Patent ID: 7361006

Claim:
An apparatus for forming compressed dosage forms, comprising: a) a suction source; b) a die cavity having (i) a first port for placing said die cavity in flow communication with said suction source, whereby said suction source applies suction to said die cavity, and (ii) a second port for placing said die cavity in flow communication with a supply of powder, whereby said suction source assists said powder in flowing into said die cavity; (c) a filter disposed between said suction source and said second port, whereby suction is applied to said die cavity through said filter and wherein said filter is disposed within said die cavity; and (d) a punch for compressing said powder in said die cavity so as to form said compressed dosage forms; and (e) a powder recovery system for removing excess powder from the vicinity of said die cavity that also includes a recycling means for recovering powder trapped by said filter and recycling said recovered powder back into said die cavity.