CA1255271A

CA1255271A - Apparatus and method for sealing capsules

Info

Publication number: CA1255271A
Application number: CA000438716A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ivan Tomka; Fritz Wittwer
Original assignee: Warner Lambert Co LLC
Current assignee: Warner Lambert Co LLC
Priority date: 1983-02-18
Filing date: 1983-10-11
Publication date: 1989-06-06
Also published as: ES526230A0; JPS59156349A; IN160442B; US4539060A; BR8306208A; ES8501976A1; KR840007664A; YU44447B; EP0116743A1; DE3376197D1; EP0116743B1; IE56363B1; PH20191A; JPH0140627B2; YU219583A; AU559678B2; IE832820L; ATE33346T1; SU1393309A3; AU1977383A

Abstract

TITLE: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEALING CAPSULES
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Methods are disclosed for the sealing of gelatin capsules having hard shell coaxial cap and body parts which overlap when telescopically joined. Also de-scribed are apparatus and sealing fluids to seal the capsules.

Description

2~7~
This invention relates -to me-thods for sealing capsules, using sealing fluids, and/or thermal energy; and apparatus for sealing such capsules.

The capsules sealed by utilizing the present invention are hard shell, telescopically joined capsules, having coaxial cap and body parts. The capsules are made of gelatin or other materials whose properties are pharmaceuti-cally acceptable.
In this application, when the term "gelatin"
is used it is also understood to include gelatin combined with other hydrophilic polymers.

Capsules were sealed having a cap and/or body part made from a gelatin foam. In addition, capsules were sealed by sealing fluids.

Hard shell gelatin capsules have a disadvantage when compared with other dosage forms, in that the cap and body parts can be opened and rejoined without the disruption becom:ing externally visible or tamper-evident. There~ore, the consumer has no real guarantee that the contents of a capsule have not been tampered with.

Telescopically joined, hard shell gelatin capsules have an overlap of the cap side waL1 over -the body side wal].
which impedes gripping and withdrawalof the body, thereby makiny separation difEicult. ~'he present invention uses sealing fluid and/or thermal energy applied to -the overlap o~ the cap side wall over the body slde wall to secure tamper-proffiny by spot or complete sealiny of the overlap of the capsule parts. Wi-th the use of a complete sealiny, the capsules are also tight against leakage o-E liquid contents.

- Prior art ~or capsule sealing is contained in teh following United States Patents:

-- 1 -- ,~,. O
mab/~ ' 1. Number 3,071,513 issued Jan. 1, 1963 to ~I.R. De Boer, et al. which discloses a sealing fluid comprising a dispersion of an air-drying hydrophilic, film-forming polymer in an organic solvent. The application of the sealing fluid was by dipping the capsules;

2. Number 3,159,54~ issued December 1, 1974 to J.R. Kane discloses a liquid sealant consisting of three components containing by weight from about 1 to 4 1/2 parts, preferably 3 to 4 1/2 parts, of acetone; from about 1 1/2 to 2 parts, and preferably 1 1/4 to 2 parts, of water; and from about 3/4 to 2 1/4 parts, and preferably abou-t 3/4 of a part, o ethyl acetate. The application of the liquid solvent was by drop application.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of sealing a hard shell gelatin capsule having coaxial cap and body parts which overlap when telescopically joined. The method includes the step of applying a sealing fluid which lowers the glass transition temperature of the gelatin and/or its melting point to the region of overlap and allowing capillary action to evenly distribute the sealing fluid between the overlapping portions of the cap and body parts. The excess sealing fluid is removed from the exterior of the capsule to obtain a surface dried capsule, and thermal energy is applied to the region of overlap so as to raise the temperature of the gelatin above its meltiny point thereby causing the sealing together of the cap and body parts.

Another aspect of -the invention resides iIl a method of sealing hard shell gelatin capsules having coaxial cap and body parts which overlap when telescopically joined, which involves the spraying of a steam of a sealing fluid of the capsule parts either before or after -the capsule parts are joined. For example, the method may include the step oE spraying a steam oE a sealing 1uid, beore the capsule is telescopically joined, into the open end and/or onto the inside of the side wall of the cap part or onto -the outside of the side wall of the body part of the capsule so as to raise the surface temperature of the gelatin above its melting point. The cap and body parts are then telescopically joined. Alternatively, the cap and body parts may be telescopically joined, and the steam of a sealing fluid is then sprayed onto the seam of the overlap of the cap and body part side walls of the capsule after the parts have been telescopically joined so as to raise the surface temper ature of the gelatin above its melting point.

Accordiny -to ye-t another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for sealing hard shell gelatin , capsules having coaxial cap and body parts which overlap when ; telescopically joined. The apparatus including a conveyor having container means associated therewith for receiving the capsules, and means for exposing the capsules to a sealing i fluid which lowers the glass transition temperature of the gelatin or its melting point. Drying means is provided for '' 1 - 2a -mab/ ~ ~\

removing excess sealing fluid from the exterior of the capsule to obtain a surface dried capsule, anA means is provided for applying thermal energy to the gelatin in the region of overlap of, and between, the cap and body parts so as to raise the temperature of the gelatin above its melting point thereby causing the sealing together of the cap and the body parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
.
The apparatus and methods of the present invention are described in the following drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of the apparatus but showing an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 3 is another cross-sectional view through a portion of the apparatus showing yet another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through a capsule and illustrates means for spraying the capsule before it is telescopically joined; and Figure 5 i.s a view showingthe capsule after it has been telescopically joined with means being provided for spraying the sealing fluid onto the capsule.

