Closing of filled capsules

• US 4,576,284 A
• Filed: 12/02/1983
• Issued: 03/18/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company Tabor Road Morris Plains New Jersey A Corporation of
• Original Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company (Pfizer Inc.)
• Inventors: Wittwer, Fritz, Raible, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Dixson, Jr., William T.
• Application Number:
  US06/557,306
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 206/528, 206/529, 206/530, 206/820, 220/8, 215/233
• US Class Current: 206/530
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 3/071 into the form of telescopically engaged two-piece capsules
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/4816 Wall or shell material
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/4825 Proteins, e.g. gelatin gelatin capsule shells with substantial amounts of other macromolecular substances A61K9/4816
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/00 Joining or sealing of preformed parts , e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor general aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts B29C66/00; using porous material formed by internal pressure generated therein for joining preformed parts B29C44/1228, B29C44/326
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/56 using mechanical means or mechanical connections, e.g. form-fits
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/58 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1222 comprising at least a lapped joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1224 comprising at least a butt joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/12822 comprising at least three overlap joint-segments
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/12842 comprising at least three butt joint-segments
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/53423 said substantially flat extra element being rigid, e.g. a plate B29C66/53425 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/53461 joining substantially flat covers and/or substantially flat bottoms to open ends of container bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/54 Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/542 joining hollow covers or hollow bottoms to open ends of container bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/545 one hollow-preform being placed inside the other
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2003/00 Use of starch or derivatives as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2089/00 Use of proteins, e.g. casein, gelatine or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7174 Capsules
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/02 Organic macromolecular compounds, natural resins, waxes or and bituminous materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 3/02 : Starch; Degradation products thereof, e.g. dextrin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/34 : Anti-tamper pharmaceutical capsules, e.g. tamper indicating or resistant

Abstract

A hard shell capsule for the exact dosage of substances, especially for pharmaceutical use, having a body part and a cap part which is joinable with said body. The body part has a side wall, a closed end and an open end. The cap part is die-molded or extruded as a stopper directly into the open end of the body after the body has been filled, so as to seal the contents within the capsule.

Claims

1. A hard shell capsule for the exact dosage of solid, creamy and liquid substances which comprises a body part, said body part having a closed end, a sidewall extending from said closed end, and an open end, said sidewall having an internal recess extending circumferentially around said sidewall, adjacent said open end and a cap molded in situ, said cap being in engagement with said recess, whereby said open end of said capsule is sealed subsequent to filling.

2. Capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap part is formed by extrusion techniques at elevated temperatures and pressures.

3. Capsule according to claim 2, characterized in that the cap part is made from a hydrophilic polymer material having a water content in a range of about 5% to 30%, by weight, an extruded temperature in a range of about 80°

to 190°

C., and is extruded by a screw extruder as it is widely applied in polymer processing industries with a pressure range of about 50 to 1500 bars.

4. A capsule according to claim 1 further including a cover plate positioned in said recess under said cap.

5. A capsule according to claim 4 wherein the dosage fills less than the enclosed portion of said capsule.