Patent ID: 8015937
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: A23G,A61J,B01J

Abstract:
1. A system for coating tablets comprising: a) an elongate housing having opposing lateral sides, first and second opposing ends, and an elongate horizontal axis extending lengthwise within said housing between said opposing ends; b) a drum within said housing journalled for rotation about said axis, said drum having a first end for receiving a supply of tablets adjacent to said first end of said housing and a second end open to discharge said tablets adjacent to said second end of said housing; c) drive means for rotating said drum about said axis for tumbling said tablets within said drum and thereby transiting said tablets from said first end to said second end as said tablets are introduced into said first end and discharged from said second end; d) a coating delivery system for dispensing coating onto said tablets within said drum as said tablets are tumbled within said drum; e) a feeder for dispensing a stream of bulk tablets at a selected rate into said first end of said drum; f) an upstanding weir plate partly obstructing said open second end of said drum for retaining a bed of tablets within said drum at a selected depth wherein upon rotation of said drum said coated tablets spill over said weir plate for discharge from said system, said weir plate being mounted to said housing for remaining stationary during rotation of said drum, said weir plate being adjustable in position for increasing or decreasing the effective spillover height of said weir plate to selectively control the tablet depth and average tablet dwell time within said drum; and g) a controller operatively connected to said feeder, said coating delivery system and said weir plate for controlling the delivery of tablets, the delivery of coating and tablet dwell time.