Patent GB-205064-A (GB)
Title: Automatic machine for charging and closing pharmaceutical capsules, small boxes and the like
IPC: A61J3/07
Filed: 1923-09-21
Abstract: 205,064. Genat, L. P. E. Oct. 3, 1922,. [Convention date]. Capsules.-Relates to an automatic machine for measuring out and compressing fixed doses of powdered, granular, or like medicinal or other material, charging the lower shell of a capsule formed of unleavened bread therewith, and fitting the upper shell to the charged lower shell. The apparatus comprises stationary upper and' lower circular plates 4, 5, Fig. 3, a rotatable intermediate plate 6 fixed to a shaft 7, and two rotatable thin discs or grids 9, 10 mounted between the plates 4, 6 and 6, 5 respectively and connected together at their peripheries. The upper plate 4 carries a hopper 72, Figs. 2 and 7, fitted with a shaking device 86, feeding devices or shoots 76, 77 for the lower and upper shells respectively, a reciprocating feed plate 48 for the lower shells, and two ejectors 74, 75, Figs. 2 and 10, for charging the lower shells with compressed material. The intermediate plate carries the duplicate measuring and compressing device 78, Fig. 8, and the guides 102, Fig. 10, for the pistons 79 controlling the ejectors 74, 75. The lower plate 5 carries two closing devices 119, Fig. 11, for forcing the charged lower shells into the upper shells. The plates and grids are suitably perforated to receive or allow passage of the capsule shells so that they may be brought into - successive positions for the various operations and to permit passage of the various devices and operating rods thereof carried by the upper and intermediate plates. The intermediate plate 6 carried by the shaft 7 is given an intermittent to and fro rotation of <1>/6 of a turn by means of a shaft 24, Fig. 3, driven continuously by worm gearing from a primary shaft 21, a plate 25 fast on the shaft 24 and fitted with a roller, not shown, engaging a slotted disc 29, a gear wheel 34 engaging a pinion on a shaft 36, Figs. 2 and 3, a crank 37, a connecting rod 38, and a crank 39 on the shaft 7. In the intervals between the rotary movements the parts are held against movement by a spring controlled pawl, not shown, engaging the wheel 34 and operated by a cam 40 on the shaft 24. The grids 9, 10 are given intermittent movement and controlled in a somewhat similar manner. The reciprocating feed plate 48 is controlled from the shaft 36 by a crank 46 and connecting rod 47. The shaking mechanism, measuring and compressing device, ejectors, and closing devices are operated by rods projecting downwardly through the lower plate 5 and engaging a disc 17 which is reciprocated on the shaft 7 by means of oscillating crank arms 68 connected by levers, cranks, and a connecting rod to the shaft 24. In operation one of the measuring cylinders 78 is brought under the hopper and filled and is then brought underneath one of the ejectors 74, 75 and the powder is compressed and forced into the ejector, a lower capsule shell is received from the shoot 76 into a recess 110 in the feed plate 48 which is then moved so that the shell drops through a hole 105, Fig. 2, in the upper plate 4 into a hole in the intermediate plate 6 and is carried thereby to a position beneath the ejector, the piston 95 of which is then actuated to force the compressed powder into the shell, the filled lower shell is then carried round to the closing device 119, Fig. 11, mounted in the lower plate 5 and is forced upwards by the piston 118 into an upper shell which has been received from the shoot 77 through an aperture in the upper plate into an aperture in the plate 6, finally the completed capsule is dropped through an aperture in the lower plate into a drawer or delivery shoot. The measuring, filling, &c. appliances are duplicated so as to be brought into action alternately and to allow two series of operations to be carried on simultaneously. The grids 9, 10, a plate associated with the grid 10, and a plate on the disc 17 are moved automatically to cover and uncover apertures in the plates 5, 6 and disc 17 as required. Measuring and compressing device. The cylinders 78, Fig. 8, of the measuring and compressing appliance carried by the plate 6 are fitted with pistons 111 operated by rods 115 fitted with heads 117 engaged by the reciprocating disc 17. The stroke of the pistons may be varied by means of a milled head 113 working on a threaded support 113a and connected to tubes 114 sliding within the cylinders and bearing against the pistons so as to limit their downward movement. Capsule or box closing device. The closing device, Fig. 11, comprises a chamber secured to the plate 5 and fitted with a piston 118 operated through a rod 80 by the reciprocating disc 17. After its upward movement to force the lower shell of the capsule &c. into the upper shell the piston 118 is held slightly below its uppermost position by means of a, pawl 122 so as to hold the closed capsule &c. in position for removal on rotary movement of the intermediate plate. Hopper. Powder is fed to the measuring cylinders by a hopper comprising conical and cylindrical portions 72, 83, Fig. 7, carried by supports 82 on the upper plate 4 and connected by a rubber tube 87 to a nozzle portion 84 carried by a lever 86 pivoted to the plate 4 and formed with an extension bearing against a rod formed with circular grooves and pressed downwards by a spring so as to engage the disc 17 and to reciprocate therewith. Empty capsules feeding in succession. The upper shells of the capsules are fed to the machine by an inclined shoot or guide 77 and in order that the lowermost shell may be free to fall when an aperture in the upper plate is brought below it a small metal piece is brought automatically into position behind it to take the pressure of the next succeeding shell. The Specification, as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) relates also to the use of the machine for charging capsules with pasty or viscous materials. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.