FR2550941A1 - - Google Patents

Abstract

A PROCESS FOR SELF-SEALING THE TWO HALVES OF SNAP-ON CAPSULES MADE OF MATERIALS SUCH AS RIGID GELATIN OR OTHER THERMOPLASTICS, INVOLVING TO GRIP THE TWO PARTS, DECLUT THEM PARTIALLY, BOND AT LEAST ONE PART OF THE CAPSULES. DEBLOCKED REGION, AND TO ENLOCK THE TWO PARTS AGAIN WHILE WELDING THEM BY ROTATION. AN APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT THE PROCESS, AS WELL AS SEVERAL VARIANTS, ARE ALSO DESCRIBED.

Description

The present invention generally relates to methods and a

  apparatus for sealing drug capsules, and more particularly relates to methods and apparatus for rotatively welding the elements of a rigid gelatin capsule to form sealed consumer articles to resist fraud and to make it obvious. The present invention also relates to capsules of

  and more particularly to rigidly rotatably rigid gelatin capsule elements to form sealed consumer articles to resist fraud and make it obvious.

  Conventional methods of packaging consumer powdered products such as aspirin, headache and cold medicine, include the packaging of individual doses of these medicinal compounds into tubular capsule capsules made of rigid gelatin. Each of these capsules contains a dose of the drug in question, and consists of an upper tubular element that is slipped, with a relatively tight fit, onto a lower tubular element containing the medicinal compound. Experience has shown that conventional capsules are highly susceptible to public alterations when exposed on retailers' shelves The conventional means for preventing such alterations involves the use of elaborate closures for drug vials Unfortunately, most if not all of these vial closures so-called anti-fraud can Even if the fermetu25 res are difficult to overcome, it remains that after opening the bottle, its contents are still not protected from tampering by people with access to the bottle For example, in hospitals public health centers, school clinics and other places where the public has access to such medicines, closures

  anti-fraud bottles do not prevent tampering after the bottle has been opened.

  The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the known means of preventing the alterations of drugs, by describing an apparatus for sealing each individual drug capsule The closure of each capsule is an integral closure strong enough for

  It is necessary to destroy the capsule to access its contents. Such destruction clearly shows to a subsequent user that the capsule has been altered.

  The present invention describes means for sealing together the two nested ends of individual capsules containing powdered medicinal compounds. The invention is achieved by a system combining a jet of steam and a rotational weld, which makes it possible to seal individual capsules rapidly in a mass production. For this purpose, the method of the present invention for forming anti-fraud or fraud-indicator capsules, from interlocking capsule halves, of hard gelatin or other thermoplastic material of which the lower half contains a consumable product and the upper half partially engages the lower half, essentially consists of: orienting and squeezing the capsule, formed of two nested halves, partially lifting the upper half of the capsule to expose part of the nesting area of the capsule halves, making the gelatin capable of sticking in at least a portion of the exposed area, rotating one half of the capsule relative to the other half, in order to weld them together,

  again engaging these capsule halves to return them to the floor state during this rotation.

  The apparatus used for carrying out this method comprises as essential elements: an orientation device for placing the capsule halves, assembled by fitting, in a desired vertical position, predetermined, an upper clamping device and maintaining the upper half of the capsule and a lower clamping and holding device of the lower half of the capsule, a device for partially separating these capsule halves, so as to expose a portion of the engagement zone while avoiding a complete disengagement, this device limiting the vertical displacement of one half of the capsule relative to the other half, a means for adhering at least one segment of the surface thus exposed, a device for subjecting to rotation one half of capsule compared to the other half,

  means for joining the capsule halves by interlocking during rotation.

  Thanks to this method and this device, we obtain capsules

2550941-3

  containing a consumable product, especially a pharmaceutical product, which protect against fraud, because the capsule halves are welded to one another in the area where the upper half covers, by fitting, the lower half. Features and other features of the invention

  will emerge from the description given below of preferred modes of execution.

  For this description, reference is made to the appended figures, where:

  FIG. 1 is a side view, in section, of a set of components of a capsule before assembly, FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of an assembled capsule, FIG. 3 is a side view in section of FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of a capsule which has been nested again and sealed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 5 is a front view of a welding apparatus; 6 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a close-up view of a rotational welding position, FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the device of FIG. Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the assembly providing the orientation of the capsules in the apparatus, Figure 10 is a sectional side view of the device of the invention providing the jet of rotation. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the steam generator of FIG. 12 to 14 show the views respectively from above, from below, and from the lateral section of the clamping device by application of the vacuum, FIGS. 15 and 16 represent respectively a view schematic from above and a sectional side view of another embodiment of the invention using a radiated energy source for fusing the capsules, FIG. 17 still relates to another embodiment of the invention. Using bonding with a solution for sealing the capsules, FIG. 18 relates to a further embodiment of the invention in which the capsules have a partially abraded surface which increases the temperature during the friction welding used. to seal the capsules, Fig. 19 relates to another embodiment using capsules having surface irregularities for friction welding, and shows a cut at the 20 and 21 show respectively a schematic view from above and a sectional side view of an embodiment using fusion by

heating filament.

