GB595637A - Medicinal capsule making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0595637/IV/1> <PICT:0595637/IV/2> <PICT:0595637/IV/3> <PICT:0595637/IV/4> Strip gelatine is formed into a tube aroun a pipe, medicament is introduced through the pipe into the tube, and the tube is sheared to seal the medicament in the tube and form sealed capsules. Fig. 1 shows an arrangement in which liquid gelatine is cast from tanks 23, 24 on to endless belts 21, 20, stripped therefrom in strip form S and carried by endless belts 115, 116 to tube-forming rolls 46, 47 and shearing rolls 57, 58. Rolls 51, 52 press the strips into peripheral grooves 48, Fig. 9, in the rolls 46, 47 to form half-tubes, the strips being temporarily sucked on to the rolls by vacuum conduits 91. The half-tubes then pass between the rolls 46, 47, Fig. 10, where they are sealed together, the marginal portions 56 being cut away by flanges 49, 50 and led off by guides 145, Fig. 1. Between the rolls 46, 47 extend pipes 55, 55a which terminate in an enlarged wedge-shaped head 150, Fig. 4. The tube slides over this head (which excludes air from the capsules) into the nip of the shearing rolls 57, 58, where it is bulged out with medicament under pressure <PICT:0595637/IV/5> from the pipes 55, 55a and cut into capsules by dies D. The capsules are held in the die cavities 76 by vacuum in conduits 142 and are later blown out of the cavities 76 by fluid pressure through the same conduits. Surplus material 74 is received in auxiliary cavities 75 surrounding the dies, and is led off as a foraminous ribbon. Fig. 8 shows modified shearing rolls 98, 99, comprising slidable rolls 98, 99, comprising slidable plungers 102, spring-pressed outwardly and controlled by a cam track 107. Just after a charge of liquid has been injected into the tube to the left of a pair of plungers, the plungers pinch the tube as at 200 and seal off the liquid. The plungers are then retracted and the capsule punched out. Here the medicament feed is through a single pipe 109. Details:-The tanks 23, 24 may have an overflow dam, to maintain constant the pressure on the gelatine passing under the doctor blades 27, 28, which may have a micrometer adjustment. Water coolers are disposed under the belts 20, 21, and water heaters under the belts 115, 116. The gelatine passes through three compartments 138, 139 and 140, which are hot, cold and hot respectively. Between the two belts the upper strip S is twisted so that its smooth side will lie outside in the formed capsule. As the strips pass through the machine, they stretch, and mercury switches are provided which stop the belts 20, 21 when the strips are slack and allow the belts to resume when the slack has been taken up, Fig. 12 (not shown). Lubricating means 44 are disposed in contact with the belts, and similar means 43, 43a is associated with flexible wick members 42 which seal compartments 138, 139, 140. There may be only one pipe 55. Rotary brushes clean rolls 57, 58. Three tubes may be formed simultaneously from one strip.