Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
~ 16~1298
Description
MAI'ERIAL ORIENTATION AND PRINTING
APPARATUS AND METHOD
TECHN I CAL F I ELD
.
This application relates generally to the field of
capsule orienting apparatus and more par-ticularly, is directed
to a multi-drum type of capsule orientation, rectification and
printing apparatus including a plurality of tangentially
registered pockets which function with exteriorly positioned
-air jet guides and other means to uniformly orient randomly fed
capsules, and means for receiving the uniformly oriented
capsules for s~bsequent processing, in particular the printing
of indicia upon the capsules.
It is the usual practice to package medicinal
compounds and other materials suitable for ingestion in
capsules which are made and used in very large numbers. The
capsules generally consist of bodies of predetermined size and
configuration to hold the medicina]l and other compounds and
caps which are telescopically arranged over the bodies to
retain the filled material therewithi-n.
During the processing of the càpsules, which may be
filled or empty, it is common practice to imprint indicia over
the surface of the capsules, for example the name of the
manufacturer or of the na~e or batch number of the material
packa~ed within the capsule or other information required by
the Food and Drug Administration or other agencies. This can
be done by "spin printing" an elongated indicia on the capsule
or by printing the capsule in another suitable manner. Spin~
.
2 ~ ~
inting is accomplished by causing the capsule to spin about
'ts axis as the indicia is imprinted upon the surface of the
capsule. The capsules may be uniformly oriented or reetified
~rior to reaehing the imprinting station whereby the eapsules
e~n be uniformly rotated during the imprinting operation. The
rotation oecurs in a manner which allows rotation of the
capsule without substantial slippage between the imprinting
head and the eapsule surfaee whereby a sharp, precise, printed
indicia can be produeed on each eapsule as it passes through
the imprinting station.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior workers in the art have developed apparatus
capable of transporting, orienting, reetifying and in other
appropriate ways positioning, ete. for printing eapsules, sueh
as are diselosed in the foll~wing U.S. patents, whieh may be
considered representative of the prior arts:
2,785,786, R.J. Bartlett, CONVEYING APPARATUS
2,859,689, A. Aekley, PELLET MARKING MACHINE
2,931,292, C.E. Aekley, MARKING MACHINES
2,982,234, C.E. Aekley and ~ohn Kane, METHOD OF
PRINTING WAXED
PELLETS, AND
PRINTING INK
3,026,792r J.J. Miskel et al, APPARATUS FOR BRANDING
UNIFORMLY SHAPED
ARTICLES
3,042,183, C.E. Ackley, ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS
3,200,556, C.E. Ackleyr CAPSULE SEALING METHOD AND
APPARATUS
3,272,1:L8, C.E. Aekley, ARTICLE MARKING MACHINE
3,613,8~1, Alten E. Whitecar, CAPSULE ORIENTING MACHINE`
~ 1 6 ~ ~3 8
3,739,909, Garland et al, CAPSULE HANDLING APPAR~TUS
AND METHOD
3,838,766, Wagers, Jr. et al, CAPSULE INSP~CTION
APPARATUS AND METHOD
3,868,900, Edward M. Ackley, CAP~ULE PRECISION
PRINTING APPARATUS AND
METHOD
3,871,295, Edward M. Ackley, CAPSULE ORIENTING
APPARATUS AND METHOD OF
SPIN PRINTING
3,884,143, Edward M. Ackley, CONVEYOR LI~K FOR TABLET
PRINTING APPARATUS
3,912,120, Hoppmann et al, CENTRIFUGAL M~T~IOD OF
SORTING AND ORIENTING PAR- I
TICULATE ARTICLES
3,917,055, VandenBerg et al, CAPSULE RECTIFICATION
APPARATUS
3,931,884, Edward M. Ackley, APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING
AND ORIENTING CAPSULES
4,069,753, ~dward M. Ackley, deceased, APP~TUS AND
METHODS FOR THE R~NDOM
SPIN PRINTING OF CAPSULES
U.S. Patent Nos. 3,931,884 and 4,069,753 show "spin printing"
apparatus, and Patent Nos. 2,785,786, 2,859,689, 3,026,792 and
3,424,08~, show other apparatus and methods for branding or
printing indicia on the article.
I~he present apparatus represents an improvement over
the prior art: capsule orientation and printing machines for
many reasons e.g. more versatile, greater efficiency and for
other reasons as will become apparent from the further
description. It provides a reliable, automatic and rapidly
functioning device capable of rapidly and uniEormly orienting a
plurality of randomly Eed capsules for subs~quent printing
operations.
1 ~6~298
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In view of these patent and a fairly advanced state of
technologyr the present machinery and method is quite unobvious
and represents a further significant advance in the art.
'
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DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENI'ION
In accordance with the present invention, a marked
departure has been made from indicia applicat~on kechniques of
the prior art. Indicia applying apparatus of the prior art
operate upon a material or body which is being drawn through
the printing station along a generally linear path. It has
been discovered that drawing the material or body upon which
indicia are to be applied through the printing station, in
particular a spin printing apparatus7 along a curved path,
provides significant advantages over the prior art material
handling machinery.
The techni~ue of printing indicia (primariiy by spin
printing) upon materials along a curved path is equally
applicable to materials or bodies having either similar or
dissimilar ends.
In conjunction with materials having similar ends,
such as pellets, tabl~ts or soft gelatin capsules, the
materials to which indicia are to be applied are first placed
upon a pocket carrier drum, being received within a plurality
of pockets peripherally spaced about the drum, in whatever
orientation :is desired for a given application. The pockets
are formed as part of a plurality of carriers which are adapted
for rotation about an axis radially orientea to the drumO In
this manner, the materials are then easily rotatable ~rom the
position in which they are received to whatever position is
indicated for the proper application o~ indicia to such
materials. The drum then draws the materials beneath the
printing ~pparatus, pre~erably a spin printing apparatus.
