Patent ID: 8646591
Filing Date: 2014-02-11
Classification: A61J,B65G,G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for handling capsules in a capsule processing equipment, comprising a hopper for containing a bulk of capsules, said hopper having, in a normal use position, an upper portion with an upper inlet for feeding the capsules into the hopper and a side wall; and a conveying belt for transferring the capsules from the hopper within the processing equipment, said conveying belt travelling in an inclined travel direction for receiving capsules from said hopper, the belt being provided with successive cavities each adapted to accommodate a single capsule, wherein the apparatus is adapted to singulate capsules in the cavities of the conveying belt from the bulk, into a pre-defined and repeatable position, wherein the cavities of the belt are open at both ends, whereby both ends of each capsule are accessible to respective processing devices from both sides of the belt while said capsule is conveyed on the belt, and wherein the cavities of the belt are arranged in a transverse direction with respect to the travel direction, whereby the capsules are conveyed in the respective cavities with their axis transverse to said travel direction.