Matcon (R & D) Limited

Charles Lee

The invention related to apparatus for transferring flowable particulate material such as dry tablets, for example pharmaceutical tablets, from one station to another. The apparatus comprises a carrier for the tablets, and means externally of the carrier for moving the carrier between stations, the arrangement being such that the carrier and the means are not connected mechanically for movement of the carrier.

Apparatus for transferring flowable material

Material handling apparatus for gravity discharge of flowable particulate material through an outlet ( ) of a container ( ) (shown dashed) for such material which outlet ( ) is normally obturated by a hollow cone valve member ( ), the apparatus ( ) comprising actuator means ( ) having a flat surface ( ) and being adapted to engage the cone valve member ( ) adjacent the base ( ) thereof for raising and lowering same whereby to provide that the interior volume of the cone valve member ( ) remains substantially empty. In the embodiment, the apparatus ( ) is a component of a materials handling system in the form of a discharge station &ldquo;D&rdquo;, which is fixed for example in the floor of a facility for transferring flowable material from a (transportable) IBC ( ) to a process &ldquo;P&rdquo; such as mixing, blending, tableting the like which is below the discharge station D.

Material handling apparatus

According to the invention there is provided a seal device ( ), for example for use with an obturating device such as a cone value ( ) of an intermediate bulk container ( ) (IBC) which is set down at a discharge station ( ) with a sealing arrangement therebetween so that when a lifting member such as a cone ( ) of the discharge station ( ) is operated to raise the cone valve ( ) and open a flow path for flowable material such as a powder from the IBC through the discharge station ( ). In order to provide a seal, the seal device ( ) of an elastomeric material, has an annular seal surface ( ) and means ( ) which enhances sealing by the sealing surface ( ).

Seal device

A bulk particulate handling apparatus and method for transferring material between a first and second site which utilizes a stream of gas to remove material from the flow path. Contamination of the flow-path is thereby reduced by providing the stream of gas for the removal of material before and after flow of material. A method embodied by the invention is directed toward the use of a bulk particulate handling apparatus.

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Shipston-on-Stour, United Kingdom

Charles Lee