AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR THE CAPSULATION OF FLUID MEDICINES
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marc Antoine François Mennons, of the Firm of
Mennons and Telescheff, Home and Foreign Patent Agents, of Abingdon
Chambers, in the City of Westminster, and 24, Rue de Dunkerque,
Paris, in the Empire of France, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR THE CAPSULATION OF FLUID MEDICINES."-A communication
from Jules Viel, residing at Tours (Dept. de l'Indre-et-Loire), in the
Empire of France.
Sealed the 20th October 1864, and dated the 29th April 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 29th April 1864.
I, MARC ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the Firm of Mennons and
Telescheff, Home and Foreign Patent Agents, of Abingdon Chambers, in the
City of Westminster, and 24, Rue de Dunkerque, Paris, in the Empire of
France, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR THE CAPSULATION OF FLUID MEDICINES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in an improved combination of mechanism forming
an apparatus, by means of which gelatinous and other capsules or globules
may, by a single process, be moulded to the required size, charged with the
medicinal fluid, and hermetically closed for use.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing is a perspective view of the complete
apparatus.

page_text: A is a cast-iron frame, on which are mounted the different parts of the
combination; B is a slide piece, provided at its fore extremity X with a mould
plate C, corresponding with a second mould plate C, fixed to the support A.
Each of these plates is surrounded by a moveable frame, serving as gauge for
the quantities of plastic matter admitted by the capacity of the moulds; these
frames project beyond the level of the moulds, in which position they are
maintained by two springs set behind each plate; opposite the extremity of each
spring a hole is pierced through the plate for the reception of small stud pins,
which bear on the springs and frames, in such a manner that the projection of
the latter always corresponds with the thickness of plastic matter required.
D, E, closer ("soudeur"), composed of two parts, one of which (D) is moveable,
while the other (E) is fixed to the frame (A,) and serving to close at their
edges the strips of plastic matter F, F, so as to form a species of tube. This
closing apparatus is set above the mould plates at a distance equal to the
height of the latter; G, G, are bobbins, on which are rolled the strips of
paste F, F; II is a glass funnel fitted with the stop-cock L, and with a socket,
which, passing from end to end descends almost to the plate C; I is a lever,
by means of which is brought down the precise quantity of plastic matter
required to cover the moulds; J, fly wheel mounted on the end of a screw set
in the slide piece B, and serving to move forward the mould plate C¹ towards
its stationary counterpart C; K, fly wheel by which the closing apparatus is
opened and shut; M, opening pierced through the framework A and table N,
to give passage to the capsules produced; T, pipe communicating with a
steam boiler of any convénient form, by means of which the apparatus may be
heated to a temperature of about 20° to 25° centigrade (=68° to 77° Fahren-
heit); U, steam chest; Y, purge pipe.
P
Figure 2 represents the arrangement by means of which the strips or bands
of plastic matter are prepared for use. 0, 0, is a metallic tablet of any
required length; say, for instance, six feet, by four inches in width, provided
with edges forming at each side a ridge of about one-fiftieth of an inch in
height, corresponding with the thickness to be given to, the strip of paste;
is a charriot or sliding box, in which is placed the bot plastic matter. In the
bottom, and below the front of this box, is cut a narrow oblong slit, correspond-
ing in length with the width comprised between the ridges of tlie tablet O, O;
Q, key fixed to the stopper of the slit; R, slide piece worked by a screw S;
and serving to gauge the thickness of the paste. The charriot P being charged
with the bot plastic matter, the slit is opened by a forward .motion of the
key Q, allowing the paste to flow along the tablet 0, 0. It is then moved
forward to the opposite end of the tablet, at which is formed a cavity. Z for the

page_text: ;
reception of the surplus plastic matter, and the slit being closed by a reverse
motion of the key, the same operation is repeated as often as may be required.
The bands of paste thus prepared being wound on the bobbins G, G, Fig.. 1,.
their extremities are brought down to the base of the closing apparatus D, E,.
previously opened. This apparatus is then shut by aid of the fly wheel K
and in this movement closes off by pressure the edges of the plastic bands,
after which it is re-opened to permit of the latter being brought down by the
lever I. This operation is repeated four times, the lever being carried up at
each shut-off motion of the closing apparatus. The fly wheel J is then set in
action to carry up the free mould plate C' to its stationary counterpart C, and
the plastic tube being pressed, its lower extremity is closed to form a species
of bag. The fly wheel J being reversed, the tube comes still further down,
and the stop-cock L being, opened admits thereto the required quantity of
fluid. The same fly wheel is then again turned forward to bring the mould
plates again together, and in this motion 25, 30, or 60 capsules, as the case.
may be, being finally filled, closed, and detached; are carried by the opening M
into a drawer placed for their reception below the table of the apparatus.
.[
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Marc Antoine François Mennons in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 24th October 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARC
ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the Firm of Mennons and Telescheff, Home
and Foreign Patent Agents, of Abingdon Chambers, in the City of West-
minster, and 24, Rue de Dunkerque, Paris, in the Empire of France, send
greeting.
"
WHEREAS Her. most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four; in the twenty-seventh year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Marc. Antoine François Mennons, Her special licence that I,
the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons,
my executors, administrators, and assigns,, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
.

