Abstract: An improved method of holding a key (20) in a keyway (31) includes the steps of: forming an elongated keyway in the member, the member having at least one sharp corner (34) facing into the keyway adjacent either end thereof; forming a key (20) to fit in the keyway, the key being so dimensioned, proportioned and configured that the part of the key immediately adjacent each sharp corner will be recessed with respect to the surface of the member at the corner; placing the key in the keyway; and plastically deforming portions (40) of the member at the sharp corners into the keyway so as to permanently hold the key in the keyway.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for holding a plurality of medicaments to be coated is disclosed. A support member is provided having a receiving surface with a plurality of channels to communicate a vacuum across the receiving surface and an aperture operable to couple the plurality of channels to a vacuum source. A flexible mat having a perimeter shaped to engage the support member in a sealed relation is provided on the support member. The flexible mat includes a plurality of medicament receptacles mounted to a first surface and adapted to receive the medicaments. The medicament receptacles initially are in a first position when no vacuum is applied. In the first position, the medicament receptacles are positioned to receive a medicament. When a vacuum is applied, the medicament receptacles change to a second position in which the medicament receptacles are positioned to hold the medicament and permit coating thereof.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the gelatin coating of medicaments which includes a continuous conveyer system to advance a plurality of pallets through a loading station, at least one dipping station, at least one dryer station, a reorientation station and an unloading station. Medicaments to be coated are loaded into pallets at the loading station and advanced to the first dipping station where a vacuum is applied to secure the medicament to the pallet. The pallet is inverted and a first portion of each of the medicaments is dipped into a coating mixture. The pallet is then returned to its upright position, the vacuum is removed and the coating is dried. The medicaments are then transferred from the first pallet to a second pallet by a reorientation mechanism. The second pallet is then advanced to a second dipping station which operates in the same manner as the first dipping station.

Abstract: Medicaments on a first pallet are transferred onto a second pallet, thereby reorienting the medicaments. The first pallet is received on a first lift plate and the second pallet is received on a second lift plate in vertical opposition to the first lift plate. A lift mechanism urges the first and second lift plates towards one another and the first and second lift plates are inverted so that the medicaments are transferred from said first pallet to said second pallet.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the gelatin coating of medicaments which includes a continuous conveyer system to advance a plurality of pallets through a loading station, at least one dipping station, at least one dryer station, a reorientation station and an unloading station. Medicaments to be coated are loaded into pallets at the loading station and advanced to the first dipping station where a vacuum is applied to secure the medicament to the pallet. The pallet is inverted and a first portion of each of the medicaments is dipped into a coating mixture. The pallet is then returned to its upright position, the vacuum is removed and the coating is dried. The medicaments are then transferred from the first pallet to a second pallet by a reorientation mechanism. The second pallet is then advanced to a second dipping station which operates in the same manner as the first dipping station.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the gelatin coating of medicaments which includes a continuous conveyer system to advance a plurality of pallets through a loading station, at least one dipping station, at least one dryer station, a reorientation station and an unloading station. Medicaments to be coated are loaded into pallets at the loading station and advanced to the first dipping station where a vacuum is applied to secure the medicament to the pallet. The pallet is inverted and a first portion of each of the medicaments is dipped into a coating mixture. The pallet is then returned to its upright position, the vacuum is removed and the coating is dried. The medicaments are then transferred from the first pallet to a second pallet by a reorientation mechanism. The second pallet is then advanced to a second dipping station which operates in the same manner as the first dipping station.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for orienting and loading solid compact medicaments, such as solid compact medicaments (A), into a carrier device (C) comprises a feeder (12) having a plurality of elongated first channels (20) through which the solid compact medicaments travel with an acute angle relative to a predetermined orientation of the carrier device (C). An orienting member (32) cooperating with the feeder (12) reorients the solid compact medicaments to the predetermined orientation as they exit the feeder (12). In an alternative embodiment, a pitch changing means (42) in fluid communications with the orienting means (32) provides for final orientation of the solid compact medicaments prior to loading in the carrier device (C).