US4362491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tablet making machines
Assignee: ED FROGERAIS SA A CORP OF FRANCE
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Filing: 1981-09-25
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Granted: 1982-12-07
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Expires: 2001-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A tablet making machine includes a rotor, one end, preferably the lower end, of which is detachably secured to a rotatable member of the machine so that the rotor rotates with the rotatable member in use of the machine; the configuration of the rotor being such that when it is detached from the rotatable member the rotor can be removed from the machine by generally horizontal sliding movement. The rotor may thus be easily and quickly removed from the machine by detaching the rotor from the rotatable member and sliding the rotor horizontally from the machine, thus significantly reducing the time taken to clean the machine between batches of tablets may be reduced and enabling ready replacement of punches and/or dies that are damaged or worn. Further, an alternative rotor with different punches can be substituted very quickly. In this way, machine downtime may be significantly reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 David Livingstone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:15
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B15/00; B30B15/02; B30B15/026; B30B11/00; B30B11/02; B30B11/08; B30B15/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
In a tablet making machine, a rotor one end of which is adapted to be detachably secured to a rotatable member of the machine so that the rotor rotates with the rotatable member in use of the machine; the configuration of the rotor being such that when it is detached from the rotatable member the rotor can be removed from the machine by generally horizontal sliding movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a tablet making machine, a rotor one end of which is adapted to be detachably secured to a rotatable member of the machine so that the rotor rotates with the rotatable member in use of the machine; the configuration of the rotor being such that when it is detached from the rotatable member the rotor can be removed from the machine by generally horizontal sliding movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotor is detachably secured to the rotatable member by means of a plurality of screws passing through suitably located bores in the rotatable member and into aligned holes in the rotor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A machine according to claim 1 further comprising one or more locating dowels for seating in appropriate recesses in the rotor and rotatable member to assist in correctly locating the rotor with respect to the rotatable member during fitting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein the lower end of the rotor is adapted to be detachably secured to the rotatable member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine according to claim 1 further comprising a guide for supporting the opposed end of the rotor with respect to the machine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
A machine according to claim 5, wherein the guide comprises an axially movable spigot mounted on a frame of the machine, the spigot being movable between an extended position of use in which it is located in a recess in the associated end face of the rotor, contact between the spigot and rotor being via suitable bearing means, and a retracted position in which it is free of the rotor so that removal of the rotor by horizontal sliding is not hindered.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein said end of the rotor adapted to be secured to the rotatable member comprises a substantially planar end face, and the rotatable similarly comprises a substantially planar end face.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A machine according to claim 7 wherein said rotor end face is of annular or circular configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein the rotatable member is mounted in the machine by means of suitable bearings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein the rotatable member includes a cylindrical flange surrounding a drive shaft with one or more large diameter angular contact ball races located between the cylindrical flange and the machine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-06 | 1986-06-07 | 1986-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-06 | 1990-06-07 | 1990-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-06 | 1994-06-07 | 1994-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |