Abstract:
A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing gelatin capsules is disclosed in which two gelatin sheets having preliminarily formed pockets are supplied between a pair of opposing rolls. The pocket are preliminarily sutured together by action of the rolls to form the pocket. A pusher is selectively driven through a hole to drive a weighed amount of capsule content into the pocket after which the die rolls complete the suture to form the pocket containing the capsule content.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/211,505 filed Dec. 14, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,616, issued May 29, 2001, and entitled “Gelatin Capsule Containing Powder or Time Release Pellets and Its Manufacturing Method and Manufacturing Apparatus.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a gelatin capsule of soft type containing medicine or the like, and more particularly to a novel gelatin capsule capable of containing powder or time release pellets as the content, and its manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus. 
     II. Description of Related Art 
     Various gelatin capsules of soft type enveloping medicine or nutrient with soft gelatin in a form of capsule for the ease of taking are sold on market. In manufacture of such gelatin capsule (in the specification, the gelatin capsule refers to the soft capsule hereinafter), molten gelatin is first formed into sheets, and the gelatin sheets are supplied into a pair of die rolls to be formed like a folder. The content such as medicine is supplied from above between them, the content spreads widely the sheets to form a pocket fitted to the inner circumference of the forming protrusions in the die rolls, and the forming protrusion sutures the periphery of the content in a fused state, thereby forming a gelatin capsule. 
     The present applicant acquired the patent by applying a “gelatin sheet forming apparatus in a gelatin capsule manufacturing apparatus” (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-88143; Japanese Patent No. 1876976) for the purpose of lowering the cooling cost of cooling drum and eliminating germs mixing into cooling air in a manufacturing apparatus of gelatin for manufacturing gelatin capsules in such manner. The present applicant also acquired the patent by applying an “adjusting apparatus in a manufacturing apparatus of gelatin capsule” (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-88144; Japanese Patent No. 1876977) for the purpose of facilitating adjustment of thickness of gelatin sheet and adjustment of compressed state of die rolls, and reducing waste of materials due to these adjustments occurring in the preparatory stage before start of production. 
     Furthermore, the present applicant acquired the patent by applying a “capsule taking-out apparatus in a manufacturing apparatus of gelatin capsule” (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-88145; Japanese Patent No. 1876978) for the purpose of adjusting and checking the scraping brush for die rolls and scraping brush for blank sheets separately from the die rolls, and therefore various problems of the conventional manufacturing apparatus of gelatin capsule have been solved, which contributes to presentation of more practical manufacturing apparatus of gelatin capsules. 
     Even in such gelatin capsules, however, the following problems are known, and further improvements are needed. That is, generally, as the content in this kind of gelatin capsule, only liquid or suspension containing powder appearing to be liquid by mixing powder in liquid was used, and when containing fine or granular powder or time release pellets, a hard capsule was used instead of soft capsule. But it is easier to take in the form of soft capsule than in the form of hard capsule, and for the purpose of protecting the contained medicine more safely, development of gelatin capsule containing powder has been proposed. 
     If attempted to contain powder or time release pellets actually in such gelatin capsule, it was hard to realize due to the following technical problems. That is, when manufacturing gelatin capsule, if the content is liquid, as shown in FIG. 15, liquid L supplied from a nozzle  84 ′ pushes open the gelatin sheets S as indicated by arrow f to the inner circumference of forming protrusions  45 ′ to suture a pair of gelatin sheets S, and relatively smooth manufacturing is realized. However, if the content is powder or time release pellets, the action for pushing open by the content is not expected as in the case of liquid L, and still worse if the pair of gelatin sheets S come closer to each other to narrow the peripheral space of the content, the powder or time release pellets may scatter about due to this effect, and may be adhered to the suture surface of gelatin sheets S, so that the sheets may not be sutured. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is devised in recognition of such background, and is intended to develop a novel gelatin capsule constituted for deforming gelatin sheets supplied between a pair of die rolls into a shape fitted to the inner circumference of the forming protrusion of die rolls, forming a pocket, and enveloping the powder, and its manufacturing method and apparatus. 
