Capsule filling machine

Abstract

A capsule filling machine ( 10 ) for the production of hard gelatin capsules (C) of the type with a capsule lid and a capsule body ( 13, 14 ) containing pharmaceutical micro-tablets ( 12 ) comprises a first rotary carrousel ( 2 ) supporting a plurality of slide units ( 3 ) for picking up and handling capsules (C) in order to open then close the capsules (C) by separating then joining the capsule lids ( 13 ) and the capsule bodies ( 14 ); a second carrousel ( 4 ), which rotates in such a way that it is synchronized with the first carousel ( 2 ), having a plurality of reciprocating doser means ( 21 ) moving between a first operating position in which the doser means ( 21 ) are designed to pick up particulate material ( 12 ) from a tank ( 11 ) containing the material which is attached to the machine ( 10 ) and a second operating position in which they release the material into the capsule (C) bodies ( 14 ). The doser means ( 21 ) each comprise a hollow nozzle ( 22 ) with a plurality of seats ( 25 ) on its edge for picking up and holding the particulate pharmaceutical material ( 12 ), each seat ( 25 ) communicating with pneumatic means ( 24,24 a ,24 b ), the pneumatic means ( 24,24 a ,24 b ) comprising pneumatic vacuum means ( 24 a ) which, in the first operating position, suck up and hold individual particles ( 12 ) of the material in respective seats ( 25 ) of the nozzle ( 22 ), and pressurised pneumatic means ( 24 b ) which generate a flow that discharges the particles ( 12 ) from the seats ( 25 ) in the second operating position to release the material into the capsule (C) bodies ( 14 ).

1 . A capsule filling machine ( 10 ) for the production of hard gelatin capsules (C) of the type with a capsule lid and a capsule body ( 13 ,  14 ) containing particles ( 12 ) of pharmaceutical material, in particular micro-tablets ( 12 ) or pellets, the machine ( 10 ) comprising a first rotary carrousel ( 2 ), which supports a plurality of slide units ( 3 ) for picking up and handling the capsules (C) in order to open then close the capsules (C) by separating then joining the capsule lids ( 13 ) and the capsule bodies ( 14 ); a second carrousel ( 4 ), which rotates in such a way that it is synchronised with the first carousel ( 2 ), having a plurality of reciprocating doser means ( 21 ) moving between a first operating position in which the doser means ( 21 ) are designed to pick up particulate material ( 12 ) from a tank ( 11 ) containing the material which is attached to the machine ( 10 ) and a second operating position in which they release the material into the capsule (C) bodies ( 14 ); the machine being characterised in that the doser means ( 21 ) each comprise a hollow nozzle ( 22 ) with a plurality of seats ( 25 ) on its edge for picking up and holding the particulate pharmaceutical material ( 12 ), each seat ( 25 ) communicating with pneumatic means ( 24 , 24   a , 24   b ), the pneumatic means ( 24 , 24   a , 24   b ) comprising pneumatic vacuum means ( 24   a ) which, in the first operating position, suck up and hold individual particles ( 12 ) of the material in respective seats ( 25 ) of the nozzle ( 22 ), and pressurised pneumatic means ( 24   b ) which generate a flow that discharges the particles ( 12 ) from the seats ( 25 ) in the second operating position to allow the above-mentioned release into the capsule (C) bodies ( 14 ).  
   
   
       2 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the seats ( 25 ) on the edge are arranged on the surface of the nozzle ( 22 ) separated by angular spaces that are equal and relative to a longitudinal axis (Z′) of the nozzle ( 22 ).  
   
   
       3 . The capsule filling machine according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the angular spaces have an angle (a) equal to 120° between adjacent seats ( 25 ).  
   
   
       4 . The capsule filling machine according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 3, characterised in that the first carrousel ( 2 ) has a substantially funnel-shaped chamber ( 19 ) designed to engage with the nozzle ( 22 ) in the second operating position, allowing and facilitating particle ( 12 ) infeed into the capsule (C) body ( 14 ).