Patent EA-003124-B1 (EA)
Title: Method and apparatus for sealing capsules suitable for use in said method and apparatus
Inventor: SCOTT ROBERT
IPC: A61J3/07
Filed: 2000-06-30
Abstract: 1. A method of sealing a hardshell capsule having coaxial body parts which overlap when telescopically joined with each other, thereby forming a gap around a circumference of the capsule, comprising the steps of: individually applying a sealing liquid including a solvent uniformly to the external edge of the gap of a capsule to be sealed to form a liquid ring around the circumference of the capsule, removing excess sealing liquid from the exterior of the capsule, drying the capsule by applying thermal energy from outside while gently tumbling and conveying the capsule on a spiral path. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the excess sealing liquid is removed by a combination of air jets and aspiration. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow velocity during application of the sealing liquid is controlled such that the liquid ring is formed which expands to just touch the capsule. 4. An apparatus for sealing a hardshell capsule having coaxial body parts which overlap when telescopically joined with each other, thereby forming a gap around a circumference of the capsule, comprising: means for individually applying a sealing liquid including a solvent uniformly to the external edge of the gap of a capsule to be sealed to form a liquid ring around the circumference of the capsule, means for removing excess sealing liquid from the exterior of the capsule, means for drying the capsule by applying thermal energy from outside while gently tumbling and conveying the capsule on a spiral path. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means for individually applying a sealing liquid comprise a plurality of spray nozzles uniformly spaced around the circumference of the capsule and directed at the external opening of the overlap gap and means for controlling the temperature of the sealing liquid, of the capsule and of the atmosphere at the gap. 6. The apparatus of claim 4 or 5, wherein said means for drying the capsule comprises a rotatable cylindrical drying basket device with an internal vane arrangement extending along the axis of the cylinder and arranged such that the capsule tumble and are conveyed on a spiral path upon rotation of the drying basket device. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said cylindrical drying basket device is surrounded by a solid walled container with air vents and means are provided to feed conditioned air at large volumes at high velocity into the drying basket device. 8. The apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein said drying basket device has a rectangular cross section and flat angled baffles as the internal vane arrangement. 9. A capsule having hardshell coaxial body parts which overlap when telescopically joined with each other to be sealed with the action of a solvent applied to the overlapping region, wherein spacing features are provided so as to provide a uniform gap in the overlapping region, said spacing features being structured such that they soften with the action of the solvent so that the gap is thereby closed. 10. The capsule of claim 9, wherein a seal is provided at the end of the gap exposed to the interior region of the capsule to prevent a product filled into the interior region from flowing into said gap. 11. The capsule of claim 9 or 10, wherein a product filled into the interior region is immobilized to prevent it flowing into said gap.