Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to a rotary die device for producing soft capsules, comprising a capsule forming unit for forming a soft-capsule shell and a dosing unit for feeding a filling material into the capsule forming unit, characterized in that the dosing unit comprises a conveying apparatus of viscous melts and a portioner, wherein the portioner is connected at an end thereof to the conveying apparatus of viscous melts and is arranged in a filling wedge with a section in such a way that filling material from the portioner reaches the location of the capsule filling directly or by means of one or more channels having a length of at most 30 mm. Using said device, high-viscosity filling materials can be filled and thus novel soft capsules can be made accessible.

Abstract: A liquid coolant supply pipe and an over flow pipe are provided on the outer side of a capsule forming pipe through which a liquid coolant flows and into which liquid droplets are dropped from a nozzle. The liquid coolant is supplied to the liquid coolant supply pipe by a low pulsatory motion type pump, and the flow is regulated by a flow straightening block in the liquid coolant supply pipe. The cooling liquid passes through a liquid coolant introducing section having a curved surface, and then flows into the capsule forming pipe from an upper portion opening in a cap mounted to the upper part of the capsule forming pipe. The liquid coolant flows into the capsule forming pipe, and the excess flows into the overflow pipe.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the sealing of hard shell capsules having coaxial body parts which overlap when telescopically joined. Also described is an apparatus to seal the capsules. The method comprises the steps of holding the capsule in a precise and upright position and injecting a known quantity of sealing fluid in the overlap of the body parts. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sealing clamp (1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61) to hold the capsule in an upright position and means (5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65) to inject the sealing fluid in the overlap of the body parts.

Abstract: The invention provides a new method and apparatus for making multicolor gelatin ribbons and softgel capsules is provided which uses a modification of the gelatin spreader boxes by incorporating especially designed pipelines that are bifurcated with a tee.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bitumen bale capsule, capsule dispenser and bale strip former for viscous bitumen products comprising a bitumen bale capsule; a capsule dispenser (L) in order to position the said PE encapsulating capsule inline with a plurality of dispensing valves (F) and a plurality of forming nozzles (M); a bitumen bale strip former for converting the said round PE encapsulated tubes into flat strips suitable for baling. The overall function of the said bitumen bale capsule is to encapsulate viscous bituminous products forcing through the internal core of the said capsule. The said products exiting the said encapsulation process in the form of a PE round tube are converted into a flat strip suitable for baling utilizing both of the said capsule dispenser and the said bale strip former.

Abstract: Machine for forming caps by compression molding comprising: a first carousel rotating about a central axis and provided peripherally with a plurality of compression molding units mounted equidistant from each other and from the axis of rotation, said units comprising an upper punch and a lower die provided with a cavity, said punch and die being mutually movable along a common vertical axis in response to suitable operating means; a second carousel rotating about a central axis parallel to that of the first carousel and provided peripherally with means for feeding the charge of material to be molded to the die cavities of the first carousel, and means for collecting the molded caps abandoned by the punches of the first carousel; means for feeding charges of material to be molded to said second carousel; a possible third carousel provided peripherally with means for guiding and conveying the caps abandoned by the second carousel; said first and second carousel and said second and possible third carousel having

Abstract: An apparatus and a process useful for producing patterned gelatin ribbons for forming patterned soft gelatin capsules are disclosed. The apparatus and process use multiple spreader boxes to form a wide variety of possible patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process useful for producing patterned gelatin ribbons for forming patterned soft gelatin capsules are disclosed. The apparatus and process use multiple spreader boxes to form a wide variety of possible patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process useful for producing patterned gelatin ribbons for forming patterned soft gelatin capsules are disclosed. The apparatus and process use multiple spreader boxes to form a wide variety of possible patterns.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing gelatin capsules is disclosed in which two gelatin sheets having preliminarily formed pockets are supplied between a pair of opposing rolls. The pocket are preliminarily sutured together by action of the rolls to form the pocket. A pusher is selectively driven through a hole to drive a weighed amount of capsule content into the pocket after which the die rolls complete the suture to form the pocket containing the capsule content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing pharmaceutical capsules use an aqueous solution of a thermogelling cellulose ether composition and use capsule body pins and capsule cap pins as molds. The method involves heating the pins, dipping the pins into the solution to cause the solution to gelatinize on the surface of the pins, removing the pins and drying the gelatinized solution on the surface of the pins to form capsule bodies and capsule caps. Pins are heated pre-dip and post-dip to facilitate gelating. Counterflow air is applied to provide drying from the inside. Capsule parts are removed by gripping. Capsule parts may have a thick wall and a stiffening ring.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process useful for producing patterned gelatin ribbons for forming patterned soft gelatin capsules are disclosed. The apparatus and process use multiple spreader boxes to form a wide variety of possible patterns.

