Abstract: A band seal is formed between a body and a cap of a capsule by fitting the cap on the body, and applying a gelatin-base sealant at least one time in the form of a band spanning the cap and the body. Band sealing is carried out by at least one of the following steps (A) to (E): the step (A) of applying the sealant at a temperature of 30-40.degree. C. at least when the sealant is first applied, the step (B) of applying the sealant at a viscosity of 50-200 centipoises at 50.degree. C. at least when the sealant is first applied, the step (C) of after the sealant is applied, blowing cold air at a temperature of up to 10.degree. C. to the band seal to cool the band seal below 10.degree. C., the step (D) of reducing the joint distance between the body and the cap shorter than the standard capsule length, and the step (E) of applying the sealant to only an edge adjacent portion of the cap surface when the sealant is first applied. The invention prevents bubbles from generating in the band seal.

Abstract: A capsule handling system is formed of a loader component and an opener/encapsulater component. The system can handle different sized capsules, and has interchangeable parts so that a compounding pharmacist can conveniently produce a variety of distinct filled capsules, on the order of a prescribing medical professional to meet the unique needs of patients.

Abstract: A metering machine for filling capsules, each capsule having a hollow bottom shell and a hollow lid fitting one inside the other; the machine having a filling assembly for filling the capsules; the filling assembly having, successively in a preferred traveling direction of the capsules, an opening device for opening the capsules, a metering device, and a closing device for closing the capsules; the filling assembly also having a control device for ascertaining opening of the capsules, and a cleaning device for cleaning first and second seats respectively housing the bottom shells and the lids; and the control and cleaning devices cooperating with each other via a central control unit.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus is provided for placing pills into a series of pill receptacles moved under the apparatus at a predetermined speed by a conveyor. The packaging apparatus includes an escapement mechanism positioned above at least one drop chute and a vertical positioner for moving the drop chute adjacent to the pill receptacles so that pills may be sequentially placed into the pill receptacles. The apparatus includes a first horizontal positioner for moving the drop chute in a horizontal direction parallel to the path of travel of the pill receptacles and at a speed independent of the speed of the pill receptacles so that the lower end of the drop chute can be moved horizontally with respect to a pill receptacle while a pill is being placed therein. The apparatus may also further include a second horizontal positioner for moving the drop chute in horizontal directions transverse to the path of travel.

Abstract: An apparatus for enrobing medicine tablets in gelatin and employing a main linked track of die blocks with each block having a number of recesses formed in its top surface. A revolving co-operating die device in the form of another linked track or a cylindrical rotary die is adjacent to and in contact with the main linked track. This device also has a plurality of recesses, each of which is cooperable with a recess of similar size in the main link track to provide an enclosed cavity at at least one point along an upper path traversed by the main link track. This cavity is capable of holding one of the tablets. A first elastic gelatin strip is delivered to the main linked track and positioned for movement along its upper path. A vacuum system causes portions of the first gelatin strip to be pulled and stretched against walls of recesses in the die blocks to form tablet receiving depressions. A tablet dispenser drops tablets into these depressions.

Abstract: An empty medicinal and food capsule includes a cap member containing a cap circumferential slot disposed on the upper portion and at least one raised member disposed on the inner surface thereof, the cap circumferential slot having a triangular slot formed on the outer surface thereof, and a body member containing a body circumferential slot disposed on the upper portion thereof whereby the cap member and the body member can be slidably locked with each other by slidably locking the cap circumferential slot with the body circumferential slot, at the time, the triangular slot prevents from semi-locking or final locking in a prelocking state, and prevents from separating the cap member form the body member in a final locking state, and the capsule is not deformed.

Abstract: A multi-station apparatus and method of manufacture allows the manufacture of an article having a fluid filled cavity fabricated from simultaneously fed twin thermoplastic webs. A web transport means simultaneously feeds twin thermoplastic webs into an apparatus, where a oven raises the temperature of the material of the webs for thermoforming and molding. The cavity then is partially fusing to provide an injection and outlet port and a fluid is injected into the cavity, which is then sealed to provide a finished article. The fluid can be formed from a super absorbent material as a thick, viscous gel-like colloidal substance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a medical powder filling machine, especially a medical powder filling machine which can control the filling amount of powder by means of a non-step speed mechanism, the powder hopper mouth of the medical powder filling machine being controlled by a limit switch, the limit switch would start a motor to make the powder in the powder hopper to be filled into medical capsules when the powder hopper covering the whole medical capsule dish so as to get the same amount of medical powder in each medical capsule, furthermore the medical powder filling machine having an automatic powder filler which can fill the powder into a mold cavity of the medical capsule dish accurately by means of an intermittent movement of the medical capsule dish, in addition, the rotation speed of the powder filler and the stirrer for powder hopper being controlled by a control box, and the medicine dish motor being controlled by a non-step speed motor so as to avoid complex gear assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides machines and methods for continuously filling and closing containers supplied in random orientation. In one embodiment, apparatus in accord with the invention comprises a machine frame 10 that supports devices for continuously orienting, filling and closing containers. Device A supplies the containers in random orientation. Device B continuously orients the containers into a predetermined orientation. Device C continuously fills containers. Device D supplies powder or granular filler material to device C. Device E supplies plugs or stoppers for closing the containers. Device F continuously inserts plugs into filled containers to close the containers. The machine frame 10 contains the driving elements for the various devices of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging a predetermined quantity of objects and a counting device therefor is disclosed. The counting device includes a feed tray for singularizing objects, and the tray has at least one guide path including segments defining a direction of movement along the path oriented at an angle with respect to the drive axis of the tray. The packaging apparatus includes the counting device and associated components and controls for the automatic, high speed filling of containers.

Abstract: A medicine tablet is described as a new article of manufacture. The tablet is enrobed in a gelatin coating formed by application of respective layers of elastic gelatin film to opposite sides of the tablet. The applied gelatin layers conform tightly to the tablet surface, bond securely to the tablet, and are sealed together in essentially edge-to-edge manner at a seal line which extends around the tablet at a desired place on the tablet. The gelatin layers can be colored differently from the tablet and differently from each other. A range of formulations are described for film which can be peelable from a tablet or other product core, and for films which bond to the core. A presently preferred formulation for producing tablets having a bonded tamper-evident coating comprises a water-based gelatin preparation having about 45% gelatin and about 9% plasticizer (glycerin and/or sorbitol) by weight. Method and apparatus for producing such new products are also described.

Abstract: The bases and caps are aligned in two stages, with displacement by first pointed pushers (13-31) into corresponding calibrated horizontal channels (12-29) followed by displacement by second pushers (21-44) into corresponding calibrated vertical and descending channels (312-329). The second pusher (21) pushes the bases horizontally into the wider terminal part (20) of the descending channel, where the base is sucked by its sealed end and inserted into the corresponding supporting socket (1), with a vertical disposition and with the opening upwards. The second pusher (44), operating with the caps, acts on the intermediate parts of these with a point (144) which causes the caps to rotate with the opening downwards and transfers them with a vertical disposition into the wider terminal part (42) of the descending channel where the cap is held by a suction tube (46) which inserts it into the corresponding supporting socket (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling antibody testing devices for use in conducting biotests which utilize a powder fluid absorbing material to fill the housing of the antibody testing devices. The apparatus has several stations at which the various assembly steps take place. At the first station, lower housing portions of the antibody testing device are loaded onto a conveyor belt. At a second station, the lower housing portions are loaded with a fluid absorbing powder. At a third station, the powder loaded lower housing portions are engaged with a slotted indexing carousel wheel and are carried away from the conveyor belt. At a fourth station, the liquid absorbing powder in the lower housing portion is compressed therein. At a fifth station, a disk of filter material is placed atop the liquid absorbing powder loaded into the housing portion. At a sixth station, caps carrying membranes which have been spotted with receptors are engaged with the powder filled housing portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to providing a medicinal rod with a shell. The shell is formed from a hose, which is expanded by pressurizing its inner space. The medicinal rod is pushed into the expanded hose, after which the pressure is relieved. The hose tightens over the rod after the pressure relief.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling a plurality of capsules with a selected medicine, the capsules each having a closed lower end and an open top end and being mounted in the apparatus for filling the medicine into the capsules through the open top end, the apparatus comprising a dosing mechanism which separately measures a selected quantity of the medicine for input into each capsule; a capsule filling mechanism comprising a plurality of funnels each having an axis, the funnels each receiving a measured quantity of medicine and funneling the received medicine to an open delivery end of the funnels; the capsules being mounted such that the open top ends of the capsules are disposed at the open delivery ends of the funnels for receipt of the measured quantities of medicine; the filling mechanism further comprising a plurality of spiral spring mechanisms, the spiral spring mechanisms being insertable through the open top ends and removable from the capsules, the spiral spring mechanisms further being rotatable simultaneously

