Machine for filling and closing two-piece capsules

Abstract

A cleaning station for a capsule filling and closing machine has a number of segment blocks each having receptacles which carry some product residue that needs to be removed for the machine to operate efficiently and productively. A brush is placed in each receptacle to engage its interior wall, and compressed air is directed toward the interior wall just behind the brush. The moving brush and compressed air blast remove the product residue on the interior wall, and the dislodged residue, with assistance from a vacuum source, is moved out of the receptacle.

1 . In a machine for filling and closing two-piece capsules of the type on which a plurality of segment blocks are secured to a movable table and are circumferentially movable to different stations, the segment blocks including a plurality of receptacles for receiving and supporting capsule bottoms and caps, means for filling the capsule bottoms with a chosen product, means for joining the capsule bottoms and caps to form finished product-filled capsules, and means for discharging the finished product-filled capsules from the segment blocks, the combination with the machine of a cleaning apparatus for removing product residue from the receptacles after the filled capsules have been discharged including brush means for cleaning the interiors of the receptacles, means for directing compressed air into the receptacles, and vacuum means for removing any remaining product residue proximate the receptacle locations.  
   
   
       2 . The machine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the receptacles have a circular cross section and a selected length.  
   
   
       3 . The machine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the brush means includes at least one brush substantially conforming to the cross section of the receptacles and a supporting stem secured at one end to the at least one brush and at the other end to a supporting member.  
   
   
       4 . The machine as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the vacuum means includes a vacuum source, a nozzle, and a length of tubing connecting the source to the nozzle.  
   
   
       5 . The machine as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the compressed air directing means includes a nozzle positioned to receive and direct compressed air from a compressed air source to a selected group of receptacles.  
   
   
       6 . The machine as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the brush means includes at least one circular brush substantially conforming to the circular cross section of the receptacles and a supporting stem secured at one end to a brush and at the other end to a supporting member.  
   
   
       7 . The machine as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the vacuum means includes a vacuum source, a nozzle, a hood and a length of tubing connecting the source to the nozzle near the hood.  
   
   
       8 . The machine as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the cross section of the receptacle is circular.  
   
   
       9 . The machine as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the receptacles have a circular cross section and a selected length.  
   
   
       10 . A machine for filling and closing two-piece capsules, each capsule having a bottom and cap, comprising: a plurality of segment blocks secured to a rotatable table; a plurality of stations positioned around the periphery of the rotatable, the segment blocks including a plurality of receptacles for receiving and supporting capsule bottoms and capsule caps; means for filling the capsule bottoms with a selected product; means for joining the capsule bottoms and caps to form finished product filled capsules; means for discharging the finished product filled capsules from the conveyor device; and a cleaning apparatus for removing product residue from and around the segment blocks and in the receptacles after the filled capsules have been discharged, the apparatus including brush means for cleaning the interiors of the receptacles, vacuum means for cleaning the interiors of the receptacles, and suction means for removing the remaining product residue and other unwanted materials residing in and around the receptacle locations.  
   
   
       11 . The machine as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the brush means includes at least one circular brush that substantially conforms to the cross section of the receptacles and a supporting stem secured at one end to the brush and at the other end to a supporting member.  
   
   
       12 . The machine as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the compressed directing means includes a nozzle positioned to receive and direct compressed air from a compressed air source to a selected group of receptacles.  
   
   
       13 . The machine as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the vacuum means includes a vacuum source, a nozzle, a hood and a length of tubing connecting the source to the nozzle near the hood.  
   
   
       14 . The machine as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the receptacles have a circular cross section and a selected length.  
   
   
       15 . The machine as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the cross section of the receptacle is circular.  
   
   
       16 . The machine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the compressed air is directed against the interiors of the receptacles at an angle of from 40 to 50 degrees.  
   
   
       17 . The machine as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the compressed air is directed against the interiors of the receptacles at an angle of from 40 to 50 degrees.  
   
   
       18 . The machine as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the compressed air is directed against the interiors of the receptacles at an angle of from 40 to 50 degrees.  
   
   
       19 . The machine as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the compressed air is directed against the interiors of the receptacles at an angle of from 40 to 50 degrees.  
   
   
       20 . The machine as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the compressed air is directed against the interiors of the receptacles at an angle of from 30 to 60 degrees.