Abstract: A capsule making machine includes a pin bar having a set of passageways disposed so as to allow free passage of fluid through a base. In another aspect of the present invention, a hood having a substantially triangular side view shape is disposed within the capsule hardening station for dispersing fluid upon the pin bars to promote hardening of the capsules. Another aspect of the present invention provides specific heating temperature ranges within predetermined section of the capsule hardening station. Methods of constructing a pin bar and for operating a capsule making machine are also provided within the present invention.

Abstract: A pin mold and pin bar assembly for use in a methylcellulose capsule-making machine includes a pin bar, an insulating strip, and a pin mold mounted to the pin bar and insulating strip. The pin mold has a shell composed of stainless steel and a copper core. The subject invention also includes a deck plate assembly for use with the pin mold and pin bar assembly. The deck plate assembly includes a deck plate, at least one heating element, a sensor, and a power supply. The deck plate assemblies may be arranged in a kiln section of a methylcellulose capsule-making machine and may be heated to desired temperatures independent of adjacent deck plate assemblies.

Abstract: A capsule-making system for the manufacture of capsules for pharmaceutical use includes an elevator for manipulating and uniformly heating a plurality of vertically stacked pin bars prior to dipping. The heated elevator station is positioned before the dipping station as part of the capsule-making machine. The elevator comprises a series of vertically stacked pin bars. A series of oil lines carrying hot oil is provided is within the elevator such that each of the pin bars is evenly heated. More than one elevator (i.e., more than one pin bar stack) may be situated in a side-by-side manner. Each elevator stack is selectively moved up or down by means of one or more hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing pharmaceutical capsules uses an aqueous solution of a thermogelling cellulose ether composition, and uses capsule body pins and capsule cap pins as molds. The apparatus heats the pins, dips the pins into the solution to cause the solution to gelatinize on the surface of the pins, and dries the gelatinized solution on the surface of the pins to form capsule bodies and caps. The apparatus provides differential heating and supplemental heating of the pins before dipping, and directed radiant heating after dipping. The apparatus provides counterflow air for drying. The apparatus removes parts from pins by gripping. The pins are smaller than pins used to make gelatin capsules of the same size number.

Abstract: A continuous solvent free gelatin encapsulation apparatus and process includes an oil roll back assembly (20) for applying a controlled amount of a food-approved lubricant to a first side of the gelatin ribbon and an applicator guide bar assembly (40) for applying a controlled amount of food-approved lubricant to a second side of the gelatin ribbon. Two opposing food-approved lubricant coated gelatin ribbons are then united in a die assembly (50) to form gelatin capsules which are then dried and recovered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing pharmaceutical capsules use an aqueous solution of a thermogelling cellulose ether composition and use capsule body pins and capsule cap pins as molds. The method involves heating the pins, dipping the pins into the solution to cause the solution to gelatinize on the surface of the pins, removing the pins and drying the gelatinized solution on the surface of the pins to form capsule bodies and capsule caps. Pins are heated pre-dip and post-dip to facilitate gelating. Counterflow air is applied to provide drying from the inside. Capsule parts are removed by gripping. Capsule parts may have a thick wall and a stiffening ring.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process useful for producing patterned gelatin ribbons for forming patterned soft gelatin capsules are disclosed. The apparatus and process use multiple spreader boxes to form a wide variety of possible patterns.

Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a rotary cup for forming beads and projecting them radially outwardly, and one or more collection basins surrounding the bead forming cup. The cup is adjustably rotatable about its central axis, and the collection basins are independently rotatable and positioned to collect the beads projected from the cup. The coating apparatus further includes an elevation adjustment system for axially adjusting the alignment of the cup with respect to the selected collection basins. The rotational speeds of the cup and the collection basins are selected so as to minimize the impact of the beads against a gelling solution in the collection basins. In use, a supply mixture is introduced into a mixing chamber of the cup. As the cup spins, the coated particles are propelled upwardly by the centrifugal force from the mixing chamber along the inner surface of the cup, and are projected radially outwardly, as beads, into the gelling solution in one of the selected basins.