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a subcutaneous capsules filled with a selected medicine comprising: a tube cutting mechanism which cuts a continuous length of tubing into a plurality of tubular capsules, each capsule having an open top end and an open bottom end; a capsule support mechanism which holds the capsules in a predetermined array, the bottom open ends of the capsules being sealed by a sealing mechanism; a plurality of spring mechanisms insertable into the open top ends of each capsule held in the array, each spring mechanism receiving a selected quantity of medicine for each capsule, each spring mechanism being rotatable and delivering the selected quantities of medicine into each capsule by insertion of the spring mechanisms into the open top ends of each capsule and rotation of the spring mechanisms.

Abstract: A tablet encapsulator deposits a predetermined number of tablets into each of a plurality of hard gelatin capsules. A tablet holding block has second guide holes for holding the predetermined number of tablets. A tablet carrier is reciprocated for a number of times equal to the predetermined number of tablets during a capsule filling sequence so that with each reciprocation, each of the second guide holes receives a single tablet until the predetermined number of tablets is received in each of the second guide holes. A shutter normally prevents the tablets from entering first guide holes in a first tablet guide shoot and intermittently permits the predetermined number of tablets to pass through each of the first guide holes and enter each of the capsules through their openings in synchronism with intermittent motion of a capsule holder.

Abstract: A capsule handling system is formed of a loader component and an opener/encapsulater component. The system can handle different sized capsules, and has interchangeable parts so that a compounding pharmacist can conveniently produce a variety of distinct filled capsules, on the order of a prescribing medical professional to meet the unique needs of patients.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encapsulating small articles such as medicines in caplet or cylindrical form are disclosed. Gelatin half capsules are formed on the pins of pin blocks and are delivered to a station at which they are trimmed and fitted over the opposite ends of the product to be encapsulated. The capsule halves are first dried to a condition in which they have about 20 wt. % moisture and are thereafter press fitted over the ends of the caplets and allowed to dry to shrink fit tightly onto the caplets making it virtually impossible to remove them from their gelatin coverings without leaving visible evidence of tampering. The finished product has a smoother outer surface which lends itself to overprinting.

Abstract: The invention relates to an equipment for manufacturing subcutaneous capsules. The capsules are produced by cutting from a silicone tube lengths in excess of the final capsule length. The lengths are arranged into rows including a defined number of them and in these rows they are filled and sealed. One end of the capsules is first sealed by glue dosaged into their openings. The material for the capsules is dosaged by an aperture disc glidable on a plane surface. By sweeping the upper surface of the disc the dosage volume is limited to the volume defined by the aperture. To regulate the packaging density of the material vibration may be used during the filling of the apertures. The dosaged material is conveyed to the capsule via a feeder funnel, through which a rotatable spiral spring, functioning as a filling screw, is inserted into the capsule to be filled.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for counting tablets and feeding a predetermined number of tablets to a bottle are disclosed. The present invention creates a fluidized bed of tablets above a plurality of slat bars, each of which comprises a plurality of cavities having a vacuum port connected to a source of negative pressure. The vacuum draws individual tablets down from the fluidized bed and into the cavities in the slat bar, thereby ensuring efficient and complete filling of each cavity with a tablet. Upon exit from the fluidized bed, the vacuum flow is disconnected and, in certain embodiments, a positive airflow may be flowed through the vacuum ports to eject the tablets into means for feeding the tablets into bottles.

