US3719275A - Apparatus for conveying and filling capsules - Google Patents

Apparatus for conveying and filling capsules Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3719275A
US3719275A US00215607A US3719275DA US3719275A US 3719275 A US3719275 A US 3719275A US 00215607 A US00215607 A US 00215607A US 3719275D A US3719275D A US 3719275DA US 3719275 A US3719275 A US 3719275A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
capsule
receiving means
lever arm
unseparated
arm cam
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00215607A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
D Lanigan
J Biegert
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eli Lilly and Co
Original Assignee
Eli Lilly and Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eli Lilly and Co filed Critical Eli Lilly and Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3719275A publication Critical patent/US3719275A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J3/00—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms
    • A61J3/07—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use
    • A61J3/071—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use into the form of telescopically engaged two-piece capsules
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an apparatus for conveying and filling capsules. More particularly, this invention relates to an improvement to the apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,954.
  • these capsules comprise two pieces which are telescoped together to form an enclosed container.
  • Empty two-piece capsules are manufactured by forming each of the two pieces on a molding pin, stripping the sections therefrom, trimming the pieces to a predetermined length and joining the two pieces by pushing (telescoping) the body section into the cap section.
  • the body section is longer than the cap section, so that when the two sections are telescoped together the exposed body section length is about the same as the cap section.
  • the joined empty capsules are usually introduced into the filling operation in a random pack.
  • the randomly oriented empty capsules are rectified to arrange all of the capsules with the body section in the same direction and such rectified empty capsules are deposited in a receiving means, which can take many forms, and subsequently separated, filled and rejoined.
  • US. Pat. No. 3,601,954 discloses an apparatus for conveying and filling capsules, and one of the many features of said apparatus is a capsule receiving means which is comprised of two cooperating portions.
  • the two cooperating portions are in alignment to receive the empty capsule when the latter is deposited therein.
  • the capsules are subsequently separated into two sections; a body section and a cap section, immediately after they are deposited in the receiving means. Later, the two portions of the receiving means are forced into a misalignment in order to expose the body section to a powder or pellet filling operation which introduces the desired material intothe body section.
  • the misalignment of the two portions of the receiving means proceeds without event. But when the capsule is not separated into its two sections before the two portions of the receiving means are forced into misalignment, the capsule yields in the misalignment operation; it is shattered and no longer exists as an intact body section into which material can be filled.
  • the separation of the body section from the cap section is accomplished by the application of reduced pressure to the body section.
  • the capsule When the joined empty capsule is deposited in the receiving means from the rectification operation, it (the capsule) is seated in a bore having an annular shoulder on which the slightly larger cap section rests, and beyond which it cannot go.
  • This annular ring is in the second portion of the receiving means, serving to hold the cap section completely within the confines of such second portion when the cap and body sections are separated.
  • the body section of the unjoined capsule extends into a bore in the first portion of the receiving means.
  • This bore is in communication with a reduced pressure means which draws the body from the cap and deposits the former in a lower extension thereof.
  • An aperture from the lower extension of such bore to the outside of the receiving means provides the means through which the reduced pressure may be bought to bear on the body section effecting a sudden change in pressure between the internal confines of the joined empty capsule and the outside of the body section.
  • the device constituting this improvement to an apparatus for conveying and filling capsules comprises a lever arm cam so mounted as to be movable by the second portion of the receiving means when the latter contains an unseparated capsule, and in such movement engage a switching means, which upon engagement opens a valve in a pressurized fluid supplying system whereupon a burst of pressurized fluid is introduced into the aperture to the bore in the first portion of the receiving means ejecting the unseparated capsule therefrom.
  • the second portion of the receiving means can then be forced into misalignment with the first portion of such receiving means without the attendant shattering of an unseparated capsule.
  • FIG. 1 is a top horizontal view of the device constituting the improvement in accordance with this invention showing the device detecting the presence of an unseparated capsule in the capsule receiving means.
