Improvements in Method of and Apparatus for Compressing Plastic Compounds and Moulding Suppositories, and Filling Capsules and other Articles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 25th June, 1895-Accepted, 3rd Aug., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Method of and Apparatus for Compressing Plastic
Compounds and Moulding Suppositories, and Filling Capsules and
other Articles.
I, Dr. DAVID GENESE, Dental Surgeon, a citizen of the United States, residing
at Baltimore City, Maryland, United States of America, 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 moulding suppositories and similar plastic bodies, and
filling capsules, globules, tubes, phials, and other like receptacles with plastic or
semi-solid materials, or compounds, of a medicinal or any other character.
The chief object of my invention is to provide a new and improved method of
and means for compactly and uniformly filling a mould, capsule, phial, or other
receptacle with semi-solid material, in such manner that the pressure in the mould
or receptacle will be regulated automatically to effect and maintain a uniform
density throughout the mass under compression and prevent the separation of
elements or ingredients of different specific gravity. This purpose is accomplished
readily and with advantage by filling or charging the mould or receptacle from its
closed end or base outward to its open end and from its periphery to its centre or
axis and controlling the pressure in the mould, phial or receptacle by providing for
its gradual receding movement under the force exerted by the material pressed or
injected into it. Suppositories and other like bodies may in this way be moulded
with great ease and rapidity and will present a neat and evenly finished appearance,
with uniform density of substance, equal distribution of ingredients, and be
perfectly smooth and homogeneous, without crack, break or fault, and with no
liability to deteriorate in form or efficacy. In the same manner, and with corre-
sponding advantages, may be completely and compactly filled such receptacles as
the well known collapsible tubes in which dental pastes, toilet preparations,
medicines, semi-liquid paints or colours, and other commodities are commonly put
up and sold. The filling of capsules or globules with medical compounds, or food
extracts, and 'the charging of phials and other receptacles with semi-solid contents
in a neat, expeditious, and economical manner are also among the purposes for
which the invention is designed. The apparatus comprised in my invention is also
adapted to the forming of plastic material into sticks or rods of suitable length
for use as bougies, urethral suppositories, or for other purposes.
Another object of my invention is to provide a cheap and effective mould lining
or shield that will protect the metal mould from corrosion by contact with any
metallic oxide or acids that may be contained in the suppository material, thereby
obviating, also, any chemical reaction that might impair the usefulness of the
suppository from the mingling therewith of undesirable metallic oxides or salts.
Such lining is designed also to prevent any part of the suppository from adhering
to the mould, whereby the surface of the finished article might become broken or
marred, and being removeable with the suppository and forming a covering
therefor it will preserve the suppository from contamination until it reaches the
patient and is applied to its intended use.
In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal, sectional elevation of my improved moulding
apparatus, arranged for making sinuositories or articles of somewhat similar

page_text: form by filling the mould from its closed end or base outward to its open end and
from periphery to central axis, and in which the pressure is distributed between
the material in the cylinder and that in the mould and automatically regulated or
controlled by the receding movement of the mould during the operation of pressing
or moulding.
Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the apparatus in use for
filling a bottle or collapsible tube.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation, showing a bottle or collapsible tube and the
form of nozzle used to fill the same.
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the mould case shown on the table in Fig. 1.
Figure 5 is a perspective of the mould case in an open position, and showing the
linings for the mould cavities.
Figure 6 is a vertical, sectional view of the mould case shown in Fig. 5.
Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of the linings for the mould-cavities, which
linings constitute an inclosing integument for the suppository.
Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, are detail views illustrative of my invention for
making rods or sticks of plastic material enclosed in a paper, or other suitable
integument, or covering.
In the drawings, the numeral designates a cylinder or casing in which is
contained the suppository material or other substance to be moulded or filled into
capsules, tubes, phials or other receptacles. The cylinder 1 is pivoted near one
end to a stand or pedestal 2, through the medium of a pivot pin 3, and near the
other end the cylinder is detachably secured to the stand or pedestal by a suitable
pin 4, or other device, so that by withdrawing the pin from engagement with a
lug 4x on the cylinder, the latter can be swung to the perpendicular position
indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, for more conveniently introducing the plastic,
or semi-solid material into the cylinder. The stand or pedestal 2 is mounted on a
base-frame or support 5 of any desired construction.
