Patent ID: 7144147
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: B01F

Abstract:
1. A mixing apparatus for preparing a mixture having a required homogeneity from a plurality of materials, wherein the mixing apparatus comprises: (a) a non-rotating mixing vessel; (b) at least one feeding mechanism for feeding the materials into the vessel; (c) a stirring means inside the vessel for mixing the materials to prepare the mixture; (d) one or more measuring devices for monitoring in-line at one or more locations in the vessel the homogeneity of the mixture being prepared inside the vessel, wherein the measuring device comprises a unit for directing input radiation into the vessel, and at least one detector unit for detecting output radiation following interaction of the input radiation with The materials in the vessel; (e) a means for feeding or passing the mixture from the mixing apparatus to a manufacturing apparatus for making a pharmaceutical dosage form; and (f) a controller for controlling the operation of each of the feeding mechanism, measuring device and the feeding/passing means, wherein the feeding/passing means, under control of the controller, feeds or passes the mixture when a desired degree of homogeneity is achieved from the mixing apparatus to the manufacturing apparatus.