In Figure 1 a continuous conveyor is shown at 1 haviny net or wi.re mesh baskets 2. ~ capsule filling machine

3 ejects filled and telescopically joined hard shell gelatin capsules ! 4 through a funnel 5 into the mesh baskets 2 which pass beneath the funnel 5. The capsules 4 are rartdomly oriented in the mesh baskets 2, which capsules 4 are then dipped into a sealing fluid 6 contained in a dipping tahk 7. It is essential that the overlap oE the cap and body side walls of each capsule

4 come into contact with the sealing m~h/!~

~ ;~5~
fluid 6. Thereafter, the capsules 4 are conveyed through a drylng stream of condltioned air 8 from a blower 9 located above or below the capsules 4 in order to remove excess sealing fluid 6 from the surface of the capsules 4 so as to avoid deformation and sticking together of the capsules 4. However, the sealing fluid is removed only from the surface, and not from within the overlapping seal of each capsule. The surface dried capsules 4 are then heated by a specific energy source 15 applying a defined quantity of thermal energy, located after the dryer 10 or at the ejection of capsules 4 from the conveyor 1. The dryer 10 may be a kiln; an oven; a tumbler dryer; etc. Thereafter, the capsules 4 are conveyed to and ejected into a capsule container 11 for further processing and shipment. A cover 14 is provided over the mesh baskets 2 to prevent floating-away or blowing-away of thecapsules 4 during processing between the funnel 5 and the dryer 10.

In Figure 2, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein the filled and telescopically joined capsules 4 are oriented and held with the cap part upright while the overlap of the cap and body part side walls of each capsule 4 are contacted by the sealing fluid 6 within the dipping tank 7.

In Figure 3 there is shown another embodiment of the present invention wherein the filled and telescopically joined capsules 4 are conveyed through a spray chamber 12 wherei.n sealing fluid 6 is sprayed by nozzle 13 so as to contact the sealing fluid 6 with the overlap of the cap and body 15 part side walls of each capsule 4.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein the sealing fluid 6, or a steam thereof, is sprayed before the capsule 4 is telescopically joined, by a spray nozzle 13 which sprays the sealing fluid 6, or a steam thereof, in-to the open end 15 and/or onto the inside of the~side walls 16 of the cap part 17 of the capsule 4.
Alternatively, the sealing fluid or a steam thereof is sprayed into the open end and or onto the outside of the side walls of m;l h d~

~i5~

the body part 19 of the capsule 4. This embodiment o~ the present invention may be connected to a capsule filling machi.ne.

The embodiment of the present invention shown in Eigure 5, the sealing fluid 6 is sprayed after the capsule 4 is telescopically joined. The capsule 4 is sealed by spraying the sealing fluid 6 or a steam thereof onto the seam 16 of the overlap of the cap and body part side walls of the capsule 4. This embodiment of the present invention may be connected to a capsule seali.ng machine or used separately.

OPERATION OF THE APPARATUS FOR SEALI~G CAPSULES
The sealing of capsules in the present invention is accomplished as follows:

The sealing fluid is evenly distributed between the overlap of the cap and body side walls of the gelatin capsule by capillary effect. This effect is achieved when the contact angle between a drop of the sealing ~luid and the gelatin film is small, e.g. if the wettability of the gelatin film is high, the contact angle can be reduced by ~ the addition of surfac~ants.

The mechanism of the capillary effect is described by Walter J. Moore in Physical Chemistry, 4th Edition, pages 479-481, Longman Edition, London, England, (1978) as follows:
"Whether a liquid rises in a glass capillary depends on the relative magnitude of the forces of adhesion between the liquid molecules themselves, and the forces of adhesion between the l.iquid and the walls of the tube. These forces determine the contact angle, which the liquid makes with the tube walls.
I this anyle is less than 90 degree, the liquid is said to web the surEace and aconcave meniscus is formed."

The wettability of yelatin films is measured as "adhesional wetting" where a liquid not originally in contact with a substrate makes contact with that substrate andadheres to it.
The contact angles between gelatin films and solvents were measured for a number of sealing fluids of the present invention by use of a microscope fitted with agoniometer eyepiece.

The tests were performed on a gelatin film whereby the contact angle was measured 20 seconds after deposit-ing a drop of sealing fluid on the gelatin film. The following Table I shows contact angles of sealing fluids of the present invention:
TABLE I
- Sealing Fluids Mean Contact Angles - Water 83 + 6 - 75% aqueous ethyl alcohol 3.5 + 1 solution - 75% ethyl alcohol near to 0 solution mixed with an (not detectable) a~ueous solution of lS 0.5M CaCl2 and 1M KI
- 90~ aqueous methanol near to 0 solution (not detectable) - tiater containing 0.1% 51 sodium lauryl sulfate - Water containing 0.5~ 66 of a hydrolyzed gelatin and 0.1% of sodium lauryl ~ulfate - ~ater containing 0.2 M 43 Na2S04 and O.l~
sodium lauryl sulate - ~1ater containing 1% 64 polyvinylpyrrolidone and 0~1% of sodium lauryl sulfate The sealing fluid dissolves the amorphous part of the gelatin between the overlap of the cap side walls over the body side walls of the capsules by lowering the ylass transition temperature of the gelatin.
~urthermore, the sealing fluid may partially depress the rnelting point of the crystalline part of the gelatin. The melting point of the crystalline part of the gelatin ~55~7~
,........................ f ... ~....