     A gelatin capsule comprises a capsule sheath made of a pair of confronting gelatin sheets as starting material and formed integrally like a folder, and the content enveloped by the capsule sheath, in which the content is fine or granular powder or time release pellets, and the capsule sheath has a pocket formed for receiving the content in the gelatin sheets preliminarily before completion of filling with the content. 
     According to the invention, only the powder or pellets can be contained in the gelatin capsule which is a soft capsule, and it is easier to take, and the gelatin capsules protecting the powder or pellets perfectly are provided in a wide variety. 
     In addition to the above requirements, the pocket is formed by sucking from the inside of forming protrusions in die rolls for forming the gelatin capsule. 
     According to the invention, the suction mechanism of supplied gelatin sheets may be applied in the conventional manufacturing apparatus, and the cost of gelatin capsules containing powder or pellets can be lowered. 
     A manufacturing method of gelatin capsule comprises the steps of supplying two gelatin sheets between a pair of die rolls for forming the capsule sheath in a gelatin capsule, supplying the content from above, and enveloping the content between the gelatin sheets by the action of forming and protruding by the die rolls, in which the content is fine or granular powder or pellets, and the capsule sheath has a pocket formed for receiving the content in the gelatin sheets preliminarily before completion of filling with the content. 
     According to the invention, manufacturing of gelatin capsule containing powder or pellets only is more realistic, and the method of forming the pocket for containing powder or pellets in gelatin sheets may include various processing methods, such as suction, embossing and pressing. 
     In a manufacturing method of gelatin capsule, the pocket is formed by sucking from the inside of the forming protrusions in the die rolls for forming the gelatin capsule. 
     According to the invention, the suction mechanism of gelatin sheets may be incorporated into the conventional manufacturing apparatus, and the entire apparatus may be designed compact. 
     A manufacturing apparatus of gelatin capsule is for supplying two gelatin sheets between a pair of die rolls, supplying the content from above through the nozzle, and enveloping the content by the action of forming and protruding by the die rolls, which comprises a mechanism for forming a pocket in a shape fitted to the inner circumference of the forming protrusions in the die rolls in the gelatin sheets in a transfer. 
     According to the invention, manufacturing of gelatin capsule containing powder or pellets only is more realistic, and the position for the apparatus for forming the pocket may be selected from a wide variety. 
     In a manufacturing apparatus of gelatin capsule, the pocket forming mechanism is formed by sucking from the inside of the forming protrusions in the die rolls for forming the gelatin capsule. 
     According to the invention, the suction apparatus of gelatin sheets can be applied in the conventional manufacturing apparatus, and mass production is realized. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a manufacturing apparatus of gelatin capsule. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the same. 
     FIG. 3 is a magnified front view around a conventional spreader box, cooling drum and feed roll. 
     FIG. 4 is a further magnified front view of the conventional spreader box. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is a magnified longitudinal side view around the conventional cooling drum. 
     FIG. 8 is a magnified lateral side view around die head. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view showing die rolls and suction mechanism. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 11 a  is a longitudinal front view and perspective exploded view showing powder/pellet feeding device. 
     FIG. 11 b  is an elevational view illustrating a portion of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a front view showing members disposed at die roll take-out side. 
     FIG. 13 is a skeletal front view showing mode of forming of gelatin capsule in die rolls. 
     FIG. 14 a  is a skeletal front view showing a further embodiment of a forming mechanism of pocket. 
     FIG. 14 b  is a skeletal view showing a further embodiment of a forming mechanism for the pocket. 
     FIG. 14 c  is a skeletal view showing a further embodiment of a forming mechanism for the pocket. 
     FIG. 15 is a skeletal front view showing a conventional mode of forming of gelatin capsule using liquid as the content range of the gelatin sheets in a stage before the gelatin sheets supplied in the die rolls are formed integrally like a folder. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is described below by referring to the illustrated embodiments. In the following explanation, first the gelatin capsule A of the invention is described, then the manufacturing apparatus  1  of the gelatin capsule is described together with the explanation about the manufacturing method of the gelatin capsule A. The gelatin capsule A, in its completed state as shown in FIG. 1, contains a capsule sheath G made from a starting material of gelatin sheets S, and powder or pellet M as the content to be enveloped therein. This capsule sheath G is formed, as specifically described later, by supplying a pair of gelatin sheets S as starting material oppositely to each other, and fusing by forming integrally like a folder. The powder or pellets M, or the content, may be a material suited to the purpose, including medicine, nutrient, health food extract, seasoning, or the like. 
