US2679965A

US2679965A - Capsule filling device

Info

Publication number: US2679965A
Application number: US213518A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kastrin Mathew; Makres George
Original assignee: KASTRIN
Current assignee: KASTRIN
Priority date: 1951-03-02
Filing date: 1951-03-02
Publication date: 1954-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 1971-06-01

Description

June 1, 1954 M. KASTRIN l-:T AL

CAPSULE FILLING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 2, 1951 LGI -ZZ j June 1, 1954 M. KASTRIN ET AL `2,679,5)165 CAPSULE FILLING DEVICE Filed March 2; 1951l "z-'snetsg-sheerz sa v/o .94

Afro/PWA@ Patented June l, 1954 CAPSULE FILLING DEVICE Mathew Kastrin and George Makres, Detroit,

Mich., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-half to said Kastrin and onehalf to Sam Karos, Detroit, Mich.

Application March 2, 1951, Serial No. 213,518

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a capsule filling device and more particularly to an improved device for iilling o1- loading capsules of the split, hard shelled type.

An important object of this invention is to provide a capsule filling device particularly adapted for use by druggists and pharmacists for filling or loading capsules of the split, hard shelled type and which is constructed in an improved manner for simultaneously iilling a plurality of capsules, for applying the cap portions thereto, and for ejecting the lled, closed capsules from the device. Another important object of the invention is to provide an improved device of this character including a movable member or plate yieldingly urged in one direction and novel conveniently operable means for releasably locking or holdingr the plate in different p-ositions for filling and capping the capsules. A further important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is designed for economical manufacture and for eiiicient and accurate use and which is substantially wholly composed of rigid plastic material.

In carrying out the objects of the invention, the device preferably comprises three plate members, two of which are stationary and supported in Vertical spaced apart relationship to one another and the remaining one of which is guided for up and down movement relative to the two stationary members. Preferably the top member is a perforated stationary plate and the movable member an imperforate plate guided for up and down 'travel between the top and bottom plates. The movable plate is yieldingly forced upwardly toward the top plate and at intermediate positions it serves as a rest for the bottoms of the capsules while they are filled and capped and in its final upward movement it lifts the capsules through the perforated top plate for removal from the device. Incorporated in the device and preferably associated with handles on the movable middle plate is a releasable catch or locking mechanism for releasably holding the middle plate at one position for filling the main body portions of the capsule and at another position for applying the caps to the main body portions of the capsules. The final upward movement from the second position is utilized to eject the lled and closed capsules from the apertures in the top plate.

Various other objects, advantages and meritorious features of the invention Will become more fully apparent from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein: v

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention showing the top plate thereof being provided with a plurality of apertures of different sizes in which the capsules are received,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View through the centerline of the device of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the device taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal fragmentary sectional view taken along line liof Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but on a smaller scale and illustrating a modified form of the invention in the capsule filling position,

Fig. 6 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 5 but showing the device in capsule capping position,

Fig. '7 is a sectional view similar to Figs. 5 and 6 but showing the device in capsule ejecting posinon,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line 8 8 of Fig. '7,

Fig` 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along line of Fig. 7,

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the control member and associated parts of the modiiication, and

Fig. 1l is a vertical sectional View of the top portion of a further modified form of the invention.

In the various embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the capsule filling, capping and ejecting device comprises three members or plates, two of which are held stationary with respect to one another and are vertically spaced apart from one another. Movable with respect to these two plates and preferably positioned therebetween is a third member or plate which serves as a rest for the bottoms of the main body portions of the capsules. The third plate is yieldingly urged upwardly toward the top plate. In one position of the middle plate, it predisposes the main body portion of the capsule for filling the same. In another position at a higher level than the ilrst position, the middle plate supports the main body portion of the capsules in projecting relation to the top plate for receiving the cap portions. Releasable catch means is provided, and preferably carried by the middle plate, for holding the middle plate at either of the two positions and against the force of the yielding means urging the middle plate upward. Preferably, the locking means is associated with handles for depressing the middle plate in order that the operator may conveniently control the movement of the middle plate.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the bottom or base plate is indicated at iii. The top plate is indicated at i2, and as shown in Fig. 1 is provided with a plurality of apertures therethrough in which capsules are positioned during the filling and capping operations. Preferably the top plate is provided with one or more different sizes of apertures for capsules of various sizes, one such size of aperture being indicated at i4 and another size of aperture at i3. The plates ii) and I2 are disposed in vertical spaced spaced apart relationship and are combined into a unitary assembly by means of corner posts indicated at E8. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. l to 4, the corner posts are channel shaped in formation and open inwardly of the device. Each channel shaped post comprises a member 2S forming the base of the channel and extending iiush with one side of the device and two spaced apart side wall members 22-22 cooperating with the base to fforin the channel. Preferably the bottom plate lil, top plate i2 and the corner posts i3 are formed of plastic material.