may, however, mainly be depressed below room tempera-ture by solvents, which are known as hydrogen bond breakers. These solvents are, however, not edible _ (urea, formamide, N-methylformamide, dimethylformar.lide).-In order to achieve better sealing the melting of the crystalline part of the gelatin may be affected by raising the temperature of the gelatin above its melting point. This may be achieved by the input of thermal energy. Another important effect, due to the application of thermal energy, preferably with con-vection heat, is the shrinkage of the overlap of the ....
cap with the body of the capsule, resulting in a com-plete contact of the peptizized wall surface of the overlap, thus achieving a better seam. The reason for this is that the gelatin changes its specific volume during the above~entioned process. The input of thermal energy can be accomplished by conduction due to contacting the overlapping seam with the warm surface of a solid, i.e. by metal coated with teflon, heated to 120 to 180C; or circulating a warm gas at a tempera-ture of about 70 to 140c, around the capsule; or by putting the capsules in the field of electromagnetic irradiation preferentially in the infrared or microwave range of the fre~uency spectrum. The input of energy may be localized to the part of the capsule i.~?. the overlapping seam, where the sealing is taking place.
This can be achieved by irradiating electromagnetic energy at a frequency ran~e whereby the sealing fluid preferentially absorbs this energy in the form of heat. One embodiment to real;ze this is to irradiate electromagnetic energy at 2~4 GHz in the presence of water as a sealing fluid~ However, the dry gelatin swells in the presence of water in much too short a time to be applicable otherwise than locally at the ~5 overlap of cap and body parts of the capsule. ~o circumvent this, one dips the capsules in various aqueous and/or organic sealing fluids and blows off the :~S~i7~
j........................ .

excess sealing fluid from the surface of the capsules;
leaving the fluid only between the overlap of the body and the cap parts of the capsule. ~nother embodimen~
to local ize the thermal energy at the overlapping seam

- 5 can be achieved by the application of energy through a slit of an insulating plate under which the capsule is positioned and axially rotated in a way that only the overlapping seam part is exposed to the ther~al energy.
Sources of energy can be radiation (microwaves or infrared) or convection heating. Organic solvents, which are sufficiently miscible with water but reduce the swelling ability of water to a proper degree are given in the following groups of sealing fluids:
In general, the sealing fluids used in the present invention contain a considerable amount of water. A
denaturation and peptization of the gelatin is a necessary effect for the present invention. This effect can be achieved by the application of a local-ized thermal energy source to following 4 Groups of sealing fluids to the capsule seam:
1. Organic_ _olvents Sealing fluids of organic solvents having a solubility parameter between about 10 to about ~3.4;
and being sufficiently miscible with water at a pH
range between 1 to 13 are given in TABLE 2 below, based on the following ReEerences.
- J. Brandr~pp and E. ~. Ir~ergut, Polymer Handbook, 1st ~dition, pages IV 356 358, John ~liley ~ . (1966) - J. Bello et al, J. Phys. Chem 60, page 1299, (1956) TABI,E 2 ~(cal/cc)l/2 Organic Solvent 10.0 amyl alcohol (iso) 10.0 carbon disulfide 10.0 dichlorobenzene (ortho) 10.0 diethyl phthalate 10.0 dimethyll-2,2-butanediol-1.3 10.0 dioxane-1,4 10.0 dipropylene glycol 10.0 ethylamine 10.0 ethylene glycol diacetate 10.0 ethyl lactate 10.0 methyl isobutyl carbinol 10.0 nitrobenzene 10.0 propionic anhydride 10.1 acetic acid 10.1 caprolactone 10.1 dibromoethylene-1,2 10.1 propylene glycol methyl ether 10.2 cresol (meta) 10.2 diethylene glycol monoethyl ether 10.2 dioxolane-1,3 10.2 methyl formate 10.2 methyl iodine 10.3 acetaldehyde 10.3 acetic anhydride 10.3 aniline 10.3 butyric acid (iso) 10~3 hexanediol-2,5 10.3 methyl-2-pentanediol-1,3 10.3 nitro-l-propane 10.3 octyl alcohol tnormal) 10.4 cyclopentanone 10.4 dibromoethane~l,2 35 - 10.5 acrylonitrile 10.5 butyl alcohol (iso) 10.5 butyric acid (normal) 5~
..... . ......

lOo S butyronitrile 1005 ethyl-2-butanol-1 10.5 ethylene glycol monoethyl e.ther 10.5 hexamethylphosphoramide ~
10.5 methyl benzoate 10.6 bromonapthalene 10.6 butyl alcohol (tert.) 10.6 diethylfor~amide (N,N) 10.6 heptyl alcohol tnormal) 10.6 methyl salicylate 10.7 dimethyl phthalate 1007 hexyl alcohol (normal) 10.7 pyridine 10.7 triethylene glycol 10.8 butyl alcohol (secondary) 10.8 dimethylacetamide (N,N) 10,8 pentanediol-2,4 10,8 propionitrile 10.8 quinoline 10.9 amyl alcohol (normal) 11.0 cyclobutanedione 11.0 dichloroacetic acid 11.0 dimethyl malonate 11,0 dimethyl oxalate 11~0 ethyl cyanoacetate 11~0 neopentyl glycol 11.1 butanediol-2,3 11.]. ethylene oxide 11.1 nitroethane 11.2 ace~ylpiperidine (N) 11.2 di.methyl-2,2~butanediol-1,2 (Isobutylene glycol) 11.2 ~urfural 35 . 11.2 methacrylic acid 11.2 methylamine 11.3 dipropyl sulfone ... ....