     The manufacturing apparatus  1  of gelatin capsule is described below. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it mainly consists of a sheet forming unit  2  and a capsule forming unit  3 , and these members are assembled in a frame F. Relating first to the sheet forming unit  2 , two gelatin sheets S are supplied in a folder state into the capsule forming unit  3 , and are formed, for example, like a spindle in the capsule forming unit  3 , and hence the front and rear sheet forming units  2  are disposed symmetrically in pair to the right and left of the frame F. 
     This constitution is not, however, limitative, and, for example, a gelatin sheet S may be formed by one sheet forming unit  2 , and it may be cut into two pieces by any proper means before reaching the capsule forming unit  3 , and supplied oppositely. 
     First of all, a gelatin tank  5  is provided above the sheet forming unit  2 . This is to contain fused gelatin, and since this embodiment relates to a relatively compact apparatus suited to a relatively small quantity production or experimental manufacture, it is sufficiently practical and usable when the gelatin tank  5  filled with gelatin, but to be suitable to mass production, instead of this gelatin tank  5 , a gelatin hopper or the like capable of supplying freely may be suspended above a processing plant by a hoist crane or the like to supply gelatin. 
     From this gelatin tank  5 , a feed hose  6  is drawn out downward, and a valve  7  is provided on the way. In the gelatin tank  5 , moreover, a heater is provided for keeping the fused state of gelatin. The gelatin supplied from the feed hose  6  of this gelatin tank  5  is fed into a spreader box  10  disposed beneath it, and this spreader box  10  is described in detail below. 
     It is nearly in a wedge shape in a front view as shown in FIGS. 3 to  6 , consisting of a main body  11  and an adjusting weir plate  12  attached movably to its side, and the main body  11  is constituted so as to be fixed to the frame F by a fixing bracket  13 . A float valve  14  is provided in the main body  11 . It is a common one composed of a float and a valve disposed at the connection end of the feed hose  6 , and when the spreader box  10  is filled sufficiently with gelatin, the float in the float valve  14  ascends to close the valve, so that a specific amount of gelatin may be always present in the spreader box  10 . 
     Besides, such main body  11  and adjusting weir plate  12  are individually provided with a heater  15  for keeping the fused state of gelatin. At the lower end of the main body  11 , a slit-like discharge hole  16  is formed at the lower end of the adjusting weir plate  12 , from which the fused gelatin in the spreader box  10  is discharged. 
     Next is described the opening adjusting mechanism of this adjusting weir plate  12 . First, reference numeral  18  is an adjusting rod forming threads on the periphery, and it is engaged with female threads  19  integrally formed on the adjusting weir plate  12 . At the upper end of the adjusting rod  18 , a dial  20  is provided for rotating it, and at its lower end, an abutting end  21  is formed, and is abutting against a reference end  22  fixed at the main body  11  side. 
     Reference numeral  23  is a set spring, which acts to press the adjusting weir plate  12  side always downward. Reference numeral  24  is a rod guide formed at the main body  11  side. Between the adjusting weir plate  12  and main body  11 , a dial gauge  26  is provided for monitoring the adjusting state visually, and the main body of this dial gauge  26  is provided at the main body  11  side of the spreader box  10 , and a plunger  27  of the dial gauge  26  is abutting against a detecting protrusion,  28  moving together with the adjusting weir plate  12 . 
     Therefore, the dial gauge  26  is constituted so that its opening state or fully closed state may be expressed as a specific numerical value when, for example, the discharge hole  16  is adjusted to zero at a proper reference is position, such as the fully closed state or open state of highest frequency of use. 
     In this embodiment, incidentally, since the gelatin discharge amount is required to be adjusted very finely, even a slightest inclination of the adjusting weir plate  12  is not permitted, and hence dial gauges  26  are provided at the right and left side of the adjusting weir plate  12 , and in the mechanism hardly causing such inclination of the adjusting weir plate  12 , or in the case of occurrence of slight degree, it may be adjusted by disposing only one unit of dial gauge  26  or adjusting rod  18  in the central part. 