Unlike devices of the prior art, the materials proceed along a
curving patht beneath the printing apparatus, permitting an
increased rate of production, as well as providing improved
results.
~ ~61298
In conjunction with materials having dissimilar ends,
such as h~rd shell gelatin capsules comprising a bod~ and a
telescopically arranged cap, the materials to which indicia are
to be applied are first rectified as follows. First the
capsules are loaded from a supply hopper individually into a
plurality of peripheral cavities or pockets which are provided
about the periphery of a feed drum. Each of the pockets is
similarly formed and is characteri~ed by a radially extending
portion and a communicating longitudinally or circumferentially
extending portion. The capsules are fed from the hopper and
may be random:Ly received in the feed drum pockets, but
preferably, the capsules are fed in radial orientation to the
radially directed portion. In other of the pockets, the
capsules may l~e in longitudinal orientation within the
circumferentially directed portion. Either the body or the cap
may be positioned radially inwardly within the radial portions
of the pockets and either the body or the cap may be positioned
in the leading or forward position within the longitudinal
portions oE the pockets in view of the random feeding from the
hopper. Thus, the capsules are randomly positioned each in one
pocket, either in the longitudinal or radial pockets, which are
at a 90 angle with respect to each other in one single plane.
Optionally, a vacuum chest is located immediately
adjacent the inner surface of the Eeed drum if it is desired to
assist the positioning of the capsule in the pocke-t in radial
position.
~ brush means wh~ich may be rotating is positioned
downstream from the Eeed hopper and is positioned in tangential
arranyement wi-th the feed drum.
When, as described, a capsule is seated on the radial
cavity of the pocket, a capRule which falls into the
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longitudinal pocket of the cavity will not fit into it because
of the radially seated capsule. However, the capsule may
par~ially be in the longitudinal cavity. The brush means
assists to dislodge any such longitudinal capsules.
Thus, at this phase of the operation, the pockets have
their cavity occupied by either a lon~itudinally or radially
seated capsule as the feed drum rotates each pocket away from
the rotating brush means.
If preferred, the position of the brush and vacuum
means may be interchanged, so that the vacuum chest will assist
in positioning all radially oriented capsules.
The apparatus includes a si~ing bloc~ and back guide
circumferentially arranged in overlying relationship to the
feed drum downstream of the vacuum and brush means when these
are used. The sizing block and back guide means comprises a
circumferential channel or slot of sufficient size to receive
the capsule b~dy in rotary, sliding engagement therewithin and
of insufficient size to permit the capsule cap to enter and
rotatably slide therewithin.
The sizing block and back guide means ~urther
comprises an air jet oriented to direct a jet stream of air
upon each respective pocket as the pocket is rotated beneath
the air jet. The air jet operates to lift the radially seated
capsule upwardly on an air cushion to bring it out of the
cavity. The air jet impinges on the longitudinal cavity, then
streams into the radial cavity to create the necessary uplift
pressure.
The capsules which had randomly been positioned within
the radial portion of the pocket with the cap radially inwardly
(or downwardly) positioned and the body radially outwardly (or
.,. I
ll8-l
upwardly) positioned are urged upwardly or radially outwardly
until the outward portion oE the body enters the arcuate slot.
There the capsule pivots from the radial position to the
longitudinal position. The sizing block and back guide means
then act to retain the capsule so pivoted in the longitudinally
aligned position as the feed drum is rotated. Thus the
capsules which are longitudinally aligned are travelling with
their cap portion trailing. The capsules which are remaining
in the radially extending pocket, are processed as follows.
Those capsules originally oriented within the radially
directed portions of the pocket with the cap facing radially
outwardly will not be pivoted to the longitudinal position
inasmuch as the arcuate slot is of insufficient width to
receive the cap in rotary, sliding engagement therewithin.
Accordingly, the action of the air jet will merely serve to
slightly elevate or float the capsule within the pocket until
the cap bumps against the marginal edges of the arcuate slot
which edges then act to prevent further radially outwardly
movement of the capsule~ Accordingly, once the capsules with
the caps positioned radially outwardly are rotated past the
influence of the air jets, these capsules will remain radiall~ ;
oriented and seated within the radial portions of the pockets
- in the same orientation as originally deposited from the feed
hopper.
~'
A transfer drum of similar configuration to the feed
drum is tangentially arranged ar-d is rotatably driven in
synchronism with the feed drum whereby the pockets in the
transfer drum are tangentially brought into register wi-th the
pockets in the feed drum as the feed drum and the transfer drum
are rotated in synchronism.
Those capsules which were longitudinally oriented by
the air jet in the feed drum will be received in the transfer
2 9 ~
drum in the same longitudinal alignment. Irhose capsules which
were radiall~ oriented with the cap outwardly positioned will
be radially transferred to a corresponding poclcet in the
transfer drum. The transEer of the capsules, whether in
longitudinal cr radial position, ideally proceeds by gravity.
It may be assisted by air, such as an air jet which helps to
dislodge and transfer the capsule. ~he transfer may also be
assisted by a vacuum created in the pocket in which the capsule
~ill be transf`erred, or other means. When the capsule has been
transferred to the radial portion of the pocket in the transfer
drum, its position is such that it will essentially have been
turned upside down.
Unlike the apparatus described in U.S. Patent No.
4,069,753 where the transferred capsules are turned from a
transverse direction with respect to the machine travel, in the
apparatus and ~ethod herein described, the capsules re~ain in
the same plane, i.e., radially, but they are inverted in the
transfer. Moreover, the pockets oE the apparatus described
herein need not, and are not configured as the pockets of said
patents which include a generally radially-directed pocket, a
generally lo~gitudinally-directed pocket, and a generall~
transversely-directed pocket. Nor does the pocket herein
described need an angularly sloping bottom surface as described
in said patent.
