초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for forming capsules having a fill material which might be adversely affected by the presence of air. A capsule forming material, which forms a portion of the casing of the capsules, is fed along a predetermined path of movement past a sealing station for sealing of the caviti

A method and apparatus for forming capsules having a fill material which might be adversely affected by the presence of air. A capsule forming material, which forms a portion of the casing of the capsules, is fed along a predetermined path of movement past a sealing station for sealing of the cavities. A fill material is deposited in the cavities of the capsule forming material prior to cavities being sealed at the sealing station. An evacuation member having an evacuation surface is disposed to face the cavities in the capsule forming material and seal against the capsule forming material as the capsule forming material is moved past the evacuation member to form a substantially airtight seal between the evacuation member and the capsule forming material. The evacuation member includes first and second flow communication conduits communicating with the evacuation surface, the first flow communication conduit communicating with a source of vacuum for withdrawing air from between the surface of the capsule forming material and the evacuation surface and the second flow communication conduit communicating with a source of inert gas for introducing inert gas between the surface of the capsule forming material and the evacuation surface. The first and second flow communication conduits communicate with the evacuation surface at spaced-apart locations so as to provide a continuous sweeping of air from the cavities and replacement thereof with an inert gas.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of making capsules comprising the steps of: feeding capsule forming material having a series of cavities formed therein along a predetermined path, said capsule forming material forming a portion of the casing of the capsules; depositing a material to be encapsulated into said cavities of s

A method of making capsules comprising the steps of: feeding capsule forming material having a series of cavities formed therein along a predetermined path, said capsule forming material forming a portion of the casing of the capsules; depositing a material to be encapsulated into said cavities of said capsule forming material as said capsule forming material is moved along said path; disposing an evacuation member having an evacuation surface relative to said capsule forming material so that said evacuation surface faces said cavities in said capsule forming material, said evacuation surface having a recessed portion and edge sealing means there-around for sealing against said capsule forming material as said capsule forming material is moved past said evacuation member to form a substantially airtight seal between said evacuation member and said capsule forming material; connecting a source of vacuum with a first portion of said recessed portion of said evacuation surface to withdraw air entrapped between the surface of said capsule forming material and said evacuation surface as said capsule forming material is moved along said predetermined path, and connecting a source of inert gas with a second portion of said recessed portion of said evacuation surface to introduce an inert gas into said cavities between said surface of said capsule forming material and said evacuation surface as said capsule forming material is moved along said predetermined path, said first and second portions being spaced from one another along said evacuation surface so as to provide a continuous sweeping of air from said cavities and replacement thereof with an inert gas as said capsule forming material is moved past said evacuation member; and then sealing said cavities in said capsule forming material to form substantially deaerated capsules.