Improvements in Suppositories, and Method of and Apparatus for Manufacturing them.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Suppositories, and Method of and Apparatus for
Manufacturing them.
I, DAVID GENESE, of 621 Calhoun Street in the City of Baltimore, Maryland,
United States of America, Surgeon Dentist, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to suppositories, and analogous articles, composed in whole,
or in part, of medicinal ingredients, which, when moulded or shaped into a definite
form, are very difficult to handle or transport, and are exceedingly liable to lose
their original form or shape, and to be seriously damaged if unprotected, or
exposed to the action of the atmosphere:
The objects of my present invention are to provide an improved suppository and
means of manufacturing it with an external covering which effectually excludes
the atmosphere, retains the suppository in its original form, can be quickly and
conveniently removed when the suppository is to be used.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a perspective view of a suppository
enclosed within a protecting integument.
Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the suppository.
Fig. 3 is a perspective of the two similar sections of the integument.
Fig. 3 shews the cap for covering the exposed end of the suppository.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the separable sections of mould, a pair of the
integument-sections being shewn in position in them.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the two sections of a device for forming the
integument sections.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the die-sections for uniting the rims of the
integument-sections and compressing their folded edges.
Fig. 7 is a section of the die-sections, showing how the rims of the integument-
sections are united and their edges are turned.
Fig. 8 is a similar view, showing how the folded edges of the rims are
compressed to make air-tight joints.
Fig. 9 is a lougitudinal section shewing one end of the integument made of
sufficient length to be folded over and close the end.
Fig. 10.is a perspective view of the apparatus for keeping the glycerine, or
other composition hot.
Fig. 11 is a horizontal section of the apparatus.
The numerals 1 and 2 indicate two similar sections of the integument. They
are preferably composed of tin-foil, but they may be made of starch-paper, or any
other suitable material having no special affinity for, or adhesion to the material of
the suppository, or analogous article.
The sections 1 and 2 are formed with laterally projecting rims 3 and 4. The
sections are shaped by means of a former Fig. 5, made in two sections 5 and 6, the
one having a cavity 7 the other having a projecting former 8. A suitable piece of
tin-foil, starch-paper, or the like being placed over the cavity 7 the two sections 5
and 6 are pressed together shaping the tin-foil, or starch-paper, and leaving its
edge extending laterally to form rims 3 and 4.
The pairs of integument sections thus shaped are then placed in the cavities 9 of
the mould sections 10, these are tightly clamped together and the hot fluid, or
semi-fluid material constituting the suppositories is introduced between the
integument sections in the mould. The suppositories having set, the moulds are

page_text: opened and the suppositories covered with the integuments are removed and laid
one at a time into the cavity 12 of a lower die-section 13 which has a flat top
edge 14, to receive the laterally projecting rim of the integument. The other die-
section 15 has a cavity 16 similar to 12 and has a shoulder 17 and rim 18. On
pressing the die sections 13 and 15 together, the shoulder 17 co-operating with the
flat top edge 14 compresses the rims of the integument section tightly together,
and the rim 18 presses down the outer edge of the rims. The die-sections are then
separated, the suppository is inverted, in 13 the edge of the rim is folded over, and
the dies are again pressed together so that the folded outer edge 3ª of the rim is
tightly compressed hermetically sealing the joint or seam, against access of the
atmosphere to the inclosed suppository.
a
This folding of the edge of the rim is very important as it provides
hermetically sealed joint and the laterally projecting rim constitutes a finger-piece
as it may be termed which affords ample means for quickly and conveniently
tearing off the integument, when the suppository, or analogous article is to
be used.
The exposed extremity of the suppository, lying between the integument
sections 1 and 2, may be covered with stearine, paper, paraffine, or any other
material, or it may be covered with a tit-foil, or starch-paper cap 19, as shewn in
Fig. 3A.
This cap is shaped so that the semi-cylindrical portions 20 fit over the end
portion of the covered suppository, while the lateral lips 21 can be folded around
the rim of the integument.
In Fig. 9 the two sections 1 and 2, composing the enclosing integument, are
shewn of such length that its ends can be folded over as indicated by dotted lines
so as to close the end of the integument air-tight.
An integument, such as I have described is easily removable, it prevents the
article enclosed from deteriorating, or becoming contaminated, it preserves the
form or shape of the article, and in the moulding operation the integument
prevents any part of the suppository from adhering to the surfaces of the
mould.
In manufacturing the suppositories from glycerine, or other composition this has
to be maintained in a semi-fluid condition by the apparatus shewn in Figs. 10
and 11. It consists of a kettle 22 having a top 23 from which rises a steam-
chamber, or hollow column between inner and outer walls 24 and 25, and a top 26.
The lower end of the steam-chamber, is in open communication with the interior of
the kettle 22, so that steam rises into the steam-chamber, heating it and heat is
thus transmitted to the medicament container 27. The steam-chamber is preferably
of annular form with a vertical opening along one side between rounded edges 28
and 29 this opening being wide enough to permit passage of a discharge nozzle or
cock 30 at the lower end of the medicament container 27, by which the moulds 9
are charged.
The medicament container preferably cylindrical is inade of glass, porcelain, or
other vitreous or ceramic material and is heated by the radiation from the steam-
chamber. The top of the medicament container may be open as shewn or may be
closed by a cover or lid.
The apparatus may be provided with a water-gage 31.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A suppository having an enclosing, insoluble, air-tight integument, such as
tin-foil made in two similar sections provided with laterally projecting rims united
together and folded at the outer edge substantially as described.
2. The method of manufacturing suppositories by introducing heated medicament
into a mould lined with two sections of the integument compressing the rim of the
integument, and closing its end, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: 3. The apparatus for heating the medicament for manufacturing suppositories
constructed and operating substantially as described with reference to Figs. 10
and 11..
1000
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.