Patent ID: 8181425

Claim:
An apparatus for sealing a hardshell capsule having coaxial body parts which overlap when telescopically joined with each other, thereby forming a circumferential gap around the capsule, the apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a capsule carrier assembly rotatably mounted on the frame and provided with at least one cavity for accommodating a respective capsule therein; (c) sealing means for applying a sealing fluid uniformly to the gap of a capsule to be sealed in the respective cavity; (d) suction means adapted to provide an area of low pressure around the capsule in the respective cavity after application of the sealing fluid so as to remove excess sealing fluid from the capsule; (e) driving means for driving the capsule carrier assembly in rotation; and (f) control means for synchronously controlling the driving means, the sealing means and the suction means, said control means being adapted to stepwise rotate the capsule carrier assembly into successive static positions of the cavity, including a sealing position, wherein the capsule is sealed by the sealing means, wherein said static positions further include a suction position wherein the suction means are activated to provide an area of low pressure around the capsule in the respective cavity, said suction position being angularly spaced from the sealing position.