'D~
It :is to be noted that an important object of that
patent and others designated above, is to dispose the capsule
in a position well suited for direct spin printing, i.e., in
the transverse position relative to the direction of the
machine travel. Although~not so positioned in the second drum,
the machine in accordance with the present invention is
provided with a third drum which then disposes the capsules in
a position best suited for spin printing.
.
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2 ~ ~
A second or lower back guide circumferentially
overfits the transfer drum and is similarly equipped with an
air jet means. As the transfer drum is rotated past the air
jet, those capsules that are already longitudinall~ positioned
in the longitudinal portion will be traversed through the lower
back guide without further orientation, with the body portion
leading and the cap trai]ing. Those capsules which are
radially positioned within the radially directed portions of
the ~eed drum pockets, i.e. the capsules with their cap now
radially inwardly positioned, will be acted upon by the air
jet. ~he air jet thus assists to raise the capsule cap portion
out of the pocket and to introduce the body into the arcuate
space defined between the surEace of the transfer drum and the
back guide. The air jet acts to longitudinally align such
capsules in the longitudinal portions of the pockets with the
body portion leading and the cap trailing. Thus~ the air
operates in cooperation with the rotary movement of the drum
and the occasional frictional engagement of the capsule with
the inner portion of the back guide as the drum rotates, and
the pivoting movement of the capsule about the inside shoulder
o~ the pocket.
Thus the capsules will be similarly oriented after
handling by the feed drum and the transfer drum, ~hereby each
oriented capsule is positioned within the longitudinally
extending portion of the pocket with the body in leading
orientation and with the cap in trailing position. Capsules
which have not been properly orien~ed by the feed drum and the
transfer drum will generally be radially oriented and can
therefore readily he removed from the transEer drum, rather
than being delivered for further processing.
~ second vacuum chest may be provided to assist in the
positioning of the capsules in this second drum.
I :l6~2~3
Then, in accordance with the present invention, a
pocket-carrier drum is tangentially arranged and is rotatabl~
driven in synchronism with the transEer drum whereby pockets of
the carrier drum are brought into register with the pockets in
.he transfer drum as the carrier drum and transfer drum are
rotated in synchronism. The oriented capsules are
longitudinally transferred from the -transfer drum to the
carrier drum.
The carrier drum is again provided with a plurality of
rotatable carrier means, each having a pocket for receiving a
capsule therein. The carrier means are each adapted to rotate
in response to a cam and follower mechanism which is timed so
that the capsule is re-oriented from a longitudinal to a
transverse posi-tion just prior to entering the printing stage
o~ operation. The capsule is then positioned in a manner which
is conducive to the printing on that capsule of any desired
indicia, primarily by "spin printing" techniques.
The printed capsules are then delivered from the
printing drum for f~rther processing, e.g. packaging. The
capsules are preferably delivered from the ca~rier drum in
their transverse orientation, so that they may be rolled to the
next stage of processing. The carrier means are then returned
~o their original orientation, with their pockets
lon~itudinally aligned, in order to accept further capsules for
printing. It is also possible to first return the carrie~
means to this original position, and then deliver the capsules
from the carrier drum, i F desired.
An air jet means~may be provided at the position where
the capsules are delivered from the carrier drum, which air jet
is positioned to assist the capsules in the;'r movementO
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3 1~29~
Although -the pocket carrier drum .illustrated is
particularly well adapted to receive and process a capsule from
a feed drum and transfer drum which have already received and
uniformly oriented a series of capsules for subsequent
processing, it is important to note that the carrier drum
illustrated is equally capable of operating alone, or in
conjunction wlth other machinery, having applicability to a
wide variety of materials to be processed, such as pellets,
tablets, and both soft and hard shell gelatin capsules.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved capsule rectiEication and printing
apparatus of the type set forth.
It is another object of the present invention to
provide novel capsule rectification and printing apparatus that
is completely automatic in operation and which is designed to
simply and speedi].y ~ecti.f~ a plurality of randomly fed
capsules for the printing on the capsules of any desired
indicia.
It is an important object of the present invention to
provide an apparatus wherein the capsules are rectified and
oriented in the one plane, the plane of rotation, for delivery
to a printing means.
. I
It is another object of the present invention to
provide a novel capsule rectlfication and printing apparatus
comprising a :Eeed drum and a tangential transfer drum including
a back gui~e means and an air jet means associated with each
drum, wherein at least some of the capsules transported by the
feed drum are longitudinally oriented by the feed drum air jet
means and whereby the remaining capsules are longitudinally
oriented by the air jet streams associated with the transfer
drum, and a ca~rier drum iD tangent~al arrangement ith the
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Iransfer drum, which carrier drum receives the longikudinally
oriented capsules, rotates the capsules from the longitudinal
to a transverse orientation, and then causes the transversely
oriented capsules to pass khrough a printing apparatus.
It is another object of the present invention to
provide a novel capsule rectification and printing apparatus
~hich includes a ~irst feed drum which picks up capsules from a
hopper in random arrangement, ~irst orientation means to
selectively recti~y some o~ the capsules in the feed drum to a
iongitudinal position with respect to the path of movement,
trans~er means to transfer longitudinally oriented capsules
~rom the ~irst feed drum to a second transfer drum in
longitudinal alignment, said transfer means further
transferring radially oriented capsules from the first ~eed
~rum to the second transfer drum in radial alignment, second
orientation means to longitudinally orient the remaining of
said capsules in the second transfer drum and, in accordance
r ~?ith the present invention, transfer means to transfer the
longitudinally oriented capsules ~rom the second transfer drum
to a third carrier drum in a longitudinal orientation, third
orientation means to transfer the longitudinally oriented
capsules to a transverse orientation, and printing means for
applylny indicia to the transversely oriented capsules.
~' In this manner the capsules are located on the carrier
~rum in a position ideally adapted ~or "spin printing". By
eliminating the third orientation means it is also possible to
leave the capsules in a longitudinal orientation with respect
to the direction o~ travel, allowing indicia to be applied to
~he capsules using other printing techniques.
