JPH01124458A - Method for manufacturing tamper-illustrative capsule - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To seal the cap and the main body of a capsule together by a method wherein at a depth which is sufficient to clamp the cap and the main body together, and also, which is sufficient to prevent the cap and the main body from being separated without breaking the cap or the main body, a circumferential indent is formed around one part of the cap and one part of the main body. CONSTITUTION: The edge 46 of a bar 44 forms an indent of which the depth is gradually increased from the entrance end 24 to the exit end 42 of a processing zone 26, for both parts of a capsule main body 12 and a cap 14. A capsule 10 is rotatably driven by a pinion 38 and a gear rack 40, and for this reason, the indent 50 is circumferentially formed around the whole body of the capsule. In addition, this indent 50 has a depth which is sufficient to fix by clamping the capsule cap 14 and the main body 12 together, i.e., which is sufficient to prevent the capsule cap 14 and the main body 12 from being separated without breaking the capsule 10 itself. The indent 50 seals the cap and the main body together, and is circumferentially formed around the whole body of the capsule 10, and achieves a liquid seal between the cap and the main body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a tamper-evident form of the body and cap of a conventional hard gelatin capsule.
enL form).
The present invention provides an apparatus for filling an empty conventional hard gelatin capsule with a liquid or paste drug and hermetically sealing the cap to the body in a tamper-evident manner.
We also provide equipment.

Many types of drugs are distributed in capsule form. These capsules are of conventional construction and include an elongated tubular cap and an elongated tubular body, the cap having a portion of the cap overlie a portion of the body.
), the cap fits over the body.
, the cap and body, when joined, form a closed chamber therebetween in which the medicament is contained.

However, these conventionally known capsules
One drawback of these previously known capsules, which have not proven to be completely satisfactory in use, is that the cap and body can be easily separated from each other and the capsule chamber is free from contaminants or foreign matter. This means allowing the introduction of rice substances. In some cases, the introduction of contaminants into the capsule chamber may have been intentional.

There are a number of conventionally known methods for sealing the cap and body together, such as ultrasonic welding, adhesives, and gelatin bands. These previously known methods are uneconomical and the use of adhesives has a further drawback in that the adhesives are difficult to digest.

Yet another drawback of these previously known capsules is that they can only contain solids and not liquid or paste drugs. If a liquid drug is introduced into the capsule chamber of these previously known capsules, the liquid quickly leaks out of the capsule chamber through the capsule cap-body junction.

However, soft gelatin capsules have been used to contain liquid or paste drugs. These soft gelatin capsules are disadvantageous in that they are expensive to manufacture and are slow to dissolve due to their relatively thick shells. Furthermore, the equipment required to fill soft gelatin capsules with liquid is expensive and bulky in construction.

The present invention provides for securing and/or sealing the cap and body of a capsule together, which overcomes all of the disadvantages mentioned above. The present invention makes this conventional hard gelatin capsule tamper-evident.

Briefly, the invention comprises a conveyor for transporting capsules along a predetermined path of travel and such that the axis of each capsule is perpendicular to the path of travel. This route is
It extends through a processing zone having an inlet end and an outlet end.

In one form of the invention, an elongate bar with a tapered edge is positioned within the processing zone such that the bar is substantially parallel to the path of travel. Furthermore, the bar is
Along the passage of the capsule through the treatment zone, the tapered edge of the bar is positioned to engage the portion of the capsule where the cap overlies the body. Preferably, the bar is angled toward the capsule from the inlet end of the treatment zone to the outlet end such that interference between the bar's tapered green and the capsule increases from the inlet to the outlet end of the treatment zone. It looks like this.

The actual shape of the tapered edge can take on a variety of shapes, such as circular, square, trapezoidal, and the like.

As the capsules are transported through the processing zone, another conveyor rotates the capsules and the barred green of the bar forms an indentation on the side of the capsule where the cap overlaps the body, thus and lock and seal the body. Preferably, the depth of the recess is sufficient to rupture the capsule when attempting to separate the cap from the body even if no sealing occurs between the cap and the body. The relative rotational speed between the capsule and the bar can be varied by controlling the speed of said other conveyor.

Alternatively, the frictional engagement between the bar and the capsule may
Rotate the capsule so that it forms a circumference around the entire capsule.

