Capsule filling apparatus

A capsule filling apparatus comprising:

• a conveyance body configured to convey a capsule body to a filling position, the capsule body being accommodated in an accommodation pocket opening in an upper surface;
• and
• a filling unit configured to fill a filling material in the capsule body conveyed to the filling position, wherein
• the filling unit includes:
• a hopper configured to store the filling material, the hopper having a discharge port in a lower portion;
• a holding chamber configured to hold the filling material between the discharge port and the upper surface of the conveyance body;
• an auger having a first rotation shaft extending in a vertical direction and configured to push out the filling material to the holding chamber through the discharge port by the auger being rotationally driven around an axis of the first rotation shaft in the hopper;
• and
• a paddle having a second rotation shaft extending in the vertical direction and a push-in blade that presses the filling material within the holding chamber into the capsule body,
• the paddle is rotationally driven around an axis of the second rotation shaft such that the push-in blade moves along the upper surface of the conveyance body in the holding chamber,
• the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft are arranged such that the axes of the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft coincide with each other,
• the first rotation shaft has a tubular shape with a hollow space penetrating thereinside through the vertical direction,
• the second rotation shaft is arranged in the hollow space of the first rotation shaft with a lower end of the second rotation shaft projecting downward from the first rotation shaft, and the push-in blade of the paddle is provided on the lower end of the second rotation shaft.