It is another object o~ the present invention to
provide a novel capsule recti~ication and printing apparatus
comprising a hopper containing a large number of capsules in
2~8
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random arrangement, ~irst and second ro-tary drum means and
first and second guide means including air jets, all of which
are adapted to sort out and orient the capsules so that they
are uniformly spaced apart abo.ut the second drum means in
longitudinal orientation with the capsule body forwardly
positioned and with the capsule caps rearwardly positioned
relative to the direction of travel, and third rotary drum
means adapted to receive the longitudinally oriented capsules
from the second drum means in a longitudinal orientation, to
transfer the longitudinally oriented capsules to a transverse
orientation, and to print indicia on the transversely oriented
capsules.
It is another object of the present invention to
provide a novel capsule recti~ication and printing apparatus
comprising a first feed drum, said drum including a plurality
of pockets each having a radially directed portion and a
longitudinally directed portion, a first capsule orientation
means associated with the feed drum to longitudinally orient at
least some of the capsules contained within the pockets, a
transfer drum in tangential arrangement and synchroni~ed
movement with the feed drum, the transEer drum comprising a
plurality of similar pockets each having a radially directed
portion and a longitudinally directed portion, a second
orien~ation means associated with the transfer drum whereby all
capsules not longitudinally oriented by the first orientation
means will be oriented in the transfer drum pocket by the
second orientation means, and a carrier drum in tangential
~rrangement and synchronized movement with the trans~er drum,
the carrier drum comprising a plurality of carrier means
including pockets adapted to be brought in register with the
pockets of the transEer drum to the carrier drum, and a third
orientation means associated with the carrier drum whereby the
longitudinally oriented capsules are trans~erred to a
transverse orientation for the printing of indicia thereon.
2 ~ ~
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It is anotller object of the present invention to
provide a novel capsllle rectification and printing apparatus
that is simple in design, yet versatile and efficient.
Other objects and a fuller understanding of the
invention will be had by referring to the following description
and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference characters ref~r to similar parts throughout the
several views, and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section,
illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional
view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction
of the arrows.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional
view t~ken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction
of the arrows
Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional
vie~ taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction
of the arrows.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PR~EFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Although speci~ic terms are used in the following
description for the sake of clarity these terms are intended to
refer only to the particular structure of the invention
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. 2~3 ~
selec~ed for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended
to define or limit the scope of the invention.
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in
Fig. 1 a capsule rectification apparatus designated 10 which
comprises generally a hopper means 12, a rotary br~lsh means 14,
a feed drum means 16, a transfer drum means 18, and a carrier
drum means 150, all of which cooperate to rectify a plurality
of randomly oriented capsules 20 for printing or marking.
I'he hopper means 12 is mounted in stationary
relationship upon a suitable support (not shown) and includes
an inclined bottom 24 which terminates at a capsule opening 26
to facili.tate feeding the capsules 20 one at a time to the drum
means 16. As shown, the angle of inclination of the hopper
bottom 24 is designed to radially align the bottom whereby the
individual capsules will be radially fed toward the feed drum
means 16.
However, a hopper may be used from which the capsules
will be fed not only radially but also deposited in a
longitudinal position in the cavity.
The feed drum means 16 comprises general].y a feed drum
23 whi.ch is rotated in the d:irectio:n of the arrow 30 by its
associated shaft 32 in known manner. ~ similarly configured
transfer drum 3~ rotates in substantially tangential
relationship below the feed drum 28 in the direction of the
arrow 36 upon rotation of its affixed shaft 38. The shafts 32,
38, and their respectively affixed drums 28, 34 are rotated in
synchronism by a motor an~ drive apparatus (not shown) in a
suitable manner well known to those skilled in the art.
The feed drum 28 and transfer drum 3~ are similar in
construction and are each provided with a plurality oE e~ually
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298
s?aced, peripherally positioned, uniformly configured, capsule
receiving pockets or depressions 40~ 42. While a single
peri, heral row of pockets 40, 42 in each of the drums 28, 34 is
illustrated, it will be appreciated that other similar rows can
be transversely arranged about the peripheries of the
respective feed drum 28 and transfer drum 34 to similarly feed
and rectify simultaneously greater numbers of capsules 20, if
so ~esired.
Still referring to Fig. l, it will be observed that
the feed drum pockets 40 and the transfer drum pockets 42 are
substantially identical in that both pockets comprise a
radially extending portion 44 and a communicating,
longitudinally extending portion 46 which portions are defined
one 'rom the other by an intermediate shoulder 48. In other
respects, the pockets in the respective drums can differ from
each other~ ~For instance, while there is a need for shoulder
~8 or equivalen-t means to assist in the pivoting of the
capsule, in the feed drum, there is no such requirement in the
poc~ets in the transfer drum, where such shoulder 48' can well
be shaped difEerently, e.g., be more slanted or at an incline,
or other~ise as desired. The radially extending portions 44
and longitudinally extending portions 46 of the feed drum
pockets 40 and transfer drum pockets 42 are sized and
configured to receive and retain one oE the capsules 20.
As hereinbefore set forth, the capsules can be
conventional in configuration and comprise a generally
cyiindrical body 50 with a generally cylindrical cap 52 in
overfitting, telescopic arrangement. The diameter of the cap
52 is slightly greater than the diameter of the capsule body 50
and it is this difference in size that is u-tilized for capsule
rectification purposes in the manner hereinafter more fully
described.
