IMPROVED POWDER FEEDER

Abstract: An improved powder feeder which delivers powder smoothly and without interruption for use in a pelletization process. A powder injection nozzle (20) which tapers smoothly from mouth to egress is provided, and the injection nozzle (20) is disposed at an obtuse angle to the powder container (2) to improve powder flow. Additionally, feed screws (14) of varying pitches are provided to attain better control of powder flow in the powder container (2).

Description: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for feeding powder and particularly to such an apparatus which smoothly delivers powder in a pelletization process without interruption. A process is known whereby drugs in powder form are coated onto small pellets or beads such as sugar seeds with the help of a sticky polymer binder. In order to effect such process it is necessary to uniformly feed the drug in powder form to the product bowl where the coating operation is performed. There is known apparatus for feeding powder for the above-described purpose. However, it has been found that the prior art apparatus becomes backed up or clogged with the powder during operation, thereby resulting in interruption of the process line. In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus having a novel structure is provided, with the result that continuous delivery of powder is provided. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a powder feeder which delivers powder smoothly and does not become clogged. It is a further object of the invention to modify an existing powder feeder so that delivery of powder is not interrupted by the formation of a powder plug. It is still a further object of the invention to effect modifications to an existing powder feeder which are relatively simple and inexpensive. In accordance with the invention, the above objects are accomplished by providing modifications to an existing powder feeder. In a first aspect of the invention, the conventional powder injection nozzle, which is shaped so as to include an abrupt change of direction or discontinuity is replaced with a powder injection nozzle which tapers smoothly without any discontinuity. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the axis of the powder injection nozzle is arranged to be at an obtuse angle to the axis of the powder container so that the powder flows downwardly from the container into the injection nozzle. In accordance with still further features of the present invention, the pitch and shaft diameter of screw feed means used to feed the powder in the axis direction of the powder container are arranged to provide better feed control, and interchangeable screw feeds of varying pitch are provided for different powders. The invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a known powder feeder in accordance with the prior art. Figure 2 is a detailed schematic representation of a portion of the prior art powder feeder. Figure 3 is a schematic representation of improvements in accordance with the present invention. Figure 4 is a further schematic representation of improvements in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a powder feeder having the improved feed screw and means provided by the invention. Figures 6 to 9 are exemplary feed screws which are provided by the invention. Referring to Figure 1, a powder feeder in accordance with the prior art is depicted, and for example, this may correspond to the structure of the Glatt GPCG-5 Powder Coater Granulator with a rotor insert and equipped with the necessary accessories to manufacture pellets. In the operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, powder is fed to powder container 2, and after being transported through the apparatus is fed continuously from blow-out jet 4 into product bowl 6. In the product bowl, the powder may be coated onto small spherical beads or pellets, which for example may be sugar seeds which have been coated with a sticky polymer binder. Referring more specifically to the operation of the powder feeder, after being fed to product container 2, the powder falls by gravity to portion 8 of the container, which is in the shape of a right circular cone. There, the powder is mixed by stripper 10, which is attached to shaft 12 for rotation. Feed screw 14 then moves the powder through relatively more narrow container portion 18, whereafter the powder is fed to powder injection nozzle 20. Compressed air, entering through air hose 22 and nozzle orifice 24, factilitates feeding of the powder to and through injection nozzle 20. After the injection nozzle, the powder is fed through connecting hose 26 and out of blow-out jet 4 into the product bowl 6. As mentioned above, a problem which has been encountered with the use of the prior art powder feeder is that it becomes backed up with powder, with the result that operation is interrupted. Referring to Figure 2, it is noted that injection nozzle 20 is comprised of a conical mouth portion 30 which leads to and is terminated by a cylindrical portion 32 of relatively narrower diameter. At area 36, there is a change of direction and resultant discontinuity in the nozzle, and at this area there is a tendency for a powder plug to form. In addition to this, jet 4 is constricted at its end, and also may become backed up, especially if humidity conditions are not carefully controlled. Referring to Figure 3, expedients in accordance with the present invention for solving the above-described problems are depicted. In the arrangement of Figure 3, powder injection nozzle 20 as shown in Figure 2, is replaced with powder injection nozzle 20′. Nozzle 20′ is constructed so as to taper from a relatively wider mouth portion to a relatively narrower exit portion gradually, and without the presence of an abrupt change of direction or discontinuity such as is denoted by reference numeral 36 in Figure 2. This facilitates smooth flow of powder through nozzle 20′ without the occurrence of a plug or blockage. Additionally, housing 25 of Figure 2 in which the powder injection nozzle and air jet are located is replaced by housing 25′ shown in Figure 3, which is located at an obtuse angle (axis a/axis b) with respect to cylindrical container 18. This disposes the entrance to nozzle 20′ in the path of powder flow, and since nozzle 20′ is directed downwardly, allows the force of gravity to augment the powder flow. In a preferred embodiment, the side of element 25′ which houses the powder injection nozzle is at an angle of 105° to cylindrical element 18, and such an embodiment is illustrated in Figure 4. Referring again to the illustration of the prior art in Figure 2, it is noted that blow out jet 4 has a constriction at its end, which as mentioned, tends to become blocked. Referring to Figure 3, it is noted that blow out jet 4 is replaced with extension tube 38, which has an open end 40, which does not become blocked. Thus, in accordance with the invention, as depicted in the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4, a structure is provided which eliminates the formation of a blockage at powder injection nozzle 20′ and thus provides for the uninterrupted flow of powder. Additionally, the problem wherein powder blockages formed at blow out jet 4 has been obviated. Further improvements which are provided by the present invention are illustrated in Figures 5 to 9. Referring to Figure 1, it is noted that in the prior art apparatus a feed screw 14 is provided for moving the powder through cylindrical container 18. In accordance with the invention, the original feed screw is cut off and replaced with feed screws which are customized to the particular powder being worked with. This provides better control over the powder being fed, and minimizes the effects of air from jet 24 which may circulate in container 18 and can interfere with the desired powder feed path. Since the powder feed can be influenced by the screw pitches, changes in pitch provides in addition to the helical screw speed and the compressed air pressure, a third dimension to controlling the feed rate. Typical feed screws which may be employed are illustrated in Figures 6 to 9. Thus, Figure 6 shows a feed screw having two pitch per inch while Figure 7 shows a feed screw having four pitch per inch. Similarly, Figure 8 shows a feed screw having three pitch per inch, while Figure 9 shows a feed screw having one pitch per inch. Additionally, the thickness of the shaft (e.g., identified by reference numeral 64 in Figure 6) may be varied to further control powder feed. As shown in Figure 5, the modified feed screws are tapped into shaft 12, as at reference numeral 15. It is to be understood that the apparatus of the invention may be used to feed many different powders. By way of non-limiting example, some drugs in powder form which may be pelletized by use of the powder feeder disclosed herein are pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and diphenhydramine hydrochloride, such as that capable of passing through a 60 mesh screen. While the invention has been described in accordance with illustrative embodiments, it should be understood that variations will occur to those skilled in the art, and the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto and equivalents.

Claims: 1) A powder feeder for feeding powder in a continuous manner without becoming blocked comprising, a powder container (2) for receiving powder to be fed, said powder container (2) having an axis which lies in the direction of powder feed, powder injection nozzle means (20) having an axis which is not co-linear with said container axis, an orifice (24) for supplying gas under pressure having an axis which is co-linear with said powder injection nozzle means (20) axis, said gas under pressure being operational to feed said powder through said injection nozzle means (20), and said powder injection nozzle means (20) having a wider diameter at its powder receiving end (30) and a narrower diameter at the powder exit end (32) and tapering from said wider to said narrower diameter gradually and without the presence of a discontinuity, wherein said powder is fed uninterruptedly through said powder injection nozzle means (20). 2) The powder feeder of claim 1 wherein the axis of said nozzle injection means (20) is at an obtuse angle to said container axis, so that said powder flows downwardly into and through said injection nozzle means (20). 3) The powder feeder of claim 2 wherein said nozzle means(20) is connected to an open tube having an unconstricted end, out of which said powder flows. 4) The powder feeder of claim 1 further including feed screw means (14) disposed in said container (2) for feeding said powder along said container axis, said feed screw (14) having a pitch and a screw diameter such as to maintain control over powder flow. 5) The powder feeder of claim 2, further including feed screw means (14) disposed in said container for feeding said powder along said container axis, said feed screw (14) having a pitch and a screw diameter such as to maintain control over powder flow. 6) The powder feeder of claim 4 wherein feed screw means (14) of different pitches are provided for use with different powder. 7) A powder feeder for feeding powder in continuous manner without becoming blocked, comprising, a powder container (2) for receiving powder to be fed, said container having an axis (a) which lies in the direction of powder feed, powder injection nozzle means (20) having an axis (b), an orifice (24) for supplying gas under pressure having an axis which is co-linear with said powder injection nozzle means (20) axis (b), said gas under pressure being operative to feed said powder through said nozzle injection means (20), and said nozzle means (20) and orifice axes (axis b) being disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to said container axis (a), whereby said powder flows downwardly into said injection nozzle means. (20). 8) The powder feeder of claim 7 wherin said nozzle means (20) is connected to an open tube having an unconstricted end, out of which said powder flows. 9) The powder feeder of claim 7 further including feed screw means (14) disposed in said container for feeding said powder along said container axis (a), said feed screw having a pitch and a screw diameter such as to maintain control over powder flow. 10) The powder feeder of claim 9 wherein feed screw means of different pitches are provided for use with different powder.

Inventors: FAWZI, MAHDI BAKIR, GHEBRE-SELLASSIE, ISAAC, GORDON, ROBERT HARRY, NESBITT, RUSSEL ULMER
Applicants: WARNER-LAMBERT COMPANY
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B65G53
IPC codes: B65G53