  • FIG. 2 is a top horizontal view of the device constituting the improvement in accordance with this invention showing the device in its stationary position.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of two units of capsule receiving means containing capsules.
  • the device constituting the improvement to an apparatus for conveying and filling capsules of this invention comprises: (a) a pivotally mounted lever arm cam 2 positioned to engage the second portion 5 (and 5a) of the capsule receiving means 12 as the latter moves along a flexible endless conveyor, said lever arm cam 2 being extended a sufficient distance into the path of travel of the second portion 5 (and 5a) so as to engage the latter as it moves along a predetermined path, (b) a means 11 for holding the'lever arm cam 2 stationary and undisturbed when the latter is engaged by the second portion 5a of the capsule receiving means 12 when the latter contains a separated capsule, but which yields and allows the second portion 5 to move the lever arm cam 2 out of a stationary position and into an engagement with a switching means 1 when there is an unseparated capsule in the capsule receiving means 12, (c) a switching means I mounted so as to be engageable by the lever arm cam 2 when the latter is moved out of a stationary position by engagement with the second portion 5 of a capsule receiving means 12 containing an unsepar
  • a lever arm cam 2 is shown being contacted by the second portion 5 (and 5a) of a capsule receiving means 12 traveling from right to left along a flexible endless conveyor.
  • a plurality of capsule receiving means 12 are at spaced intervals along the flexible endless conveyor, each independently comprised of a first portion 4, and a second portion 5 (and 5a), the second portion 5 (and 5a) being pivotally mounted to the first portion 4.
  • FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional .side elevation of two of the capsule receiving means 12 in which there is an unseparated capsule in one and a separated capsule in the other.
  • the lever arm cam 2 has been contacted by the second portion 5 of one of the plurality of capsule receiving means 12, and in which there is an unseparated capsule and has been moved to the position shown and engaged a switching means, illustrated here as 1.
  • the lever arm cam is shown pivotally mounted so that the fulcrum is between the restraining force, shown as a tension spring 11, and the engagement force. Because the engagement force will vary between the minimum force applied to the lever arm cam 2 when the latter is engaged by a second portion 5a of a capsule receiving means 12 containing a separated capsule and the maximum force applied when there is an unseparated capsule in the capsule receiving means 12 and the lever arm cam 2 is engaged by a second portion 5, the restraining force must be sufficient to overcome the former, but must yield to the latter.
  • the fulcrum of the lever arm cam 2 need not be located between the two forces, but can be so situated that both forces are on the same side of the fulcrum.
  • the restraining force be in the form of a tension spring.
  • a compression spring properly mounted will serve as well.
  • other means can be employed to provide the restraining force.
  • static pressurized fluid and hydraulic devices are suitable.
  • the tension spring 11 is shown anchored to the frame 10 of the apparatus and is attached to the end of lever arm cam 2 opposite the end at which the engagement force is applied.
  • the restraining force acting on the lever arm cam 2 when the latter is stationary as shown in FIG. 2 is nominal.
  • the lever arm cam 2 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 mounted at a horizontal right angle to the direction of travel of the capsule receiving means 12, and this is a preferred position for such cam.
  • the position of the lever arm cam 2 relative to the second portion 5 (and 5a) of the capsule receiving means 12, with which such cam is engaged is limited only by the following factors: (1) Accessibility to the moving second portion 5 (and 5a) of the capsule receiving means 12; and, (2) The requirement that sufficient spatial clearance must be provided for the disengagement of the lever arm cam 2 and the switching means 1, after such cam has been engaged by a moving second portion 5 of a capsule receiving means 12 containing an unseparated capsule and actuated the switching means 1, and prior to the engagement of such cam by the next following second portion 5 (and 5a) of a capsule receiving means 12.
  • the switching means 1 serves as the means of communicating the detection of the presence of an unseparated capsule in a capsule receiving means 12 to the means for ejecting the unseparated capsule from said capsule receiving means.
  • the switching means 1 is in an electrical circuit energizing a valving means in the unseparated capsule ejectment means. While the switching means remains open and out of engagement with the aforementioned lever arm cam 2, the valving means remains closed. When the switching means 1 is closed by an engagement with said lever arm cam, the circuit is closed, the valving means energized and opened to permit the flow of pressurized fluid therethrough.
  • FIG. 1 depicts the engagement of the lever arm cam 2 with the switching means 1.
  • Such switching means can be a mechanically operated dipole switch, a fluidic switch, a grounding switch, and the like, preferably a grounding switch which closes to complete a circuit when the grounding pole is engaged by the lever arm cam 2, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • a grounding switch can be utilized which opens" when the grounding pole is engaged by the lever arm cam 2.