Abstract: An abrupt pressure change applied to a dispersion of core and shell material in a liquid carrier medium encapsulates the core material within the shell material. The method and apparatus of this invention permit a wider range of core and shell materials to be utilized than was possible with prior art methods including materials which previously have not been usable as shell materials. Materials in solid, liquid, gas or multiphase form may be encapsulated. Additionally, capsules are produced in a small fraction of the time required by prior art methods. The total time to perform the encapsulation may range from a few seconds to only a few minutes. The abrupt pressure change may be applied to the dispersion by either a piston or ultrasonic apparatus in both batch, semi-continuous, and continuous processes. Recycling of the capsules through the apparatuses permits adjustment of the capsules' characteristics as well as formation of multiple core capsules.

Abstract: A softgel having a texture on at least a portion of its surface and a process and apparatus for the manufacture thereof.

Abstract: A method of packaging, comprising the steps of disposing an article in a package and airtightly sealing an air sensitive reagent, which changes color upon contact with air, as at least part of the package for the article such that the seal must be broken to access the article and thereby cause the reagent to contact the air or another agent and change color. A semi-permeable membrane will allow the same reagent to function as a shelf-life indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing capsules which causes a solution of thermo-gelling material to gelatinize, and then drys the gel, whereby the process of manufacturing capsules is less affected by drying conditions, thus providing capsules of uniform wall thickness without wrinkles. In the apparatus of this invention, circulating capsule pins are dipped in the solution of thermo-gelling material, thus the solution adheres to the pins, and, the pins are rotated upside down, thus thickness of the solution adhering to the pins becomes uniform. Then, the pins are retained in the vessel maintained at a higher temperature than the gelling temperature of the solution, and the solution adhering to the pins is accelerated to gelatinization. The formed gel is dried in a drying device, and the dried gel bodies, i.e. capsules, are removed from the capsule pins.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating molds to make hard gelatin capsules has a dish for holding a bath of liquid gelatin. A multi-well tray is submerged in the bath to establish a plurality of fluid passageways through the bath and to create a pool of liquid gelatin in each of the wells. A drive unit, having a pair of counterrotating gears, moves gelatin through the passageways and pools to maintain a substantially uniform gelatin temperature throughout the bath. Capsule molds are periodically submerged into the pools and then withdrawn to manufacture the hard gelatin capsules.

Abstract: The invention is a process and apparatus for the manufacture of microcapsules. The microcapsules have a core which contains a liquid, gaseous, solid or multiple-phase material which is coated with an impermeable film. The microcapsules are formed by applying high pressure, for a short period of time, to a mixture of the core and shell material, and by gradually reducing the pressure, such as by passing the capsules through a baffled chamber. The invention also includes a method for adjusting the size of the microcapsules, and for adjusting the thickness of their shells. The microcapsules can be made with several shell layers, to increase their strength. They can also be made as multiple capsules, having two or more cores. The invention also includes a method and apparatus for making microcapsules in a continuous process. The present invention produces microcapsules in a small fraction of the time required by methods of the prior art.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly in a multi-element spherical shell generation system includes first and second side-by-side spaced apart nozzles and a web portion extending between and connecting the nozzles. The first nozzle has an inner orifice adapted to discharge a first filler material and an outer annular orifice separated from and defined in concentric relation about the inner orifice and adapted to discharge a first shell material. The second nozzle has an inner orifice adapted to discharge a second filler material and an outer annular orifice separated from and defined in concentric relation about the inner orifice and adapted to discharge a second shell material.

Abstract: A compaction evaluation apparatus for determining powder plug and compaction force parameters to produce a desired plug for encapsulation. A tamping pin is operated by a piston, and the force applied by the pin as well as its dwell on the powder plug can be accurately controlled. The powder plug may be released into an actual capsule body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming microcapsules from a fluid medium containing living culture material by the atomization of the medium and the treatment of the atomized droplets with a treatment fluid. A medium under pressure enters a chamber having a wall with a plurality of orifices formed therein. A vibrator vibrates the chamber. As the medium passes through the orifices the exit stream vibrates and forms small droplets. The droplets fall into a collection vessel on the other side of the wall, which contains treatment fluid for hardening the droplets into microcapsules. A flow of treatment fluid may be maintained through the collection vessel to prevent clumping of the droplets and to transport the hardened microcapsules for harvesting. Preferred operating pressures, orifice size and chamber configuration are shown.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for encapsulating solutions of reactants of color reaction systems by means of conventional encapsulation processes, the reactant initially being dissolved in a solvent with a good dissolving power and immediately prior to emulsification or encapsulation, a non-solvent, which only dissolves the reactant to an insignificant extent, is admixed with the fresh solution obtained in a quantity which adjusts a supersaturated system, the capsulates obtainable as a result thereof, as well as their use with an encapsulated solution of a basic color former, which supplies a color by the reaction with acid reactants, in non-carbon paper.