Abstract: A medicine tablet is described as a new article of manufacture. The table is enrobed in a gelatin coating formed by application of respective layers of elastic gelatin film to opposite sides of the tablet. The applied gelatin layers conform tightly to the tablet surface, bond securely to the tablet, and are sealed together in essentially edge-to-edge manner at a seal line which extends around the tablet at a desired place on the tablet. The gelatin layers can be colored differently from the tablet and differently from each other. A range of formulations are described for film which can be peelable from a tablet or other product core, and for films which bond to the core. A presently preferred formulation for producing tablets having a bonded tamper-evident coating comprises a water-based gelatin preparation having about 45% gelatin and about 9% plasticizer (glycerin and/or sorbitol) by weight.Method and apparatus for producing such new products are also described.

Abstract: The machine comprises a central vertical tube and an outer tube guided on the central tube, these tubes being movable according to constant strokes which are appropriately in step with respect to one another. A casing is fixed to the outer tube and has a lower pipe which is parallel to the tube. A lever is pivoted to a ring positionable longitudinally on the outer tube and a rod is guided in the casing and is provided, in a downward position, with a plunger guided inside the pipe. An adjustable-height loading cell is supported on the central tube, and the lever has an end which is operatively associated with the top of the rod. The opposite end of the lever is free and acts on the loading cell.

Abstract: A capsule filling apparatus which fills capsules with tablets having the same cylindrical shape as the capsules, wherein each tablet is fed from a hopper in an upright posture and wherein the filling of tablets into the capsules is secured by detecting a pressure varying depending on the presence of tablets in delivering holes.

Abstract: A capsule sealing apparatus which includes a capsule conveyor device with horizontally maintained slats on which capsules are mounted horizontally throughout the travel, during which the seams between the caps and bodies of the capsules are sealed by rotary coating discs that pick up the sealer from a tank disposed below the capsule conveyor device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of encapsulated products containing a solid dosage form prepared with up to 35% of an edible matrix material. The composition may be introduced into the capsule as a powder and the capsule containing the powder mixture may then be heated to melt the matrix. The resulting capsule products exhibit the favorable texture of a capsule in conjunction with the hardness, shelf stability and security of the solid formulation. The composition of the present invention may be prepared and used as a direct tableting granulation as well as the filler or core for the capsule product. A method and corresponding apparatus are likewise disclosed and contemplated herein.

Abstract: An automatic capsule filling apparatus includes a body holding ring and a superposed cap holding ring mounted on a ring carrier. The body holding ring includes rows of body cavities for holding a body portion of a capsule. A vacuum line is connected to an orifice in the bottom of each body cavity for retaining capsule body portions. The cap holding ring is superposed thereover and has corresponding cap cavities for receiving preassembled capsules. The cap holding ring includes a lip for engaging the cap portion when the cap holding ring is lifted from the vacuum-retained body holding ring, thereby removing the cap. The preassembled capsules are properly oriented and inserted into the rings row-by-row by a capsule rectifier. Once the rings are filled with capsules, the body holding ring vacuum is utilized to retain the capsule body portions, and the cap holding ring is lifted from the body holding ring to remove the caps from all of the preassembled empty capsules.

Abstract: An improved capsule transport tray for use in the curing chamber of capsule sealing and banding machines is disclosed. The trays have hemispherical recesses which thereby support the capsules at their ends, thereby keeping the midportion of the capsules where the sealing and banding solutions have been applied, from touching the support surface. An air port or opening at the bottom of each recess insures better circulation of the heated air in the curing chamber about each respective capsule.