Alternatively, the capsule is driven rotationally about its axis as it passes through the processing zone. The speed of sliding between the capsule and the bar, if any, also ends up being varied by controlling the speed of rotation of the capsule relative to its position on the bar. This can be achieved by means of gearing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bar is heated such that the bar temperature gradually increases from the entrance to the midpoint of the processing zone and then gradually decreases from the midpoint to the exit end of the processing zone. As a result, in addition to forming a recess between the cap and the body of the capsule, the heat from the bar melts the capsule material, typically gelatin, thus forming a fluid or hermetic seal between the capsule cap and the body. do. In practice, this fluid seal is sufficient to allow liquid drug to enter the capsule chamber.

In another form of the invention, the bar is replaced by a disc that includes an externally tapered edge. The disk is rotatably mounted and aligned with the capsule in the processing zone. Means are provided for moving the disc towards the capsule, the means comprising:
the disk towards the capsule such that as the distance between the disk axis and the capsule axis is reduced by said movement means, the outer tapered edge of the disk engages the side of the capsule and forms a recess of increasing depth; exercise. Additionally, the disc as well as the bar can be heated to form a fluid seal between the capsule cap and the body.

In yet another form of the invention, the capsule is preferably held in a collet (actively gripped or vacuum or friction held) and the bar forms the desired indentation. It is rotated about a stationary, preferably vertical axis while being moved laterally toward the capsule. Alternatively, the capsule recess is created by moving the bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the capsule axis while simultaneously or successively reducing the distance between the bar edge and the capsule to achieve contact between the capsule and the bar. can be done. In this case, the capsule may be freely rotated by frictional contact with the bar, or may be held stationary or actively driven to rotate relative to or with the lateral movement of the bar. Can be done.

Alternatively, an embosser can be used to form the cavity and/or seal of the capsule. Such a planter likewise ends up forming a large number of depressions in the capsule, preferably heated and comprising a large number of simultaneously acting components. Once a number of embossed depressions have been formed, the capsule can be opened with a predetermined number of 11, e.g. 9
The longitudinal and transverse cross-sections of the capsule can be of any desired shape, preferably rotated by 0° and preferably 1°.

The depressions can be non-continuous and/or non-circular. This can be obtained, for example, by the use of similarly corrugated bars, discs or embossed edges. This is particularly desirable to prevent relative rotation of the cap and body without rupturing the capsule, even when rolling is not performed.

The capsules of the present invention are tamper-evident in that any attempt to separate or cut the treated filled capsules is deep enough to cause failure of the cap and/or body. .

Alternatively, when the indentation is achieved with a hot melt seal between the cap and the body, the capsules of the present invention are tambour-explicit regardless of the depth of the indentation. In this case, the capsule will break when attempting to separate its cap and body.

It is thus possible to obtain a tamper-evident filled capsule even with a very shallow external recess once a melt seal is effected between the cap and the body.

The recess of the capsule of the invention may be located anywhere in the area of overlap between the cap and the body. However, it is preferred to position the recess such that the treated capsule throat (opening) diameter is smaller than the body throw diameter.

Since a sealing bond does not contain adhesives, it involves the melting of its components and their co-operation (co-s).

It is an eohesive nature in that it arises from 1 identification.

For a better understanding of the invention, it will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, a preferred embodiment of the capsule processing apparatus of the present invention is shown.

The capsule 10 (FIG. 3) is of conventional construction, comprising a tubular and cylindrical body 12 and a tubular and cylindrical cap 1.
4. Cap 14 slidably fits over body 12 such that a portion 16 of the cap overlies a similar portion of body 12.

Cap 14 and body 12 form an inner capsule chamber that contains the medicament. Typically, the body 12 and cap 14 are comprised of gelatin, and in this case,
They were merely frictionally fixed to each other.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, capsules 10 are fed into a hopper 18 of conventional construction.

The hopper 18 supplies capsules to at least one, preferably two, conveyor belts 20 which transport the capsules 10 from the hopper 18 to the entrance 24 of the processing zone 26 . Conveyor belt 20 delivers capsules 20 to the entrance of processing zone 26 with a predetermined spacing and with the longitudinal axis of capsules 10 perpendicular to the direction of movement of conveyor belt 20 .

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 and 3, an upper conveyor belt 28 is positioned above the capsule 10 and is rotatably driven in a counterclockwise weighing direction. Similarly,
A lower conveyor belt 30 is placed below the capsule 10 and is driven in a clockwise direction. A plurality of capsule retention members 32 are attached to and extend outwardly from the conveyor belts 28 and 30 at a spacing that corresponds to the spacing of the capsules 10 along the first conveyor belt 20. .

