Product discharge and cleaning assembly for an apparatus for coating tablets

US6911087B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GLATT AIR TECHNIQUES, INC. · US

Inventors

• David M. Jones · Ramsey, US
• Richard Andrew Smith · Middletown, US
• John P. Kennedy · Willmar, US
• Frank Maurer · Skokie, US
• Matthias Tondar · Eschborn, DE
• Bernhard Luy · Glückstadt, DE
• Markus J. Baettig · Sissach, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: May 1, 2003
• Grant date: Jun 28, 2005
• Expiry date: Sep 7, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S118/05
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A fluidized bed apparatus for applying a coating liquid onto the surface of particles includes a vertically disposed cylindrical product container having a peripheral wall, at least one cylindrical partition defining a centrally located up bed region and a peripherally located down bed region. The product container further includes an upper end connected to an expansion chamber and a lower end including an orifice plate having a plurality of openings for passage of fluidized air or gas. A nozzle is centrally located through the orifice plate and is adapted to generate a spray of coating liquid upwardly into the up bed. Particles located within the product container circulate upwardly through the partition and the coating liquid spray, between the up bed and the down bed. A central discharge assembly is provided at the lower end of the product containers for emptying particles from the machine. Air is preferably discharged from the manifold during the emptying process to help direct particles towards the discharge assembly.