  Figures 1 to 4 show, in section, the different steps of assembling a nestable capsule In Figure 1, a gelatin capsule 101 comprises an upper cylinder 102, and a lower cylinder 103 filled with a medicinal compound in Powder 104 The components 102 and 103 of the capsule can be of the type currently used currently These capsules 15 are formed of two sections of tubular capsule generally cylindrical, made of rigid gelatin, and each having a rounded end The two components are generally of similar size and adapt with a tight fitting into each other There is just enough play for both parties

  can slide over each other after filling the powder.

  FIG. 2 represents a conventional capsule, the two parts of which were nested in the closed position. The capsule is oriented as it is placed in the apparatus of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the invention relates to a system to be added after the apparatuses. In other words, the described embodiment of the present invention is designed to be added at the end of a capsule filling line, between the filling system and the bottling apparatus. In a separate embodiment, it is shown that the present invention could be integrated into a filling system, and that one or two steps could be gained. Notwithstanding the above reference to an integer system, the present embodiment is described as a add, to be placed in line with the current equipment of a manufacturer As a result, the process will be described in connection with the following apes: taking the finished capsule as shown in Figure 2, partial emptying of the capsule,

  casing of the capsule by welding it by rotation.

  Figure 2 represents the capsules as they arrive at the device

  described in the present invention.

  Fig. 3 shows a sectional side view of the capsule of Fig. 2 after it has been securely positioned in the rotational welding apparatus of the present invention and the upper portion has been disengaged by a specified distance. by "Z", the residual interlocking of the elements of the capsule being indicated by the distance "E" The Z / E ratio during the step preceding the rotational weld is about 3/2, or, otherwise expressed, the The capsule is dislocated by about 60% of the initial nesting While 0 l that the capsule is positioned as shown in Figure 3, it undergoes the operations described in more detail below, then it is again engaged, at a time predetermined accuracy after being struck by a thin jet of steam, and welded by rotation Figure 4 shows the elements of the

  capsule again nested after the steps involving steam jet and rotational welding; it represents the final configuration of the saddle-shaped capsule to resist fraud and make it obvious.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the system for carrying out the present invention. In this figure, the base system 201 comprises a base 202 on which a capsule wheel 203 and a recovery wheel 204 pivots. (shown in Figure 6 only) On an axis above the capsule wheel 203 is a feed system 205 comprising a support shaft 206, a feed scale (conveyor) 207, a feed tank bulk 208, a wheel

  209 quilted or felted and slowly rotating, an orientator 210, and a feed tube 211.

  A vibrator 213 is attached to the bottom of the tank 208 to cause vibrations of the vessel which facilitate the movement of the capsules downward until they contact the padded wheel 209 The wheel 209 is mounted in the tank 208 in the same way, the orientator 210, which comprises a set of wheels or pulleys V, is mounted on

an axis 215.

  A rotational movement is applied to these rotating elements via a drive motor 216, coupled to the axis 206 via a reduction gearbox 217. An upper rotary joint 218 is connected, to be rotatable, to the drive motor 216 by the axis 206, and serves to turn clockwise, seen from en -6 naut A series of upper welding mandrels are attached to the rotary joint 218 by a connection not shown The solder mandrels 219 are vertically positioned by the action of rollers 220 which engage the cam groove 221 in a stationary cam wheel 222 The solder mandrel 219 comprises a weld head 223 mounted on bearings, pivoted on an elongated mandrel shaft 224, which in turn is suspended from a shaft 225 The shaft 225 is provided with rollers 220 and 230 pivoting at each end. There are sixty weld shanks 219 disposed radially outwardly of the regenerative seal 218 and regularly spaced. The upper weld assembly, comprising the elements 204 to 230, is suspended from a column 231 located in the center and below the The lower weld assembly includes a capsule wheel 203, a lower rotary joint 232, a lower shield 233, a bracket 234, and a cabinet including the control console 235. 235, which supports the entire welding apparatus, can be mounted on wheels 236 to make the mobile system A panel

  237 is located on the front face of the cabinet 235 to allow to adjust the variables controlling the process during operation.

  Fig. 6 is a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 5. The view of Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 6.