As best shown in FIG. 3, each capsule-engaging member 32 includes a hemispherical quadrant 34 that engages one end of the capsule 10. As best seen in FIG. Thus, conveyors 28 and 30, together with capsule-engaging member 32, are arranged such that the longitudinal axis of capsule 10 is perpendicular to the direction of movement of capsule 10 through processing zone 26 and between capsule cap 14 and body 12.
capsule 10 such that the overlapping portion 16 of
is transported through the processing zone 26. Additionally, in a preferred form of the invention, capsule engaging member 32 is attached to a shaft 36, which is rotatably attached to conveyor belts 28 and 30.

A binion 38 is attached to the shaft 36 and rotatably drives the capsule 10 about the longitudinal axis of the capsule 10 during movement of the capsule 10 from the inlet end 24 to the outlet end 42 of the processing zone 26. As such, it engages with the stationary gear rack 40.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, an elongated bar 44 having a tapered or pointed green 46 is disposed within the processing zone 26. . 1st
As best shown in the figure, the bar 44 is positioned in a plane generally parallel to the direction of movement of the capsule 10 and such that the tapered edge 46 of the bar 44 intersects the overlapped portion 16 of the capsule 10. There is. The bar 44 is located in the processing zone 2.
6.

With particular reference to FIG.
It forms an angle towards 0. Therefore, processing zone 26
At the entrance end 24 of the bar 44, the tapered #46 just engages the outer periphery of the capsule 1o, whereas the interference between the par edge 46 and the capsule 10
e) increases until the interference between bar 44 and capsule 10 reaches a predetermined depth 48 (FIG. 7) at outlet end 42 of processing zone 26.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the edge 46 of the bar 44 is
Capsule body 12 and cap 1 gradually increasing in depth from the inlet end 24 of the treatment zone 26 to the outlet j 142
4. Form both indentations (i-mouth dentaLion). The capsule 1o has a binion 38 and a gear rack 40.
Since it is rotatably driven by (j @ fig. 3), this nozzle 5o is formed circumferentially around the entire capsule 6. (The deflection 5° is sufficient to fasten and secure the capsule cap 14 and the main body 12 together, i.e., without destroying the capsule 1o itself.)
The depth is sufficient to prevent the two from separating. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6b, the dimple 50 seals the cap and body together and
is formed circumferentially around the entire capsule 10, thus creating a fluid (tight) seal between the cap and the body.
rmetic) seal.

Binion 38 is designed to create the desired rate of slippage between capsule 10 and par 44.

Referring again to FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, heating means 52 is operatively attached to bar 44 to heat bar 44 along its length. Preferably, the heating means 52 progressively heats the bar 44 along its length to the opening point and then progressively decreases its temperature from its midpoint to the exit end 42. As a result, the inlet and outlet temperatures of capsule 10 with respect to processing zone 26 are substantially the same. In reality, the bar 44 is
When heated by the heating means 52, it not only indents the sides of the capsule 10, but also partially melts them, thus holding the capsule cap 14 and body 12 together, as best shown in Figure Pt56b. Seal it. In practice, the hermetic seal between the capsule cap and the body provided by the heated bar 44 fluidically (r I
uidly) (hervetically)
)] is sufficient to seal.

Referring now to FIG. 1, following sealing of the capsule cap and body within the processing zone 26, the now sealed capsules 10 are removed by conveyor belts 28 and 30 through the shoe 60 into a collection box 62. (
ejected).

Although the bar fi 46 is illustrated as tapered in FIG. 5, it may take other forms as shown in FIGS. 16-18.

Similarly, the bar edges 46 can be corrugated to create capsule cavities with different cross-sectional shapes.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, in which bar 44 is replaced by a disc 70 rotatably mounted on shaft 72. The disc 70 includes an outer tapered edge 74 that is connected to the capsule 10.
to form a recess 50. Movable means 75
moves the disk 70 from the position shown in dashed lines to the position shown in solid lines such that as the distance between the disk axis and the capsule axis decreases, the interference between the disk 70 and the capsule 10 increases. Similar to Neue 44,
Disk 70 is preferably heated to seal cap 14 and body 12 together.

Referring now to FIG. 19, a capsule 90 can alternatively be used to seal the capsule 10. Embosser 90 includes two parts 92 and 94 that are heated and movable between an open position (dotted line) and a closed position (solid line).