In the cylinder 1 is placed an accurately fitted plunger head 6, arranged to be
oved in a forward direction by a screw spindle 7, to which the plunger is however
directly attached. The rear face of the plunger may be provided with a
con recess for reception of the conical bearing end of the screw spindle 7,
which is catered therewith. On the rear externally screw threaded end of the
cylinder 1, is engaged a cylinder head 8, formed externally with an elongated
central boss or nut 9, in which the screw spindle 7, is centered and supported.
A hand wheel 10 on the outer end of the screw spindle 7 affords a convenient
means for rotating the said spindle to carry it toward and from the plunger head.
To the forward externally screw threaded end of the cylinder 1 is screwed a
detachable cylinder head 11 adapted to be removed when it becomes necessary to
supply the cylinder with the plastic or other material. The forward cylinder
head 11 is screw tapped near its periphery for engagement with a nozzle 12 through
which the material in the cylinder is discharged. The nozzle 12 is made of such
length that it may extend nearly to the bottom base or closed end of the mould,
phial, capsule or other receptacle to be filled or charged. Nozzles of varying length
and bore will, therefore, be employed according to variations in the dimensions or
capacity of the mould or other receptacle.
The base frame or support 5 is provided with a secondary stand or pedestal 13,
containing a vertically adjustable spindle 14, preferably in the form of a screw
which screws into the stand or pedestal 13. The upper end of the screw spindle 14
is provided with a lug entering between two ears on the lower side of a tilting
table or mould support 15, and through the ears and lugs extends a thumb screw 15",
so that the table can be adjusted and held in a horizontal position, as in Fig. 1, or
at any desired angle of inclination, as in Fig. 2.
The mould case 16 that I use in making suppositories is illustrated in Figs. 1, 4.
5 and 6, and it is formed in two parts or blocks, one having dowels 16, adapted
to enter holes in the other. In the inner face of one mould part is formed
cavities 17, Fig. 5, corresponding with similar cavities in the other mould part.

page_text: As shown, each half the mould case is provided with several of these cavities, but
it is obvious that only one cavity may be provided, or any desired number, and
in varying sizes, as preferred. For making suppositories the mould cavities may
have any usual or desired form. The outer or open end of each mould cavity is
provided with an inwardly projecting lip or flange 18, forming the edge of a
contracted central opening 19, through which the nozzle 12 enters and which
closely embraces the said nozzle when the mould is in an operative position.
Before closing the mould the mould cavity is provided with a removeable non-
adhering protective lining, or shield 20, composed of two sections, Figs. 5, 6 and 7.
The mould linings may be made of paper, or tin foil, of such strength and fibre as
to be capable of receiving an impression without tearing. The paper or tin foil is
moulded to the form desired, so that the linings will not lose their shape when
placed in the suppository moulds. It is the purpose of the linings 20 to protect
the moulds from corrosion, preserve the suppository material from direct contact
with the moulds, and also to serve as covering integuments for the finished
suppositories, to be removeable therewith from the moulds, and to act as a pre-
ventive against contaminating influences until the suppository is about to be applied
to its intended use. Each mould lining is of such form and dimensions that its
edges will lap beyond the sides and ends of the mould cavity, as shown. These
laterally extending edges or rims of the mould linings or suppository coverings, or
integuments, will enable them to be readily stripped from the suppositories, when
the latter are required for use, without liability of breaking or injuring the
surfaces of the suppositories.
The two sections composing the mould case 16 are held together by a clamp
consisting of two yoke shaped bars 21 and 22, one carrying clamping screws 23,
having its ends provided with hooks 23, to engage pins 21" on the ends of the
other yoke bar. The inner side of the yoke bar 21 is curved convex and one of
the mould case sections is likewise curved convex, as best seen in Fig. 4, while the
contacting faces of the mould case sections are also curved convex, all in such
manner that when the clamping screws 23 are tightened the mould case sections are
sprung together and a perfect closure of all the moulds is obtained. The mould
case is adapted to lie upon the table or mould support 15, when the latter is
secured in a horizontal position, and the nozzle 12, of the cylinder 1, is inserted
first in one mould and then in another until all the moulds are filled, as will
hereinafter appear.