page_text: Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR THE
CAPSULATION OF FLUID MEDICINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said. Marc Antoine François Mennons, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the.
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the Figures of the accom-
panying Drawing, and to the letters marked thereon, that is to say:
This Invention consists in an improved combination of mechanism forming
an apparatus, by means of which gelatinous and other capsules or globules
may, by a single process, be moulded to the required size, charged with the
medicinal fluid, and hermetically closed for use.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing is a perspective view of the complete
apparatus.
A is a cast-iron frame, on which are mounted the different parts of the
combination; B is a slide piece, provided at its fore extremity X with a mould
plate C', corresponding with a second mould plate C fixed to the support A.
Each of these plates is surrounded by a moveable frame, serving as gauge for
the quantities of plastic matter admitted by the capacity of the moulds; these
frames project beyond the level of the moulds, in which position they are
maintained by two springs set behind each plate. Opposite the extremity of
each spring a hole is pierced through the plate for the reception of small stud
pins, which bear on the springs and frames in such a manner that the pro-
jections of the. latter always correspond with the thickness of plastic matter
required. D, E, closer (soudeur "), composed of two parts, one of which, D,
is moveable, while the other, E, is fixed to the frame A, and serving to close
at their edges the strips of plastic matter F, F, so as to form a species of tube.
This closing apparatus is set above the mould plates, at a distance equal to
the height of the latter. G, G, are bobbins, on which are rolled the strips of
paste F, F; H is a glass funnel fitted with the stop-cock L, and with a socket,
which passing from end to end descends almost to the plate C; I is a:lever,
by means of which is brought down the precise quantity of plastic matter.
required to cover the moulds; J, fly wheel mounted on the end of a screw set:
in the slide piece B, and serving to move forwards the mould. plate C¹ towards

page_text: its stationary counterpart C; K, fly wheel, by which the closing apparatus is
opened and shut; M, opening pierced through the framework A and table N
of the apparatus to give passage to the capsules produced; T, pipe communi-
cating with a steam boiler of any convenient form, by means of which the
apparatus. may be heated to a temperature of about 20 to 25 centigr. (68°
to 77° Fahrenheit); U, steam chest ; Y, purge pipe.
Figure 2 represents the arrangement by means of which the strips/or bands
of plastic matter are prepared for use. 0, 0, is a metallic tablet, of any
required length; say, for instance; six feet, by four inches in width, provided
with edges forming at each side a ridge of about one-fiftieth of an inch in
height, corresponding with the thickness to be given to the strip of paste; P
is a charriot or sliding box, in which is placed the hot plaštic matter. In the
bottom, and below the front of this box, is cut a narrow oblong slit, correspond-
ing in length with the width comprised between the ridges of the tablet O, O;
Q, key fixed to the stopper of the slit; R, slide piece worked by a screw S,
and serving to gauge the thickness of the paste. The charriot P being charged
with the hot plastic matter, the slit is opened by a forward motion of the
key Q, allowing the paste to flow along the tablet O, O. It is then moved
forward to the opposite end of the tablet, at which is formed a cavity Z for
the reception of the surplus plastic matter, and the slit being closed by a
reverse motion of the key, the same operation is repeated as often as may be
required. The bands of paste thus prepared being wound on the bobbins G, G,
Fig. 1, their extremities are brought down to the base of the closing appa-
ratus D, E, previously opened. This apparatus is then shut by aid of the fly
wheel K, and in this movement closes off by pressure the edges of the plastic
bands, after which it is re-opened to permit of the latter being brought down
by the lever I. This operation is repeated four times, the lever being carried
up at each shut-off motion of the closing apparatus. The fly wheel J is then
set in action to carry up the free mould plate C³ to its stationary counterpart C,
and the plastic tube being pressed, its lower extremity is closed to form a
species of bag. The fly wheel J being reversed, the tube comes still further
down, and the stop-cock L being opened admits thereto the required quantity
of fluid. The same fly wheel is then again turned forward, to bring the mould
plates again together, and in this motion 25, 30, or 60 capsules, as the case
may be, being finally filled, closed, and detached, are carried by the opening M
into a drawer placed for their reception below the table of the apparatus.
Having now, described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of
carrying it into effect; I would have it understood that I do not confine myself
to the precise details of form and dimensions above laid down, as these may

page_text: be modified according to circumstances; but what I claim and desire to secure
by Letters Patent is, the improved combination of mechanism, substantially,
as herein set forth and shewn in the Drawing, by means of which a certain
number of gelatinous and other capsules or globules may, by a single process,
be moulded to the required size, charged with medicinal fluid, and hermetically
closed for use.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, have
hereto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of October, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.