In its closed position, the embosser forms a depression in the capsule 10. Similarly, multiple depressions can be formed in the capsule.

Still referring to FIG. 19, during one embossed indentation operation, embosser 90 embossed embosser portion 92.
and 94 parting lines do not form a seal. As a result, in order to form a seal,
The capsule 10 is rotated, for example 90', with the rear portions 92 and 94 of the embossing operation in their open position, so that the circumferential portion of the capsule 10 at the parting line of the previous embosser portions 92 and 94 is
Instead, it is aligned with the embossing surfaces on embosser portions 92 and 94. Emboxer part 92
and 94 are then moved to their closed positions to hermetically seal the capsule 10.

Still other means can be used to form the cavity of the capsule.

The first advantage α of the device of the invention is that conventional hard gelatin capsules can be used to encapsulate liquid drugs.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a conditioning device 100, which can be of conventional construction, supplies an assembled but empty capsule 10 to a lower holder 102. Holder 1
02 includes a collet 104 that mechanically grips the capsule body 12 when actuated.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, as the capsule 10 is fed into the lower holder 102, the holder 102 moves downwardly and into alignment with the upper holder 106. The upper holder 106 includes a fret 108 that mechanically grips the cap 14 of the capsule 10 when actuated. Thus, holders 102 and 1
06 are aligned with each other, the upper holder 106
fJt, in the axial direction from the position shown by the solid line in Fig. The cap 14 of the capsule 10 is then separated from its body 12 by axially retracting the upper holder 106, as shown in FIG.
It remains attached to 02.

Referring to FIG. 110 upwardly to the position shown in FIG. It is located within the department. At this point, dispenser 112 is actuated, thereby filling capsule body 12 with liquid or paste medicament.

Referring to FIG. 12, after the liquid or paste medicament fills the capsule body 12, the lower holder 102 is retracted to its lower position and moved transversely into alignment with the upper holder 106. The holders 102 and 106 are then moved toward each other, thus reseating the capsule cap 14 on the body 12. At this point, the colleft 108 of the upper holder 106 is unlocked and the lower holder 102 is rotatably driven while the capsule 110 preferably engages the J+i 46 of the heated bar 44 and recesses into the capsule 10. form. Following the formation of the depression, the capsule 10 is removed and the lower holder 102 is placed in the tlS
It is returned to the position shown in Figure 8 to receive the next capsule, after which the process described above is repeated.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 8-12 can also be used to seal capsules containing solid medicaments. However, in this case, the steps shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 are omitted.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. More specifically,
Adjustment device 120 positions the capsules on conveyor belt 122 at intervals.

As shown in FIG. 15, the conveyor belt 122 includes a plurality of cup-shaped segments 124, each of which has a
One capsule 10 is received from conditioning device 120.

13-15, the second conveyor belt 126 includes an endless belt 128 overlapping the outlet end of the conveyor belt 122. Referring to FIGS.

As best shown in FIG.
r+5fer wedge) 130 frictionally engages the capsules 110 on the first conveyor 122 and moves the capsules 10 into engagement with the conveyor belt 128.
lift up.

As best shown in FIG. 14, two stationary rails 1
32 and 134 support the ends of capsule 10 while conveyor belt 128 moves capsule 10 along stationary rails 132 and 134. At the same time, an elongated bar 136 with a tapered or shaped edge 138 engages the capsule 10 to form the desired depression in the capsule 10. Preferably, the interference between the bar 136 and the capsule 10 increases from the entrance to the exit end of the conveyor 126, and the bar 136 is preferably heated. After forming the cavity in the capsule 10, the capsule 10 is removed through a chute 140 into a collection box 142 (FIG. 13).

Referring to FIGS. 20-23, yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. More specifically, 714! !
The apparatus 200 positions the capsules at intervals on a conveyor belt 202 that is driven longitudinally at a predetermined speed about two drive wheels 204 and 206. As best shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the conveyor belt 202 includes a plurality of cup-shaped cavity segments 208, each of which includes a six-cup shaped cavity segment 208 that receives the capsules 10 from the conditioner a 200. ) 208 are interconnected by links 210 and include longitudinally extending slots 212 (FIG. 22) along their bottoms for reasons described below.