Positioned 'between the bottom and top plates lll and i2 is a third member or plate 2li, prefer- 'ably also composed of `plastic material. This third plate is movable with respect to the station'ary .plates ill and l2 and is yieldingly constrained in an upward direction toward the top plate l2. For this purpose, there is provided in each channel shaped corner post i8 a shaft or rod 25 which is -encircled by a coiled spring 23. The middle plate is provided with laterally extending tongues or ears at each corner, such as indicated at 3o, which enter the channel shaped 4posts i8. Each ear is provided with an aperture 32 aligningI with 'the rod 2E in the corner post into which it extends. By virtue of this constru tion,it is evident that the middle plate 2li may be slidingly depressed down the rods 26 while the ears 30 thereof are guided in the channel shaped posts. Such downward movement is resisted by the coiled springs '28, the upper ends of which are seated against the ears 3d. The coiled springs are of such a strength that when any downward pressure on the plate 25, is relieved, they will raise the middle plate 2d to its highest level, such as that shown in Fig. 3. One or more spacers indicated at '34 may be provided for limiting the upward movement of the middle plate 2d. These Spacers or stops may be secured to the corners of the top plate i2 as shown in Fig. 3 and depend downwardly therefrom into the channel shaped corner posts I8.

Carried by the middle plate and projecting up- Wardly therefrom are a plurality of pins 35, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 3. The bottom ends of the pins are secured to the middle plate for joint movement therewith. The upper ends of the pins, as shown in Fig. 3, may be concavely indented as indicated at 38 to form a radius of rcurvature corresponding to the bottoms of the main body portions of the capsules. The pins 35 are mounted on the ymiddle plate 2li in axial alignment with the apertures lll and l@ -of the top plate and are of such a length that when the middle plate is raised they enter the apertures and at the maximum level height of the middle lplate extend flush with the upper surface of the top plate, as indicated in Fig.

As heretofore mentioned, control means is provided for releasably holding the middle plate 24 at two different levels in its vertical path of travel. For this purpose the middle plate 24 is provided with two laterally extending handle portions ilil-flil projecting from opposite sides thereof as is evident in Figs. l and 2. These handle portions may be engaged by the hands of the operator and employed to depress the plate 2e against the resistance of the springs Z8. Preferably carried by at least one of the handles di! is an actuating member or lever for releasably locking the plate. In the two positions previously mentioned it is preferred to mount the actuating mechanism on one of the handles d@ in order that the operator may control the movement of the middle plate while vhis hands are engaging the handles.

The releasable holding means for the middle plate 24 comprises two vertical extending rods or posts f2--2 of similar construction to one another. Each post is provided with two sections of reduced thicknesses to form shoulders with which the movable part of the holding mechanism is engageable. As shown in Fig. 2, each rod or post 42 is cylindrical in formation and is provided intermediate its ends with one reduced section indicated at d4 and another reduced section indicated at dit, These two reduced sections of each post 42 may be cylindrical in formation as shown and of progressively less diameter as the bottom of the device is approached. The reduced section lil of each post d2 forms with the normal diameter thereof a shoulder d8. Similarly, the smallest reduced section 65 of each post forms with the section 44 a shoulder ii. Releasable catch or latching means hereinafter described is provided with middle plate 2li for engaging the shoulders i8 and 55 of the posts e2-2.

