# US 9,751,099 B2 · Wurster accelerator with powder applicator

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,751,099 B2
- Document ID: US9751099B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/620,578
- Filed: 2015-02-12
- Published: 2015-12-10
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2014-06-10
- Assignees: Freund-Victor Corporation
- Applicants: Freund-Vector Corporation
- Inventors: Larry A. Maher; Brian K. Jensen; Shawn M. Engels
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751099B2

## CPC

- B05B 7/02: Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge (for spraying particulate material B05B7/14; with means for heating the material to be sprayed B05B7/16; with means for supplying fluent material to a discharge device B05B7/24)
- B01J 2/006: {Coating of the granules without description of the process or the device by which the granules are obtained (to prevent the granules sticking together B01J2/30)}
- B01J 2/16: by suspending the powder material in a gas, e.g. in fluidised beds or as a falling curtain
- B05B 7/0075: {Nozzle arrangements in gas streams}
- B05B 7/1495: {and with separate outlets for the particulate material and the liquid}
- B05D 1/02: performed by spraying
- B05D 1/12: Applying particulate materials (B05D1/06, B05D1/10 take precedence)
- B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D)
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02)

## Abstract

A Wurster processor and a powder feed system are coupled via an eductor so as to supply dry powder through the air diverter sleeve of the Wurster for discharging onto the circulating particles during operation of the Wurster. Agglomeration and aggregation of the particles is eliminated or minimized by isolating or separating the liquid spray by the spray gun from the dry powder.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An method of coating particulate material using a Wurster apparatus having a gun assembly with a spray nozzle for spraying liquid onto the particulate material, and a sleeve surrounding the gun assembly, the method comprising:
supplying dry powder into the sleeve, and
discharging the dry powder from the sleeve in a radially outward direction adjacent the spray nozzle to coat the particulate material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder passes through an annular space between the sleeve and the spray nozzle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder is an excipient.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder is an active pharmaceutical ingredient.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder is a polymer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder is supplied to the sleeve by pressurized air.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder is supplied to the sleeve by an eductor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder is discharged from a plurality of ports in the sleeve adjacent a tip of the spray nozzle.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder is applied to the particulate material without being suspended or solubilized in a liquid.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder is applied to the particulate material without agglomeration.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder is discharged from ports separate from the liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder is discharged at a 45° angle from the sleeve.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder is discharged at an elevation below discharge of the liquid.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the dry powder coats the particulate material substantially without agglomeration.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein particulate material is coated substantially without aggregation.