Patent US4624640A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3612271A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3612271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatic capsule separator
Assignee: Novartis Corp
•
Filing: 1969-08-28
•
Granted: 1971-10-12
•
Expires: 1989-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A mass of identical capsules disposed in a single layer and each containing a charge of medicament flows by gravity down an inclined chute. Each capsule is intended to contain a prescribed standard amount of medicament which, by weight and composition, is identical to the charges in all the other capsules. Incompletely charged capsules, being lighter than the others, are blown out of the layer by a stream of air which deposits them in a collection chamber from which they are removed by suction to a point of discharge.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C Behling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:47
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07B; B07B4/00; B07B4/02; B07B4/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for pneumatically separating and sorting a mass of capsules of identical configuration and containing a filler material of the same composition, which comprises, in combination: a capsule-feeding station; a capsule collection station; a capsule-separating station between the feeding and collection stations; a conveyor for passing a single layer mass of the capsule from the feeding station, through the separating station and to the collection station; means at the separating station operative to blow a confined stream of air through one face of the conveyor at substantially a right angle thereto; means also at the separating station operative to apply suction adjacent the opposite face of the conveyor over an area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of the confined airstream and in alignment therewith; whereby to pick up capsules blown from a layer of capsules on the conveyor; a source of suction; and a conduit connecting said source of suction and said suction-applying means for carrying away capsules blown from the conveyor by force of the airstream.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for pneumatically separating and sorting a mass of capsules of identical configuration and containing a filler material of the same composition, which comprises, in combination: a capsule-feeding station; a capsule collection station; a capsule-separating station between the feeding and collection stations; a conveyor for passing a single layer mass of the capsule from the feeding station, through the separating station and to the collection station; means at the separating station operative to blow a confined stream of air through one face of the conveyor at substantially a right angle thereto; means also at the separating station operative to apply suction adjacent the opposite face of the conveyor over an area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of the confined airstream and in alignment therewith; whereby to pick up capsules blown from a layer of capsules on the conveyor; a source of suction; and a conduit connecting said source of suction and said suction-applying means for carrying away capsules blown from the conveyor by force of the airstream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
In the apparatus of claim 1, said conduit including a capsule-trapping chamber located between the source of suction and the suction-applying means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for sorting and separating properly filled capsules from improperly filled and therefore lighter capsules, which comprises, in combination; an inclined chute; means for feeding a mass mixture of the capsules to the upper end of the chute for passage by gravity down the chute to discharge at its lower end; means for blowing a stream of air through the moving mass of capsules at an angle to the path of travel of the mass, thereby separating the improperly filled lighter capsules from the properly filled heavier capsules; and suction means operative in the area of influence of the airstream to draw off the separated lighter capsules and convey them away from the mass of capsules moving by gravity down the chute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for sorting and separating properly filled capsules from improperly filled and therefore lighter capsules, which comprises, in combination; an inclined chute; means for feeding a mass mixture of the capsules to the upper end of the chute for passage by gravity down the chute to discharge at its lower end; means for blowing a stream of air through the moving mass of capsules at an angle to the path of travel of the mass, thereby separating the improperly filled lighter capsules from the properly filled heavier capsules; and suction means operative in the area of influence of the airstream to draw off the separated lighter capsules and convey them away from the mass of capsules moving by gravity down the chute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the apparatus of claim 3, the angle of the airstream relative to the path of travel of the mass of capsules being substantially 90*.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the apparatus of claim 3, said suction means including a manifold chamber having an intake disposed within the area of influence of the airstream.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
In the apparatus of claim 3, the chute having in its bottom a narrow slot for the upward passage of air from the air blowing means; an air pressure manifold beneath the chute bottom and having an outlet in communication with the slot and an inlet in communication with the air blowing means; and said suction means including a suction manifold having an intake spanning the top of the chute immediately above the slot.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
143 words
The method of separating and sorting a mass of capsules of uniform shape and thickness into a group in which all the capsules are individually of the same predetermined standard weight, and into a different group consisting of capsules of less than the standard weight, which comprises: passing the mass of capsules by gravity down an inclined chute in a path of travel leading to a point of collection; blowing through the moving mass a stream of air at such volume, velocity, and direction that it carries out of and separates from the mass only those capsules which are of less than the standard weight; applying suction to the separated capsules as they leave the mass and thereby diverting them into a path of travel different than the path followed by the standard weight capsules and leading to a different point of collection.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
143 words
The method of separating and sorting a mass of capsules of uniform shape and thickness into a group in which all the capsules are individually of the same predetermined standard weight, and into a different group consisting of capsules of less than the standard weight, which comprises: passing the mass of capsules by gravity down an inclined chute in a path of travel leading to a point of collection; blowing through the moving mass a stream of air at such volume, velocity, and direction that it carries out of and separates from the mass only those capsules which are of less than the standard weight; applying suction to the separated capsules as they leave the mass and thereby diverting them into a path of travel different than the path followed by the standard weight capsules and leading to a different point of collection.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
174 words
The method of separating and sorting a mass of capsules of uniform shape and thickness into a group in which all the capsules are individually of the same predetermined standard weight, and into a different group consisting of capsules of less than the standard weight, which comprises: blowing upwardly through the bottom of an inclined chute an unbroken stream of air extending transversely entirely across the chute at a uniform thickness and velocity such that it allows the passage therethrough only of capsules having the standard weight; passing the mass of capsules in a single layer down the chute by gravity into the up-blowing airstream whereby the standard weight capsules will pass through the airstream and continue down the chute to a collection point, and whereby the airstream will lift out and separate and separate from the mass those capsules which are below the standard weight; and conveying the separated lighter capsules to a different point of collection by means of suction applied to the lighter capsules as they are separated from the mass.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
174 words
The method of separating and sorting a mass of capsules of uniform shape and thickness into a group in which all the capsules are individually of the same predetermined standard weight, and into a different group consisting of capsules of less than the standard weight, which comprises: blowing upwardly through the bottom of an inclined chute an unbroken stream of air extending transversely entirely across the chute at a uniform thickness and velocity such that it allows the passage therethrough only of capsules having the standard weight; passing the mass of capsules in a single layer down the chute by gravity into the up-blowing airstream whereby the standard weight capsules will pass through the airstream and continue down the chute to a collection point, and whereby the airstream will lift out and separate and separate from the mass those capsules which are below the standard weight; and conveying the separated lighter capsules to a different point of collection by means of suction applied to the lighter capsules as they are separated from the mass.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-11 | 1975-04-12 | 1975-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-11 | 1979-04-12 | 1979-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-11 | 1983-04-12 | 1983-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |