Back to results
US 4,539,060 AGranted
Apparatus and method of sealing capsules
AssigneeWarner-Lambert Company
InventorsFritz Wittwer, Ivan Tomka
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods are disclosed for the sealing of gelatin capsules having hard shell coaxial cap and body parts which overlap when telescopically joined. Also described are apparatus and sealing fluids to seal the capsules.
Claims15
A method for sealing gelatin capsules having hard shell coaxial cap and body parts which overlap when telescopically joined, comprising the steps of:
- A. dipping the capsules in a sealing fluid making contact by capillary action within the overlap of the cap and body parts;
- B. removing the sealing fluid from the surface of the capsules;
- and
- C. applying thermal energy locally for about two seconds to the overlap so as to cause peptization or denaturation of the gelatin and sealing fluid within the overlap, thereby causing a sealing together of the cap and body parts.
1 more element
A method for sealing gelatin capsules comprising
- A. exposing the capsules to a sealing fluid in a vacumm-steam chamber;
- B. removing the sealing fluid from the surface of the cap and body parts;
- C. Applying thermal energy locally for about two seconds to the overlap so as to cause peptization or denaturation of the gelatin and sealing fluid within the overlap, thereby causing a sealing together of the cap and body parts.
Apparatus for sealing gelatine capsules, having hard shell coaxial cap and body parts which overlap when telescopically joined, comprising:
- a continuous conveyor having container means thereon for receiving the capsules;
- wetting means for exposing the capsules to a sealing fluid which enters into the overlap by capillary action;
- drying means for removing sealing fluid from the surface of the capsules;
- and
- thermal energy means for heating the sealing fluid and gelatin within the overlap of the cap and body parts so as to cause peptization or denaturation of the sealing fluid and gelatin within the overlap, thereby sealing together the cap and body parts.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.