Abstract: Single piece capsules, produced, filled and sealed in a single operation, also known as soft shell capsules, having a special foam wall structure, obtained by a microdispersion of a gas in an aqueous mixture of dry gelatin and one or more plasticizers.The capsules are formed by processing, on soft shell capsule manufacturing machines, foamed ribbons, cast from a film forming mixture obtained by a microdispersion of a gas in an aqueous mixture of gelatin and one or more plasticizers; optionally with the inclusion of a coloring agent, an opacifying agent, a foam stabilizer, a gelatin extender, a preservative, a flavoring agent, a sweetening agent, or a drug.By a suitable choice of the gas proportion in the capsule wall and its microdispersion level, it is possible, within certain limits, to control the capsule wall disintegration speed and its opacity.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously producing microcapsules which comprises at least one inner pipe for extruding a material to be encapsulated, at least one outer pipe for extruding an encapsulating material, the outer pipe being coaxially arranged around the inner pipe, means for delivering the material to be encapsuled to the inner pipe, means for delivering the encapsulating material to the outer pipe, at least one capsule-forming cylinder through which a coaxial jet flow of the material to be encapsulated and encapsulating material flows downwardly and through which a coagulating agent is forced to flow downwardly, a closed chamber which contains the coagulating agent and in which the capsule-forming cylinder is arranged vertically and means for delivering the coagulating agent to the chamber, which produces up to about 50,000 microcapsules per second per a set of the inner and outer pipes and the capsule forming cylinder.

Abstract: A method for compressing gases in a contained volume consisting of hollow glass microspheres is described. The gases are compressed under high pressure and can be easily handled and stored. The gases to be compressed and contained in the microspheres are used as blowing gases to blow the microspheres.The hollow glass microspheres are made by forming a liquid film of molten glass across a coaxial blowing nozzle, applying the blowing gas at a positive pressure on the inner surface of the glass film to blow the film and form an elongated cylinder shaped liquid film of molten glass. A transverse jet is used to direct an entraining fluid over and around the blowing nozzle at an angle to the axis of the blowing nozzle. The entraining fluid as it passes over and around the blowing nozzle fluid dynamically induces a pulsating or fluctuating pressure field at the opposite or lee side of the blowing nozzle in the wake or shadow of the coaxial blowing nozzle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ring form of a rigid and durable material with a metal insert arranged in its passageway. The ring is employed to strip thin walled gelatin capsules from capsule-forming pins which are slightly tapered along their entire length.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of multilayer articles has a plurality of female dies mounted in a rotary disc. A plurality of feeding devices equal in number to the number of layers in the articles to be manufactured is distributed about the rotary disc. Each feeding device admits a quantity of material into the female dies as these travel by. A compressing device is arranged downstream of each feeding device as seen in the direction of movement of the female dies. The compressing devices compress the material admitted into the female dies by the respective feeding devices and also cause the various layers of material to adhere to one another. When the required number of layers has been formed, the resulting article is ejected from the respective female die. One or more of the feeding devices is movable to an inoperative position in which it is unable to feed the female dies. This movement may be effected while the female dies rotate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device used in capsule-making machines which, after the gelatin has cured, strips it off the tapered forming pin. More particularly, the device is a plastic ring having a spring metal split ring insert embedded therein along with an external anti-creep spring to maintain proper dimension of the device.

Abstract: From an extruder head a descending column of edible substance or medicament encased in a casing forming material of gelatin or dough is extruded. The casing forming material may be a single color or different colors on opposite sides. This column is pinched off by a pair of rotating wheels each having half cavities therein to form capsules or sticks of encased edible substance or medicament. The casing material is then hardened.

Abstract: A glass balloon that floats in air. An assembly of glass balloons that form a slab of foam that floats in air. A process for making glass balloons employing: two nested furnaces, pre-heated helium, a moving furnace, and a refrigerated seal-off chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device used in capsule-making machines which, after the gelatin has cured, strips it off the tapered forming pin. More particularly, the device is a plastic ring having a spring metal split ring insert embedded therein along with an external anti-creep spring to maintain proper dimension of the device.