With further reference to FIGS. 20-23, the second conveyor 214 includes an endless belt 216 that overlies a portion of the fJJ1 conveyor 202. The belt 216 is
It is rotatably driven around wheels 218 and 220 at a speed different than the speed of conveyor 202, preferably twice the speed of first conveyor 202.

As best shown in FIGS. 21 and 23, both conveyors 202 and 1216 engage the sides of capsule 10 and their differential speeds cause capsule 10 to be rotated about their axes. Rotate. At the same time, an elongated bar 22 with a tapered or shaped edge 224 (FIG. 23)
2 extends through the slot 212 and engages the capsule 10 to form the desired recess in the capsule 10. Preferably, the interference between the bar 222 and the capsule 10 increases from the entrance to the exit end of the conveyor 216;
Additionally, bar 222 is preferably heated. capsule 1
After the formation of the cavity 0, the capsule 10 enters the chute 23
0 to a collection box 232 (FIG. 20).

Alternatively, as shown in figure ptS24,
212 and upper conveyor belt 216 are not present, elongate bar 222 is positioned above conveyor belt 202 and capsule 10 such that the bar is substantially parallel to the path of travel of capsule 10. Furthermore, bar 2
22 is arranged such that its tapered edge frictionally engages the portion of the capsule where the cap overties the body, thereby causing the capsule to rotate and recess circumferentially around the entire capsule. is formed.

From the foregoing, the present invention fixes the capsule cap and the main body together (fixedly
e), namely it is seen to provide a device for sealing together the cap and body of a conventional capsule, which prevents separation of the capsule cap and body without destruction of the capsule itself. As a result, the apparatus of the present invention provides processed capsules 10 with tamper-evident properties.
r evidence).

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it can provide a fluid seal between the capsule cap and the body. This fluid seal allows the capsule to contain liquid or paste drugs.

Yet another aspect of the invention is to weaken the capsule at the recess and ensure that the cap and body cannot be separated without breaking the capsule.