  In FIG. 6, the capsule sealing system 201 comprises an upper d-shaped top cover 240, below which it is shown that they are normally hidden) a series of mandrels 219 to illustrate typical locations in Below the upper rotary mount A drive system 241 is disposed near the weld positions 219, and includes a driven pulley 242 and a conductive pulley 243. A driven second pulley 244 is also disposed proximate a feed belt. is stretched over the three pulleys and is also arranged in an arcuate path 246 to engage the mandrels 219 This arcuate path covers about 60 to 70 of the 360 degrees corresponding to one revolution of the upper rotary system. The system 241 is also partially shown in FIG. 5 in lateral section: the drive motor 247 of FIG. 5 serves to drive the pulley 243, as well as the uroy 245 around the three pulleys; A passenger compartment 248 protects the mounting. Figure 6 also illustrates the arrangement of a vacuum pump 250 providing the vacuum which holds the oriented capsules in the system. The recovery wheel 204 comprises a circular plate having notches 251, adapted to the capsules, in its outer wall A water tank allows stoc Ker distilled water for the welding system An electrical box 254 houses the electrical components of this assembly. The feed system is also shown in more detail in FIG. 6 with the conveyor belt 207, the bowl 208, the wheel 209, and the orientator 210. The bowl 208 has a series of parallel longitudinal channels 255, either hollow or formed. in the bottom Each channel 255 is arranged such that it orients the capsules longitudinally with respect to the tank

  208 At the outlet of the bowl 208, a padded wheel 209 rotates to drive the capsules into the pointer 210. This orientator comprises a set of six pulley-shaped wheels 256, each having a profile as shown in FIG. 9.

  In FIG. 9, one of the directional wheels 256 is shown, with a narrow internal channel 257 and a wider external channel 258, located radially outwardly with respect to the channel 257. The construction or orientation of the wheel 256 is such that that when the capsules pass above the gold 4 22 210, the lower part of the capsule pivots and enters the narrow channel 257, forcing the upper part of the capsule to enter the channel 258 wider This is obtained with an inner channel 257 narrower than the outer diameter of the upper part of the capsule, thereby preventing the penetration of the upper part of the capsule into the lower channel. The combination of the channels 255 and the wheels 256 thus serves to orient the capsules, firstly longitudinally, then vertically with respect to the wide end and the narrow end of the wheels 256, the capsules slide in a series of tubes. 211 each of which is located directly below the edge of each wheel 256 Each feeding tube 211 curves downwards, until it arrives vertically in a feed position directly above a cavity for capsule on the wheel 203, as shown in Figure 5 Although this figure is to simplify a single tube

  211, six tubes are actually used in the preferred embodiment.

  In addition to the various assemblies and mounting parts mentioned above and illustrated in FIG. 6, a key part is the generator 260, located more

  on the inside than the mandrels 219 and in front of the drive system 241.

  The generator is more clearly shown in FIG. 10, and comprises a steam jet generator with a fast heating electric element 261 in a tubular enclosure 262. The element 261 is heated electrically, preferably by a current. 220V electrical supplied to terminals 263 Element 261 is a heating resistor supplied with 220V and used to rapidly evaporate distilled water entering through supply conduit 264 and held in primary fluid compartment 265 Two plates 266 and 267 staggered form a baffle in the tube 262 to prevent liquid water O 10 from escaping from the chamber 265 A narrow path, indicated by the arrow 268,

  remains between the plates 266 and 267 The vapor can escape through the nozzle 269.

  A safety valve 270 is located in the steam compartment 271 of the steam generator 260 to prevent overpressure in the generator. Two probes 272 and 273, placed in the wall of the compartment 265, respectively indicate a maximum and minimum level of liquid. There is also provided a valve 274 in the bottom of the compartment 265 to empty the latter in case of maintenance A temperature probe 275 advances towards the lower part of the compartment 265 from the bottom wall 278 A

  276 temperature control cable connects the 275 probe to the system control board.

  It is important to note that the jet of steam 269 is directed to a gelatin capsule, in zone "Z" shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The position of the generator 260 has been described in connection with FIG. is directed radially outward, striking the capsules held in the solder heads 223 (Figure 5) Preferably, the application of the vacuum, transmitted through the welding mandrel 224 and the capsule plate 203, makes it possible to grip respectively the upper and lower elements which are

  held in the solder head 223 and the capsule plate 203.

  The control of the generator 260 may be purely mechanical, actuated by cams touching one or the other of the rotary elements (203, 218, 242, 243, 244, etc.) Alternatively, the generator may be actuated

  manually by a separate electrical switch; or the supply of the terminals 263 may be provided by the same switch which controls the feed of the rotational weld assembly, ensuring that the steam is constantly generated whenever the rotational weld fixture is in operation.

