 containing the micro-tablets 12 for picking up quantities consisting of a given number of individual micro-tablets 12 and, a second operating position for releasing the quantities of micro-tablets 12 into the capsule body 14 of a capsule C ( Figure 3 ).
  • the first rotary carrousel 2 picks up the capsules C from an upper hopper (of the known type and not illustrated), containing the empty capsules C, then the capsules C are individually placed in the pick up means 3, each of the means comprising two bushings 15 and 17 for angling and guiding the capsules C.
  • Each capsule C is handled in successive operating steps consisting of capsule C opening by separating the capsule lid 13 from the relative capsule body 14, filling the capsule body 14 with a quantity of micro-tablets 12 by means of the dosers 21, closing the capsule body 14 with the capsule lid 13 and, finally, discharge of the finished capsule C from the capsule filling machine 10 at an outfeed and unloading zone S ( Figure 1 ).
  • each of the doser means 21 comprises a cylindrical rod 20 with a free end 20a having a plurality of seats or openings 25 on the edge, for picking up and holding individual micro-tablets 12.
  • Each of the openings 25 on the edge is also controlled by pneumatic means 24 ( Figure 2 ), specifically first pneumatic means for generating a vacuum and second pneumatic means for generating a pressurised air jet.
  • the first means are designed so that, in the first operating position, they pick up by suction a given number of micro-tablets 12 held in corresponding openings 25 on the edge, whilst the second means are designed so that, in the second operating position, they discharge and release the micro-tablets 12 into a capsule body 14 thanks to a pneumatic thrust coming out of the openings 25.
  • each opening 25 preferably has dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the micro-tablets 12 contained in the tank 11. In this way, positioning and holding the individual micro-tablet 12 at the opening 25 results in precision sealed closing of the opening 25.
  • each opening 25 is preferably circular in shape, so that it forms a cylindrical cavity communicating with the pneumatic means 24 through pipes 27.
  • the openings 25 on the edge are arranged in such a way that they are separated by angular spaces which are equal and relative to a longitudinal axis Z' of the cylindrical rod 20. They are arranged in two or more adjacent horizontal planes.
  • the angular spaces separating the openings preferably have an angle ⁇ of around 120° between one opening 25 on the edge and the next.
  • the pneumatic means 24 also comprise a central channel, inside the cylindrical rod 20, for the circulation of air, whether pressurised or forming a vacuum, to the openings 25 on the edge by means of the pipes 27.
  • the above-mentioned free pick up end 20a consists of a nozzle 22 with a tubular body whose central cylindrical cavity 23 has a constriction at the end, designed to form the central channel for the passage of air forming a vacuum.
  • the top of the nozzle 22 with the tubular body is, in turn, attached to a vertical hollow rod, forming the cylindrical rod 20, by a connecting zone 26.
  • the hollow rod 20 is connected to selection valve means 50 controlling the pneumatic means 24.
  • the selection valve means 50 are preferably located on the second carrousel 4 and connect the suction means to the openings 25 in the first, pick up operating position illustrated in Figure 2 , that is to say, with the nozzle 22 immersed in the mass of micro-tablets 12 contained in the tank 11 and, alternatively, switch to the connection between the openings 25 and the pressurised air means 24b, in the second operating position in which the micro-tablets 12 are released in to the capsule body 14 by pneumatic discharge of the micro-tablets 12.
  • the arm 2a of the first carrousel 2 ( Figures 2 and 3 ) has a chamber 19 which is substantially funnel-shaped, designed to engage with the nozzle 22 in the second, release operating position, allowing and facilitating micro-tablet 12 infeed into the capsule body 14.
  • the capsule filling machine 10 automatically performs all of the guided capsule C filling operations, according to the successive steps of opening, filling, closing and, finally, discharge from the machine 10.
  • the filling step is performed by means of an operation whereby a predetermined number of micro-tablets 12 is picked up from the tank 11.
  • the rod 20 is then lifted in the known way to the position illustrated in Figure 3 , and the bushing 17 with the capsule body 14 is moved horizontally to bring the capsule body precisely into position below the funnel-shaped chamber 19.
  • the selection valve means 50 switch the hollow rod 20 connection from the suction means 24a to the pressurised air means 24b.
  • the machine described above achieves the preset aims thanks to a simple feed nozzle structure which allows precise dosing of the number of micro-tablets to be inserted in the capsules.
  • optimum dosing results were obtained with a number of openings 25 for each nozzle 22, and therefore, a number of micro-tablets 12, varying between thirteen and thirty.
  • the precise and constant number of micro-tablets 12 which fills the capsule body 14 of each capsule C is precisely determined by the number of openings 25 in the nozzle 22, since a single micro-tablet 12 is held by suction in each opening 25.
  • varying the number of openings in the pick up means varies the number, and therefore the dosage, of the micro-tablets.
  • the dimensions of the openings may vary, as may the profile of the cavities formed by the openings in the nozzle body.
  • the number of openings distributed in each plane and, therefore, their angular distribution may also vary.
  • the nozzle body including the connecting zone and the lower channel.
  • the pneumatic means for suction and pressurised air connected to the hollow rod may be of various types and powers, depending on the applications.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
  • Formation And Processing Of Food Products (AREA)
  • Eye Examination Apparatus (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
EP03784408A 2002-08-08 2003-08-04 A capsule filling machine Expired - Lifetime EP1553910B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITBO20020525 2002-08-08
IT000525A ITBO20020525A1 (it) 2002-08-08 2002-08-08 Macchina opercolatrice.
PCT/IB2003/003566 WO2004014286A1 (en) 2002-08-08 2003-08-04 A capsule filling machine

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1553910A1 EP1553910A1 (en) 2005-07-20
EP1553910B1 true EP1553910B1 (en) 2008-04-09

Family

ID=31503930

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03784408A Expired - Lifetime EP1553910B1 (en) 2002-08-08 2003-08-04 A capsule filling machine

Country Status (12)

Country Link
US (1) US20060064943A1 (enExample)
EP (1) EP1553910B1 (enExample)
JP (1) JP2005535375A (enExample)
KR (1) KR20050027273A (enExample)
CN (1) CN100404014C (enExample)
AT (1) ATE391483T1 (enExample)
AU (1) AU2003250486A1 (enExample)
BR (1) BR0305676A (enExample)
DE (1) DE60320289T2 (enExample)
ES (1) ES2304540T3 (enExample)
IT (1) ITBO20020525A1 (enExample)
WO (1) WO2004014286A1 (enExample)

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITBO20050791A1 (it) * 2005-12-23 2007-06-24 Mg 2 Srl Macchina per il dosaggio di microcompresse
CN101134001B (zh) * 2007-10-22 2012-09-19 湖南千山制药机械股份有限公司 向胶囊内定量填充片剂的装置和方法
MX363959B (es) 2011-10-06 2019-04-09 Combocap Inc Un metodo y aparato para fabricar una capsula.
WO2014074797A1 (en) * 2012-11-09 2014-05-15 Civitas Therapeutics, Inc. Ultra low density pulmonary powders
US9456987B2 (en) 2013-04-03 2016-10-04 Binutra, Inc. Capsule with internal diaphragm
KR101391185B1 (ko) * 2013-05-29 2014-05-27 주식회사 이수이엔지 스틱 파우치용 저점도 충전노즐이 장착된 포장장치
US10071021B2 (en) * 2015-05-19 2018-09-11 Maxocap Corporation Capsule filling systems and methods of using a capsule filling system
ES2742148T3 (es) * 2015-07-18 2020-02-13 Hoefliger Harro Verpackung Procedimiento y dispositivo para la separación y la transferencia de gránulos
ITUA20163077A1 (it) 2016-05-02 2017-11-02 Mg 2 Srl Gruppo di alimentazione per il dosaggio di granuli, in particolare microgranuli, in capsule
IT201900012504A1 (it) * 2019-07-22 2021-01-22 Ima Spa Macchina e metodo per riempire capsule.
CN113287778A (zh) * 2021-05-31 2021-08-24 东莞市沃德精密机械有限公司 垂直连续灌装装置
US20240238162A1 (en) * 2021-08-27 2024-07-18 Multiply Labs Inc. System, method, and apparatus facilitating assembly of a capsule
JP2025503003A (ja) * 2022-01-19 2025-01-30 キャプシュゲル・ベルジウム・エヌ・ヴィ 固体粒子材料を投与するためのデバイス
CN117297974A (zh) * 2023-10-16 2023-12-29 江苏亚邦强生药业有限公司 一种胶囊自动填充机

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2050885C3 (de) * 1969-10-21 1974-02-28 Fratelli Zanasi S.P.A., Ozzano Emilia, Bologna (Italien) Verfahren zur Dosierung von pulverformigen Stoffen mit Hilfe eines Stechheberdosiergeräts
CN2079506U (zh) * 1990-11-23 1991-06-26 杨运禄 半自动胶囊填充器
CN2237450Y (zh) * 1995-07-18 1996-10-16 郑杰 胶囊填充组合装置
WO2001070171A1 (en) * 2000-03-22 2001-09-27 B.L. Macchine Automatiche Spa Capsules filling machine to pack powder, herbs, microgranules, pellets
US6363801B1 (en) * 2000-04-26 2002-04-02 General Electric Company Apparatus and process for selecting and positioning particles
DE10027008B4 (de) * 2000-05-31 2016-12-29 Robert Bosch Gmbh Dosiervorrichtung
US6357490B1 (en) * 2000-08-22 2002-03-19 Advanced Inhalation Research, Inc. System, method and apparatus for filling containers
US6745546B2 (en) * 2001-11-02 2004-06-08 R.P. Scherer Technologies, Inc. Encapsulation machine with valved injection wedge

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60320289D1 (de) 2008-05-21
CN1674854A (zh) 2005-09-28
AU2003250486A1 (en) 2004-02-25
DE60320289T2 (de) 2009-07-16
WO2004014286A1 (en) 2004-02-19
ITBO20020525A1 (it) 2004-02-09
BR0305676A (pt) 2004-10-19
EP1553910A1 (en) 2005-07-20
KR20050027273A (ko) 2005-03-18
CN100404014C (zh) 2008-07-23
JP2005535375A (ja) 2005-11-24
ES2304540T3 (es) 2008-10-16
US20060064943A1 (en) 2006-03-30
ATE391483T1 (de) 2008-04-15

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