Patent ID: 6327835
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: A61J,G01G

Abstract:
A capsule-packaging machine (a) for detecting functions relating to the mass or weight and hence to the processing of metered amounts of loose product being packaged inside hard-gelatin capsules in the capsule-packaging machine and (b) for automatic adjustment of the capsule-packaging machine so as to keep the capsules with the metered amounts of product therein within predetermined weight values, said packaging machine comprising:(a) a handling carousel which rotates stepwise about a vertical axis thereof, the carousel (i) receiving groups of capsules, (ii) sequentially arranging bottoms of the capsules opposite a filling device, and (iii) then closing and transferring the full capsules towards an unloading device;(b) volumetric metering devices which co-operate with a store which supplies a product to be metered into the bottoms of capsules, each respective metering device removing from the store an amount of the product proportioned to a volume of a free seat of the metering device and transferring the amount of product in the free seat to above the bottom of a capsule presented by the handling carousel;(c) a pressing thruster associated with the metering devices for pressing the product located inside of the free seat of the metering device;(d) a discharging thruster associated with the metering devices for discharging the pressed product from inside the free seat of the metering device into the bottom of the capsule;(e) a transportation means for removing the capsules filled with product from the handling carousel towards a usable product line;(f) a processor which governs an automatic operation of the capsule-packaging machine; and(g) a checking and controlling apparatus including(i) a force transducer associated with one of the pressing thruster or the discharging thruster, said force transducer emitting an electrical force signal proportional to a force which the one of the thrusters exerts on the product in a then associated metering device, and(ii) amplifying means for amplifying, for processing and for transferring the electrical force signal to the processor; andwherein said processor compares the electrical force signal with predetermined parameters relating to an acceptable mass or weight condition for the amount of product in the then associated metering device such that electrical force signals outside of the predetermined parameters cause said processor to (i) emit an alarm signal, (ii) correct one of a volume of the metering seats or a heightwise position of the pressing thrusters, and (iii) deviate to the reject line the then filled capsule which was associated with the alarm signal.