  Preferably, the generator 260 is controlled by an automated control system using transistorized control elements. A preferred embodiment also adds a high voltage vapor ionization device, to obtain a better distribution of the impact of steam on the capsules Figure 11 illustrates schematically at a time

  a transistorized control system and an ionized vapor process.

  The system described in FIG. 11 comprises a steam generator 260 with a fast heating element 261, the top and bottom level probes 272 and 273, respectively, and the water supply line 264. elements already described, the system comprises a sterile water reservoir 212 containing a cooling coil 277 connected to the zone of welding of the capsules by rotation The reservoir 212 is provided with a low level probe 282 passing through its wall, and connected to the transistor control device 228 by the cable 283 This device also receives the

  signals of the probes 272 and 273 by the cables 264 and 285 respectively.

  The heating system 261 is a dual unit, with circuits contained in the box 229, fed from the transistorized power control device 238 through the wires 286. This device 238 is in turn controlled by the signals coming from the the wires 287, of a transistorized temperature control device 239, the latter receiving a signal

  input of the probe 275 reaching it via the cable 288.

  The pump 290 supplies the sterile distilled water to the generator 260 through the supply line 289 from the bottom of the tank 212. A non-return valve 291 prevents the return of water from the generator when the pump 290 is not connected. in operation The pump 290 can be turned on and off by a signal from the control system 228 and transmitted by the

  Cable 292 A safety valve placed in the steam chamber of the generator prevents overpressure. The temperature sensor 275 is preferably a type "J" thermocouple.

  In operation, the sterile distilled water is supplied to the steam generator 260 by the pump 290 which is controlled by the dispensing device.

  The check valve 291 prevents the pressurized current from returning through the pump 290. The temperature control in the generator 260 is accomplished by a loop including the control device. temperature 239 and the

  tif transistorized power control 238.

  The sterile vapor emitted by the generator 260 is conducted through the pipe 269 until the injection valve 249 is mounted, which is electrically controlled by the control device 228 via an electric cable (not shown) to deflect the steam in the pipe. back 277 when the device does not weld by rotation This would be the case for example at startup then

  all the elements have not reached their operating temperature.

  Once the rotational welding apparatus begins to seal capsules, the control device 228 signals assembly 249 to no longer deflect the vapor and to switch to the injection mode, and the vapor is then supplied to the metal needle. An electrically grounded flat target 294 is placed at a distance G from the needle 259. A vacuum source 295 is connected to a manifold 296 to collect all the vapor that has not reached the capsules. in the space G A high voltage is applied by the generator 248 to the needle 259 to cause an electric field in the space G The jet of vapor emitted in the electric field bypasses the capsule better and is afterwards attracted by the target Grounding in the Vacuum Manifold This greatly reduces the losses of sterilized vapor and prevents contamination, thereby indefinitely recycling the water.

  A return line (not shown) of the steam and water from the manifold 296 to the tank 212 recycles excess steam and water that has not struck the capsules during rotational welding manipulations.

  FIGS. 12 to 14 describe in more detail a preferred embodiment of the means for gripping the capsules to be sealed in the capsule wheel 203. In this embodiment, the clamping means also serves as a perpendicular alignment means. Figure 12 is a top view and Figure 13 is a bottom view of the latching and clamping system. Figure 14 is a detailed sectional side view of this system, indicated by 301 in Figure 14. and which comprises a recessed portion generally comprised of a body 302, a base 303 and an elastic diaphragm 304. The body 302 generally consists of a stepped lower portion 305, defining a hole 309 into which the base 303 is inserted, and an upper plate 306 closing a large portion of the hole, with the exception of an opening 307 for the insertion of the capsule A conical-walled transition zone 308 extends from the hole 339 to the opening 307, and serves of seat cn For the elastic diaphragm 304, which is very much like a Belleville washer, with a tapered conical wall 320 and a flat annular flange 321 The diaphragm 304 is preferably made of an elastomeric material.

  flexible like silicone rubber or vinyl acetate.

  A series of eight radial air passages 310 pass through the upper plate 306 from a point near the capsule opening 307 to a series of vertical slots 311 formed in the outer shoulder.

  312 around the upper plate 306.

  The base 303 includes a stepped cylindrical portion with a lower portion 313 wide, and a narrower upper portion 314. A large diameter hole 315 is formed in the portion 313, and communicates with a small hole 316 in the portion 314. generally hemispherical shaped hole 317 is formed at the top of the hole 316 in the upper portion 314, and two slots 318 and 319, diametrically opposed, (also shown in Figure 12) to allow the passage of the vacuum and the

  pressure of the hole 316 around the hole 317.

