Improved apparatus for the manufacture of flexible gelatin capsules for medicinal and the like purposes / [Alexander Robertson].

  • Robertson, Alexander.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Improved apparatus for the manufacture of flexible gelatin capsules for medicinal and the like purposes / [Alexander Robertson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    10 15 20 25 30 35 40 N° 11,569 A.D.1899 Date of Application, 23rd May, 1898—Accepted, 16th July, 1898 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION. Improved Apparatus for the Manufacture of Flexible Gelatine Capsules for Medicinal and the like purposes. We, Alexander Robertson, Chemical Engineer, and Kenneth Robertson, Joiner, both of Rodney Street, Canonmills, Edinburgh, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement: — This invention relates to improved apparatus for the manufacture of flexible gelatine capsules and comprises a gelatine pan in which the gelatine is pre¬ pared ; moulds upon which the capsules are formed and fillers whereby the capsules are filled with the ingredients that they are to contain. But in order that our said invention may be more readily understood and easily carried into effect we will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view partly in section of the gelatine pan showing the capsule moulds in position therein. Fig. 1A is a side view of the capsule moulds removed from the gelatine pan. Fig. 2 is a side elevation and Fig. 3 a front elevation, partly in section, of one form of filler. Fig. 4 is a section of a portion of a modified form of filler. Referring to the said drawings the pan A in which the gelatine is prepared is constructed of copper and formed with a double wall or outer casing B so as to form a chamber or compartment within which hot water is freely circulated'' to melt the gelatine. The pan A is provided with a partition C extending from side to side but arranged so that a small space is left between it and the bottom of the pan, the said partition dividing the pan into two compartments. The gelatine is placed in the right hand compartment, and as it melts flows below the partition into the left hand compartment, the partition thus serving to strain or materially free the gelatine from impurities or scum. Any ^um passing below the partition is removed to the other compartment by means of the scraper D leav¬ ing the pure gelatine for use. which scum being merely thickened gelatine is again remelted thus avoiding any undue waste of material. The moulds E Fig. 1A are, in accordance with our invention, made of aluminium to ensure lightness and are attached to a brass plate F which is tapped to receive the screwed ends of the stems of the moulds. The moulds are secured to the plate until the shoulders f bear against it when they are locked by the round or other shaped nuts e. f1 is the handle by which the moulds are manipulated. Fig. 1 shows the moulds E in position within the pan the moulds being dipped in bv the hand and at once withdrawn. When the moulds are removed the space occupied bv them is covered by a lid (not shewni similar to the lid G covering the right hand compartment but having a depending flange at one end to close the opening at the outlet a of the pan. Whilst the moulds are being dipped both of these covers are removed. The water is filled into the chamber, to circulate around the pan, by means of the pipe H which is closed with a screwed cap h, a Bunsen or other burner [Price 8<L]