     Beneath the spreader  10 , a cooling drum  30  is disposed, and it is rotatably supported on a frame F by a shaft  31  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, and is driven by a proper motor. On this shaft  31 , feeding means of cooling medium is formed. Reference numeral  32  is a cooling medium feed hose, and  33  is a cooling medium recovery hose. These hoses are connected to a coupling  34 , which is externally fitted to the shaft  31  so as to supply and recover the cooling medium. 
     From each opening of the shaft  31 , a cooling medium discharge pipe  35  and a cooling medium recovery pipe  36  are extended and formed in the cooling drum  30 . Such cooling medium is supplied or recovered from a refrigerating machine unit. As the refrigerating machine unit, a general refrigerating machine unit can be applied, and detailed description is omitted. 
     The device thus described is the sheet forming unit  2 , and at its later stage, that is, at the supply side of the gelatin sheet S, the capsule forming unit  3  is provided, and a feed roll  40  is formed to connect between them. That is, the gelatin sheets S being cooled through the cooling drum  30  are charged into the capsule forming unit  3  while passing zigzag between plural feed rolls  40 . 
     Near the feed roll  40 , there is a thickness sensor  410  for measuring the thickness of gelatin sheets S charged into the capsule forming unit  3 . The detail of the thickness sensor  410  is omitted herein because it is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Patent No. 8-182144 “Thickness measuring apparatus of gelatin sheet in a manufacturing apparatus of gelatin capsule.” In this embodiment, the cooling drum  30  is separate from the apparatus main body, but it is possible also incorporate into the apparatus main body same as in the prior art depending on the plant layout, and invert the gelatin sheets S to feed into the capsule forming unit  3 . 
     The capsule forming unit  3  is described below. As shown in FIGS. 8,  9 ,  10 , reference numeral  42  is a die head which is a principal member of the capsule forming unit  3 , and it is formed by disposing a pair of die rolls  44  on a die roll frame  43 . One of the pair of die rolls  44  is fixed, and the other is disposed to be free to move closer to this fixed die roll  44 , and if necessary to distinguish them, one is called the fixed die roll  44   a  and the other is called the movable die roll  44   b.    
     In each die roll  44 , adequate forming protrusions  45  are formed on the surface, and when forming, for example, a gelatin capsule A having a shape like spindle, the shape is elliptical having a recess in the center, and a suction hole  45   a  is formed in the inner circumference of each forming protrusion  45  for sucking the supplied gelatin sheets S. As shown in FIG. 9, it communicates with a suction path  45   b  formed in the bottom of each suction hole  45   a , and the suction path  45   b  is extended from the die roll frame  43  side end up to the suction hole  45   a . In this embodiment, the number of suction holes  45   a  communicating with one suction path  45   b  is either one or two, but if it is difficult to adhere the gelatin sheet S uniformly to the inner circumference of the forming protrusions  45 , the number of forming protrusions  45  formed in the width direction of the die roll  44  may be set uniform, so that the number of suction holes  45   a  communicating with one suction path  45   b  may be always specific. 
     Between the die roll  44  and die roll frame  43 , a sheet suction mechanism  70  is composed, and it comprises a die roll rest  71  rotating together with the die roll  44 , and a suction main body  72  mounted on the die roll frame  43 . 
     The die roll rest  71  is internally fitted to the die roll  44 , and is fixed on the die roll  44  by bolts, and a peripheral edge almost same as the outer circumference of the die roll  44  is formed. On the peripheral edge, communication holes  71   a  are formed in the same dimensions and same number as the suction paths  45   b  of the die roll  44 . In this embodiment, the die roll  44  and die roll rest  71  are formed separately, but they may be also formed integrally. 