  The adjustment of the base 303 in the lower part 305 of the body 302 is tight enough. One skilled in the art can increase the seal by using elastomeric material joints, not shown, such as

  annular seals placed between these parts.

  The base 303 can be screwed into the body 302, by means of an internal screw thread in the lower part 305 of the workpiece 302 and a screw thread corresponding to the outside of the lower part 313. A series of four holes 322 in the lower part of the base 303 (FIG.

  screw on it slits and unscrew these two parts.

  The gripping and clamping system of the capsule is mounted by inserting the diaphragm 304 into the body 302 so that the

  conical section of the diaphragm fits the conical section of the body 302.

  The base 303 is then screwed into the body 302, and the top of the base 303 wedges the diaphragm 304 between the base 303 and the body 302 by pressing

the flange 321 of the diaphragm.

  In its relaxed position, the portion 320 of the diaphragm is held in the open position by abutting against a conical shoulder 323

  formed at the top of the base 303 around the hole 317.

  Once assembled, four clamping systems 301 are introduced into suitable recesses in the capsule wheel 203 and held by conventional means such as locking screws, spring rings, threads, etc. The clamping system operates by a predetermined sequence of alternating compressed air pulses with a vacuum source In a typical sequence, a nested capsule falls from a feed tube 211 into the clamping system 301, and the rounded portion the bottom of the capsule comes to rest in the hole 317 When the wheel 203 rotates, a vacuum source is applied to the holes 315 and 316, which communicate through the slots 318 and 319 with the underside of the conical portion 320 of the elastic seal 304 and draws it downwards until it squeezes the capsule and holds it vertically in place Simultaneously, compressed air can be sent through the passages 310 in the middle part of the capsule to increase to bring about the pressure difference between the two sides of the diaphragm, and also to prevent a localized vacuum from being created in this region when

  Compressed air also helps to dislodge the capsules by compensating, mainly by infiltration of air between the capsule elements, the depression that may form.

  When the vacuum in the holes 315 and 316 has pulled the diaphragm 304 which firmly surrounds the capsule, aligning and squeezing it at the same time,

  the rotary welding mandrel 219, whose adjustment with the upper portion of the capsule is slightly tightened, is lowered by the action of the cam slot 221 and bearings 220 until it firmly squeezes the capsule .

  The capsule is well held tight in the chuck, and it is still

  better maintained by the action of a second vacuum source applied to the central orifice of the mandrel through the upper rotary structure 218.

  While the vacuum continues to be applied to the upper and lower clamping means, the capsule is disengaged by about 60%

  (as described above) to allow him to receive the steam jet.

  Then, the capsule is again fully engaged while the upper seal mandrel reaches the desired rotational speed. Tightening the lower part of the capsule with the diaphragm 304 keeps it stationary while the top rotates and is new intertwined. After the rotational welding of the nested capsule, the sources of vacuum and compressed air are reversed to release the capsule on the one hand of the diaphragm 304 and on the other hand of the upper mandrel as it is lifted by the slot to 221, and then easily eject the hole 317 by the stream of compressed air sent from below up through the holes

315 and 316.

  In operation, the upper rotary joint 21 B, with sixty welding mandrels 219, rotates continuously, typically in a clockwise direction. The filled capsules are fed to the orientation tank 208 where they orient longitudinally in the channels 255 The capsules are then driven by the padded wheel 209 209 in the parallel grooves of the wheels 211 which orient them vertically with the narrow end downwards The capsules pass through the six feed tubes 211 while maintaining this orientation These tubes deposit the properly oriented capsules in six adjacent positions of the capsule wheel 203 which rotates at the same constant speed as the upper rotary assembly, also clockwise when viewed from above The capsules are then tightened in the housings 279 formed in the capsule wheel 203, and move with the wheel 203 to a point in the bottom of the figur In FIG. 5, it can be seen that the cam slot 221, which is at its highest point where the capsules are deposited in the capsule wheel, is lowered to the bottom of the capsule. FIG. 6 The solder mandrels 219 which are guided by the cam slot 221 descend simultaneously around the top of the capsules, while the vacuum is simultaneously applied to the solder head 223 to grip the upper portion 102 of the capsule 101 A. at this point, the bearing 220 has reached the lowest point 280 of the cam wheel 222 Soon after, after 10 to 15 degrees of rotation, the cam slot 221 rises by a distance equivalent to "Z" (indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4) to reach the position 281, causing the upper part 102 of the capsule to move upwards by a distance "Z" with respect to the lower part 103. moves in the portion 281 of the slot, with the capsule disengaged, on the lower left quarter of the wheel 203 as it appears in FIG. 6 Meanwhile, the welding mandrels come into contact with the belt 245 constantly driven by the pulley 243 The mandrels 223 turn on the axes 219 and reach fast5 The rotation of the wheel 203 drives the capsules near the steam generator 260 which emits a jet of steam of about 0.025 to 0 076 mm in diameter which strikes the lower part of the drum. capsule in the region indicated by "Z" in Figure 3 and makes

  sticky gelatin in this region.

