Method and apparatus for restraining capsule adherence to the printing roll

Claim 1

Capsule transport and printing device comprising a hopper into which a multiplicity of randomly arranged capsules are to be loaded, printing means located downstream from said hopper and including a printing roll adapted to imprint desired indicia on said capsules, said printing roll having both an approach and exit side, transport means arranged to receive capsules from said hopper and to transport them to said printing means, and capsule restraining means adjacent said printing roll to restrain capsules against adherence to said printing roll after the desired indicia have been imprinted on them, said capsule restraining means comprising a stripper plate interposed between said printing roll and said transport device, said printing roll comprising at least one circumferential groove therein, said stripper plate comprising a substantially arcuate top surface and a bottom surface, said substantially arcuate top surface being received in said circumferential groove, said bottom surface having a leading generally arcuate shaped edge totally disposed within said circumferential groove and disposed proximate the approach side of said printing roll and a substantially planar trailing edge positioned proximate the exit side of said printing roll and adapted to bear upon said capsules after they have been imprinted upon.