Patent GB-688633-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to capsule-making machines
IPC: A61J3/07
Filed: 1950-01-10
Abstract: 688,633. Moulding capsules. LILLY & CO., E. Jan. 10, 1950 [Feb. 3, 1949], No. 669/50. Class 87 (ii). [Also in Group XXX] Capsule body and cap parts are each formed. by dipping on a set of tapered pins, each set' being mounted in spaced opposed relation to the other and moving synchronously along identical paths through the various forming operations. Considering one set of pins 10, Fig. 2, each comprising a hub part 12 and flanges 13, 14, a series of pins, one pushing another, are driven by spaced sprocket wheels along a track 15 through a temperature control station T, and then a wiping or greasing station W, Fig. 1. If the capsule parts are formed of gelatin the pins are made cooler than the liquid gelatin and are lubricated prior to dipping, and if formed of methyl cellulose, the pins are made hotter than the material and are wiped prior to dipping. The pins are dipped at D, and then rotated about one end at G and about their own axis at R, to spread the material evenly both longitudinally and circumferentially on each pin. When the pins leave R, the material has gelled and the pins then pass through a hot-air oven K. The dried capsules are stripped at S and inserted in holders, where they are trimmed to the right length. The capsule parts from both sets of pins, still in their holders, are then continuously fed to be joined at J. The temperature control station, Fig. 2, comprises cooling tubes 20 and a high frequency heater. The pins are moved through 90 degrees from a horizontal to a vertical plane, while passing through the station. The pins, still in a vertical plane are rotated around a disc and about their own axis, whilst engaging a wiping or lubricating felt pad. At the dipping station, Fig. 13, cam rollers 57 on a track 58 quickly lower and slowly raise the pins into and out of a bath 67 of the moulding material. The bath is continuously rotated about a shaft 44 by a pinion 75 and gear 74. The pins are rotated about the shaft 44, by means of a turntable 42, at the same speed as the bath. The material is continuously pumped, from a supply compartment 69 into the bath 67, to maintain the material at the correct level, and to agitate it. The temperature of the material is controlled by passing hot or cold fluid through a compartment 2. A solenoid controlled latch 84 may engage with a shaft 56 on each pin to hold them up and allow them to be driven through the machine without dipping, if e.g. defective pins are to be replaced (see Fig. 14, not shown). After rotation, for even spreading of the material, and drying, the pins pass down a track 144, Fig. 1, then around discs 152, 154, 158, and so back to the track 15 of the temperature control station. The capsule parts are stripped from the pins while passing around disc 154 by jaws 198, Fig. 24, and placed in holders 162 comprising chuck jaws 164. The stripping jaws and holder are mounted on a drum which is keyed to the same shaft as the pin-carrying disc 154, so that the pins and holders move synchronously. In a stripping operation, Figs. 24 to 28, (Figs. 25 to 28 not shown), a rod 175 carrying the stripping jaws 198 is moved to the left (the position shown), by a cam roller 216 working in a track 212, to move the jaws over the capsule part. The jaws are normally closed by a spring, but are opened as they move over the capsule part by a rod which engages in a recess between the jaws. The track 212 then moves the jaws to the right to partly strip the capsule part from the pin and place its rounded end in the chuck jaws 164 which have been forced open by a projection 218 which has been moved to the left by cam roller 219. The jaws continue to move to the right to insert the capsule part completely in the jaws 164. Rods 223 are moved to the left by a cam roller 224 to abut against the rounded end of the capsule part to position the part accurately, in its longitudinal direction, in the jaws. Simultaneously with this movement, a plate 228 engages the ends of rods 207 to open the jaws 198, ready for the next removal operation. The rollers 224, 219 move to the right to remove the rods 223 and close the chuck jaws 164. The holders with the capsule parts therein are then transferred to a drum 182, Fig. 29, where they are rotated by a rubber ring 228, and their ends trimmed by knives 232. As the positions of the capsule parts in their holders are all determined by the rods 223, all the capsules are trimmed to the same length. The trimmings are removed by suction through a duct 235, Fig. 1. The corresponding trimmed capsule body and cap parts pass in their holders 162, 162' to joining station J comprising a drum having end members 188, 189, Fig. 32. In the joining operation, Figs. 31 to 35, (Figs. 31 and 33 to 35 not shown), chuck jaws 164 are opened by bosses 253 which are moved to left by a cam roller 254. Cam roller 257 then causes rod 256 to push the capsule part out of the jaw into the bore of a block 237. Cam rollers 249, 257 and the corresponding rollers (not shown) on the capsule cap part of the machine move the parts 236, 237 and 236', 237' into engagement. A stud 242 on rod 192 engages in a recess in the rod 192' to align the bores of blocks 237, 237'. The rods 256, 256' then move towards each other to cause the body part to be pushed into the cap parts. The blocks 237, 237' are then retracted to leave the joined capsule free to fall from between the rods 256, 256' onto a conveyer belt 264, Fig. 1, which carries the capsules to a receptacle. The Specification also describes details of the drives for the various parts of the machine.