  The capsules leave the generator area as a result of the movement of the wheel 203 and at this time the cam groove 221 moves and returns from the intermediate level 281 to the lower level 280, while the capsule halves are rotated. This causes the upper half to fall back to the lower half and returns it to the position indicated in FIG. 4. The gelatin has been made sticky thanks to the jet.

  of steam, the rotation of the upper half on the collande surface leads to an even, supple fusion.

  The rotation is then stopped and the capsules continue the cycle, until engagement in the unloading wheel 204 and suction fastening 20 in a hollow between the teeth 251 This last wheel rotates in a direction opposite to that of the clockwise and, preferably, sends the capsules to the inspection section 226, for one or the other control such as visual control, infra-red, X-ray, sonic, to verify the completeness of the connection by After being inspected, the capsules arrive at the discharge zone 227. The vacuum in the wheel 204 is rapidly replaced by compressed air and the capsule is then ejected into a conveyor system which conveys the capsules to the section

  packaging and / or bottling of the producing plant.

  Thus, in summary, the capsules follow the following operating procedure: A Feed and orientation of the capsule formed of two halves; B Placement in the capsule wheel; C Partial separation of the two capsule halves; D applying a jet of steam to make the upper portion of the lower half of the capsule sticky; E Rotation of the upper half of the capsule on the lower half; F Re-inserting the capsule menses during rotation; G Passage of the capsule in the unloading wheel; H Joint Inspection; I Sending the capsule to the filling station. The combination of the method with thin jet of vapor at low pressure to make sticky with the rotating action of the welding mandrel makes it possible to create a good melting, as well as homogenize and spread the sticky substance, o formation of a consistent and homogeneous bond between the two capsule halves The operations are carried out at a high speed and in a precise manner, which avoids any contamination of the capsules while allowing a rapid and economical fusion process. The absence of contamination results from the fact that the capsules are held in the engaged position during the entire cycle of operations, without contact with the external atmosphere and with other parts of the welding apparatus. Such precise control is obtained by the exact machining of the groove 221 and the absence of significant tolerances or play in the rotating parts of rotating parts With this system, we can treat about 120 000 capsules

  per hour with a minimum of energy expenditure.

  Other embodiments of the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 21 where the steam jet generator 260 of the preceding embodiment is replaced by a fusion generator 560 located radially out of the mandrels. 560 is more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. It comprises a radiation source 561 held in an envelope 562 mounted on a support 565. A pair of conductors 563 starts from the envelope 562 and can be connected to a power system. The source 561 of fusion energy preferably consists of an ultrasonic generator, an infra-red generator or a laser beam generator. With each of these embodiments, the source 561 is set to near the exposed portion Z of the gelatin capsule The upper part of the capsule is held in the mandrel 223 which causes the rotation of the upper part of the capsule The lower part The source of power connected to the fusion generator 561 can be either interposed, controlled by mechanical or electrical switches located on the base of the capsule.

  the rotary wheel 203, is continuous, not requiring a system of inter-

2550941 '

-16

ruption depending on the wheel 203.

  The power supplied by the conductors 563 is transformed into a source of energy which acts on the surface Z of the lower part of the capsule and which provides enough energy to cause the fusion of the outer surface of the capsule. of the zone, the capsule is brought out of the zone of action of the fusion generator 560, the mandrel 223 comes into action and the notch of the cam 221 serves to re-fit the capsule halves, o contact of the upper part, rotating, from 0 l the capsule with the softened surface Z of the lower part and fusion of

two halves of capsule.

  According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, a fluid source 360 is used, employing vacuum or pressure atomization to emit a spray of fluid from an atomizing nozzle 361. A mechanical cam boss 362 is preferably attached to the lower end of the wheel 203 to engage a lever 363 emanating from the bottom of the solution generator 360. A solvent reservoir, such as water, which is preferred as the gelatin solvent, is under pressure and

  When the wheel 203 rotates sufficiently, the cam 362 engages the lever 363, supplying fluid under pressure to the nozzle 361.

  The fluid is atomized into a jet of very small droplets which strikes the disembowed section Z of the lower half of the capsule. In another embodiment, instead of a pure solvent such as water, a solution of gelatine in sterilized water, instead of the cam and lever system, a continuous spray system can be used. Note that a cam boss 362 can be placed at each location where a

  capsule on the wheel 203, hence a spray cycle for each capsule.

