Apparatus for heatsealing gelatin capsules containing a medicament

Abstract

Improved apparatus for heat-treating gelatin capsules containing a medicament to cause heat-seal of the telescoped cap and body wall portions thereof, the apparatus comprising a housing defining an elongate generally cylindrical passageway sloping downwardly from inlet to outlet for receiving and discharging capsules passing therethrough, a capsule conveyor comprising an elongate rotatable shaft mounted on the longitudinal cylindrical axis of the passageway for rotation and carrying a plurality of generally circular conveyor plates, each plate supportably mounted in spaced relation along the shaft and having extending ramp portions communicating with the top surface of the next adjacent plate in the direction of the housing passageway outlet to define a generally Archimedean screw-shaped path for passage of gelatin capsules through the housing passageway from inlet to outlet, air-distributing means comprising an elongate manifold attached to the housing having a first section communicating with the passageway along the first portion of its length and a second section communicating with the passageway adjacent the passageway outlet. Conduits are provided for connecting the first and second sections of the manifold to an air blower and air heater to circulate and recirculate heated air through the housing passageway to thermally treat capsules passing therethrough. The blower, heater, and a motor for rotatably driving the shaft of the conveyor plates may be variably adjusted to control the amount of thermal energy imparted to the capsules to effectively seal their cap and body overlapped wall sections to prevent separation of the cap and body without destruction of the capsule.