Patent ID: 9700513
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: A61J,A61K,B01J,B07B,B29B,B29L

Claim:
1. A method for producing granules from a powder, comprising: applying a compaction force to a powder to produce a compacted mass comprising a mixture of fine particles and granules; and separating and removing fine particles and/or small granules from the granules by entraining the fine particles and/or small granules in a gas stream, wherein a direction of the flow of the gas stream has a component which is contrary to a direction of flow of the compacted mass, wherein the fine particles and/or small granules are separated and removed from the granules by a vortex device in which the compacted mass follows a helical path through the vortex device due to creation of a vortex, wherein said compacted mass is moved in said gas stream by effect of gravitation, and wherein the vortex device comprises: a frustoconical lower section and optionally a cylindrical upper section; a first orifice at the top of the vortex device for entry of material from the compactor; a second orifice at the apex of the frustoconical section for exit of accepted granules as well as entry of carrier gas; and a third orifice for exit of carrier gas orientated tangentially to the perimeter of the vortex device and above the first orifice, wherein the compacted powder enters the vortex device through the first orifice and passes through the vortex device under the influence of gravitation and the carrier gas enters and exits the vortex device through the second and third orifices respectively causing a vortex effect to be created within the vortex device.