Patent ID: 7530213

Claim:
A manually operated machine for separating a multiplicity of capsule shells having an oblong shape and capsule caps fitted telescopically onto smaller diameter capsule bodies comprising: a capsule receiving tray having circular capsule receiving apertures therein of diameter large enough to permit passage of said capsule bodies therethrough and smaller in diameter than said capsule caps, a capsule body retention tray located directly beneath said capsule receiving tray and having capsule body retaining openings with capsule body gripping rings therein that exert less frictional force against movement of said capsule bodies therethrough in a direction away from said capsule receiving tray than toward said capsule receiving tray, a framework carrying said capsule receiving tray and holding said capsule receiving tray to said capsule body retention tray in an orientation parallel thereto, and including tray support linkage which collapses to permit movement of said capsule receiving tray toward said capsule body retention tray, a capsule cap retention tray positionable directly atop said capsule receiving tray and having capsule cap receiving apertures therein equipped with capsule cap grasping rings that exert less frictional force against movement of said capsule caps therethrough in a direction away from said capsule receiving tray than in a direction toward said capsule receiving tray, vertical biasing springs acting between said capsule receiving tray relative to said framework to urge said capsule receiving tray upwardly and away from said capsule body retention tray, and a lever mechanism joined to said framework and operable against the force of said vertical biasing springs to entrap said capsule cap retention tray directly atop and in face-to-face contact with said capsule receiving tray, and press said capsule cap retention tray and said capsule receiving tray together toward said capsule body retention tray by collapsing said tray support linkage.