The mould case and nozzle having been properly arranged, the mould case will
be moved along the table or support 15, until the nozzle 12 enters fully into a
mould cavity. It will be understood, of course, that the cylinder 1 has been
previously charged with a suitable quantity of the material to be conveyed into
the mould cavity or cavities. The screw shaft 7, is rotated in the required
direction to move it into bearing contact with the rear face of the separate and
detached plunger head 6 and under the pressure thus exerted by continued
rotation of the screw shaft, the plunger will be forced steadily forward. The
suppository material or other semi-solid or plastic substance or compound in front
of the plunger 6 will thus be forced out from the cylinder and through the
nozzle 12 into the mould cavity, or other receptacle. By having the plunger
head 6 accurately fitted to the cylinder it will be impossible for any moisture or
liquid ingredients of the compound, or mass, to ooze or escape to the rear of the
plunger. As the plunger head 6 and its actuating screw shaft 7 are separate, or
detached from each other, though capable of being brought into bearing contact,
it is obvious that the plunger head will not rotate with the shaft. Any grinding
or wearing of the plunger head and cylinder that might otherwise occur, to such
extent as to lessen the accuracy of fit and impair the efficiency of the machine,
will thus be entirely avoided.
According to my method of moulding suppositories and filling or charging
capsules, phials, collapsible tubes or other receptacles, the mould or receptacle is
charged from its closed end, bottom, cr base, outward to its open end and from its

page_text: periphery or sides to its centre. In this way ample opportunity is afforded for
expansion and escape of air from the mould or receptacle during the operation of
filling it the pressure is distributed between the material in the cylinder, or
supply vessel, and that in the mould or other receptacle being charged; and the
mould or receptacle may be so arranged and supported as to be capable of moving
outward under the force exerted by the pressure of accumulating material in the
mould-cavity, or in the phial or other receptacle, thus effecting an automatic
regulation of the pressure in the mould or receptacle and an automatic gauging of
the density or compactness of the charge. By thus effecting and maintaining a
uniform density throughout the mass of material under compression in the mould,
or receptacle, the separation of elements, or ingredients of different specific
gravities is prevented and the moulded article will be of uniform quality and
condition throughout.
It will be observed that the mould case 16 rests loosely on the table or
support 15, and that it will thus be free to move horizontally away from the
cylinder and off the nozzle 12, as the filling operation progresses. The weight of
the mould case maintains it on the table or support 15, and is so gauged with
relation to the pressure exerted by the plunger 6 that the mould case will be
caused to slide off and away from the nozzle under the pressure of the accumulating
material in the mould cavity.
The material delivered by the nozzle 12 is discharged directly against, or in
contact with the base or closed end of the mould cavity or receptacle and passes
thence outward and around the nozzle. As the mould cavity or receptacle
becomes filled from its base outward, the flanges or lips 18, closely surrounding
the nozzle, will prevent any escape of material and the filling or charging will
proceed from periphery to centre while the mould case or receptacle is gradually
moved off from the nozzle. When the mould and nozzle thus become disengaged
the forward movement of the plunger should be arrested, the stream of material
issuing from the nozzle will be severed by a knife, or otherwise, and the mould
case may then be adjusted to repeat the operation.
In Fig. 2 I have shown the application of my invention to the uniform and
compact filling of a collapsible tube 24, such as is commonly employed for enclosing
dental pastes and other toilet preparations, liquid paints, or colours, or other plastic
or semi-solid goods. For this purpose the discharge nozzle is in the form of a bent
tube 25, connected at one end with the cylinder containing the material to be
packed or put up, while the other end of said tube will be inserted into the
collapsible tube and adjusted close to its bottom. On operating the plunger of the
cylinder the collapsible tube will be filied first from its closed end or base outward
and from its sides or periphery toward its centre in the same manner as already
described with reference to the charging of a suppository mould and with corre-
sponding advantages. The laterally bent tube 25, shown in Fig. 3, enables the
collapsible tube 24, phial, or other receptacle, to lie on the table or support 15,
which should be adjusted to an inclined position, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the
tube or phial 24, will be inclined and thus avoid liability of material running from
the mouth of the tube or phial 24, which might occur if the material introduced is
attenuated, or in comparatively thin condition.
The bent tube 25, is preferably provided with a valve 25ª, adapted to be closed
about the time the desired quantity of material is introduced into the tube or
phial 24. and the mouth of the latter is ready to move off the end of the bent tube.