Although each handle d may be provided with releasable latching means for engaging the shoulders `of the adjacent post 42, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l to 4 uses only one latching mechanism and employs remote control means for engaging the shoulders of the post E2 on the opposite side of the device.

eferring to Figs. l and 2, an elongated control member, preferably of plastic material, is indicated at 52 and extends from one post 42 to the other post 42. The member `E52 is provided with an extension 54 which overlies one of the handles 4B of the middle plate, such as the handle shown at the right or" Figs. 1 and 2. The control member 52 is widened immediately adjacent to the posts *l2-42 in the manner best indicated at 56 in Fig. '4. Positioned in each widened portion 56 of the control member 52 is a slot of the character indicated at 58. Each slot 58 is elongated in the longitudinal dimension of the control member 52 and its width is progressively decreased from one end to the other end thereof. As best shown in Fig. 4, the slot 58 is provided with circular sections progressively decreasing in diameter from one end to the other end thereof. The largest diameter circular portion of the slot is indicated at 69 and is of a size to permit the widest part of the post 42 associated therewith to project therethrough. The next widest portion of the slot is indicated at Ell and its diameter is such that it will ride over the reduced section 44 of the post and abut the shoulder t3 thereof. The smallest diameter of the section of the slot is indicated at 66 and is of such a size to slide up and down the narrowest reduced section 46 of the post and abut the shoulder 50 thereof.

.It is evident from rthe Adescription thus far made that when the control member 52 .is moved longitudinally toward the left in Fig. 2 it will progressively bring larger diameter sections of the slots 58-58 into encircling relationship to the axes of the posts 42-42. When the middle plate 24 is fully depressed the narrowest section 66 of each slot 58 is capable of being brought in under the shoulders 50 of the posts 42-42 and the resulting abutting engagement therewith will releasably hold the plate in its fully depressed position. However, if the control member is moved toward the left in Fig. 2 it will bring the intermediate sections 64 thereof into alignment with the axes of the posts 42-42 permitting the springs 28 to lift the plate until the portions of the control member forming the intermediate sections 64 of the slot abut the shoulders 48 of the posts 42-42. In this position, the control member will releasably hold the plate 24 at an intermediate level above the full line position shown in Fig. 2. When the control member is shifted further to the left in Fig. 2, it will bring the largest sections 60 of slots 58-58 into axial alignment with the posts 42-42 permitting the springs 23 to lift the middle plate until they abut the stopping members 34. The highest level position of the plate 24 is indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 2 and in fully outlined position in Fig. 3.

Hand operated means is provided for reciprocating the control member 52 and preferably such means is mounted on and associated with one of the projecting handles 40 of the middle plate 24. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the right hand handle 40 is provided with two upstanding spaced apart bracket members 68-68 which are spaced apart from one another and are connected together by means of a cross pin l0. Pivotally connected to the cross pin is a lever 'I2 which is adapted to be engaged by the hand of the operator. Extending downwardly from the pivotally connected end of the lever I2 and at substantially right angles thereto is an arm I4 which is operatively connected to the extension 54 of the control member 52. For this purpose, the extension 54 is provided with two upstanding longitudinally spaced apart elements 'I6- 16 which together form a notch for receiving the arm 14, as is clearly evident in Fig. 2. The relationship of the handle l2 to the extension 54 is such that when the handle 'I2 is swung downwardly about its pivotal axis the arm 74 will advance the control member 52 toward the left bringing successively larger sections of the slots 53 into axial alignment with the posts 42-42. The depressible movement of the lever 'i2 is yieldingly opposed by means of a spring which may be in the form of a iiexible metallic member 18 secured at its opposite ends to the lever and to the handle 40 and looped one or more times between its ends, as shown in Fig. 2. The spring IB functions to yieldingly retract the control member 52 to the right whenever pressure on the lever is relieved.

In the lowermost position of the movable plate 24, which is shown in full line in Fig. 2, the upper ends of the pins 36 carried thereby are disposed below the plate I2 and at such a level that the main body portions of the capsules may be fully received in the apertures I4 and I6. As shown in Fig. 2, the body portion of a larger type of capsule is indicated at 80. The body portion of a smaller type of capsule is indicated at 82. The

body portions

80 and 82 of the capsules are inserted into the apertures of the top plate I2 when the middle plate 24 is in its fully depressed position and the base ends of the capsule body portions are seated on the indentations 38 of the pins and supported thereby. So supported, the upper ends of the

body portions

80 and 82 of the capsules extend substantially iiush with or slightly below the upper surface of the top plate I2 and are in a position to receive content material either in dry or liquid form.

