Method for manufacturing seamless capsule
First Claim
1. A method of making a seamless capsule formed by encapsulating a filler material with a capsule shell material, said method comprising:
- a step of preparing a concentric multiple nozzle having a center nozzle and an annular nozzle concentrically surrounding said center nozzle;
a step of storing a liquid filler material in a first tank;
a step of storing a liquid capsule shell material in a second tank at a predetermined first temperature by which said liquid capsule shell material maintains a substantially constant viscosity;
a step of preparing a curing bath for storing a curing liquid adapted to cure said liquid capsule shell material by coming into contact therewith;
a step of supplying said liquid filler material from said first tank to said center nozzle of said concentric multiple nozzle and supplying said liquid capsule shell material from said second tank to said annular nozzle of said concentric multiple nozzle;
a step of forming a droplet by cutting a flow of said liquid filler material caused to flow out of said center nozzle and a flow of said liquid capsule shell material caused to flow out of said annular nozzle and flow about said flow of said filler material; and
a step of bringing said capsule shell material of said droplet from said concentric multiple nozzle into contact with said curing liquid stored in said curing bath so as to cure said capsule shell material;
wherein, while transferring said liquid capsule shell material from said second tank to said annular nozzle of said concentric multiple nozzle, said capsule shell material is gradually caused to raise temperature by heating so as to attain a predetermined second temperature, higher than said first temperature, when entering said annular nozzle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of making a spherical seamless capsule formed by encapsulating a filler material such as a medicine with a capsule shell material such as gelatin. A liquid capsule shell material is stored in a tank at a low temperature, and is supplied to a concentric multiple nozzle while in a state where its temperature is raised to a predetermined temperature upon being gradually heated in the process of being transferred to the concentric multiple nozzle. This prevents the deterioration in the capsule shell material and the excessive decrease in its viscosity from occurring. When the liquid filler material and capsule shell material are caused to flow out of the concentric multiple nozzle, their flows are cut by imparting a vibration thereto, so as to form a droplet in which the filler material and the capsule shell material are disposed at the center and on the outside, respectively. Thus formed droplets are moderately dropped into a curing liquid while in a dispersed state, so as to cure the surface of capsule shell material, whereby seamless capsules are formed.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of making a seamless capsule formed by encapsulating a filler material with a capsule shell material, said method comprising:
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a step of preparing a concentric multiple nozzle having a center nozzle and an annular nozzle concentrically surrounding said center nozzle;
a step of storing a liquid filler material in a first tank;
a step of storing a liquid capsule shell material in a second tank at a predetermined first temperature by which said liquid capsule shell material maintains a substantially constant viscosity;
a step of preparing a curing bath for storing a curing liquid adapted to cure said liquid capsule shell material by coming into contact therewith;
a step of supplying said liquid filler material from said first tank to said center nozzle of said concentric multiple nozzle and supplying said liquid capsule shell material from said second tank to said annular nozzle of said concentric multiple nozzle;
a step of forming a droplet by cutting a flow of said liquid filler material caused to flow out of said center nozzle and a flow of said liquid capsule shell material caused to flow out of said annular nozzle and flow about said flow of said filler material; and
a step of bringing said capsule shell material of said droplet from said concentric multiple nozzle into contact with said curing liquid stored in said curing bath so as to cure said capsule shell material;
wherein, while transferring said liquid capsule shell material from said second tank to said annular nozzle of said concentric multiple nozzle, said capsule shell material is gradually caused to raise temperature by heating so as to attain a predetermined second temperature, higher than said first temperature, when entering said annular nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification