US3868900A

US3868900A - Capsule precision printing apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: US3868900A
Application number: US393964A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward M Ackley
Original assignee: Hartnett Co R W
Current assignee: Hartnett Co R W; R W HARTNETT Co
Priority date: 1973-09-04
Filing date: 1973-09-04
Publication date: 1975-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-04

Abstract

Capsules having a body portion and a cap portion are subjected to air jets, partially separating the body portion and the cap portion. Limit stops are provided for limiting the extent of separation to a precision length. The capsules may then be printed with precision spacing on the cap portion or body portion, or both.

Description

United States Patent Ackley Mar. 4, 1975 CAPSULE PRECISION PRINTING 2.630.953 3/195; Kath 53/381 R x D 2,857,039 10/195 Whitecar 198/33 AC APPARATUS AND METHO 2,995,883 3/1961 Aubry et al 53/381 A [75] Inventor: Edward M- A kl y, ne Harbor, 3,424,082 1/1969 Gray, Jr. 101/40 NJ. 3,534,526 10/1970 Hostetler et a1. 53/381 A X 3,581,377 6/1971 McKni ht 29/200 D X [731 Asslgneel Harman Company, 3,760,166 9/1973 Adams et a1 221/278 x Philadelphia, Pa.

7 9 Med Sept 4 1973 PHI/1611')E.\'(1H1IIII--Cilff0l'd D. Crowder [21] Appl. No.: 393,964

[52] US. Cl 101/40. 101/426, 29/200 D, 57 ABSTRACT 29/427, 118/62, 198/267, 198/D1G. 4 [51] 'f Cl 17/36 865g 47/24: Capsules having a body portion and a cap portion are [58] Field Of Search 101/35-40, Subjected to air jets, partially Separating the y p 29/200 D, 239, 427, 421, 4 1 53/381 A, 381 tion and the cap portion. Limit stops are provided for K 14; 198/33 33 33 limiting the extent of separation to a precision length.

33 The capsules may then be printed with precision spacing on the cap portion or body portion, or both. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 2,620.961 12/1952 Wahl et a] 53/381 R 7 PAIEMEBH R 4mm SHEU 1 [1F 3 mm V PATENTEBW '41975 SHEET 3 0f 3 CAPSULE PRECISION PRINTING APPARATUS AND METHOD INTRODUCTION This invention relates to a precision apparatus and method for separating partially the cap portion and the body portion of a capsule.

The invention relates particularly to a printing apparatus wherein a plurality of capsules may be taken from the hopper or the like where they are disposed in a random arrangement, then disposed in a uniform manner transversely on a conveyor, and then subjected to a partial separation of the cap and the body portions, providing a partially separated capsule having a precision length. At this point the capsules are preferably arranged with their axes disposed at approximately right angles to the path of movement of the conveyor, and in this position the capsules are ideally arranged for spin printing, using a printing roll which is driven at a peripheral speed which is greater than the conveyor speed.

BACKGROUND OF THE V INVENTION Marking machines of various types have been widely used commercially for marking indicia on a multiplicity of objects all of which have essentially the same size and shape. For example, machines have been success fully used for applying to relatively small articles such as pharmaceutical capsules, pellets, pills and the like, markings such as numbers, letters, manufacturers trademarks and other characterizing symbols for the purpose of ready identification. However, in most commercial procedures, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, one of the primary objects of marking has been to prevent counterfeiting of products and of materials contained therein. In order to achieve this purpose, it has been highly desirable to apply an extremely accurate marking, having such a finely detailed character that counterfeiting is difficult or virtually impossible.

In recent years especially, capsules have been designed which include a mechanical self-locking structure. In use, the manufacturer can fill the body portion with a pharmaceutical powder and may then slide the cap lengthwise telescopically over the cap portion until the self-locking features locks the two in place. This is a deterrent to the substitution of a counterfeit drug by unscrupulous persons later on because it is almost impossible to remove the genuine drug from the capsule without destroying the capsule itself. However, because of the precision lengths which are attributable to the mechanical self-locking feature, precision spacings are also required in connection with the printing operation. Further, when the indicia to be printed upon the capsule are rather large in size, it is necessary to print the capsule when the cap portion and the body portion are at least partially separated from each other, followed by telescoping them into locking position later on.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an automatic machine which is capable of handling a multiplicity of capsules which are arranged completely at random in a container such as a feed hopper for example, and for precision printing the capsule at a predetermined overall length in which the cap portion and body portion are partially separated from each other.