     On the other hand, in the suction main body  72 , suction grooves  72   a  are formed on the die roll rest  71  side surface in a range of 90 degrees from above to the suction side of gelatin sheet S, and the upper part of the suction grooves  72   a  is formed to be consecutive to vacuum holes  72   b  formed on the top of the suction main body  72 . When suction from the vacuum holes  72   b  starts, it is transmitted to the suction paths  45   b  of the die roll  44  rotating through the die roll rest  71 , and the gelatin sheet S is deformed in a shape fitted to the inner circumference of the forming protrusions  45  only in a range of rotating the suction holes  45   a  by 45 degrees from above corresponding to the suction grooves  72   a  of the suction main body  72 , so that a pocket P is formed. Including the sheet suction mechanism  70  and suction holes  45   a  and suction paths  45   b  of the die roll  44 , the mechanism substantially contributing to formation of the pocket P is called the forming mechanism of pocket P. 
     The adjusting mechanism of contact pressure of the die roll  44  is explained. As shown in FIG.  8  and FIG. 10, the bearing  46  of the movable die roll  44   b  is formed oscillatably at the other fixed die roll  44   a  side relatively to the die roll frame  43 , and a pair of front and rear leaf springs  47 ,  48  for pressing are composed to act on the bearing  46 . 
     That is, the pair of leaf springs  47 ,  48  contact with each other through a central contact portion  49  projecting in the center, and the leaf spring  47  at the side closer to the bearing  46  contacts with the bearing  46  at both ends, so that the bearing  46  is pushed to the fixed die roll  44   a  side. 
     At both ends of the other leaf spring  48 , an adjusting push rod  51  contacts, and this adjusting push rod  51  is composed to be engaged with the die roll frame  43 , and an adjusting dial  52  is provided at its operating end, and it is composed so that a stronger contact pressure may be obtained when this adjusting push rod  51  is tightened further. This contact pressure is quantitatively detected by a pressure gauge  53 . 
     Moreover, the capsule forming unit  3  including the pair of die rolls  44  is provided a position deviation detecting mechanism  441  for detecting occurrence of position deviation in the circumferential direction of the die roll  44 . The detail of this position deviation detecting mechanism  441  is omitted, and should be referred to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Patent No. 8-182743 (Position deviation monitoring device of die rolls in manufacturing apparatus of gelatin capsule). 
     A powder or pellet feeding device  80  is described. It comprises, as shown in FIG. 11, a powder or pellet hopper  81  for storing powder or pellets M as the content, a pusher  82  provided inside for pushing out a specific amount of the powder or pellets M, a weighing mechanism  83  provided beneath for weighing a specific amount of powder or pellets M, and a powder or pellet nozzle  84  for feeding the powder or pellets M into the die rolls  44 . The pusher  82  is a columnar member with square or circular section, and is composed to slide up and down at specified timing. 
     The weighing mechanism  83  comprises a top plate  85  and a slider plate  86 , and the pusher  82  penetrates nearly in the center of the top plate  85 . A passing hole  85   a  is formed, and at both right and left sides thereof, feedholes  85   b  of powder or pellets M are formed. In the slider plate  86 , plural weighing holes  86   a  are formed for storing the powder or pellets M temporarily and weighing a specific amount, and a cylinder  86   b  are provided for sliding the slider plate  86  laterally. 
     The powder or pellets M supplied from the feed hole  85   b  in the top plate  85  is put into the weighing hole  86   a  in the slider plate  86  to be weighed by a specific amount, and is pushed by the pusher  82  and discharged from the powder nozzle  84 . Consequently, when the pusher  82  slides upward, the slider plate  86  slides laterally, and powder or pellets M are supplied again into the vacated weighing hole  86   a , and the other weighing hole  86   a  filled with the powder or pellet M is simultaneously set beneath the pusher  82 . The powder nozzle  84  has its end projecting so as to penetrate sufficiently into the die rolls  44 , as shown in FIG.  11 ( a ), and further in the case that the powder or pellets M are fine particles, in order to prevent clogging of the feed holes  85   b  with the powder or pellets M in the powder hopper  81 , a screw or mechanical agitating device, or a nozzle for feeding agitating air may be provided. 
     Members contributing to take-out of gelatin capsules A as products provided beneath the die rolls  44  are explained. As shown in FIG. 12, reference numeral  61  is a take-out trough of gelatin capsules A, and it is composed to be drawn out to the front side of the apparatus from beneath the die rolls  44 . 
