Patent ID: 9211659
Filing Date: 2015-12-15
Classification: A61J,B29C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for forming hard shell capsule components, wherein the capsule components are formed from a material which undergoes gelation upon heating, the apparatus comprising: a heat station adapted to heat a plurality of component molds to a desired temperature, wherein the heat station comprises a cylindrical portion configured to hold the component molds while the component molds are heated and a drive apparatus adapted to rotate the cylindrical portion about an axis of the cylindrical portion; a molding station comprising a reservoir containing a solution of the material used to form the capsule components; a drying station; and a transport system adapted to transport the component molds from the heat station to the molding station and from the molding station to the drying station, wherein the drying station includes a first section which is adapted to provide a temperature of 50-90° C. and 20-90% relative humidity, and wherein the cylindrical portion comprises a plurality of mold carrier retaining elements on an inwardly facing surface of the cylindrical portion such that each of a plurality of mold carriers can be guided into a respective mold carrier retaining element, each said mold carrier comprising an array of said component molds.