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1 ~12~8
As illustrated in Fi~. 1, a plurality of randomly
oriented capsules 20 feed along the inclined bottom 24 of the
hopper means 12 through the opening 26, and one capsule
individually enters each of the pockets 40 as the feed drum 28
is rotated in the direction of the arrow 30. The capsules 20
will be presented to the feed drum 28 in generally radial
orientation and will be received within the radially extending
portions 4~ of the feed drum pockets 40. Some of the capsules
20 will fall naturally into the radially extending portions 44
in an upright position with the respective bodies 50 positioned
radially outwardly from the caps 52. Others of the capsules 20
will fall naturally with the respecti~e caps 52 positioned
radially outwardly from the respective bodies 50; capsules fed
to the hopper alre initially in haphazard or random
orientation. P~s the capsules gradually descend in the hopper,
they become aligned into a radial position with the assistance
of conventional combs or "fingers" - forming channels to form
rows of the so-arranged capsules. It is to be noted however,
that if a hopper is not so constructed, the capsules will fall
also into the longitudinal cavity of the,pockets and then be
processed in accordance with the apparatus and method of the
invention.
A vacuum chest 112 is positioned and functions as
describecl here:inafter.
A rotary brush rneans 14 is positioned arcuately
downstream from the hopper means 12 and is rotated by its shaft
54 in the direction o~ the arrow 56 to assist in sweeping out
and away any capsules 20 that might be lying in a generally
longitudinal pl~sition partially overlapping with capsule in the
radial positionl and to assist in sweeping any longitudinally
oriented capsules into a radial position within its associated
radially extending cavity portion 4~, when that cavity is free.
i 16~2~8
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, it can he observed
that feed drum means 16 further comprises an arcuate sizing
block and back guide 58 which is positioned in
circumferentially overlying relationship to the feed drum 28 at
tne lower quadrant thereof. At the upstream endl the sizing
block and bac~ guide 58 is providecl with an arcuate slot 60
ich extends in length over one or more the spaced pockets 40
to facilitate capsule rectification therewithin. The sizing
block and back guide 58 is spaced peripherally outwardly from
the surEace of the feed drum 28 to clefine an aligning space 66
therebetween, which space is less in width than the diameter f
~he body 50 of a capsule 200 The block and back guide 58 can
De positioned anywhere against the feed drum in the space
~o~nstream the hopper and upstream the transfer point from one
to the other drum. The length of the slot is a matter of
judicious choice: when the rotational speed of the drum is
comparatively fast, the slot preEerably will extend over a
~lurality of pockets; desirably it will be shorter when the
speed is lower. It is evident that the invention contemplates
auch slots or spaces to be of any length as may be desired.
Associated in operation with the feed drum means 16,
an air jet 62 is suitably supported and positioned to direct a
~adial air stream through an opening 64, provided in the guide
~2, into arcuate slot 60 for capsule orientation in the manner
hereinafter more fully set forth.
Still referring to Fig. 2, two possible conditions are
illustrated. In the left representation the capsule cap 52 is
radially inwardly positio~ed within the radially extending
pocket portion 44. In the right representation, the capsule
~ody 50 is radially inwardly positioned within the radially
extending pocket portion 44. Observing particularly the left
representation, upon application of a jet of air from the air
jet 62 through the opening 64, the air jet stream will impinge
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1 16:129~ 1
~irectly upon the pocket portions 46, 44 as the feed drum 28 is
rotated. The directed air stream extends radially inwardly to
the bottom of the radially extending pocket portion 44 where it
turns and by applying Eorces against the bottom of the capsule,
tends to urge the capsule 20 radially outwardly. In the case
of the left representation in Fig. 2, it will be observed that
the width of the slot 60 is just sufficient to admit the body
50 of the capsule 20 in rotary, sliding engagement
therewithin. Once the capsule 20 has been raised within its
respective pocket 40 by the force from the air jet 62, the
capsule 20 will float within the space defined between the
pocket 40 and the guide 58 and will pivot about the
intermediate shoulder 48 to enter the longitudinally extending
portion 46 of its pocket 40 in the manner illustrated in Fig.
1. ~he aligning space 66 defined between the outer periphery
of the feed drum 28 and the guide 58 is just sufficiently wide
to permit passage of a capsule 20 in its longitudinally aligned
position, with capsule body 50 forwardly positioned within the
space 6~ when positioned in a longitudinally extending pocket
portion 46.
It may be noted that the smooth change of position of
the capsule from the radial to the longitudinal position is
assisted by the rotary travel of the drum while the capsule
pivots into the direction of travel. Yet notwithstanding the
drag of the capsule on the interior of the guide, the capsule
will not reseat itself radially into the pocket due to the size
of the alignirl~ space.
Referring now to~the right capsule illustrated in Fig.
2, it will be observed that this capsule is oriented within the
radially extending portion 44 in a position with the capsule
body 50' extending radially downwardly and with the capsule cap
52' extending radially outwardly. Accordingly, when the jet of
air from the air jet 62 is directed into the bottom of the
3 1&~2~
pocket 40 in a manner to impinge upwardly upon the capsule 20',
to force the capsule upwardly and radially outwardly from the
pocket 40~ the cap 52' will be urged toward engagement with the
marginal edges 68, 70 which deEine the arcuate slot 60~
However, as hereinbefore indicated, the width of the slot 60 is
fabricated less than the diameter of the cap portion 52' and
the marginal edges 68, 70 which define the slot 60 act to
prevent the entrance of the capsule cap portion 52' into the
slot 60. Under these circumstances, the capsule 20' cannot
rise to pivot about the shoulder 48 and so will remain oriented
within the pocket ~0 in a radially directed positionr with the
capsule body 5t)' positioned downwardly within the radially
extending pocket portion 44. Accordingly, in this capsule
orientationI the air stream from the air jet 62 cannot urge the
capsule 20' into its longitudinally aligned position within the
longitudinally extending portion 4~ As the feed drum 28
continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow 30, the
interior surface 72 of the guide 58 will act to maintain the
capsule 20' in its radially extended position.
~ ccorclingly, after the capsules 20 are rotated past
the air jet 62, the capsules 20 approach the interface 74
between the feed drum 28 and ,the transfer drum 3~ in either a
longitudinally oriented position with the capsule body 50
leading, as indicated at 76, or in a radially oriented position
~ith the capsule body 50 extending radially inwardly as
indicated at 7~. -
The dlstance from the face of the guide 58 facing thedrum may be adjusted by ad-justing the guide; likewise the width
of slot 60 can be constructed to admit different sized
capsules, i.e. oE different diameters.
