Back to results
US 5,321,932 AGranted
Capsule handling system
AssigneeProfessional Compounding Centers of America
InventorJames A. Sundberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A capsule handling system is formed of a loader component and an opener/encapsulater component. The system can handle different sized capsules, and has interchangeable parts so that a compounding pharmacist can conveniently produce a variety of distinct filled capsules, on the order of a prescribing medical professional to meet the unique needs of patients.
Claims17
A method of handling capsules, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a loader component and an opener/encapsulater component;
- providing first capsules and second capsules, wherein said second capsules are larger than said first capsules;
- providing two first capsule receiving plates for holding said first capsules within said opener/encapsulater component, and providing two second capsule receiving plates for holding said second capsules within said opener/encapsulater component;
- sliding said first capsule receiving plates into said opener/encapsulater component, such that said first capsule receiving plates are located within substantially horizontal planes within said opener/encapsulater component;
- subsequently, simultaneously transferring said first capsules from said loader component to said opener/encapsulater component and orienting said first capsules within said first capsule receiving plates;
- sliding said first capsule receiving plates relative to one another within said substantially horizontal planes in order to grip bottom portions of said first capsules;
- subsequently, removing said first capsule receiving plates from said opener/encapsulater component by sliding both of said first capsule receiving plates out of said opener/encapsulater component, said first capsule receiving plates remaining substantially within said horizontal planes during said removing step;
- subsequently, sliding both of said second capsule receiving plates into said opener/encapsulater component, said second capsule receiving plates being located substantially within said horizontal planes during said step of sliding said second capsule receiving plates into said opener/encapsulater component;
- subsequently, simultaneously transferring said second capsule from said loader component to said opener/encapsulater component and orienting said second capsules within said second capsule receiving plates;
- and
- sliding said second capsule receiving plates relative to one another within said substantially horizontal planes in order to grip bottom portions of said second capsules.
8 more elements
A capsule handling system, comprising:
- an opener/encapsulater component for opening, filling and closing capsules;
- and
- a loader component for positioning and orienting the capsules within said opener/encapsulater component;
- wherein said opener/encapsulater component includes first and second capsule receiving plates, said first plate having a plurality of holes for receiving the capsules, said second plate having a plurality of holes for receiving the capsules, said second plate being displaceable with respect to said first plate to hold bottom portions of the capsules within said holes of said first and second plates, both of said first and second plates being removable from said opener/encapsulater component and replaceable with plates having different sized holes, whereby said opener/encapsulater component is capable of handling different sized capsules;
- wherein said opener/encapsulater component includes a housing with means for slidably receiving said first and second plates, said housing including a door for slidably displacing said second plate with respect to said first plate;
- and
- wherein said housing includes a substantially horizontal ledge for slidably supporting said first and second capsule receiving plates, such that said first and second capsule receiving plates are both slidably removable from said housing in a substantially horizontal direction.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.