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US 5,836,141 AGranted
Capsula 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.
Claims23
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;
- simultaneously positioning and orienting said first capsules within said opener/encapsulater component, said step of simultaneously positioning and orienting said first capsules within said opener/encapsulater component being performed by said loader component;
- removing said first capsule receiving plates from said opener/encapsulater component;
- positioning said second capsule receiving plates within said opener/encapsulater component;
- and
- simultaneously positioning and orienting said second capsules within said opener/encapsulater component, said step of simultaneously positioning and orienting said second capsules within said opener/encapsulater component being performed by said loader component.
5 more elements
A capsule handling method, said method including the steps of:
- providing a first opener/encapsulater component for opening, filling and closing capsules;
- providing a second opener/encapsulater component for opening, filling and closing capsules;
- positioning and orienting first capsules within said first opener/encapsulater component, each of said first capsules having( a bottom portion and a top portion, said step of positioning and orienting said first capsules within said first opener/encapsulater component being performed by a loader component;
- positioning and orienting second capsules within said second opener/encapsulater component, each of said second capsules having a bottom portion and a top portion;
- separating said top portions of said first capsules from said bottom portions of said first capsules, said step of separating said top portions of said first capsules from said bottom portions of said first capsules being performed by said first opener/encapsulater component;
- separating said top portions of said second capsules from said bottom portions of said second capsules, said step of separating said top portions of said second capsules from said bottom portions of said second capsules being performed by said second opener/encapsulater component;
- filling said bottom portions of said first capsules;
- and
- connecting said bottom portions of said first capsules with said top portions of said second capsules;
- and
- wherein said top portions of said second capsules have an appearance, wherein said top portions of said first capsules have an appearance, and wherein the appearance of said top portions of said second capsules and the appearance of said top portions of said first capsules are different, and wherein said step of positioning and orienting said second capsules within said second opener/encapsulater component is performed by said loader component, and wherein said step of filling said bottom portions of said first capsules occurs while said bottom portions of said first capsules are located in said first opener/encapsulater component.
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, 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, and wherein said opener/encapsulater component includes a housing with means for slidably receiving said first and second plates.
1 more element
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, 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;
- and
- wherein said opener/encapsulater component includes a housing with means for slidably receiving said first and second plates, said housing including a door for displacing said second plate with respect to said first plate.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.