11.3 me~hylpyrrolidone-2 (I~) 11.4 ace~ylpyrrolidine (N) 11.4 butyl alcohol (normal) 11.4 cyclohexanol S 11.4 ethylene glycol monomethyl ether 11.4 tetramethyloxamide 11.5 formylpiperidine (N) 11.5 pentanediol-1,5 11.5 propyl alcohol (iso) 11.6 acetylmorpholine (la) 11.6 hutanediol 1,3 11~8 allyl alcohol 11.8 methylene iodide 11.9 acetonitrile 11.9 propyl alcohol (normal) 11.9 Santicizer 8 12.0 acrylic acid 12.0 dimethyl sulfoxide 12.1 benzyl alcohol 12.1 butanediol-1,4 12.1 butylene-2,3 carbonate 12.1 diethylene glycol 12.1 dimethylformamide (N,.~) 12.1 dimethyltetramethylene sulfone 12.1 formic acid 12.1 hydroyen cyanide 12.2 ethylene chlorohydrin 12.3 ethylacetamide (N) 12~4 diethyl sulfone 12.4 methylene glycolate 12.5 dimethyl phosphite 12.5 urfuryl alcohol 12.5 methyl propyl sulfone 12.6 butyrolactone 12.6 chloroacetonitrile 12.6 propylene glycol 12.7 caprolactam (epsilon) 12.7 ethyl alcohol 12.7 nitromethane 12.9 methyltetramethylene sulfone 13.0 formylmorpholine (N) _ 5 13.1 dimethylnitroamine (~,N) 13.3 propiolactone - 13.3 propylene-1,2 carbonatP
13.4 methyl ethyl sulfone 13.4 pyrone (gamma) 1~ 13.4 tetramethylene sulfone 13.6 maleic anhydride 13.6 piperidone 13.7 diacetylpiperazine (N,N) 13.9 ethylformamide (N) 14.5 methanol 14.5 dimethyl sulfone 14.6 ethylene glycol 14.6 methylacetamide (2~) ,........... I
14.7 ethylene carbonate 14.7 pyrrolidone (alpha) 15.1 diformylpiperazine (N,N) 15.4 succinic anhydride 16.1 methylformamide (N) 16.3 ammonia 16.3 glycerol 19.2 ~ormamide.
23.4 water The above organic solvents with a solubility parameter below about 10, which are miscible with water, can he used at low concentrations in combination with solvetlts having a solubility parameter above about 10~(cal/cc)l/2 For the sealing of pharmaceutical gelatin capsules, only pharmaceutically accepted organic solvents are used.
- 2. Solutions of Salts .
Sealing fluids of an aqueous solution of salts or an aqueous organic solution (Organic solvents from - ~2 TA3LE 2 above) of salts, as well as the corresponding acids and/or bases of the salts, are also effective.
The water in these sealins fluids may be at a pH range between 1 and 13. The effect of cations and anions of 5 these sal~s is to depress the melting point of gelatin, as stated by K. ~. Gustavson, The Chemistry and Reactivity of Collagen, Academic Press, N.Y. (1956) and may be explained as follows:
a) Cations like Ca++ and Al+~ are extremely 10 efficient if their share is high and their radius small, which yields a strong polarization according to the Hofmeisters series.
b) Anions like SCN- and I- must possess a large electron cloud in order to have a strong polari- c 15 zability.
For the sealing Oc pharmaceutical gelatin capsules, only pharmaceutically acceptable sal's are used.
3. ~;at~
Water at a pH range between 1 and 13 is effective 20 as a sealing fluid when thermal energy is applied specifically to the sealing fluid between the body and cap overlap.
4. Polymer Solutions or_Emulsions In addition to .~ .
the above embodiments the present invention may also include the following polymer solutions or emulsion~:
, a. Polyalkylenes such as polyethylene, polypropylene and the like;
b. Cellulose, its microcrystalline or form, and derivatives thereof, including cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose-phthalate, hydroxypropyl- j~
methylcellulose, celluloseacetate-phthalate, cellulose ethers such as lower alkyl cellulose, wherein the lower alkyl group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms as for example ethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, other .', . I

derivatives such as sodium-carboxymethyl-cellulose, and lower hydroxy-alkyl-cellulose wherein the lower alkyl has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
c. Waxes such as carnauba wax;
_ 5 d. Polyvinylpyrrolidone;
e. Polymers and copolymers of acrylic acids and methacrylic acids an~ salts and esters thereof;
f~ Carbohydrates including r~no-, di-, and pvlysaccharides such as glucos~, sucrose, starch, agar, polydextrose, mucopolysaccharides, as well as derivatives of those carbohydrates and the like;
g. Proteins such as gelatin and hydrolyzed gelatin, with derivatives thereof, soy bean proteins, sunflower proteins, and- the like (in additi~n a protein may be used that has enzymatic activity on the gelatin like protase, preferably collogenase, papain, pepsin~
and the like~which causes an enzymatic degradation of the gelatin which results in a seal of the overlap o~
the cap on body parts);
h. Shellac;
i. Rubber;
j. Polyvinyl-acetates;
k. Polyuroni~ acids like alsinates and its derivatives;
1. Polyvinylalcohol;
m. Cyanoacrylate-monomer; and n. Related materials and combinations of the above.
The concentrations of the polymer solutions or emulsions may vary widely and are preferably used as ~ollo~s:
- For dipping 2 - 50~ by weight - For spraying/jetking 2 - 70% by weight In addition to the polymer solutions or emulsions ~listed above, the following softeners may also be used:
a. Poly-hydroxy-alcohols like glycerol, sorbitol, mannitol and the like;