  • a grounding switch is preferred because the ultra-short time lag, 4 to 9 milliseconds, permits the operation of the apparatus for conveying and filling of capsules over a wide range of forward speeds without a requirement for adjustment of the capsule ejectment means.
  • the switching means is a grounding switch which closes upon engagement with the lever arm cam 2, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the engagement of the lever arm cam 2 with the grounding pole of such switch imbalances the diodes in the circuit, whereupon the circuit is closed, and an energizing signal transmitted to a valving means (not shown) in a pressurized fluid supplying system (not shown).
  • the valving means opens and a burst of pressurized fluid escapes through the valving means.
  • the burst of pressurized fluid is discharged from delivery tube 9, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. All of this occurs almost instantaneously as the lag in the grounding switch is of such brief duration, as noted above.
  • the valving means in the pressurized fluid supplying means is held open as long as the lever arm cam 2 is engaged with the switching means 1.
  • the delivery tube 9 in the pressurized fluid supplying system is positioned with the outlet therefrom immediately below the capsule receiving means 12 and in communication with the aperture 13 in the bottom of the second portion 4 of the capsule receiving means 12, shown in FIG. 3.
  • the unseparated capsule 6 is ejected from the capsule receiving means 12, as shown in FIG. 2, when the capsule receiving means 12 moves into a position wherein the aperture 13 in the bottom of the second portion 4 of such receiving means is in communication with the outlet of delivery tube 9 in the pressurized fluid supplying system when pressurized fluid is discharging from such delivery tube.
  • the ejection of the unseparated capsule 6 from the capsule receiving means 12 is accomplished by synchronizing the engagement of the lever arm cam 2 and the switching means 1 with the establishment of a communication between the delivery tube 9 and the aperture 13.
  • the burst of pressurized fluid from delivery tube 9 accompanies such synchronization completing the operation.
  • the pressurized fluid utilized in the pressurized fluid supplying system can be any compressed gas such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and the like.
  • compressed air under from about 30 to about 90 psig is employed in ejecting the unseparated capsule.
  • a capsule filling machine having a capsule handling apparatus for receiving and conveying a capsule having a body portion and a complementary cap portion comprising:
  • each of said capsule receiving means including a first portion arranged to move in a line along a predetermined path, said first portion having a bottom aperture smaller in diameter than the chamber therein for receiving the body portion,
  • an unseparated capsule ejectment means responsive to said means for communicating the detection of an unseparated capsule.
  • a pivotally mounted lever arm cam positioned to engage said second portion of said capsule receiving means as the latter moves along said conveyor, said lever arm cam being extended a sufficient distance into the path of said second portion so as to engage the latter and move it out of vertical alignment with said first portion of said capsule receiving means, and
  • the means for communicating the presence of an unseparated capsule in a capsule receiving means to an unseparated capsule ejectment means comprises a switching means in an electrical circuit energizing a valving means in the unseparated capsule ejectment means, said switching means engageable by said lever arm cam when the latter is moved on engagement by said second portion of said capsule receiving means containing a capsule which has not been separated into a body portion and a cap portion; said switching means, on engagement with said lever arm cam, energizing said valving means.
  • pressurized fluid employed in the pressurized fluid supplying means is compressed air at from about 30 to about 90 psig.
  • a capsule filling machine having a capsule handling apparatus for receiving and conveying a capsule having a body portion and a complementary cap portion comprising:
  • each of said capsule receiving means including a first portion arranged to move in a line along a predetermined path, said first portion having a bottom aperture smaller in diameter than the chamber therein for receiving the body portion,
  • a pivotally mounted lever arm cam positioned to engage said second portion of said capsule receiving means as the latter moves along said conveyor, said lever arm cam being extended a sufficient distance into the path of said second portion so as to engage the latter and move it out of vertical alignment with said first portion of said capsule receiving means
  • a valving means in a pressurized fluid supplying means connected to said switching means and opening on signal from said switching means
  • an outlet in said pressurized fluid supplying means positioned to discharge a burst of pressurized fluid into the aperture in the bottom of said first portion of said capsule receiving means when said valving means is opened, ejecting the unseparated capsule from said capsule receiving means.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
US00215607A 1972-01-05 1972-01-05 Apparatus for conveying and filling capsules Expired - Lifetime US3719275A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US21560772A 1972-01-05 1972-01-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3719275A true US3719275A (en) 1973-03-06