After the body portions 85 and 82 of the capsules are lled with content material to the desired amount, the operator depresses the lever i2 suiiciently to bring the intermediate sections 52 of the slots 58 into axial alignment with the posts 42-42. This will clear the control member from the lower shoulders 5U- of the posts and permit the spring to raise the plate 24 until the shoulders 48 of the posts are engaged by the control member. During the rising of the plate 24 to the second high level position, the pins 3S project the upper ends of the main body portions of the capsules above the upper surface of the plate I2, the extent of this projection being such that the cap portions of the capsules may be fitted over the body portions. The resulting position of the capsules is shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2. In this projected condition, a cap portion 86 is telescopingly receivable over the larger capsule body portion 80, and the smaller cap portion 88 is slidingly tted over the smaller capsule body portion 82.

To eject the capsules from the device, the operator further depresses the lever l2 bringing the largest diameter sections 60 of the slots 58 into axial alignment with the posts 42-42. This will release the plate 24 for pivotal upward movement by the spring 28 and cause the upper ends of the pins 36 to reach a level approximating that of the upper surface of the top plate I2. The result is that the lled and sealed capsules are ejected from the apertures and fall over on their sides on the upper surface of the top plate in the manner shown in Fig. 3. These ejected capsules may be easily picked from or swept off of the upper surface of the top plate I2.

It is noted that the pins 36 project varying distances above the middle plate 24 depending upon the size of the capsule engaging plate. For example, the pins at the right of Fig. 2 project to a higher level than the pins at the left in order to fully eject the smaller type of capsules from the apertures of the top plate I2.

In the modification of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5 to 10 inclusive, the middle plate is capable of ejecting the capsules without the need of projecting pins of the character shown at ,35 in the earlier described embodiment of the invention. In general, the modification follows the previously described embodiment and includes a base or bottom member 90, a spaced top member 92, and a movable middle plate 94. The middle plate is provided with laterally extending handle portions, on-e of which is indicated at 96 at the left of Figs. 5 to 7 and the other of which is indicated at 98 at the right thereof. The top and bottom plates and S2 are spaced apart in the same manner as previously described by corner posts indicated at |55. The middle plate is guided for up and down movement by these corner posts and it is releasably held at filling and capping positions in the manner generally like that psreviously described. As shown in Figs. 5 to 8, two opposite sides of the device are provided with posts I02--I02 corresponding with posts 42-42 previously described. Each post |02 is shaped to provide shoulders around its length for engagement by releasable catch means carried by the middle plate. Each post [02 may, for example, be reduced cross sectionally `intermediate its ends to .form a shoulder VH3A corresponding in function to shoulder 48 ,anda secondshoulder its corresponding in function to shoulder 5t.

The middle plate S4 is preferably jogged transversely across the mid section thereof to dispose one half section thereof at a higher level than the other half section. The jog between the two half sections is .indicated at 1,08 and by such a provision the device is capable of receiving and `iilling capsules of two different sizes. The body portion of a :smaller type of capsule is indicated at l I, andthe Vbody portion of a larger type of capsule is indicated at H2.

Extending longitudinally across the middle plate 94 and operatively engageable with the shoulders ltd and m6 is a control member H55 similar in construction and function to the control member 52 previously described. One end of the control member `l |41 overlies a handle SS, such as the handle at the right of Figs. 5, 6 and 7. Supported upon the handle over which the control member H4 lies isa manually operable arm or lever H6 constructed similarly to the lever 'l2 and including a depending detent or dog H8 which is engageable in a recess formed in the extremity of thecontrol member H4. The lever l i6 is pivoted at `26 and is yieldingly urged in an upward direction by means of a spring member 122 similar to the spring 78 previously described. For that portion of Vthe length of the control member `l i4 which overlies the lower half section oi the middle plate Sli, there is preferably provided a supporting ridge 124 which4 Vunderlies the control member and supports it in an elevated position upon the depressed section of the middle plate. For the remaining half section of the middle plate, the control member lid may be positioned in a recess so that its upper face extends flush with the upper face of Athe plate as indicated in dotted outline in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. To guide the longitudinal slidable movement of the control member H4 and to limit its movement, the control member may be provided with one or more longitudinal slots |26 through which a screw |23 extends, as shown in Figs. 9 and l0.