Still reerring to Fig. 1, there is provided a
stationary vacuum chest 112 which is located immediately
-22-
2 ~ ~ 1
adjacent to the inner sur~ace of feed drum means 16 to aid in
seating the capsules 20 within the respective feed drum poclcets
40 as the capsules are fed from the hopper means 12. The
vacuum within the chest 112 is communicated with the individual
pockets 40 through small holes or conduits as the poclcets are
rotated past the chest upon rotation o~ the feed drum means 16
in the direction indicated by the arrow 30. A conduit 116
interconnects the vaeuum chest 112 with a kno~n vacuum source,
which may be introduced immediately adjacent to the feed drum
shaft 32.
Since the capsules generally fall into the cavity ofthe drum in a radial position, the vacuum chest is provided as
a further aid, but is not a requirement, to assist in seating
such capsules.
In the lower portion of the feed drum, below the
horizontal at or approximately at the point of tangential
eontaet of the feed drum 28 and the transfer drum 30 and the
inclined bottom 24 of the hopper means 12, there is provided an
air ehest 118 immediately adjacent to the inner surEaee of the
feed drum means 1~. ~ conduit 120 communieates the interior of
the air chest 118 with a known souree of air, wh.ich source may
be introduced immediatel.y adjacent to the ~eed drum shaft 32 in
any suitable, known manner. The air means, as described above,
assist in the transfer of the capsules from one drum to the
other by creating a back pressure on -the bottom of the eapsule
to assist in dislodging it.
Similarly, the transfer drum means 18 can be e~uipped
with a vacuum chest 122 with intercommunicating vaeuum eonduit
124 to ald in the capsule transfer; and with an air chest 126
with intereommunieating air ~onduit 128 for elean out pu~poses.
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L 2 ~ ~
The air chest 126 preferably is angularly spaced from
vacuum chest 122 and is located below the hori~ontal in a
position rotatively beyond the position at which the capsule is
discharged from the transfer drum means 18. This vacuum chest
also is not necessary to the operation and for the machinery of
the invention.
As above set forth and as illustrated in Fig. 1, it
will be noted that transfer drum 34 is configured similarly to
feed drum 38 and includes a plurality of similarly positioned,
circumferentially spaced pockets 42 which are rotated into
registry beneath the feed drum pockets 40 as the transfer drum
34 is rotated in synchronism in the direction of the arrow 36.
As was noted above, the pockets need not be identical with
those in the feed drum. When a longitudinally aligned capsule
whi-h has been oriented as indicated at 76 in the feed drum
means 16 approaches the interface 74, transfer from the feed
! drum 28 to the transfer drum 34 will occur assisted or
principally by gravity, as well as by centrifugal force and
momentum. The longitudinally oriented capsule will be received
in the longitudinally extending pocket portion 46 of a transfer
drum pocket 42 also in longitudinal alignment, as indicated at
80. It is noteworthy that the capsule body 50 will still be
forwardly positioned in the desirecl orientation after transfer
to the transfer drum 34.
~`
When a radially positioned capsule 20 which is
radially oriented within a feed drum pocket 40 as indicated at
78 approaches the interface 74, transfer from the feed drum 28
to the transfer drum 34 will occur assisted by or principally
caused by gravity, as ind1cated at the numeral 82, as described
above. It is noteworthy that after the transfer from the feed
drum 28 to the transfer drum 34, the capsule 20 will still be
radially oriented, but at this time within a transfer drum
pocket 42. As illustrated, after transfer, the capsule cap 52
-2~-
~ ~ 6 ~ 8
then will be downwardly or radially inwardly oriented within
the radially extending portion 44 of the transfer drum pocket
42 as indicated ~4.
Referring to Fig. 1, it will be observed that the
transfer drum means 18 in,cludes an arcuate back guide 58` which
includes an air jet 62' and an air jet opening 64'. The guide
interior surface 72' d'efines an aligniny space 66' between the
back guide 58' and the outer periphery of the trans~er drum
34. In the manner hereinabove set forth, the air jet 62'
directs a stream of air through the opening 64' and into the
bottom of each pocket 44 as the transfer drum 34 is rotated.
Those capsules wherein the capsule body 50 has been,radially
positioned or oriented at transfer will be acted upon by the
air stream.
The forces o~ the air blast will float the radially
oriented capsules upwardly and out of the pocket portion 44
into the space 66' ~efined between the back guide 58' and the
transfer drum 34. Elevation of a capsule 20 within it radial
pocket portion 44 allows the capsule to pivot about the
shoulder 48 as indicated at 110 to longitidinally oriented -
position with the body portion 50 leading as indicated at 76.
In this manner, all of the capsules 20 which were not
longitudinally oriented by the feed drum means 16 at the upper
feed drum 28 will be longitudinally orien~ed by the ~unction of
the transfer drum means 18 at the lower, transfer drum 34~ The
aligning space 66' defined between the periphery of the
transfer drum 34 and the r~adially inward surface 72' o~ the
guide 58'cams downwardly and serves to maintain the capsules 20
in their longitudinall~ oriented position as they are directed
along the inward surEace 72' of the guide 58', with respecti~e ~,
capsule bodies 50 extending ~orwardly and the respective
-25-
1 ~6:~2~
c~psule caps 52 extending rearwardly relative -to the direction
o: travel.
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 3, the lower back guide
5~' terminates at its lower extremity 90 at an interface with
~ocketcarrier drum means 149. Pocket-carrier drum means 149
comprises generally a carrier drum 150 which is rotated in
suDstantially tangential relationship below the transfer drum
-eans 18 in tlne direction of arrow 19% by its associated shaft
152 in known manner. Shaft 152 is rotated in syncronism with
the shafts 32, 38 by a motor.and drive apparatus (not shown) in
s~itable manner.
