Patent ID: 6106267
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: B29C,B30B

Abstract:
Tooling for a press for making an ingestible compression molded product such as a pharmaceutical tablet from a granular feedstock material, and comprising:a die having a die cavity therein, the die cavity defining an inner surface which is generally cylindrical, the die including an open end for introducing feedstock material into the die cavity;first and second punches for positioning in opposing spaced relation within the die cavity so as to closely fit therein and define a product-forming space therebetween, each punch having an end face adapted to contact the feedstock material such that the movement of the punches toward each other compresses the feedstock material in the product-forming space to form a compression-molded product whose opposing surfaces conform to the end faces of the punches; anda first of the punches comprising a substantially rigid punch body and a tip portion which is attached to the punch body and which defines the end face of the punch, the tip portion being formed of an elastically deformable material so as to be capable of undergoing deformation while compressing the feedstock and returning to its original undeformed state when the punches are moved back apart;wherein the deformable tip portion includes a resilient circumferential wiping ring formed thereon coaxial with the punch body, the wiping ring in a relaxed state extending radially outward to a diameter greater than the diameter of the inner surface of the die cavity, whereby the wiping ring fits closely against and is biased into contact with the inner surface of the die cavity so as to wipe the inner surface upon axial movement of the punch within the die.