The closing of the valve 25ª prevents the pressure in the cylinder trom causing the
material to spurt out at the mouth of the tube or phial when the latter is being
removed or is ready to be removed from the end of the bent tube 25.
It is
preferable to provide the bent tube with a rubber or other suitable collar or
flange 25 to fit into the mouth of the tube or phial 24, and retard the escape
of air during the filling operation, so that the confined air in the tube or
phial will act to pack the material, and thus enable the tube or phial to be
more compactly and uniformly filled. In filling tubes or phials, where the

page_text: collar or flange 25 is used to retard the escape of air, the tubes or phials should
be held in a fixed position on the table or support 15 by the hand of the operator.
Obviously, however, the tubes or phials can be permitted to recede, or gradually
move off the bent tube 25, as the filling operation progresses, as herein before
described with reference to the mould case 16.
The collapsible tube 24, or a phial, or other receptacle to be filled, may be
laid, or supported, on the table or support either in direct connection with the
nozzle 12, or connected therewith through a straight tube. In like manner
capsules or globules of medicinal compounds, or food extracts, may be filled.
For making bougies, or urethral suppositories, or sticks or rods of plastic material,
I employ the devices illustrated in Figs. 8 to 13 inclusive. In Fig. 10 the head 11
of the cylinder I is provided with a straight cylindrical discharge nozzle 26,
adapted to receive upon it a cylindrical mould case 27, made of paper, or any
other material suitable for the purpose. If the mould case 27 is made of paper,
I prefer to form it on a cylindrical former or mandrel 28 having a handle 29. The
paper is folded around the cylindrical former 28, and the longitudinal edges are
properly cemented or secured together while one end of the paper tube is folded in,
as at 30, to close the end of the case. This cylindrical paper tube is adapted to be
slipped over the discharge-nozzle 26 until the closed end 30 lies against, or in
juxta position, to the mouth 31 of the nozzle 26, after which a cylindrical metallic
tube 32, containing a loose movable plug 33, is passed over the paper mould case 27
until the movable plug 33 bears against the closed end 30 of the paper mould case.
The plunger head 6 of the cylinder is then advanced through the medium of the
screw shaft 7, as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1, and the plastic
material is delivered into the paper mould case through the discharge nozzle 26.
As the plastic material issues from the mouth 31 of the nozzle 26, the paper mould
case 27 is caused to recede in the direction of the arrow Fig. 10.
In the filling
operation the attendant places one finger on the movable plug 33 to retain the plug
in one end of the metallic tube 32 as shewn in Fig. 10. When the paper mould
case has been properly filled to the desired extent, the metallic tube 32. containing
the filled paper mould case, is removed, and the former or mandrel 28 is placed
against the movable plug 33 and moved through the metallic tube 32, as indicated
in Fig. 12, thereby discharging the filled paper mould case from the metallic tube
and placing the movable plug 33 in the end of the metallic tube 32, opposite the
end which it occupied when the former or mandrel was first introduced. The
metallic tube can then be reversed and again applied over a paper mould case
slipped on the discharge nozzle 26 in the same manner as before. The open end
of the filled paper mould case may be closed in any suitable manner.
I preferably bevel the outer edge of the mouth 31 of the discharge nozzle 26,
and likewise bevel the inner edges of the opposite ends of the metallic tube 32,
for the purpose of facilitating the passage of the tube on to the paper mould
case 27, and the passage of the paper mould case on to the discharge nozzle 26.
With moulds of a suitable character the apparatus is adapted to the rapid and
economical manufacture of rectal urethral, vaginal and nasal suppositories, in either
hot or cold weather and with perfect control of the ingredients whether semi-fluid,
or somewhat solid. In suppository machines having moulds into one end of which
the material is delivered through a fine aperture or duct, the excess of compression
at this point is liable to result in the loss or unequal distribution of essential oils,
or other liquid ingredients, and the separation of elements that differ in density or
specific gravity. This difficulty is obviated by providing between the cylinder and
the mould a nozzle or channel of communication large enough to permit free exit
of the mass under compression. By extending this nozzle through the mould to a
point very near its base or closed end and discharging the material against a closed
and perfectly tight surface it will distribute itself with equal density throughout
the mould; and the filling or charging of the mould being thus effected evenly
from the base outward all the air will be expelled during the progress of the
operation and the finished suppository will present a perfectly homogeneous mass

page_text: of uniform quality throughout. The automatic action of the mould in moving off
from the discharge nozzle of the cylinder enables the operator to know exactly
when a mould is full and results in the uniformity as to weight and quality of a
number of suppositories made at one time from the same batch of material.
The cylinder 1 can be very conveniently filled with the plastic material by
disengaging the pin 4 from the cylinder and swinging the latter on its pivotal
attachment to a perpendicular, or approximately perpendicular position as shown in
Figure 1. The cylinder head 11 is readily removable, and consequently the plastic
material can be introduced into the open end of the cylinder, after which the
cylinder head 11 is replaced and the cylinder is turned to a horizontal position
and secured by the più 4, as will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 1.
The manner of making suppositories by charging the mould from its base or
closed end outward is particularly useful and convenient in moulding that class of
suppositories that are of a bulbous form and which cannot be economically and
quickly made by appliances and machinery now in use. The paper or tin-foil mould.
linings that I have described will also assist greatly in the moulding and preservation
of suppositories having the form of bulbs.
I have only illustrated a single discharge nozzle extending from the cylinder
head 11; but obviously a plurality of nozzles can be extended from the cylinder
head to fill several moulds at the same time.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The method of moulding plastic articles, which consists in discharging the
plastic material into the base or closed end of a receptacle and filling the said
receptacle from its closed end or base outward towards its open end, and from the
periphery to the centre thereof, substantially as described.
2. In an apparatus for compressing plastic compounds and moulding suppositories
and other articles, the combination of a cylinder having a discharge nozzle, a plunger
movable in the cylinder to force plastic material through the discharge nozzle,
means for moving the plunger and the cylinder, a support arranged in juxtaposition
to the cylinder and its nozzle, and a mould case into which the nozzle projects to
deliver the plastic material thereinto, said mould receding on the nozzle as the
filling operation progresses for the purpose of regulating the pressure of material in
the mould case and thus produce a uniform density of the finished article
substantially as described.
3. The combination with a cylinder having a discharge nozzle, a plunger movable
in the cylinder for forcing plastic material contained in the cylinder out through
the nozzle, and means for moving the plunger in the cylinder, of an automatically
yielding mould or receptacle into which the nozzle projects to deliver the plastic
material thereinto, the said mould or receptacle yielding along the said nozzle in a
direction away from the cylinder during the operation of filling the mould cavity,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. The combination with a cylinder having a discharge nozzle, a plunger movable
in the cylinder to force plastic material contained therein out through the discharge
nozzle, and means for moving the plunger in the cylinder, of a table or support
arranged in juxta position to the cylinder and its nozzle, and a mould or receptacle
into which the said nozzle projects to deliver the plastic material thereinto, the said
mould or receptacle sliding on the said table or support along the said nozzle in a
direction away from the cylinder during the operation of filling the mould cavity or
receptacle with the plastic material ejected through the nozzle, substantially as
described.
5. The combination with a cylinder, of a discharge nozzle, and means for ejecting
plastic material contained in the cylinder out through said nozzle, of a mould or
receptacle which recedes from the cylinder during the operation of filling the mould
cavity with the plastic material, substantially as described.

page_text: 6. In a machine for filling suppository moulds, capsules, phials, collapsible tubes,
and other receptacles, the combination with a cylinder having a plunger and
provided in one head with a discharge nozzle, of means for securely supporting the
cylinder in a horizontal position and for enabling the cylinder to swing in a vertical
plane, substantially as described.
7. The combination of a cylinder having a discharge nozzle, a table or support
arranged in juxtaposition to the cylinder and nozzle, a mould or receptacle slideable
on the table or support in a direction away from the cylinder during the operation
of filling the mould cavity, a plunger arranged in the cylinder, and a screw engaging
a part of the cylinder and having its inner extremity disconnected from the plunger
but adapted to operate against the same to eject the plastic material out through
the nozzle, substantially as and for the purpose described.
8. In a machine for filling suppository moulds, capsules, phials, collapsible tubes,
and other receptacles the combination with an adjustable horizontally supported
cylinder having a plunger and a discharge nozzle, of a vertically adjustable table
or mould support, substantially as described.
9. A suppository having a covering integument, composed of two sections having
surrounding laterally projecting rims which are secured together and serve as a
means for readily removing the covering integument when the enclosed article is to
be applied for the purpose to which it is designed, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th day of June 1895.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for Applicant.