Stanelco Fibre Optics Ltd.

Ingel Technologies Ltd.

Stanelco Rf Technologies Limited

Ryan Grimes

Allan Draisey

George Bernard Tidy

Richard Martin Rencourt

David John Smith

Richard Gerald Charles MacDonald

Mark William Russell

Capsules, for example for the delivery of pharmaceuticals, are produced from two films () of a water-soluble polymeric material, by deforming the films to form a multiplicity of recesses, and filling the recesses, using two adjacent rotary dies () with recesses () into which the films () are deformed. The dies () act as electrodes for welding the films together by dielectric welding to form filled capsules (). The capsules () can be separated from the resulting web either by coating at least one of the dies () with an electrical insulator (), or by transferring the web from the dies () to a second pair of dies which cut the capsules () free. The polymeric material may be gelatin, or a water-soluble cellulose derivative such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and may also contain a plasticiser.

Method and apparatus for making capsules

Capsules, for example for the delivery of pharmaceuticals, are produced from at least three films () of a water-soluble polymeric material, by deforming two of the films () to form a multiplicity of recesses, and filling the recesses () with a flowable filling material. A film () is used to cover the recesses () in at least one of the films (), and is welded to it by dielectric welding. The films with filled recesses are then brought together and welded together by dielectric welding to form filled capsules, which are cut or punched out of the welded film. The polymeric material may be gelatin, or a water-soluble cellulose derivative such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and may also contain a plasticiser.

Capsules

A dielectric welding apparatus for welding a plastic sleeve contains a solid state radio frequency generator linked via a matching network to a welding tool. The tool ( ) includes a frame ( ) with a handle ( ), the frame defining a slot in which are opposed welding electrodes ( ), the slot being open at one end and at the other end communicating with a wider aperture ( ). A pneumatic cylinder ( ) can be actuated to urge the electrodes together, both the cylinder ( ) and the RF generator ( ) being activated by a trigger ( ) on the tool ( ). The electrodes are coated with an electrically insulating material that is not dielectrically heated, and are readily removable, so they can be replaced, for example when the electrically insulating coating becomes worn.

Welding apparatus

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Southampton, United Kingdom

Ryan Grimes