Gelatin capsule formulation and drying system
AssigneeBarlean's Organic Oils, LLC
InventorJohn PUCKETT
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gelatin capsule drying system that includes a structure divided into first, second and third zones, a first air handler unit positioned to discharge air into the first zone, a second air handler unit positioned to discharge air into the second zone and a third air handler unit positioned to discharge air into the third zone. The system further includes a series of tumble dryers that extend from the first zone, through the second zone and into the third zone, and an HVAC unit that provides air to the first, second and third air handler units.
Claims19
A gelatin capsule drying system comprising:
- a structure divided into first, second and third zones,
- a first air handler unit positioned to discharge air into the first zone, a second air handler unit positioned to discharge air into the second zone, and a third air handler unit positioned to discharge air into the third zone,
- a series of tumble dryers that extend from the first zone, through the second zone and into the third zone, and
- an HVAC unit that provides air to the first, second and third air handler units.
A method of drying gelatin capsules encapsulating a fill, the method comprising the steps of:
- dividing a space into first, second and third zones,
- providing a first air handler unit for discharging air into the first zone, a second air handler unit for discharging air into the second zone, and a third air handler unit for discharging air into the third zone,
- providing air to the first air handler unit at a first temperature and a first relative humidity, wherein the air within the first air handler unit is conditioned such that it has a second temperature and a second relative humidity, wherein the conditioned air is released from the first air handler unit into the first zone,
- providing air to the second air handler unit at the first temperature and the first relative humidity, wherein the air within the second air handler unit is conditioned such that it has a third temperature and a third relative humidity, wherein the conditioned air is released from the second air handler unit into the second zone,
- providing air to the third air handler unit at the first temperature and the first relative humidity, wherein the air within the third air handler unit is conditioned such that it has a fourth temperature and a fourth relative humidity, wherein the conditioned air is released from the third air handler unit into the third zone,
- providing a series of tumble dryers that extends from the first zone, through the second zone and into the third, and
- drying the gelatin capsules by moving the gelatin capsules through the tumble dryers from the first zone to the third zone.
A method of drying a softgel, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing air from an HVAC unit to first, second and third air handler units, wherein the first, second and third air handler units can blow air therefrom,
- exposing the softgel to the air blown from the first air handler unit,
- exposing the softgel to the air blown from the second air handler unit, and
- exposing the softgel to the air blown from the third air handler unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.