l25~S~7:~

b. Dialkylphthalates preferably where alkyl is butyl;
c. Lower alkyl citrates wherein lower alkyl has 1 - 6 carbon atoms;
d. Polyglycols s~ch as polyethyleneglycol and methoxy-propylene-glycol, and 1,2- propyleneglycol;
e. Esters of polyhydroxy-alcohols such as mono-, di- and tri-acetate of glycerol and the like;
f. Reocineoleic acid and esters thereof;
g, Related materials and mixtures of the above.
The above softeners are used in a concentration range of 0.1 - 20~ by weight based on the polymer solutions or emulsions listed above.
In addition to the polymers and the softeners listed above any solvent may also be used that is non-toxic for pharmaceutical capsules and is compatible with the capsule composition. Examples of such solvents include:
a. Organic solvents such as:
1) Lower alkyl ethers wherein lower alkyl has 1-4 carbon atoms;
2) Lower alkyl ketones wherein lower alkyl ha.s 1-8 carbon atomC;
3) Methyleneglycol;
~5 4) Lower alkyl esters of lower alkyl carboxylic acids wherein the lower alkyl has more than 1-4 carbon atoms; and 5) Related materials of the above and lower alkyl alcohols such as ethanol and isopropanol.
bo ~ater; and ! . C. Related materials and combinations of the above.
In Groups 1-4 of the above described sealing fluids, surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate at a concentration within a range of 0.1 to 5% may be added in order to ~btain the smallest possible contact angle between the sealing fluid and the capsule material and thus leading to a maximal wettability. F~rthermore, the addition of softeners such as glycerol, sorbitol and the like is preferred in some cases in order to get a more flexible seam bet~7een body and cap overlap. Furthermore, combinations of the sealing fluids described in groups _ 5 1 - 4 may be used at various mixing ratios.
Methods for the Application of Sealiny Fluids to Capsules . _ , _ . _ ~ . . _ Various methods were used for the application of the abo~e sealing fluids for ~elatin capsules.
1. Dipping of the entire capsule into a bath of the seal;ng fluid as shown in FIG. 1 for a time period of 1 to 5 seconds at a temperature range from between about 5 to 70C followed by removing of the excess fluid from the capsule surface by a strong air jetO
Thereafter, the capsules were dried.
2. Dipping of the capsules in an upright position as shown in FIG. 2 so that the cap is on top and the overlap of the capsule is in contact with the sealing : fluid. The sealing conditions were the same as in~
paragraph 1 above.
3. Spraying of the capsules with a sealing fluid as shown in PIG. 3. The sealing fluid was used at a te~,perature range between about 5 to 70C. AEter spraying the excess fluid was removed from the capsule surface by a strong air jet (followed by capsule drying, if necessary to remove the sealing fluid from the surfaces of the capsules).
4, Application of a sealing fluid to the capsules by using a high frequency pressure pulse jet nozzle as sho~n in FIGS. 4 and 5 with an accurate monitoring of droplet delivery and deflection. Only minor surface drying was necessary. The sites o application of the sealing fluid were as follows:
- into and/or onto the open end of the cap part before capsule joining on a filling machine;
~ - onto the outside of the side walls of the open end of the body part before capsule joining on a filling machine;
.

onto the overlap of the cap and body parts after capsule joining and filling.
5. Application of a steam of the sealing fluids by a jet nozzle as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. On~y minor surface drying W25 necessary. The sites of application were the same zs in paragraph ~ above.
Capsule sealing by a steam of the sealing fluids selected was also accomplished by exposing the capsules in a combined steam vacuum chamber.

The sealing of capsules by the present invention can be used for hard shell gelatin capsules which have been telescopically joined and have the following contents:
a. Empty;
. - b. Powde~s;
c. Pastes;
d. Tablets, pellets, granules, microcapsules, etc.
e. Liqul~s (the sealing of the present invention was also successEul in preventing leakage of oil rom within the gelatin capsule; and f. Liquids and solids.
For the sealing of gelatin capsules filled with oils, it was noted that an inverse capillary effect driviny the oil between the overlap of the body and cap parts o~ the gelatin capsules may occur, especially when the filled gelatin capsules are held in a cap part down position. For rape seed oil, having a viscosity of above about g0 centipoises, a contact angle between the gelatin film and the oil was measured which means that the capillary orces of oil are much lower than the capillary forces of the sealing 1uids. Therefore, if 35- the gelatin capsules are sealed within a few minutes after filling with an oil, the oily capsule content 1~
does not enter between the overlap of the body and the cap of the gelatin capsule. Hence, the capsules can be sealed by the sealing fluids of the present invention.
_ If liquids or oils with low viscosities below about 90 centipoises and small contact angles are used, the following measures accomplished a complete sealing by the present invention:
- sealing the gelatin capsules within a few seconds after ejection from the filling machine.
- holding the gelatin capsule in an upright position with the cap part on top during the sealing process, as shown in FIG. 2.
~ cooling the li~uid contents prior to filling into the gelatin capsule in order to increase the viscosity and the contact angle between the gelatin film and the li~uid.
- adding a thickening agent to the liquid , contents prior to the filling process.
The best results were obtained without capsule deformation; with sealing fluids having a high degree of peptization, such as an aqueous solvent of 75%
ethanol in water, and also with an aqueous solvent of 9o% rnethanol in ~ater.
The sealing of the overlap of the capsule side walls is accornplished in the present invention as follows:
Gelatin used in the yroduction of capsules contain chains of peptides in the amorphous and the crystalline states. In the crystalline state there is scarcely any translational movement of the center of energy of t:he chains of peptides. The non-crystallized molecules retain a slight mobility of their chains above the glass transition temperature.
The addition of sealing fluid by capillary action between the side walls of the capsule lowers the melting point of the gelatin or other hydrophilic polymer material. This initiates the movement of the chains of lg peptides within the overlapping side walls of the capsule and results in a physical bond or seal therein By the addition of thermal energy to the -chains of peptides in the presence of sealing fluid within the ~ 5 overlapping seam of the capsule the chains of peptides have an increased Brownian movement, resulting in a denaturation of the gelatin or other hydrophilic polymer therein. Upon cooling of the seam the denatured gelatin or other hydrophilic polymer becomes gelatinated or solidified, so as to form a physical bond or seal between the overlapping side walls or seam of the capsule.
~ n the present invention the preferred manner of adding thermal energy is by electromagnetic irradiation of the chains of peptides in the presence of sealing fluid within the overlapping seal of the capsule. The electromagnetic irradiation found to be ~ost effective ': was at frequencies of about 2.4 GHz for an exposure of about 1 to 5 seconds with a strength of field in the Z0 range of 200 V/cm. It was observed that microwaves of this strength o~ field and time caused efficient peptization and denaturation of the ~aterial within the overlapping seam and resulted in gelatination of the material so as to make a strong physical bond or seal therein.
It was also noted that the use of microwaves at such levels did not deEorm the capsules. This is explained in that the average water content of capsules is in the range of about 10 to 15~. Such water content is too low to cause a peptization of the gelatin, so as to result in de~ormation of the entire caps,ule. At this water content, the melting point of the crystalline chains is not achieved below about 120C.
This temperature is not exceeded by the application of the thermal energy in the present invention.

~25~
... ...- .
~ . ... .. ~ .
~o Alternatively, the addition of thermal eneray to the sea]ing fluid in the overlapping seam can be accomplished by other ran~es of frequency of electro-magnetic irradiation such as infrared heating;~or by ~ ~ convection such as by hot gas or by steam heating; or by conventional conduction heating means such as by electric or by hot water heat directly and locally applied to the overlapping seam of the capsule. A
method of conduction heating i~ to apply a metal stamp or bar, hea~ed in a range of about 120C to 180C
directly to all or part of the overlapping seam for about 1 to 3 seconds. In order to avoid sticking of the metal stamp to the seam, the metal stamp may be coated with a non sticking material such as a tetra-fluoroethylene fluorocarbon resin sold under the trademark: TEPLON~; trademark owned and material supplied by The DuPont Company, Wilmington, Delaware;
or a dimethyl silicone sold under the trademark:
SILICOIIE~ trademark owned and material supplied by the General Electric Company, Schenectady, New York.
In the present invention it was found that an acceptable bond or sealing of the overlap could be obtained without the application o~ A s~Aling fluid thereto, provided the thermal energy is locally applied to the overlap, in any of the following ways:
1. Electromagnetic irradiation at frequencies in the infrared range, preferably applied by laser source.
2. Convection~such as by hot gas or by steam heating of approx. 160C.
3. Conduction~such as by contacting with a metal stamp or bar heated to approx. 180C.
4. Friction~such as by ultrasonic vibration.
The application oE thermal energy to the overlap at the above high levels, without the use of a sealing 35 -fluid, must be closely controlled in order to avoid any deformation of the capsule.

~2~
.... ...

Example l .
Gelatin capsules, empty and filled with contents as described on page 17 b to e above, and tele _ scopically joined, were sealed by the apparatus shown in FIG. l with a sealing fluid of 75~ ethanol in water, at room temperature~
No sealing fluid was observed to enter the interior of the telescopically joined capsules during the dipping time of 1 to S seconds, and thereafter.
After the elimination of the excess fluid from - their surfaces, the capsules were heated with air at a temperature of 70C for 60 seconds.
Due to the additional supply of energy through hot air, the inner surface of the cap and the outer surface of the bodies at the overlapping seams of the capsules were completely touching (shrinking of cap part) thus the peptizized surfaces formed a high quality capsule seam.
The capsules were tested and found to be all tamper-proof. The capsules with contents as described on page 17 c and e above showed no leakage.
Example_2_ lO0 capsules, size 2 (imprinted), were rilled with rape seed oil, joined and put on a sieve (diameter 20 cm), the latter being covered by another sieve. The capsules were dipped by a complete immersion of the sieves, during 3 seconds, at room temperature, into a sealing fluid of 60~ ethanol and 40~ water.
The sealing 1uid contained 0.1~ of sodium lauryl sulfate as a surfactant decreasing the contact anyle between the fluid and the gelatin wall. I~mediately ater removal rom the sealing fluid, the sieve was shaken and together with a strong air jet, the excess fluid was removed rom the capsule surface within about 10 seconds. The capsules where then positioned in a .
hot air drier at 70C for 60 seconds.
The capsules were not deformed nor was the imprint faded.

