# US 9,839,926 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 9,839,926 B2 - Document ID: US9839926B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/483,471 - Filed: 2017-04-10 - Published: 2017-08-24 - Granted: 2017-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-10 - Assignees: Freund-Vector Corporation - Applicants: Freund-Vector Corporation - Inventors: Larry A. Maher; Brian K. Jensen; Shawn M. Engels - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9839926B2 ## 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 A Wurster apparatus for coating particulates, including a gun assembly with a spray nozzle for spraying liquid onto the particulates, comprising: a sleeve surrounding the gun assembly and the sleeve having a plurality of outlet ports; and a source of dry powder connected to the sleeve so as to discharge the dry powder through the outlet ports in an outwardly radial direction to coat the particulates. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dry powder source includes an eductor coupled to the sleeve to deliver dry powder from the source to the sleeve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has at least one inlet port for receiving the dry powder. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an annular space between the spray nozzle and the sleeve, and the dry powder being supplied to the space for discharge through the ports. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pressurized air line between the dry powder source and the sleeve to carry the dry powder. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dry powder is an excipient. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dry powder is an active pharmaceutical ingredient. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dry powder is a polymer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sleeve ports are below a tip of the spray nozzle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dry powder is applied to the particulate material without being suspended or solubilized in a liquid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dry powder is applied to the particulate material without agglomeration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outlet ports are spaced from the spray nozzle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outlet ports are directed at a 45° angle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The Wurster apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outlet ports are radially spaced around the spray nozzle. ### Claim 15 A Wurster apparatus for coating particulates, including a gun assembly with a spray nozzle for spraying liquid onto the particulates, comprising: a dry powder source; a pressurized air source; and a conduit connected to the dry powder source and to the pressurized air source and having an outlet to deliver dry powder onto the particulates as the particulates are sprayed with liquid in the Wurster apparatus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The Wurster apparatus of claim 15 wherein the conduit is a sleeve surrounding the spray nozzle to define an annular space through which the dry powder passes. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The Wurster apparatus of claim 15 wherein the outlet has a plurality of ports. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The Wurster apparatus of claim 17 wherein the ports are directed at a 45° angle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The Wurster apparatus of claim 17 wherein the ports are radially spaced around the spray nozzle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The Wurster apparatus of claim 15 wherein the outlet is below a tip of the spray nozzle.