Family

ID=22803667

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00215607A Expired - Lifetime US3719275A (en) 1972-01-05 1972-01-05 Apparatus for conveying and filling capsules

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US3719275A (cs)
JP (1) JPS4878349A (cs)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3314894A1 (de) * 1982-04-26 1984-01-12 MG 2 S.p.A., 40065 Pian di Macina-Pianoro, Bologna Kapselfuellmaschine

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5532937A (en) * 1978-08-26 1980-03-07 Takashi Tsujita Wave converting power equipment with float
RS51905B (en) * 2007-08-13 2012-02-29 Mile Dragic SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING WATER WAVES TO ELECTRICITY

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2992729A (en) * 1955-05-21 1961-07-18 Kilian & Co G M B H Tabletting presses
US3368674A (en) * 1964-10-03 1968-02-13 Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg Apparatus for testing cigarettes and the like
US3601954A (en) * 1968-11-15 1971-08-31 Lilly Co Eli Apparatus for conveying and filling capsules

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2992729A (en) * 1955-05-21 1961-07-18 Kilian & Co G M B H Tabletting presses
US3368674A (en) * 1964-10-03 1968-02-13 Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg Apparatus for testing cigarettes and the like
US3601954A (en) * 1968-11-15 1971-08-31 Lilly Co Eli Apparatus for conveying and filling capsules

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3314894A1 (de) * 1982-04-26 1984-01-12 MG 2 S.p.A., 40065 Pian di Macina-Pianoro, Bologna Kapselfuellmaschine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4878349A (cs) 1973-10-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5799468A (en) Filling blister-pack strips
US3978640A (en) Hard-gelatin capsule filling machines
US5807592A (en) Apparatus for pressure-molding items made of plastics, such as caps for closing containers
US4403461A (en) Device for sealing hard gelatin capsules and for packing a liquid product dose in the thus sealed capsule
US4790124A (en) Article packaging apparatus
US4387553A (en) Banding apparatus
US2738899A (en) Apparatus for singly separating conical cups from a nested stack
US3527015A (en) Method and apparatus for filling capsules
GB1361923A (en) Apparatus for handling medicinal capsules and the like for in spection
US3601954A (en) Apparatus for conveying and filling capsules
US20160214747A1 (en) Device and method for assembling capsules for extracting beverages
US3719275A (en) Apparatus for conveying and filling capsules
US4706440A (en) Method and apparatus for packaging expansile articles
US4260483A (en) Bottle cap inspecting machine
US20190154529A1 (en) Device and method for determining a closing force during the closure of a capsule
US10899559B2 (en) Device and method for reliable delivery of compliant stopper elements
US4427131A (en) Capsule orienting device, particularly for capsule-filling or processing machines
US4093075A (en) Ejection devices
US3797195A (en) Capsule assembly method and machine
US20080056866A1 (en) Method and device for conveying articles on a machine for filling capsules with at least one pharmaceutical product
US2841937A (en) Machine for assembling disposable cartridges for hypodermic syringes
JPH02191117A (ja) タバコをパケツテイング機械のラツピングラインに供給する装置
JPH06521B2 (ja) 容器内ヘのカプセル充填装置
US3267567A (en) Apparatus for delivering closure caps and assembling valves in said closure caps
US3800496A (en) Machine for filling receptacles in particular fountain pen cartridges