Method and apparatus for sorting capsules
US4172526A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 1978 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 26, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07C5/04
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Defective and/or deformed capsules, for example, hard gelatin capsules, are identified and removed from a supply of such capsules by causing the ordered, sequential transport of capsules through a dimensionally calibrated passage in which a defective capsule is arrested while the preceding train of capsules is permitted to continue. The gap in the train of capsules is detected by a photoelectric sensor or the like, after which the machine member in which the calibrated passage is located is moved to the vicinity of a reject container, compressed air is admitted to the passage and the defective capsule is expelled into the reject container. The application of the compressed air and the movement of the machine member to the reject container may be under the control of the photoelectric sensor signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.