Abstract: A pneumatic apparatus for withdrawing and recycling goods from defective blister packages on a blister packaging machine comprising a housing which is positioned on the blister packaging machine between the detection station and the sealing station and having a plurality of transversely spaced-apart open chambers in the bottom thereof. A plurality of air valves are connected to a high air pressure source and to the blister package machine detection station, and each air valve corresponds to a respective chamber in the bottom of the housing. A plurality of air venturi nozzles are provided wherein each air venturi nozzle is fluidly connected at its air pressure input end to a corresponding air valve and chamber.

Abstract: A capsule charging apparatus for charging a hard gelatin capsule with a filling of powder, granule, or liquid continuously at every constant amount, in which operation processes such as receiving, holding, separating, charging with the filling, recoupling, and ejecting of the capsule are performed in order during one rotation of a turntable at plural positions defined by a predetermined rotation angle by which the turntable intermittently rotates, the turntable comprising a pair of rotary members disposed opposite to each other with a fixed space therebetween in the vertical direction of a vertical shaft, and between the upper and lower rotary members being interposed capsule guide members for connecting cap containing pockets with corresponding body containing pockets of the rotary members in order to separate the capsule into the cap and body and recouple them.

Abstract: By means of the method proposed the joining of a cap and a body of a capsule used to enclose medicines, with the open end of the body already inserted in the cap, is achieved by directing a flow of hot compressed fluid, progressively on a circular portion of the cap overlapping a relative underlying circular portion of the body, so as to affect the entire circumference of the circular portion of the cap; the resulting seal between the said portions prevents separation, without breaking, of the cap or the body.

Abstract: A capsule filling and capping machine including a testing apparatus for ascertaining the presence of capsule pieces (bottom and cap) in the conveyor apparatus. The conveyor apparatus includes receptacles into which the capsules are tightly inserted. A test head, with chambers disposed in it that communicate with a source of negative pressure or overpressure, respectively, via a throttle is brought into contact with the receptacles, and the pressure of the chambers is monitored by pressure sensors. The output of piezorestrictive pressure sensors is evaluated electronically and processed further into signals to prevent capsules from being filled, to reject defective capsules, or to stop the machine if there is a problem related to one of the capsules.

Abstract: A capsule charging apparatus that is a capsule conveying device disposed on a stand internally provided with at least one driving unit and a capsule charging device including at least one charging unit disposed on a stand which is detachably attached to the side of the stand of said capsule conveying device, said capsule conveying device arranging a plurality of capsules in which body portion are fitted into cap portions substantially vertically with their cap portions uppermost and their body portions below the cap portions; separating the capsules into the cap portions and the body portions; moving the separated cap portions and body portions in the horizontal direction; and fitting together the body portions and the cap portions again and said charging unit being driven by the driving unit inside the stand of said capsule conveying device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sealing gelatin capsules having cylindrical cap and body portions arranged in telescoping relationship to contain a medicament therein comprising a capsule-sealing machine for continuously conveying capsules from a supply hopper to a capsule-rectification station wherein the capsules are reoriented and delivered in endwise, cap-down abutment to capsule-wetting stations where a suitable sealing liquid is applied to the capsules at the seams of their cap and body portions to be located between the overlapping side walls of the cap and body portions of the capsules, and wherein the capsules are conveyed from their wetting stations in peripheral pockets of a rotating drum dryer to a capsule heating and sealing section where the capsules are heated by convection and conduction to seal the cap and body portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of encapsulated products containing a solid dosage form prepared with up to 35% of an edible matrix material. The composition may be introduced into the capsule by injection molding or extrusion, and the resulting capsule products exhibit the favorable texture of a capsule in conjunction with the hardness, shelf stability and security of the solid formulation. The composition of the present invention may be prepared and used as a direct tableting granulation as well as the filler or core for the capsule product. A method and corresponding apparatus are likewise disclosed and contemplated herein.

Abstract: A capsule sealing and banding machine (10) and method in which capsules (C) are supplied from a supply hopper (23) to a rotating capsule transfer plate (12) for banding and sealing of the capsules as they pass over sets of sealing and banding wheels (63) at angularly-spaced-apart sealing and banding stations (13 and 15, respectively). The machine has an improved capsule feed means (30) for feeding the capsules from the hooper to the transfer plate, including a resilient gate (46) at the discharge end of the feed means, and a pivoted gate (43) at the discharge end of the hopper. In addition, independent variable speed drive means (M,62) is connected with the sealing and banding wheels, and the reservoirs (65 and 66) for the sealing and banding fluids are mounted on slides (67) for easy removal. Improved capsule transport trays (17) have hemispherical recesses (56) therein for supporting the capsules at their ends.

Abstract: A capsule-inspection apparatus includes a base and a capsule-receiving tray slidable on the base to cause all of the capsules cradled in pockets formed in the tray to be turned simultaneously about their longitudinal axes to enhance visual inspection of substantially the entire exterior surface of the cradled capsules. An inspection mask is positionable on the tray to permit a user visually to inspect the coating dip line of coated caplets cradled in the tray quickly and easily to determine if the coating dip line is located substantially in the middle of the caplet to ensure that the caplet coating causes the caplet to resemble a two-piece capsule.

Abstract: A device for sealing two-piece capsules has a capsule carrier and a capsule holder which are movable relative to one another for the purpose of attaching a cap to a capsule body. In order to bond a cap firmly and tightly to the body of a capsule, the device has a nozzle for applying a viscose sealing material to the inside of the cap. To prevent an excess of sealing material from being applied to the cap, the nozzle is provided with a vacuum mechanism in the form of an annular channel by means of which excess sealing material is removed during the application.

Abstract: A formed or molded body, a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus therefor, wherein several equal or different active ingredients in suitable, equal or different carrier substances are filled at the same time side-by-side without a partition into a uniform enclosure or envelope to provide a formed or molded body with uniform outer appearance and with separate inner regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for fixedly securing a cap and body of a capsule together to thereby render the capsule tamper evident. In one form of the invention, the capsules are conveyed at spaced intervals along a predetermined path of travel through a treatment zone which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. An elongated bar having a tapered edge and positioned within the treatment zone engages the side of the capsule to produce an indentation in the side of the capsule which increases in depth from the entry and to the exit end of the treatment zone. This indentation around the capsule hermetically seals the cap and body of the capsule together so that the cap and body cannot be separated without destruction of the capsule. In another form of the invention, the bar is increasingly heated along its length so that, in addition to forming an indentation circumferentially around the capsule, simultaneously hermetically seals the capsule cap and body together.

Abstract: A machine moistens a cover of a capsule for pharmaceutical products and includes a supply hopper for these covers. The supply hopper has an outlet opening with withdrawal means operable to withdraw the covers from the supply hopper through this opening. Moistening means moistens, with a sealing liquid the rim of each cover located on the withdrawal means. The withdrawal means includes a first disc mounted for rotation about axes transverse to another. A plurality of withdrawal devices and moistening devices are carried by the first disc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sealing capsules to render them both tamper-proof and tamper-evident. The method comprises locating a quantity of an adhesion-promoting fluid between the adjacent surfaces of the overlapping capsule wall, and thereafter applying dielectric heat energy in the vicinity of the adhesion-promoting fluid, to cause the adjacent surfaces of the capsule walls to form a permanent bond. Preferably, the adhesion-promoting fluid may comprise a non-solvent for the capsule walls that further has a high dielectric constant. Suitable adhesion-promoting fluids include lower alkanols. The method is capble of rapid operation and is inexpensive by virtue of its simplicity. Reliable capsule seals are achieved that are incapable of violation.

Abstract: In a capsule-sealing machine comprising a slat conveyor for carrying capsules over liquid binder application wheels and a bucket conveyor for receiving the sealed capsules and carrying them through the air drying chamber, a set of photoelectric inspection heads is positioned adjacent to the slat conveyor, and solenoid valves and air nozzles are positioned adjacent to the bucket conveyor. Signals produced by the inspection heads are delayed, and used to operate the solenoid valves to eject defectively sealed capsules from the bucket conveyor. The inspection heads are carried on a bar supported by brackets having inverted L-shaped slots which allow the bar to be moved upwardly and out of the way so that the slat conveyor can be cleaned or repaired. When the bar is in the inspection position adjacent to the slats, a slot in a lower edge of the bar fits over an adjusting wheel which permits fine adjustment of the positions of the inspection heads relative to the slats.