What we claim is:

1. In a capsule filling machine, a bottom plate, a top plate, corner posts supporting the top plate in spaced parallel relationship to the bottom plate, said top plate provided with apertures for receiving the cup members of split type capsules, a middle plate disposed between the top and bottom plates, means guiding said middle plate for up and down movement relative to the top and bottom plates, means yieldingly urging the middle plate upwardly toward the top plate, a handle projecting laterally from one side of the middle plate, and releasable catch means for releasably locking the middle plate in spaced relationship below the top plate counter the means yieldingly urging the same toward the top plate, said catch means including a part carried by the handle.

2. A capsule lling machine comprising, in combination, three parallel plates vertically disposed with respect-to one another, corner posts connecting the top and bottom plates together into a unitary structure, said top plate being provided with a plurality of apertures of a size to admit the cup members of Asplit type capsules, said middle plate constituting 4a rest for the bottom of the cup members received in theapertures of the top plate, spring means encircling the cori8 ner posts and yieldingly urging the middle plate toward the top plate, a handle projecting from one side of said middle plate, means for releasably locking the middle plate in spaced relationship below the top plate including a manually operable lever carried by said handle.

3. In a capsule filling apparatus, the combination of a perforated plate having apertures adapted to receive the capsule members, an imperforate plate capable of being moved in perpendicular relationship to the plane of the iirst mentioned plate and theretoward to force the capsule members out of the apertures of the vperforated. plate, spring means yieldingly urging the imperiorate plate toward the perforate plate, a stationary post extending through the imperiorate plate, said post having shoulders spaced longitudinally therealong, and releasable catch means carried by the imperforate plate adapted to engage the shoulders of the post to releasably hold the imperforate plate from movement toward the periorate palte.

4. AIn a capsule filling machine, the combination of means for handling the cup members of split type capsules comprising two plates, one of which is perforated and the other 01 which is imperiorate, said plates being disposed in parallel relation to one another so as to form a supporting seat for the cup members inserted through the perorations of the perforated plate, means yieldingly urging the imperforate plate toward the perforated plate, a stationary post extending through the imperforate plate and provided with shoulders therealong, and releasable catch means carried by the imperforate plate and operable to engage the shoulders of the post to releasably hold the imperforate plate against movement.

5. In a capsule fillingdevice, the combination of a base plate, a capsule holding plate mounted in spaced relation from the base plate and provided with a plurality of apertures for receiving the cup members of split type capsules, corner posts extending between said base plate and said apertured plate connecting the same into a unitary assembly, a middle plate positioned between the base and the top plates and guided for movement on said posts, coil springs encircling said posts and urging the middle plate upwardly toward the top plate, a plurality of upright pins carried by the middle plate and axially aligning with the apertures in the top plate and adapted upon .upward movement of the middle plate to eject capsules received in the apertures of the ,top plate, a pair of handles projecting laterally from the opposite sides of the middle plate, and means for releasably holding lthe middle plate in spaced relationship to the top plate including a hand actuatable lever Vcarried by one of said handles.

6. In a capsule filling apparatus, a base plate, a perforated capsule filling plate disposed over said base plate, corner posts connecting the two plates together into a unitary assembly and such that the perforated plate is disposed in spaced relationship to the base plate, a member disposed between said two plates and guided for up and down movement relative thereto, said member adapted to form a rest for the bottom ends or capsules inserted through the perforations of said perforated plate, coil springs encircling said corner posts and yieldingly urging the member upwardly toward the `perforated plate, a pair of handles carried by the member and projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof for depressing said member against the tension of said springs, and means for releasably holding the middle plate in depressed relationship to the perforated plate including a lever carried by one of said handles.

7. In a capsule filling apparatus of the character described, a base plate, a perforated capsule positioning plate disposed over said base plate, a plurality of posts extending lbetween the base plate and the perforated plate and connecting the same together into a unitary assembly and such that the perforated plate is disposed in spaced parallel relationship to the base plate, a middle plate disposed between said base and perforated plates and guided for up and down movement relative thereto, spring means yieldingly urging the middle plate upwardly and into subl0 stantial abutment with the perforated plate, at least one of said posts being provided with areas of reduced cross section forming one or more shoulders between the base and perforated plates, means carried by the middle plate and engageable with the reduced portions of said post to releasably hold the middle plate in spaced relationship to the top plate, and a lever carried by the middle plate for actuating said releasable 10 holding means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 15 Number Name Date 1,667,066 Brown Apr. 24, 1928 2,200,244 OHara et al May 14, 1940