  Figures 20 and 21 illustrate yet another embodiment of the welding process, according to which the fusion generator 460 comprises a heated contact wire, directly applying heat to the softening area of the capsule. induction heating or resistance in the wire The latter is preferably covered with a non-sticky material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene In FIG. 20, the fusion generator 460 comprises a support 461 with insulators 462 35 and 463, heating wire 464 and electrical conductors 465 and 466 The wire 464 is above the wheel 203, in direct tangential contact with the capsules

  located in the recesses of this wheel.

  From the side view of FIG. 21, the heating wire 464 is seen to contact the disengaged zone Z when the capsule halves 5 are partially disembodied. One or more heating wires 464 may be located tangentially with respect to one or more capsules. In the zone 203 Because this wheel rotates continuously, the zones Z of the capsules come into contact with the wire 464. A system that also rotates the lower half of the capsule may be used. Z surface It is also possible to use a pair of heating wires 464. The embodiment of FIGS. 20 and 21 acts in the same way as the previous modes. The wheel 203, by turning, brings the capsules in tangential contact with the heating wire 464. Each capsule can rotate rapidly on itself, with the 360 contact. When the capsule is no longer in contact with the thread, the upper half snaps back into place.

  lower half, during rotational welding.

  Other embodiments include increasing the friction surface between the capsule halves. Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate such a procedure. From Fig. 18, the lower half of capsule 103 has been abraded in the surface of the disguising zone Z to create a rough surface increasing the friction with the upper half of the capsule This abrasion operation can also be performed before introduction of the consumable into the lower half of the capsule. in another embodiment (not shown), a simple abrasion system can be incorporated on the wheel 203 and linked in the rotation system connected to the mandrel 219 and / or a rotation system located in the wheel 203, of In each case, the frictional resistance is increased between the capsule halves, which releases sufficient friction. amment of heat and causes the fusion of sections of gelatin by simple

rotation of mandrel 219.

  Fig. 19 illustrates another embodiment for increasing the frictional resistance between the capsule halves. The lower half 103 of the capsule is provided with edges 103A molded in place on the outer surface of the capsule in the Z engagement zone.

  These ridges can be vertical and / or horizontal, or helical.

  When the upper half 102 of the capsule engages the lower half 103, the engagement is very tight because of the ridges so that the rotation of the upper half 102 causes a rapid heat release in the ridges, where softening and welding. It is obvious that modifications can be made to the embodiments described above and given solely by way of examples. Thus, it is possible to use capsules made of thermoplastic material other than gelatin. It can also be made tacky. Another variant is to weld the capsule halves by oscillation, for example with 20 to 20,000 cycles per second, while the

  rotation takes place at a speed of 20 to 2,000 rpm.

Z 550941

R E V E N DI C A T IO NS

  1) A method for forming anti-fraud or fraud-indicator capsules from interlocking capsule halves of rigid gelatin or other thermoplastic material, the lower half containing a consumable product and the upper half partially interlocking with this lower half, this method being characterized in that it consists essentially of: orienting and squeezing the capsule, partially lifting the upper half of the capsule to expose part of the nesting zone of the capsule halves, making the gelatin capable of bonding in at least a portion of the exposed area, rotating one half of the capsule relative to the other half, in order to weld them together, again engaging these halves of capsules to bring them back to the state

  interlocking during this rotation.

  2) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists in: placing a capsule vertically in an opening of a rigid envelope in which there is a circular diaphragm, sensitive to pressure, apply a pressure difference on this a diaphragm in such a direction that it folds inwardly against the capsule, so that it squeezes and aligns the capsule in the envelope, and

  releasing the pressure difference after completion of the rotational molding of this capsule.

  3) Process according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in

  it also consists in ejecting the capsule out of the envelope by reversing the direction of the pressure difference, which releases the

  diaphragm and blow the capsule out of the envelope.

  304) Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in

  the pressure difference is applied by applying the vacuum on the bottom of the capsule as well as, simulaterally, on the bottom of the diaphragm.

  Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized

  this is also applied air pressure on the middle of the capsule 35 and on the upper part of the diaphragm.

  6) Process according to claim 1, characterized in that makes the gelatin suitable for gluing by a source of radiant energy releasing heat

  on the exposed surface of the gelatin.

  7) Process according to claim 1, characterized in that makes the gelatin bondable by increasing the friction surface of at least a portion of the exposed engagement zone, in particular by abrasion or by application of at least a point of friction on this part during manufacture

halves of capsules.