Llt

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the type referred to in which large numbers of capsules may be handled in succession with precision accuracy. Another object is to provide for precision printing of self-locking capsules.

Other objects and advantages of this invention, including the simplicity and economy of the samefand the ease in which it may be adapted to high speed spin printing of capsules, will readily become apparent hereinafter and in the drawings.

Drawings FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation, with certain parts shown in section, illustrating the principal components of a capsule printing machine including one .form of cap and body separating apparatus according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective with certain parts broken away and shown in section in order to reveal important details, showing details of the overall arrangement of the cap and body separating apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the lines and arrows IIIIII which appear in FIG. 1; 1

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view looking down upon the capsule orienting and separating portion of the apparatus, taken as indicated by the lines and arrows IV-IV which appear in FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views taken as indicated by the lines and arrows V-V and VI-VI, respectively, which appear in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS The following description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims, but will be presented in specific terms in order more clearly to describe the construction and operation of the particular forms of the invention that have been selected for illustration in the drawings.

Turning to FIG. 1, the number 20 designates a capsule carrying hopper which is mounted on a suitable support (not shown), above a portion of a rotatable cylinder or drum 21 which is mounted for rotation about an axle 22. A motor (not shown) is provided for rotating the cylinder 21. The hopper 20 has an opening as indicated at 23 for delivery of capsules C to a plurality of equally spaced, generally elongated cavities 24 which are formed in and extend across the outer surface of the rotatable cylinder 21. It will be observed that the capsule cavities have elongated portions which extend in a generally radial direction, allowing the capsules to be received by the cylinder 21 in generally radial positions. As will become apparent in further detail hereinafter, some of the capsules naturally fall into the cavities 24 in an upright position, with the body portions above the cap portions, while other capsules fall naturally into the cavities 24 in an inverted position, with the cap portions above the body portions.

Specific details of the apparatus (a) for shifting the capsules from their generally radial position to the transverse position shown at the bottom of the cylinder 21, FIG. 1, and (b) for depositing them in a rectified relationship on a conveyor 47 with all of the caps extending to one side and all of the body portions extending to the other side, are completely described in separate U.S. applications of Edward M. Ackley, respectively, Ser. No. 399,817, filed Sept. 24, 1973 and Ser. No. 393,939, filed Sept. 4, 1973, and do not of themselves form a part of this invention. However, it may be stated that the number designates a plurality of (optional) longitudinally-directed air jets which are arranged to provide blasts of air in a direction generally along the direction D in which the rotatable cylinder 21 is rotating. The number 26 designates another group of air jets, which are directed substantially crosswise of the machine, which tend to shift the capsules in a crosswise direction as appears in FIG. 1, in order to bring about this crosswise or, optionally, rectified relationship. It should be understood, however, that in many instances this invention may be practiced with or without such rectification.

The number 27 designates a stationary vacuum chest which is located immediately adjacent to the inner surface of the cylinder 21 and which serves to assist in the introduction of the capsules into their cavities, the influence of the vacuum being effected through small holes 28 which extend through inner portions of the cylinder 21 into the capsule cavities 24.

The number 29 designates a rotating brush which serves to straighten out any capsules that might be lying in an angular position, as opposed to the upright position illustrated in FIG. 1, and which bears upon the uppermost end of each capsule, assuring that its length does not exceed a predetermined value which is equal to the distance from the bottom of the capsule pocket to the approximate periphery of the brush.

The number 30 designates a chest comprising a source of warm air located adjacent to the bottom of the cylinder 21, which serves to assist in the gravity release and transfer of the capsules from a bottom portion of the cylinder 21 onto a conveyor belt 47, with the capsule axes substantially perpendicular to the direction of belt travel.

A curved plate 32 is arranged in closely-spaced relation to the lower, outer surface of cylinder 21, preventing the capsules from falling prematurely by gravity out of their capsule cavities 24. However, such plate 32 terminates just short of the bottom of the cylinder 21, thus liberating the capsules to move by gravity, and under the influence of the warm air, onto the individual capsule carriers 33 carried by the conveyor 31.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the number designates apparatus for spacing out the cap and body portions to a limited degree in order to provide an enlarged and exact overall length for each capsule, in accordance with this invention. This apparatus 40 is supported on a rod 41 which carries a pair of spaced-apart sleeves 42 each having an arm 43 supporting an air pipe 44'each of which introduces compressed air into a transverselyextending air chamber 45 which is located in a stationary adjustable position directly above the capsule conveyor 47 upon which the capsules are disposed. A plurality of spaced, upper retainer bars 46 are secured to the bottom of the air chamber 45 and extend in a longitudinal direction with respect to the path of movement of the conveyor 47 just above the conveyor 47. Air passages, to he described in further detail, extend from the chamber 45 through the bars 46.