Carrier drum 150 generally comprises a plurali~y of
carrier.means 154 journalled for .rotation within a plurality of
cavities 156, preferably regularly spaced and peripherally
~ositioned about carrier drum 150.
Cavities 156 comprise two, generally cylindrical,
concentric portions 204, 206, lower portion 204 preferably
ha~ing a smaller diameter than upper portion 206. Lower
~ortion 204 is open at its bottom, permitting communication
~etween the cavities 156 and the area centrally defined by the
carrier drum 150. Upper portion 206 is open at its top.
~`
Carrier means 154 comprise a lower, base portion 160
an~ an upper pocket containing portion 164, each of which is
generally cylindrical in shape. Lower base portion 160 is
~referably of a smaller diameter than is upper pocket po.rtion
164, forming a flange 162~at the .interface between portions
160,164.
The base portion 160 of carrier means 154 is
positioned within the lower portion 204 of cavity 156. Pocket
containing portion 164 is positioned within the upper portion
l 2 ~ ~
206 of cavity 156. The flange 162 defined between base portion
160 and pocket containing portion 164 of carrier means 154 is
positioned to seat upon the abutting shoulder 156 of cavities
156 by a variety of attachment means 196, e.g. c-clip rings.
In this manner, the carrier means 154 are retained and
journalled for rotation within the cavities 156 of carrier drum
150, the pocket containing protion 164 of the carrier means 154
extending to a point approximately in alignment with the
surface of the carrier drum 150. Rotation of the carrier means
154 within the cavities 156 may be assisted by roller bearings
202, if desired, positioned between the surfaces defined by
lower portion 204 of cavities 156, and base portion 150 of
carrier means 154.
~'
The pocket containing portion 164 of carrier means 154
are provided with uniformly configured, capsule receiving
pockets or depressions 158. Pockets or depressions 158 are
L yenerally cylindrically configured, being sized to accept a
capsule 20 therein in a manner which holds the capsule 20 in
proper position during the printing process, and which also
permits the capsules to axially spin during printing. Pockets
158 are also generally configured in a shape substantially
equivalent to the peripheral shape of the longitudin~lly
extending portions 44 of the pockets 42 of transfer drum 34.
The carrier drum 150 and transfer drum 34 are operatively
associated with each other so that the pockets 158 of the
carrier drum 150 are brought into alignment with th~
longitudinally extending portions 44 of the pockets 42 of the
transfer drum 34 as carrier drum 150 and transEer drum 34 are
driven in synchronism, in the direction shown by arrows 198, 36
respectively. Consequently, a longitudinally oriented capsule
20, with its cap portion 52 trailing, is delivered from
transfer drum 34 to carrier drum 150 in a longitudinal
orientation With itS Cap portion 52 Still trai ing.
-27-
2 9 ~
~ xtending longitudinally dot~nwa.rd from base portion
160 is follower. 168 which is offset from the axis of the
carrier means 154, acting as an eccentric, and which, in
combination with cam means 170, causes the carrier means 154 to
rotate in a manner to be more fully described below. Cam means
170 is peripherally connected to a stationary barrel 172 which
is concentrically positioned interior to carrier drum 150, and
which is adjust:ably fixed in position by tor~ue arm 174 and
adjustment bracket 176. Sliding torque arm 174 along bracket
176 causes stationary ~arrel 172 to rotate, thereby retarding
or advancing the timing function represented by cam means 170,
and thus rotati.on of the carrier means.
A vari.ety of camming means 170 may be used for this
purpose. For example, a cam in the shape of a ring,
peripherally extending around barrel 172, may be used in
conjunction with carri.er means 154 which are normally biased so
that the pockets 158 are normally longitudinally oriented, such
as by a spring or other similar mechanism. The follower 168
would then interact with the cam ring to cause the desired
motor of carrier means 154. ~am means 170 may also be in the
for~ of a slot or groove extending peripherally about barrel
172 which is positioned to engage ~ollower 168 to cause carrier
means 154 to rotate as required.
~`
Also provided in conjunction with carrier drum 150 are
spin printing apparatus 178 and delivery tray 180.
. .
Spin printing apparatus 178 co~prises a transfer
roller 182 which is positioned to extend into a quantity of ink
or dye 184 conlained by resevoir 186. Ink or dye 184 is picked
up by transfer roller 18~ for application to print roller 188,
which contains the indicia to be applied to the capsules ~0 as
they are passed beneath the peripheral edge of the print roller
-28-
1 ~6~2~
188. S~ueegee 190 is optionally provide~ to evenly distribute
ink or dye 18~ along transfer roller 182.
It is also possible to place additional printing
apparatus 178 about -the periphery of the carrier drum 150 in
order to provide additional versatility to the printing
operation. One such example of this is illustrated in Fig. 1
at 178'. Printing apparatus 178' is essentially similar to
printing apparatus 178, however the print roller 188' would
generally be provided with in~icia ~ifferent from those
provided in conjunction with print roller 188. Print rollers
188, 188' could even be interchangeable if desired.
In order to further facilitate the printing process,
it is not necessary that each printing apparatus be
perpendicular to the capsule 20 which is being printed.
Rather, the printing apparatus may be positioned at any angle
between 30~ and 90 to the capsule printing surface. In this
manner, a wide variety of indicia may be applied to each
capsule 20, including wor~ing, marlcings, shapes, colors, etc.
Delivery tray 180 comprises a sloping base 192 and
sides 194 which are positioned to catch a capsule 20 which has
been printed as it rolls out of the pockets 158 of carrier drum
:L50. Printed capsules 20 are then caused to roll down the
sloping base lg2 toward subsequent capsules processing
machinery, as illustrated by arrow 208.
In operation, capsules 20 are received from trans~er
drum 18 by the pockets 158 of the carrier drum 150 in a
~ubstantially longitudinal orientation, with their cap portion
52 trailing. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and ~, as the carrier
drum 150 rotates in the direction of arrow 198, the follower
168 of carrier means 15~ is brought into contact with the
timing incline 210 of cam means 170, shown at 212 in Fig. 1.
