Unit for checking the dosing of pharmaceutical material in a capsule filling machine

US6837280B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A. · IT

Inventors

• Pierantonio Ragazzini · Cesena, IT
• Elvio Gasperini · Castel San Pietro Terme, IT
• Roberto Trebbi · San Lazzaro di Savena, IT
• Enrico Zerbinati · Monterenzio, IT
• Riccardo Rivalta · Imola, IT
• Nicola Gandolfi · Ozzano dell'Emilia, IT
• Giorgio Tarozzi · Nonantola, IT

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 27, 2003
• Grant date: Jan 4, 2005
• Expiry date: Jun 27, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61J2200/74
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A unit (6) for checking the dosing of pharmaceutical material (M) in a capsule filling machine (1) for the production of capsules (CF) of the type with a capsule lid (C) and a capsule body (F), the machine (1) comprising a fixed structure (15) fitted with a rotary drum (2) for supporting a plurality of capsules (CF) on its edge, opening each capsule (CF) by separating the capsule lid (C) from the capsule body (F), filling the capsule body (F) with a dose of material (M), then closing the capsule body (F) again with the relative capsule lid (C); the rotary drum (2) having a tank (5) containing the pharmaceutical material (M) and supporting a plurality of doser elements (3), each comprising at least one piston (8) sliding inside a hollow cylinder (4) to pick up and compress a dose (DS) of material (M) from the tank (5) and discharge it into a capsule body (F) of a capsule (CF). The unit (6) comprises sensor means (9) attached to each piston (8) for detecting a piston (8) thrust value (V; V1) on the dose (DS) and transmitter means (10) connected to the sensor means (9) for transmitting the value (V; V1) to a receiver element (11; 41) by the telemetric transmission of a relative signal…