Another pair of

sleeves

48, 48 carry another pair of spaced-apart arms 50 from which is suspended a yoke 51 which carries a plurality of equally spaced capsule orienting bars 52 which will be described in further detail hereinafter.

Further in connection with FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that an offset printing apparatus 60 is shown, for applying printed indicia to the capsules. An ink reservoir 61 applies ink to an etched roll 62 which transfers the indicia to a rubber printing roll 63 which prints upon each capsule C as it passes by on the conveyor 47.

As appears in more detail in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the spaced relationship of the upper retainer bars 46 with respect to each other, across the width of the conveyor, will become more readily apparent. Also, it will be observed that the capsule orienting bars 52 are also spaced apart from each other and extend across the width of the conveyor and project upstream of the spacer bars 46. Thus it will be apparent thatthe capsules travelling upon the conveyor 47 first reach the tapered tip ends 64 of the bars 52 and later pass beneath the bars 46.

FIG. 3 of the drawings shows the capsules C in a typical arrangement on the conveyor 47, each capsule being carried by its own carrier and in line to pass between the bars 52. The upper retaine-r bars 46 extend downwardly from the air chamber 45 in a position to direct a jet of air (or other fluid) downwardly against the juncture or seam at which the cap portions and body portions of the capsules are joined.

FIG. 4 shows the capsules entering into the space between respective capsule orienting bars 52 in a position to pass directly under the retainer bars 46. The number 72 designates a plurality of air jet openings which extend down through the retainer bars 46 in a manner to direct jets of air against the capsule seams.

FIG. 5 shows the manner in which the capsule orienting bars 52 contact a capsule which may be lying in an angular position, as shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 5, causing the capsule to slide to its normal horizontal position extending transversely in its carrier 70.

FIG. 6 shows the manner in which the air jet passes downwardly through the opening 72 through an expanded jet opening 73, impinges upon the capsule seam and partially separates the cap portion and the body portion from the positions shown in dot and dash lines in FIG. 6, to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 6. The extent of such axial movement, as indicated by the arrows appearing in FIG. 6, is limited by end stops formed in the shapes of the cavities in the carrier 70 or, in some cases by the

bars

52, 52 thus providing a precision length for the capsule.

It will be apparent that with this precision length established, each capsule continues its movement on the conveyor 47 until it passes under and in contact with printing roll 63 as shown in FIG. 1, at which time a precision printing operation takes place.

It should be noted that when it is desired to apply rather large indicia to either the cap portion or the body portion of the capsule appearing in FIG. 6, or both, this is made possible because of the precision length that has been achieved. Thus, one may print very close to the seam with an exact knowledge of the amount of spacing that is required. Thus, even with a self-locking capsule, the printed indicia may be applied quite close to the intended limit with respect to the same, and the body portion and the cap portion can then be telescopically collapsed together until the locking point is reached, whereupon the printed indicia are located at the exact position that is desired with respect to the final relative locations of the body. and cap.

Although this invention has been described in conjunction with certain specific forms and modifications thereof, it will be appreciated that a wide variety of other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, some of the features of the invention may be used independently of other features, including the use or non-use of the vacuum chest 27 or the warm air chest 30 and the use or non-use of the apparatus for rectifying the capsules. Indeed, the apparatus of this invention is capable of uses independent of spin printing, although it is admirably adapted for that use.

Additionally, in accordance with this invention, various equivalent elements may be substituted for those shown and specifically described, and in many instances parts may be reversed in ways which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, all without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for processing a capsule having interfitted longitudinally relatively slidable body and cap members having a juncture therebetween, means for lengthening said capsule to a precision length while said cap and body members remain interfitted, said precision length being less than the total length of said cap plus the length of said body, comprising:

a. supporting means for carrying the capsule while said capsule has a length less than said precision length, with the longitudinal axis of said capsule arranged in a predetermined direction;

b. means for moving said supporting means and capsule along a predetermined path which is generally transverse to said predetermined direction while said capsule has less than said precision length;

0. a pair of stop members located at opposed sides along said path and spaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance corresponding to said precision length, and

d. positive pressure fluid jet means spaced from and located generally intermediate said stop members and aimed substantially at said juncture when said capsule is located between said stop members, thereby sliding the cap and body relative to each other to move the ends of said cap and body away from each other until they contact the respective stop members, whereby said capsule is expanded to said precision length while said cap and body remain interfitted.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said stop members are carried on said carrier.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said stop members are independently supported alongside the path of movement of said carrier.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein retainer means are provided above said capsule carriers and said capsules, extending along the path of movement of said capsules above said junctures.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said fluid jet means includes a passageway extending downwardly through said retainer means.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein said passageway is flared outwardly at the bottom surface of said retainer means.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein centering means is provided in the form of a plurality of guides arranged to center the capsules on their carriers before said capsules reach said fluid jet means.