:~2~

The quality of the capsule seam was tested after 24 hours storage at room temperature and 40~ of relative humidity. All capsules tested could not be separated without destroying. Furthermore, no liquid content was leaking from the capsules.
Example 3 50 capsules, size 2, were filled with lactose, joined and put on a sieve (diameter 20 cm), the latter being covered by another sieve. The capsules were completely immersed ~or 3 seconds at room temperature in~.o a sealing fluid of 60~ ethanol and 40% water con-taining 0.1% sodium lauryl sulfate. The excess fluid was removed from the capsule surface within 10 seconds by shaking the sieves and air jetting the capsules, followed by a drying of about 60 seconds under an air flow at 20C and 30~ relative humidity. Then the capsules were placed on a rolling conveyor which axially aligned the capsules. The capsules were then heated by an infrared lamp for 90 seconds at a temperature of 60C.
The quality of the capsules and of the capsule seams was similar to the results obtained in example 2.
Example_4 100 capsules, size 2, were filled with rape seed oil, joined and placed in a sieve, the latter being covered by another sieve. The capsules were completely immersed for 3 seconds into a sealing fluid consisting of 60~ ethanol, 40~ water and 0.1% sodium lauryl sulfate at 5C. The excess fluid was removed from the capsule surface within 10 seconds by a strong air jet at room temperature.
The capsules were then placed on a conveyor system with plastic rolls and moved in an axially vertical position. A wood plate, having a slit of 3mm~ covered the capsules at a distance of about 2 c~ whereby the slit was positioned perpendicularly to the axis of, and over, the body and cap over]ap.

12~ir,Z7.~. ~

An infrared source was ~laced over the wood plate in a vertical p~sition over the slit. With this proced~re, the body and cap overlap were heated to about 80C for gO seconds resulting in a completely - 5 liquid tight and tamper-proof capsule.
The local application of thermal energy at the capsule overlap (without affecting the rest of the capsule) is required for li~uid contents which show heat expansion of the contents resulting in an air escape between body and cap during the sealing process.
Example 5 50 capsules, size 2, were filled with lactose, joined and placed in a sieve, the latter being covered by a second sieve. The capsules were completely i~nersed for 3 seconds into a sealing fluid consisting of water and 0.1% sodium lauryl sulfate at 5C. The excess fluid was removed from the capsule surface by a strong air jet at room temperature and 20% relative hu~idity for 90 seconds.
In order to form an optimal seal at the overlap, the capsules were irradiated for 3 seconds with electromagnetic energy at 2.4 GHz at a field strength of 171 V/cm. The microwaves of this intensity caused efficient peptization and denaturation of the material within the overlapping seam and resulted in gelatination of the material so as to give a strong physical bond.
Example 6 50 capsules, size 2, were filled with rape seed oil, joined and put in a sieve. The capsules were sprayed with a sealiny fluid consisting of water con-taining 0.1% sodium lauryl sulfate at 5C. After spraying, the sieve was covered by another sieve. The excess 1uid from the surfaces were removed by an air jet at room temperature and 20% relative humidity for 90 seconds. For the formation of a strong bond at the body and cap overlap, the capsules were irradiated for 4 seconds with electromagnetic energy ~microwaves) at 2.4 G~z at a field strength of 171 V/cm. All capsules proved to be liquid-tight and tamper-proof.
Example 7 100 capsules, size 2, were filled with rape seed ~ 5 oil, joined and placed in a sieve with a diameter of 20 cm, the latter being covered by another sieve. The capsules were completely immersed for 3 seconds into a sealing fluid consisting of water containing 0.2 M
sodium sulfate and 0.1% o~ sodium lauryl sulfate at 5C.
The excess fluid was removed from the capsule surface by a strong air jet at room temperature and 20%
relative humidity for 90 seconds.
For the formation o~ a complete and strong bond at body and cap overlap, the capsules were treated by hot air at a temperature of 70C for 60 seconds.
The capsules were both tamper-proof and liquid-tight.
Example 8 100 capsules, size 2, were filled with lactose, joined and placed in a sieve with a diameter of 20 cm, the latter being covered with ano~her sieve. The capsules were completely immersed for 4 seconds in a sealing fluid consisting of water containing 0.2 M
sodium sulfate ~tla2S0~) and 0.1% sodium lauryl sulfate at 5C.
The excess fluid was removed from the capsule sur~ace by a strong air jet at room temperature and 20 relative humidity for 90 seconds. In order to form a strony physical bond at the body and cap overlapt the capsules were irradiated for 2 seconds with electromagnetic energy (microwaves) at 2.4 GHz at a ield strength of 171 V/cm.
All capsules could not be separated without destroying.
Example 9 . . .
100 capsules, si~e 2, were filled with lactose, .... ~,~5~;~t~ ........
. .

joined and placed in a sieve with a diameter of 20 cm the la~ter being covered by another sieve. The capsules were completely i~mersed for 3 seconds into a ~sealing fluid consisting of an a~ueous solution of 1.0~
~ 5 hydrolyzed gelatin having an average molecular weight of about ~,000 Dalton (using hydrolyzed gelatin having a molecular weight of 5,000 sold under the trademark:
POLYPRO 5000~; trademark owned and material supplied by ~ormel Inc., Chicago, ~llinois) at 5C.
The excess fluid was removed from the capsule surface by a strong air jet at room temperature and 20 relative humidity for 90 seconds.
For the formation of a strong and lasting physical bond at the body and cap overlap, the capsules were then treated with hot air at a temperature of 70C for 60 seconds.
The capsules could not be separated without destroying them.
Example 10 . . . _ 100 capsules, size 2, ~ere filled with rape seed oil, joined and placed in a sieve with a diameter of 20 cm, the latter being covered with another sieve. The capsules were completely irnmersed for 3 seconds in a sealing fluid consisting of an aqueous solution of 1.5%
hydrolvzed gelatin having an average molecular weight of about 2000 Dalton (using hydrolyzed gelatin having a molecular weight of 2,000 sold under the trademark:
PEPTEIN 2000~; trademark owned and material supplied by ~lormel Inc., Chicago, Illinois), and containing 0.1 sodium lauryl sulfate at 5C.
The excess 1uid was removed from the capsule surface by a strong air jet, at room temperature and 20%,relative humidity for 90 seconds.
For the formation of a strong bond at body and cap overlap, the capsules were irradiated for 4 seconds with electromagnetic energy tmicrowaves) at 2.4 GHz at a field strength of 171 V/cr~.