  8) Process according to claim 1, characterized in that makes the gelatin suitable for gluing by spraying a fluid improving the bonding on this

exposed engagement area.

  9) A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the glue improving fluid is water, gelatin dissolved in water or steam.

  Apparatus for forming anti-fraud or fraud-indicator capsules from interlocking capsule halves, of hard gelatin or other thermoplastic material, the lower half containing a consumable product, said apparatus being characterized by comprising as essential elements an orientation device for placing the capsule halves, interlocked, in a desired predetermined vertical position, an upper clamping and holding device for the upper half of the capsule and a lower clamping device and holding the lower half of the capsule, a device for partially separating these capsule halves, so as to expose a part of the nesting zone while avoiding a complete disengagement, this device limiting the vertical displacement of a half of capsule relative to the other half, a means for adhering at least one segment of the surfa this so exposed, a device for subjecting a capsule half to the rotation relative to the other half, a means for joining the capsule halves by fitting during the

rotation.

  11) Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises several upper and lower clamping devices, in relation

vertical reciprocal.

  12) Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the orientation device and the clamping devices constitute an assembly comprising an insertion body having a central opening, an insertion base insertable in this opening, and a diaphragm clamping hose wedged between this body and this base and having a wall section adapted to move from a free, non-clamping position,

  to a clamping position on a capsule in this body, as a result of a pressure difference across this diaphragm.

  Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the diaphragm has a conically elastomeric wall section having an aperture dimensioned to fit freely around a gelatin capsule and firmly squeezing the capsule following a pressure difference in a single predetermined direction through this conical wall section. 14) Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the insertion base comprises a member having a central opening communicating with a hemispherical cup provided with a pressure bypass slot. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the assembly comprises: a rigid casing with a capsule receptacle, centrally located and with a cup bottom, a flexible, elastomeric, clamping diaphragm located in this housing; and above this bottom, and having a central capsule opening, which diaphragm folds in a clamping position against a capsule in the capsule opening, following a depression difference across the diaphragm, and

  a device for passing through this envelope to communicate the difference in pressure to the diaphragm.

  16) Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that said passage device comprises an air passage communicating with the bottom bucket

  and at least one pressure bypass slot around this bottom.

  17) Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that said casing 35 comprises a hollow insertion body, having a central opening for a capsule and an insertion base having a central cup with passage

  of communication, this base easily engaging in this body.

  18) Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the diaphragm comprises a flexible elastomer conical section attached to a flat annular flange, the diaphragm being fixed to the casing by wedging the flange between the introducer body and the base 'introduction. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for adhering comprises an adhesion improving agent spray,

  especially a steam generator.

  Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the displacement limiting device 10 comprises at least one cam shoulder and at least one roller roller engaged in said shoulder and connected with

  operationally to one of the clamping devices.

  Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the devices

  The clamping device and the rotational device comprise a rotary, capsule-shaped, upper wheel, and a rotary wheel.

  lower and at least one mandrel rotatably mounted in one of im caster wheels a rotation control means being selectively

connected to this mandrel.

  Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one of the capsule wheels can move vertically and is connected

  operationally at the cam shoulder.

  Apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 22, characterized in that

  the lower clamping devices are mounted on a rotatable platform and the upper clamping devices are mounted on vertically displaceable, rotating mandrels connected to the roller. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the steam generator system from sterile water comprises: a hollow, closed shell with a connection for fluid supply and a connection for the steam outlet, a electric heating element in this casing with electrical contacts sealingly passing through the wall of the envelope, a baffle in the casing for separating excess moisture from the vapor produced, probes for controlling the upper level and the lower level of the water,

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  a probe for the temperature in the zone of passage of the steam in the envelope, with a signal conductor passing through the wall of the envelope) Apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that it comprises an expander and a manual drain in the envelope.

  Apparatus according to one of claims 24 and 25, characterized

  in that it also comprises a signal conductor, passing through the wall of the envelope, for each of the water level control probes, a sterile water storage tank with input and output connections of water and containing a condensation coil, a low level logic probe in this tank and having a signal conductor coming out of this tank, a pump connected to the water outlet connection and having a control conductor for running or stopping the pump; a power control device connected to the electrical contacts and varying the power supplied to the heating element, a temperature control device connected to the temperature sensor and the power control device, and receiving a temperature signal by the probe, which enables the heating element to be adjusted via the power control device and to maintain a predetermined desired temperature in the generator, a process control device connected to the signal conductor of the logic probe, to the control pump, to the signal conductors of the 25 water level control probes, and to maintain a

  predetermined level of liquid in the generator and produce a cut-off signal when the water level is low in the tank.

  27) Anti-fraud or fraud-indicator capsules, as obtained according to the method according to any one of claims I to 9.