Having thus described the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure PIS2 is a top view showing a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a partial diagram showing a part of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a capsule treated according to the invention. Figures 6a and 6b are partial cross-sectional views of a portion of the capsule with and without sealing the cap and body, respectively. FIG. 7 is a diagram similar to FIG. 5 showing another preferred embodiment of the invention. Figures 8-12 are schematic diagrams showing preferred embodiments for sealing liquid or paste medicaments into capsules. FIG. 13 is a side view showing a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure M14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 in Figure 113. FIG. 115 is an enlarged view of circle 15 in FIG. Figures 16-18 are side views of another form of indentation-forming bar or disc. FIG. 19 is a top view showing still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a side view showing a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of circle 21 in FIG. 20. FIG. 22 is a partial top view at line 22-22 of the IjS21 diagram with portions removed for clarity. fJIJ23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 23-23 of Figure 21, enlarged for clarity@24
The figure is a side view showing another preferred embodiment of the invention. In the figure, 10...Capsule, 12...Capsule body, 14...Cap, 18...Hopper, 2o
...Conveyor belt, 26...Processing zone, 28.
... upper conveyor belt), 30 ... lower conveyor belt, 32 ... capsule engaging member, 34 ... hemispherical recess, 36 ... shaft, 38 ... pinion, 40 ...
... Gear rack, 42 ... Outlet end of processing zone, 44
... m long bar, 46 ... tapered green, 50.
... Bracket, 52 ... Heating means, 70 ... Disk, 74 ... Outside tapered edge, 90 ... Embosser - 102 ... Lower holder, 106 ... Upper holder, 108 ... -Collet, 112...Liquid or paste drug distributor, 120...Adjustment device, 122...
・Conveyor belt, 124...cup-shaped segment)
, 128...Endless belt, 136...Elongated bar, 138...Tapered green, 202...First
conveyor, 208... cup-shaped cavity segment), 212... slot, 216... endless belt, 222... elongated par, 224... tapered edge.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An elongated cylindrical body and an elongated cylindrical cap, the body being slidably received in the cap such that a portion of the cap overlies a portion of the body. an apparatus for fastening the body and the cap together for use with a capsule in which the capsule is in place, comprising: means for holding the capsule in place; of the cap to a depth sufficient to secure the cap and body together and to prevent separation of the cap and body without destruction of the cap or the body. and means for forming a circumferential depression around the portion of the body. 2. means for transporting the capsule along a predetermined travel path, the indentation forming means including means for operatively engaging a portion of the cap as the capsule is transported along the travel path; An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: an apparatus according to claim 1; 3. The engagement means comprises an elongated bar having a shaped edge and means for positioning the bar substantially parallel to the path of travel so that the shaped edge engages the cap portion. An apparatus according to claim 2. 4. The transportation means moves the capsules from one end of the bar to the other end of the bar, the bar being inclined towards the capsules from one end of the bar to the other end. Apparatus described in section. 5. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising means for heating the bar. 6. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising means for progressively heating the bar from one end to a midpoint and gradually decreasing the temperature of the bar from the midpoint to the other end of the bar. 7. Device according to claim 3, comprising means for rotating the capsule about its longitudinal axis in synchronism with the means of transport, the functional engagement means having an outer molded edge. 3. A cap as claimed in claim 2, comprising: a disc having a cylindrical shape; and means for rotatably mounting the disc about an axis parallel to the capsule axis so that an outer edge of the disc engages a portion of the cap. Device. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the disc progressively increases the concavity of the capsule as the distance from the capsule axis to the disc axis decreases. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising means for heating the disk. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said heating means comprises means for gradually increasing the temperature of said disk. 12. The holding means comprises a holder for supporting the capsule body, means for removing the capsule cap from the body, and means for replacing the capsule cap on the body, so that when the cap is removed from the body, liquid or 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for filling with paste. 13. The indentation forming means includes a member having a molded edge, means for moving the holder and/or the member so that the capsule abuts against the molded edge, and the holder is rotatable. 2. A device according to claim 1, comprising means for driving. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means for heating the member. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the indentation means comprises an embosser movable between an open position and a closed position, the embosser having a molded lip that engages the capsule in the closed position. . 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the embosser applies a number of indentations to the capsule to form a circumferential indentation around the entire capsule. 17. The indentation forming means comprises an embosser movable between an open position and a closed position, the embossor having a molded lip that engages a circumferential portion around the capsule in the closed position; Claims further comprising: means for rotating the capsule into a position such that a circumferential portion of the embosser is aligned with the molded edge, thereby forming a continuous circumferential recess around the capsule upon subsequent closing of the embosser. The device according to paragraph 1. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for heating the embosser forming edge. 19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising means for heating the embosser forming edge. 20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising means for heating the embosser forming edge. 21, the retaining means comprising a first conveyor and a second conveyor, the conveyors spaced apart a distance less than a diameter of the capsule, and further comprising: driving the first conveyor at a first speed; and means for driving the second conveyor at a second speed different from the first speed, and means for feeding the capsules between the conveyors, the indentation means comprising an elongated bar having a shaped edge. Claim 1, wherein the bar extends through a slot formed in one of the conveyors such that the molded edge engages the outer periphery of the capsule located between the conveyors. The device described. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, comprising means for heating the bar. 23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the interference between the bar and the capsule increases from one end of the bar to the other. 24. The indentation forming means includes an elongated bar having a shaped edge, an endless conveyor heald spaced from the bar by a distance less than the width of the capsule, and a predetermined orientation between the belt and the bar. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for supplying said capsules at a temperature. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, comprising means for heating the bar. 26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the interference between the bar and the capsule increases from one end of the bar to the other. 27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said indentation means includes means for hermetically sealing said cap and body together. 28, comprising an elongated tubular cap open at one end and an elongated tubular body open at one end, the open end of the body comprising:
a recess disposed within the open end of the cap such that a portion of the cap overlies a portion of the body; and further a recess formed circumferentially around the cap in the portion of the cap. and the recess is deep enough to securely secure the cap and the body and to prevent separation of the body from the cap without destruction of the cap or the body. A tamper-evident capsule. 29, comprising an elongated tubular cap open at one end and an elongated tubular body open at one end, the open end of the body comprising:
a recess disposed within the open end of the cap such that a portion of the cap overlies a portion of the body; and further a recess formed circumferentially around the cap in the portion of the cap. , the recess is configured to securely fix the cap and the body, and the diameter of the open end of the cap is smaller than the diameter of the open end of the body. Manifestness capsule. 30, comprising an elongated tubular cap open at one end and an elongated tubular body open at one end, the open end of the body comprising:
disposed within the open end of the cap such that a portion of the cap overlies a portion of the body; A tamper-evident capsule comprising a recess, the recess tightly securing the cap and the body while simultaneously forming a heat-fused fluid (tight) seal between the cap and the body.