METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURING OF COATED MOULDINGS, IN PARTICULAR OF CAPSULES CONTAINING PHARMACEUTICAL MATERIALS AND ARE MEANT TO BE USED AS MEDECINE

Abstract: Method and apparatus for coating mouldings consisting of fluidising the mouldings by means of a rotating spiral gas flow. A holder (A) containing the mouldings is provided with gas inlets (3). A gas flow through the gas inlets (3) brings the mouldings in a spiral rotating movement in a sphere (C) placed on holder (A). Coating material is sprayed in the apparatus by a tube (D), oscillated by the gas flow, on the whirling mouldings.

Description: METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURING OF COATED MOULDINGS, IN PARTICULAR OF CAPSULES CONTAI¬ NING PHARMACEUTICAL MATERIALS AND ARE MEANT TO BE USED AS MEDICINE. In pharmaceutical technique it is known that certain, for oral administration intended dosage forms, as capsules, and the like, are being furnished with a so called enteric coatlayer. This layer, resisting the action of gastric juice makes the medicine survive the gastric conditions, to dissolve rather quickly in intestinal juice. Various materials are available to furnish capsules with an enteric coatlayer, one of them being cellulose acetate phthai te. Present-day technique has the coatmaterial, dissolved in a rather thin solution, evaporate from a container in which the capsules are present, simultaneously shaking the container, and/or having the capsules tumble around over the bottom aided by an airstream. This technique is laborious, time consuming and above all does not render a reliable result. The invention as claimed, relates to a new method and arra¬ ngement of applying the coatlayer. Sticking together, to the bottom or around airinlets of capsules causing an uneven coatlayer is herewith prevented, the way in which this is done defined circumstantially in the claims. Moreover, the method as claimed possesses some more impor- tant advantages contributing to an enrichment of the techno¬ logy of the manufacturing of medicine. It now appears to be possible, for instance, to furnish 100 capsules within 10 minutes with a coatlayer by very simple means and of a character in full compliance with set speci- fications. The invention will now be clarified by means of an example. In a holder A, with two airinlets opposite each other, pla¬ ced at an angle in relation to the centrepoint, near the bottom, 100 capsules will be inserted. On the holder a glasssphere C is situated, with an opening to the bottom secured by means of a rim B to prevent air- loss, and air outlets to the top to let the air escape. If air is applied through the airinlets the capsules are lifted and start to rotate inside the glasssphere, due to the upward rotating airmovement, the same airmovement, the level on which the capsules are moving, and the convexity of the glasssphere causing the capsules to tumble around each other. A tube D protruding downward from a hole in the centretop of the glasssphere starts to swivel around in the same air- stream with another speed as related to the rotating speed of the mass of the capsules. If the length of the tube D is chosen in such a way that the swiveling action E of the tube remains short a slight distance from the revolving capsules, this distance, among other things, dependent on the volatility of the liquid to be evaporated, and through this tube a liquid is passed on, the liquid will be sprayed upon the sides of the capsules turned away from the glasswall. Since the capsules are changing position continuously, they will be evenly provided with the liquid flung from the tube The liquid evaporates instantly and the released dissolved material forms a layer around the capsules. Capsules can be obtained with a very even layer and smooth surface, complying with the requirements of reliability.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 Method for the coating of mouldings with the property _. that the mouldings are set in a revolving suspending motion along the wall of the holder by means of a f> spiral revolving gasstream, or of spiral revolving 5 gasstreams, and in the zone in which the mouldings are situated a coa-material disperses. 2 Method as claimed in claim 1 with the property that the coatmaterial dfsperses by means of a rotating aperture. 3 Arrangement for the coating of mouldings with the pro- 10 perty that a holder with one or more tangential gasin- lets near the bottom connected to a source of gassypply, and are arranged in such a way that each inlet produces a spiral gasstream and with a gasoutlet to the top, in which the mouldings are going to suspend in a revolving 15 movement near and against the wall of the holder, and by a feeder of coatmaterial which debouch into the holder and in the zone where the mouldings are moving, when the arrangement is in operation. 4 Arrangement as claimed in claim 3 with the property that 20 the holder consists of a lower cylindrical, and/or conic¬ al widening, container and a globular container fitting on it with gasoutlets to the top around the axle. 5 Arrangement as claimed in claims 3 or 4 with the property that the orifice of the feeder of coatmaterial can be ro- 25 tated. 6 Arrangement as claimed in claims 3 - 5 with the property that the feeder of coatmaterial is set in a rotational movement by the revolving gasstreams or revolving gas¬ stream. 30 7 Arrangement as claimed in claims 3 - 5 with the property that the feeder of coatmaterial consists of a tube exten¬ ding into the holder as far as the level of the zone in which, when the arrangement is in operation, the mould¬ ings are moving. 35 8 Arrangement as claimed in claims 4 - 7 with the property that the feeder of coatmaterial is fastened dismountable in the upper-spherical container. Arrangement as claimed in claims 4 - 7 with the property that the feeder of coatmaterial extends from the lower container and is fastened dismountable in the upper spherical container. Arrangement as claimed in claims 4 - 7 with the property that the feeder of coatmaterial is inserted dismountable ^ into the upper container. Arrangement as claimed in claims 4 - 7 with the property that the feeder of coatmaterial extends from the lower container and is inserted dismountable into the upper container.

Inventors: VAN DRUNEN JOHANNES RUBERTUS, VAN DRUNEN, JOHANNES, RUBERTUS
Applicants: DRUNEN JOHANNES RUBERTUS VAN, VAN DRUNEN, JOHANNES, RUBERTUS
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A61J3
IPC codes: A61J3, B01J2, B05B13