Abstract: A bander machine is disclosed which seals drugs containing capsules by welding a gelatin annular seal on edges of the capsules covers and on lateral surfaces of the capsules bottoms. The machine includes first stations for feeding for the capsules on conveyor belts having an intermittent motion; second gelatin welding stations; third stations in which the capsules are transferred from the first conveyor belts to second conveyor belts; a ventilation chamber for drying the annular seals; fourth capsule removal stations; and baths for cleaning by ultrasound the second conveyor belts.

Abstract: A machine for making fuel elements/aerosol generating cartridges useful for smoking articles, the machine providing for receiving a random supply of tubular, open-end containers, orienting the containers to position them for filling, filling the containers with a predetermined amount of aerosol generating material, and capping the open ends by inserting fuel elements therein.

Abstract: A capsule sealing machine (10) in which capsules (C) are fed from a supply hopper (16) to a rotating sealing table (12) for banding or sealing the capsules as they pass over a set of sealing wheels (13). The sealing machine has an improved capsule guide (22) for feeding the capsules from the hopper to the table, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of the machine while at the same time enabling a greater number of capsules to be sealed or banded in a given amount of time and space. The capsule guide comprises slotted magazine sections (23, 28 and 30) which are caused to vibrate by a vibrator (48) to promote discharge of capsules from the hopper and to advance the capsules along the slots. In one form of the invention, a capsule orienting device (51) is disposed in alignment with the magazine to orient the capsules in a desired end-for-end relationship before they are discharged onto the table.

Abstract: A method for sealing capsules which comprises contacting the cap and body juncture with a sealing solution of alcohol and water maintained between about 40.degree. C. to the boiling point of the fluid. A secondary gelatin band seal is also contemplated in one aspect of the invention, as well as a capsule having both seals.

Abstract: A capsule filling machine comprising a turntable supported for intermittent rotation about a vertical shaft. The turntable when at one work station receives in top-capped posture empty capsules each comprising an empty cup body having a cap body mounted thereon in telescopic fashion. The turntable is passed during one complete rotation through a plurality of work stations, at which the separation of the cap body from the cup body, the filling of a material into the cup body, the mounting of the cap body on the filled cup body to provide a filled capsule, and the ejection of the filled capsule are successively and sequentially performed. The empty capsule and the cap body, separated from the associated cup body, are conveyed along a horizontal circumferential path whereas the cup body in a region of separation is conveyed along a modified path including a side way extending outwardly and downwardly with respect to the horizontal circumferential path.

Abstract: A method for sealing an assembled gelatine capsule of the type used to contain and dispense medication is disclosed. An assembled capsule the axis of which is oriented perpendicular to the axis of a thin elongated bar is moved along and in contact with a thin edge of the elongated bar. The surface of the assembled capsule, at a point where the cap and body of the capsule overlie each other, is initially in contact with the thin edge of one end of the bar and the capsule is moved along the length of said bar so that the axis of the capsule moves closer to the edge of the bar. The bar is heated so as to be at a first temperature at a first point between its ends that will melt the gelatine, and the remainder of the bar is at a temperature that will heat plasticize the gelatine. As the capsule is moved along the heated bar it is rotated either by friction between the bar and the capsule or by mechanical means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for sealing together two generally cylindrical thermoplastic members, each having a longitudinal axis, an open end and a closed end, so that upon being joined they form a sealed capsule that may be swallowed. One capsule member may be snugly inserted into a vibrating cavity with the opened end of the member available to be filled with an active composition. The other member is placed over the first member and pushed downwardly so that the open portions of both members overlap one another. The overlapping portions of the wall members abut each other at a cylindrical interface band. Vibration causes only the overlapping wall portions of the members to rub together, thereby generating heat around the interface band. The heat, so generated, melts enough thermoplastic material at that band to produce, on cooling, a strong circular bond between both members.