-29-
2 ~ ~
The carrier means 15~, which are normally biased so that
pockets 158 are longitudinally oriented are thus caused to
rotate about their axis, causing the pockets 158 to rotate from
a substantially longitudinal alignment to a substantially
transverse alignment. This transition is shown in Figs. 1, 3
and 4 as follows. At position 214 the pocket 158 and capsule
20 are long-tudinally positioned. At positions 216, 218, the
pocket 158 and capsule 20 are rotating, as is the entire
carrier means 154, in response to the interaction between the
timing incline 20 of cam means 170 and follower 168. Finally,
at position 220, the pocket 158 and capswle 20 contained
therein are transversely oriented. The pockets 158, containing
uniforrnly oriented, transversely aligned capsules 20, are then
caused to advance beneath the print roller 188 whereupon the
desired indicia may be applied to the capsules 20. As the
print roller 188 passes over the surface of the capsules 20,
the capsules 20 are permitted to axially spin, so that a clear,
neat and sharp irnage is printed thereon.
After printing the capsules 20 are advanced to
delivery tray 180 where they are permitted to roll out of the
pockets 158r down the sloping base 192, toward subsequent
capsule processing machinery, e.g. packaging. This process may
be facilitated by air Jet 198 which is directed toward the
pockets 158 as they approach the delivery tray 180.
l'he empty carrier means 154 are then further rotated
in the direction of arrow 19~ toward a timing decline at 222
which returns the carrier means 15~ to their original
orientation. ~'he pockets 158 of carrier means 154 are then
caused to rotate back toward their original position, as
follower 168 is caused to advance along the timing decline of
cam means 170, at 222.
1..
1 ~B~2~
The now lon~itudinally aligned pockets -158 of carrier
means 154 are again ready to accept additional capsules 20 from
transEer drum 34 for further printing and processing.
The positioning of timing incline 210 and timing
decline 222 may be varied by rotating barrel 172 as previously
described, permitting the movement of carrier means 154 to be
advanced or retarded as desired. Timing functions other than
that described above may be provided by varying the positioning
of timing incline 210 and timing decline 22 with respect to
carrier drum 150, or with respect to each other.
'.
The foregoing apparatus is particularly well suited
for the spin printing of selected indicia upon a plurality of
capsules 20. However, the foregoing apparatus is also capable
of use in conjunction with other printing techinques. The
timing function represented by cam means 170 may be varied if
needed. If desired, cam means 170 may even b~ removed,
allowing the pockets 15~ to remain substantially longitudinal:Ly
aligned throughout the entire process. Many variations are
clearly possible.
Although the foregoing discussion illustrates use of
only a single row of carrier means 154, it is also equally
possible to pro~ide a plurality of juxtaposed, peripherally
spaced rows of carrier means 15~, to accept a plurality of
capsules 20 frl~m a pluraltiy o~ rows provided in feed drum 28
and transfer drum 34.
Although the inv~ention has been described with
particular reference to capsules, it is intended and
contemplated that any material whatever may be processed in and
in accordance with the apparatus and process of the invention
whenever the ~laterials processed have two ends and it is
desired to position, orient or arrange these materials with one
~ 16~2~8
selected end forward and the other trailing prior to printing
indicia on such materials. It is to be noted in that
connection that the materials can be hollow or not filled or
filled, etc. Also, it is not necessary that the material have
a 50 called cap and body portion, as is illustrated by way of
example only, but the material may have a protrusion or
asperity or other means or other shape, or be of such
configuration that one end of the body will not enter into slot
or space 60', thus selectively permitting the body to enter the
space by one of its ends but not by the other.
Moreover, the pocket carrier drum means 149 is not
only applicable for use in conjunction with materials having
dissimilar ends, which must be rectified or oriented prior to
entering printing operations. Many applications call for the
applying of indicia to materials or bodies having similar ends,
such as pellets, tablets or soEt gelatin capsules, which
materials either have or have not been previously classified
or oriented. The pocket carrier drum means 149 of the present
inventions is well suited for use in conjunction with such
~aterials. I
Irrespective o~ the materials involved, the present
inventions provides a rotary printing means capable of applying
inoicia to a wide variety of objects which are capable of
rotation beneath a printing means, principally a spin printing
device, along a curved pa-th defined by the movement of the
carrier means 154 about carrier drum 150, rather than the
linear path used in conjunction with prior art printing devices.
, .
To be noted too is that other equivalent means to the
air jet means are contemplated to move the body out of the
pocket. Such means need not be positioned outwardly of the
drums, but it is contemplated that it could be positioned
inwardly the drum to urge the body upwardly towards slot 600
I/
32-
2~8
It is noteworthy also that back guide 581 can be
provided with an arcuate slot (similiar to 60), like back guide
58, but that would be unnecessary since rectification of the
capsules will have already been performed by back guides
interchangeable on the machinery.
Although this invention has been described in
conjunction with certain specific forms and certain
modifications thereof, it will be appreciated that a wide
variety of other modifications can be made without departing
from the spirit of the invention. For example, some of the
features of the invention may be used independently of other
features, including the use or non-use of the vacuum chest and
the use or non-use of other means. The capsule turning is
capable of uses independent of spin printing, although it is
admirably adapted for that use.
! Especially equivalent means to achieve the stated and
implicit objectives are within the scope of the invention.
Moreover, several described components are optional, as
described above. Accordingly, in accordance with this
invention, various equivalent elements may be substituted for
those shown and specifically described, and in many instances
parts may be reversed in ways which will become apparent to
those skilled in the artr all without departing from the scope
and spirit of this invention as defined in the appended claims.
Although the invention has been described with a
certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the
present disclosure has be~n made only by way of example and
that numerous changes in the details of parts may be resorted
to without departing from the scope of the invention.