All capsules proved to be liquid tight and tamper-proof.
. .
100 capsules, size 2, were filled with rape seed -_ 5 oil, joined and placed in a sieve with a diameter of 20 cm, the latter belng covered with another sieve. The ~ capsules were completely immersed for 3 seconds (at 5C) into a sealing fluid consisting of an aqueous solution of 1~ polyvinyl-pyror~done (average molecular weight of 25,000 Dalton) containing 0.1% sodium lauryl sulfate.
The excess fluid was removed from the capsule surface by a strong air jet at room temperature and 20 relative humidity for 90 seconds.
For the formation of a strong bond at body and cap overlap, the caps~les were irradiated for 4 seconds with electromagnetic energy (microwaves) at 2~4 G~z at a field strength of 171 V/cm.
A11 capsules proved to be liquid tight and tamper-proof.Exam~le 12 20 capsules, size 2, were filled ~lith lactose and joined.
An acceptable bond of the overlap could be obtained without the application of a sealing fluid thereto by providing the thermal energy locally to the overlap by a metal stamp, coated with TEFLON~, at a temperature of 180C for 1 second.
The stamp treatment was either performed on one or more spots at the circumference of the capsule overlap.
All capsules could not be separated without destroying them. The visible mark left by the stamp made the capsules tamper-evident.
Example_13 10 capsules, size 2, were filled with rape seed oil and joined~
A complete bond at a 360 angle of the overlap circumference could be obtained without the application of a sealing fluid thereto by providing the thermal energy locally to the overlap by 3 metal stamps (bars) coated wi~h TEFLO~I~ each one sealing a segment of 120 at the overlap of the capsule.
With these 3 segmental stamps, a complete ring of a bond at the overlap was obtained thus avoiding the leaka~e of the liquid content and resulting in a tamper-evident capsule.
This invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments set forth in detail, but it should be understood that these are by way of illustration only and that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Modifications and variations will be apparent from this disclosure and may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of this invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Accordingly, such variations and modifications of the disclosed invention are considered to be within the purview and scope of this invention and the following claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE
IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A method of sealing a hard shell gelatin capsule having coaxial cap and body parts which overlap when telescopically joined, the method comprising:
a) applying a sealing fluid which lowers the glass transition temperatures of the gelatin and/or its melting point in the region of overlap and allowing capillary action to evenly distribute the sealing fluid between the overlapping portions of the cap and body parts;
b) removing excess sealing fluid from the exterior of the capsule to obtain the surface dried capsule; and c) applying convection heating to the region of overlap so as to raise the temperature of the gelatin above its melting point thereby causing the sealing together of the cap and body parts.

2. A method of sealing a hard shell gelatin capsule as defined in Claim 1, wherein the excess sealing fluid is removed without the application of heat, and the convection heating is applied locally to the region of overlap.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the convection heating elevates the temperature of the gelatin at the region of overlap above its melting point or its glass transition temperature, thus sealing together the cap and body parts.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the convection heating medium is heated air.

5. A method claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 3, wherein the sealing fluid is applied by: spraying the capsule with the sealing fluid; exposing the capsule to the sealing fluid in a vacuum-steam chamber; or dipping the capsule in the sealing fluid.

6. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 3, wherein the sealing fluid is selected from one or a mixture of: organic solvent which depresses the melting point of gelatin and which has a solubility parameter in the range of between about 10 to about 23.4 (calories per cubic centimeter)?;
an aqueous solution of salt, or the corresponding acids and/or bases of the salt having cations and anions which depress the melting point of gelatin; an aqueous solution of an organic solvent, which depresses the melting point of gelatin and which has a solubility parameter in the range of between about 10 and 23.4 (calories per cubic centimeter)?, and of a salt, or the corresponding acids and/or bases of the salt, having cations and anions of the salt depressing the melting point of the gelatin; water; a polymer solution or emulsion;
and any of the foregoing fluids, further containing a proteolytic enzyme which acts on the gelatin in the overlap region and between the parts to produce a protein solution therein which seals together the cap and body.

7. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 3, wherein the sealing fluid is a mixture of water and alcohol.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 3, wherein the sealing fluid is a mixture of water and ethanol.

9. An apparatus for sealing hard shell gelatin capsules having coaxial cap and body parts which overlap when telescopically joined, the apparatus comprising:
a) a conveyor means for receiving and moving the capsules;
b) means for exposing the capsules to a sealing fluid which lowers the glass transition temperature of the gelatin or its melting point;
c) drying means for removing excess sealing fluid from the exterior of the capsule to obtain a surface dried capsule; and d) means for applying convection heating to gelatin in the region of overlap of, and between, the cap and body parts so as to raise the temperature of the gelatin above its melting point thereby causing the sealing together of the cap and body parts.

10. A method of sealing hard shell gelatin capsules having coaxial cap and body parts which overlap when telescopically joined, the apparatus comprising:
a) applying a sealing fluid which lowers the glass transition temperature of the gelatin and/or its melting point in the region of overlap and allowing capillary action to evenly distribute the sealing fluid between the overlapping portions of the cap and body parts;
b) removing excess sealing fluid from the exterior of the capsule to obtain a surface dried capsule; and c) applying convection heating to the region of overlap so as to raise the temperature of the gelatin above its melting point thereby causing the sealing together of the cap and body parts wherein the sealing fluid is applied by: spraying the capsule with the sealing fluid; or dipping the capsule in the sealing fluid.