     A scraping brush  63  for die rolls contacts with each one of the die rolls  44  for taking out the gelatin capsule A caught in the forming protrusions  45  of the die rolls  44 . It is also supposed that the gelatin capsules A may be left over in the blank sheets S′ from which the gelatin capsules A are blanked out, and scraping brushes for blank sheet  64  for taking out the gelatin capsules A from the blank sheet S′ are disposed at both sides of the blank sheet S′. 
     Further beneath, there is a blank sheet feed roll  65  for pulling down the blank sheet S′ by force. In this apparatus, the scraping brushes  63  for die rolls, scraping brushes  64  for blank sheet, and blank sheet feed roll  65  are driven in a separate system from other driving system. This driving system is omitted herein and is described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-88145 (Patent No. 1876978). 
     By applying such gelatin capsule manufacturing apparatus  1 , the state of action for sucking gelatin sheets S and forming the pocket P is explained. The state of action of the entire apparatus is omitted herein, and should be referred to the same Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-88145 (Patent No. 1876978). 
     (1) Start of Suction 
     The gelatin sheet S formed by the sheet forming unit  2  is sent into the die rolls  44  through the feed roll  40 . Then, as shown in FIG. 13, when the gelatin sheet S reaches the top of the die rolls  44 , the suction holes  45   a  formed in the inner circumference of the forming protrusions  45  reach the suction grooves  72   a  of the suction main body  72 , and suction of gelatin sheet S begins. 
     (2) Start of Attraction 
     As suction begins, the gelatin sheet S is attracted to the suction holes  45   a , and is deformed in a shape fitted to the inner circumference of the forming protrusions  45 , and the pocket P is formed, and according to the rotation of the die rolls  44 , it is sent into the pair of die rolls  44  in a form like a folder. 
     (3) Forming of Suture 
     When the gelatin sheet S reaches the die rolls  44 , a suture g is formed by the action of the forming protrusions  45  from the contact area, and the powder M weighed by a specific amount is supplied from the powder nozzle  84  into the pocket P. Along with rotation of the die rolls  44 , the suture g spreads over the entire periphery upward from the surrounding, and formation of the suture g is over and the capsule sheath G is formed. 
     (4) Release of Suction 
     When the capsule sheath G is formed, nearly at the same time, the suction holes  45   a  reach the rotating position of 45 degrees from above, and suction is released, and formation of gelatin capsule A is complete, so that the gelatin capsule A is detached from the forming protrusions  45 . In this embodiment, the suction grooves  72   a  are formed in a range of 45 degrees in the suction main body  72 , and the gelatin sheet S is attracted only in this range, but the angle may be properly changed depending on the number of forming protrusions  45 . 
     The foregoing embodiment is one basic technical concept of the invention, but following modifications are possible in the forming mechanism of the pocket P. That is, not limited to suction by suction holes  45   a  in the inner circumference of the forming protrusions  45  mentioned above, as shown in FIG.  14 ( a ), a die  73  formed in a convex shape corresponding to the inner circumference of the forming protrusions  45  formed in a recess is provided around the die rolls  44  so as to form the gelatin sheet S by embossing. Or, as shown in FIG.  14 ( b ), using air nozzle  74  and others, the gelatin sheet S supplied on the forming protrusions  45  may be pressed. Further, as shown in FIG.  14 ( c ), before being supplied into the die rolls  44 , using a conveyor  75  having a recess forming unit  75   a , an external force of suction or pressing is applied also when the gelatin sheet S passes on the conveyor  75 , and a pocket P is formed in the gelatin sheet S, and various other modifications are possible. 
     According to the invention the gelatin capsule A containing only powder or pellets M different from liquid can be manufactured, and easy-to-take gelatin capsules A are wide in variety. Besides, the method for forming the pocket P for enveloping the powder or pellets M in the gelatin sheet S is realized in various manners such as suction, embossing, and pressing, and the forming position may be properly selected. 
     Further, the sheet suction mechanism  70  or sucking the gelatin sheet S may be applied in the conventional manufacturing apparatus, and the cost of gelatin capsules A containing powder or pellets M may be lowered. 
     Having described my invention, additional embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.