초록 ▼

The two halves of medicine-filled, gelatin capsules are fitted together and passed through a field of microwave energy to selectively melt the overlapping portions of the two halves whereby they become sealed together when the capsules are removed from the microwave energy field and permitted to coo

The two halves of medicine-filled, gelatin capsules are fitted together and passed through a field of microwave energy to selectively melt the overlapping portions of the two halves whereby they become sealed together when the capsules are removed from the microwave energy field and permitted to cool.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of sealing together the interfitted tubular portions of a pair of dielectric container members, comprising the steps of transporting said interfitted tubular portions of said container members through a waveguide, said waveguide having a wall with a slot therein extending in a direction par

A method of sealing together the interfitted tubular portions of a pair of dielectric container members, comprising the steps of transporting said interfitted tubular portions of said container members through a waveguide, said waveguide having a wall with a slot therein extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide, said container members being transported by a dielectric carrier received within the slot of said wall, exciting said waveguide with microwave energy to develop in said waveguide an electric field extending parallel to the axis of said tubular portions as they travel through said waveguide, controlling the strength of said electric field and the residence time of said container members in said waveguide to cause only said interfitted portions of said container members to melt, and permitting said interfitted tubular container portions to cool and thereby to become fused together. Apparatus for use in sealing together interfitted, tubular members formed of a heat soluble, dielectric material, comprising in combination a rectangular waveguide, a conveyor disposed adjacent the exterior side of one wall of said waveguide for travel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said waveguide, said wall having a slot therein extending in a direction parallel to said axis, a plurality of dielectric carriers mounted to said conveyor and partially disposed in said waveguide with the longitudinal edges of said slot extending into respective ones of oppositely disposed, coplanar grooves in said carriers, at least one pocket is provided in each of said carriers for receiving one assembled pair of said interfitted tubular members, said pocket being disposed within said waveguide to carry said members therethrough, and means for exciting said waveguide with microwave energy.