8. In an apparatus for precision printing of capsules which are randomly arranged in a container, said capsules comprising slidably interfitted cap and body portions with a juncture therebetween and having random lengths which are less than the desired precision length, the combination which comprises a rotating drum having a plurality of cavities arranged to collect said random length capsules individually in substantially uniformly spaced relation to each other, means for orienting said capsules with their axes transversely arranged relative to the surface movement of said drum, conveyor means movable adjacent to said drum, means for depositing said random length capsules on said conveyor means with their axes transversely arranged relative to the movement of said conveyor, means providthe cap and body portions, and means for printing upon I the thus treated capsules while said capsules have said precision length and while said capsules are carried on said conveyor.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein the fluid 15 air.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein means are provided for driving the printing means faster than said conveyor, thereby spin printing said capsules.

11. In a method of processing capsules to precision length for printing, said capsules comprising slidably interfitted cap and body portions with ajuncture therebetween and having random lengths which are less than the desired precision length, the steps which comprise moving said capsules successively in a predetermined path with the capsule axes at an angle to said path, projecting a fluid jet upon each said capsule in a manner to separate its ends, and limiting the extent of said separation of said ends to a precision length which is greater than said random lengths but less than the sum of the lengths of the body portion and the cap portion.

12. The method defined in claim 11, wherein said limiting step is performed by blocking the movement of said ends away from one another at a predetermined distance which corresponds to said precision length.

13. The method defined in claim 12, wherein the capsule is also restrained against upward displacement under the influence of said fluid.

14. The method defined in claim 11, wherein the fluid is air.

15. The method defined in claim 11, wherein the cap and body portions are preliminarily telescoped toward one another to shorten the capsule to an overall capsule length which is less than said precision length.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for processing a capsule having interfitted longitudinally relatively slidable body and cap members having a juncture therebetween, means for lengthening said capsule to a precision length while said cap and body members remain interfitted, said precision length being less than the total length of said cap plus the leNgth of said body, comprising: a. supporting means for carrying the capsule while said capsule has a length less than said precision length, with the longitudinal axis of said capsule arranged in a predetermined direction; b. means for moving said supporting means and capsule along a predetermined path which is generally transverse to said predetermined direction while said capsule has less than said precision length; c. a pair of stop members located at opposed sides along said path and spaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance corresponding to said precision length, and d. positive pressure fluid jet means spaced from and located generally intermediate said stop members and aimed substantially at said juncture when said capsule is located between said stop members, thereby sliding the cap and body relative to each other to move the ends of said cap and body away from each other until they contact the respective stop members, whereby said capsule is expanded to said precision length while said cap and body remain interfitted.

8. In an apparatus for precision printing of capsules which are randomly arranged in a container, said capsules comprising slidably interfitted cap and body portions with a juncture therebetween and having random lengths which are less than the desired precision length, the combination which comprises a rotating drum having a plurality of cavities arranged to collect said random length capsules individually in substantially uniformly spaced relation to each other, means for orienting said capsules with their axes transversely arranged relative to the surface movement of said drum, conveyor means movable adjacent to said drum, means for depositing said random length capsules on said conveyor means with their axes transversely arranged relative to the movement of said conveyor, means providing a fluid jet above said conveyor aimed at said juncture between said cap and said body portions and in a direction tending to separate the cap and body portions of said capsules, spaced apart restricting means limiting such separation to a precision length greater than said random length but less than the sum of the lengths of the cap and body portions, and means for printing upon the thus treated capsules while said capsules have said precision length and while said capsules are carried on said conveyor.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein the fluid is air.

11. In a method of processing capsules to precision length for printing, said capsules comprising slidably interfitted cap and body portions with a juncture therebetween and having random lengths which are less than the desired precision length, the steps which comprise moving said capsules successively in a predetermined path with the capsule axes at an angle to said path, projecting a fluid jet upon each said capsule in a manner to separate its ends, and limiting the extent of said separation of Said ends to a precision length which is greater than said random lengths but less than the sum of the lengths of the body portion and the cap portion.

14. The method defined in claim 11, wherein the fluid is air.