US3739909A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capsule handling apparatus and method
Assignee: Parke Davis and Co LLC
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Filing: 1971-10-06
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1991-10-06
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and means are provided for handling articles, particularly tubular, cylindrical or elongated articles such as pharmaceutical capsules and the like, comprising an inclined slide or trough formed by trough-defining surfaces including the circumferential surfaces of rotating roll means adapted to move the articles lengthwise in single file down the trough and, if desired, for rectification and/or for gravity-sorting with respect to width and/or length size at one or more points along the trough. The apparatus can be used for any of various operational steps or combinations of steps such as conveying, sorting, rectifying, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 C Garland
- 👤 E Kwarsick
- 👤 O Noren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J3/00; A61J3/07; A61J3/071; A61J3/074; B; B65; B65G; B65G35/00; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1492
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for handling standard-length capsules, over-length capsules, capsule caps, capsule bodies and the like, comprising an inclined slide or trough formed by trough-defining surfaces including the circumferential suRfaces of nip-free roll means, means for serially introducing the articles onto the trough, the roll means being adapted to be rotated to cause articles in the trough to stream coaxially down the trough in single file, a circumferential segment of the roll means at a predetermined portion of the trough being contoured so as to provide an opening or drop-hole in the trough dimensioned to receive a standardlength capsule, for selectively sorting out standard-length capsules from the stream of passing articles, and guide finger means positioned upstream from the capsule drop-hole below the path of travel of standard-length capsules but intersecting the path of travel of over-length capsules, the guide finger means being adapted to provide support for oncoming over-length capsules such that the over-length capsules are maintained on a path above the capsule drop and are caused to bypass the same.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for handling standard-length capsules, over-length capsules, capsule caps, capsule bodies and the like, comprising an inclined slide or trough formed by trough-defining surfaces including the circumferential suRfaces of nip-free roll means, means for serially introducing the articles onto the trough, the roll means being adapted to be rotated to cause articles in the trough to stream coaxially down the trough in single file, a circumferential segment of the roll means at a predetermined portion of the trough being contoured so as to provide an opening or drop-hole in the trough dimensioned to receive a standardlength capsule, for selectively sorting out standard-length capsules from the stream of passing articles, and guide finger means positioned upstream from the capsule drop-hole below the path of travel of standard-length capsules but intersecting the path of travel of over-length capsules, the guide finger means being adapted to provide support for oncoming over-length capsules such that the over-length capsules are maintained on a path above the capsule drop and are caused to bypass the same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 for sorting out capsule bodies having an opening in the trough dimensioned to receive a capsule body and being smaller than a capsule cap diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 for sorting out capsule caps having an opening in the trough dimensioned to receive a capsule cap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 for sorting capsules wherein the trough surface at spaced intervals is apertured to receive respectively capsule bodies, capsule caps and standard-length joined capsules.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 for rectifying capsules wherein the trough support surfaces located at either point immediately upstream or downstream of the capsule drop-hole opening define a fulcrum which is off the center of balance of a standard-length joined capsule located at either of said points whereby any such off-balanced capsule is caused to pivot body end first into the opening thereby rectifying the same.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
Method of sorting capsules and capsule parts by apparatus means according to claim 1, comprising moving the capsules and capsule parts downwardly in single file on an inclined trough, and sorting out respectively capsule bodies, capsule caps and joined capsules by gravity drop through aperture means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
Method of rectifying joined capsules by apparatus means according to claim 1, comprising moving the capsules downwardly in single file on an inclined trough and pivoting the capsules, body end first, into aperture means in the trough by means of adjacent trough support surfaces defining a fulcrum off the center of balance for each such capsule, whereby the capsules are rectified.
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) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |