Patent US4554034A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4554034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bonding capsules
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
•
Filing: 1984-11-15
•
Granted: 1985-11-19
•
Expires: 2004-11-15
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for bonding an overlapping portion of the outer cap (7,7') and inner body (6, 6') of a closed cylindrical capsule (5). A flexible tubular coupling (13,14,20) positioned around the circumference of the capsule (5) is compressed to exert an inward radial force (23) on the capsule (5) while ultrasonic vibratory motion is applied in a direction (12,12') parallel to the axis of the capsule (5) by an ultrasonic transducer (10,10') with a rigid tip (11,11') attached to the coupling (13,14,20). For bonding of gelatinous capsules (5), the unitary coupling (20) or split coupling (13,14) can comprise a polymeric elastomer material such as latex rubber with approximately the same acoustical impedance as the capsule (5).
Inventors
- 👤 Dale Ensminger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:50
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/08; B29C65/081; A; A61; A61J; A61J3/00; A61J3/07; A61J3/071; A61J3/072; B29C65/06; B29C65/0609; B29C65/0618; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/54; B29C66/80; B29C66/81; B29C66/814; B29C66/8141; B29C66/81411; B29C66/81425; B29C66/81431; B29C66/82; B29C66/822; B29C66/8221; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8324; B29C65/78; B29C65/7841; B29C65/7847; B29C66/70; B29C66/71; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/712; B29L2031/7174; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/31; Y10S220/34; Y10S53/00; Y10S53/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for bonding an overlapping portion of the outer cap and inner body of a closed largely cylindrical capsule, comprising flexible coupling means positioned around and contiguous to at least a part of the outer circumference of the overlapping portion of the cap, means for compressing the coupling means to provide an inward compressive force on the capsule, and means for applying ultrasonic energy to the coupling means in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the capsule to provide a bond between the cap and the body over at least a substantial portion of the part of the capsule in contact with the coupling means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for bonding an overlapping portion of the outer cap and inner body of a closed largely cylindrical capsule, comprising flexible coupling means positioned around and contiguous to at least a part of the outer circumference of the overlapping portion of the cap, means for compressing the coupling means to provide an inward compressive force on the capsule, and means for applying ultrasonic energy to the coupling means in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the capsule to provide a bond between the cap and the body over at least a substantial portion of the part of the capsule in contact with the coupling means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the energy applying means comprises rigid means in contact with at least a portion of the coupling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a section of flexible tubing having an inside diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the cap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the flexible tubing has approximately the same acoustical impedance as that of the capsule material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the flexible tubing is split axially into two halves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the flexible tubing comprises a polymeric elastomer material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the elastomer material comprises latex rubber.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of bonding an overlapping portion of the outer cap and inner body of a closed largely cylindrical capsule, comprising placing flexible coupling means around and contiguous to at least a part of the outer circumference of the overlapping portion of the cap, compressing the coupling means to provide an inward compressive force on the capsule, and applying ultrasonic energy to the coupling means in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the capsule to provide a bond between the cap and the body over at least a substantial portion of the part of the capsule in contact with the coupling means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of bonding an overlapping portion of the outer cap and inner body of a closed largely cylindrical capsule, comprising placing flexible coupling means around and contiguous to at least a part of the outer circumference of the overlapping portion of the cap, compressing the coupling means to provide an inward compressive force on the capsule, and applying ultrasonic energy to the coupling means in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the capsule to provide a bond between the cap and the body over at least a substantial portion of the part of the capsule in contact with the coupling means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 8, wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied by rigid means in contact with at least a portion of the coupling means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 8, wherein the coupling means comprises a section of flexible tubing having an inside diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the cap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 10, wherein the flexible tubing is split axially into two halves.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 10, wherein the flexible tubing is acoustically matched to the capsule material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 10, wherein the flexible tubing comprises a polymeric elastomer material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein the elastomer material comprises latex rubber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as in claim 8, wherein the capsule is gelatinous.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 8, wherein the capsule is dissolvable and digestible.
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) | 1988-11-18 | 1989-05-20 | 1989-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-18 | 1993-05-20 | 1993-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-18 | 1997-05-20 | 1997-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |