Device for sealing and drying a capsule and method for removing a capsule

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for sealing and drying capsules (12), comprising a sealing device (14) for sealing the capsules (12) and a drying device (16) for drying the capsules (12), the drying device (16) comprising a plurality of capsule carriers (18), and a first chain (26) and a second chain (28) for receiving and conveying the capsule carriers (18), each capsule carrier (18) is or can be coupled to a first chain (26) and a second chain (28) by a snap connection (30). The invention also relates to a method for detaching a capsule carrier (18) in such a device (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for sealing and drying capsules having the features of claim 1, and a method for disassembling a capsule carrier in such an apparatus having the features of the independent claims in parallel. Background Art

[0002] Capsules made of gelatin or plant-based alternatives usually consist of two assembled halves. In upstream processes, the capsules are typically filled with medical bulk materials (such as powders or granules), medical liquid substances, or nutritional supplements. For this purpose, the capsules are usually opened, filled, and then simply reassembled after being sealed and delivered.

[0003] The sealing of the assembled capsules is carried out in a sealing machine in the next step. Here, the capsules are sealed at the seam between the two capsule halves, which is usually done by adding an active ingredient to the seam or by permanently welding them to protect the product.

[0004] CN 107982066 A discloses such a sealing machine.

[0005] Inside the sealing machine, the capsules are received in a capsule carrier. The capsules are transported through the capsule carrier. After the capsules are sealed, the capsule carrier together with the capsules received therein are transported to a drying device. The still wet or moist sealing seams of the capsules can be dried in the drying device. The capsule carrier is usually transported using two chains. The capsule carrier can be suspended between the two chains and fixed only by its own weight to prevent it from falling.

[0006] After sealing a batch of capsules (at the end of a batch), it is usually necessary to clean the entire sealing machine. For this purpose, all capsule carriers are disassembled, transported to a cleaning device and cleaned. Then the cleaned capsule carriers must be reinserted into the sealing machine.

[0007] Here, the disadvantage is that the installation or disassembly of the capsule carrier is usually time-consuming and / or complex. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for sealing and drying capsules and a method for disassembling a capsule carrier in such an apparatus, in which the above disadvantages are eliminated.

[0009] This object is achieved by an apparatus for sealing and drying capsules having the features of claim 1.

[0010] The capsules can be hard capsules made of gelatin or a substance of plant origin (or other sources).

[0011] The apparatus includes a sealing device for sealing the capsules and a drying device for drying the capsules.

[0012] The drying device includes a plurality of capsule carriers. Each capsule carrier is elongated and has a first end, a second end, and a plurality of receiving portions for receiving capsules. The receiving portions may be arranged extending longitudinally along each capsule carrier, particularly in a straight line. Each receiving portion may be configured to receive one capsule.

[0013] The drying device includes a first chain and a second chain for receiving and transporting the capsule carriers. The capsule carriers can be transported within the drying device by means of these two chains.

[0014] The first end of each capsule carrier is coupled or can be coupled (i.e., connected or can be connected) to the first chain by snap connection (clip connection).

[0015] The second end of each capsule carrier is coupled or can be coupled (i.e., connected or can be connected) to the second chain by snap connection (clip connection).

[0016] The snap connection is designed such that when the snap connection is closed, the capsule carrier can rotate about a rotation axis. The capsule carriers can be installed such that when they are coupled (i.e., connected) to the two chains, they can rotate about the respective rotation axes.

[0017] The snap connection can in particular be designed to wrap around an extension on the chain in a form-fitting manner. This wrapping does not have to be completely closed. This wrapping ensures in a form-fitting manner that a simple drop will not cause the snap connection to separate from the extension. The form-fitting wrapping can in particular be non-clamping. Thus, the snap connection wraps around the extension without gripping it in a force-fitting or clamping manner. In particular, the snap connection can be designed as a clamp-like fixture with openable clamping arms. The snap connection can be pressed onto the extension on the chain such that the arms open and spring back to wrap around the extension in a form-fitting manner. The inner surface of the clamping arms is designed to be complementary to the outer shape of the extension on the chain in particular.

[0018] The snap connection can be designed as a ball-and-socket joint connection with snap balls and / or as an annular snap connection with snap cylinders.

[0019] The rotation axis of the capsule carrier can extend along the central longitudinal axis of the capsule carrier or can extend parallel thereto. The rotation axis of the capsule carrier can extend along the longitudinal extension scale of the capsule carrier.

[0020] The snap connection makes the installation and removal of the capsule carriers both safe and convenient. The capsule carriers can be installed or removed without tools.

[0021] According to a further improvement scheme, the first chain and the second chain can each have a plurality of extensions. These extensions can be made in the form of pins or bolts (such as bolts). The extensions can each be arranged on the bolts connecting two adjacent links of the first chain and / or the second chain.

[0022] The first end and the second end of the capsule carrier can each have a clamping portion (or clip). An extension and a clamping portion can form a snap connection.

[0023] This enables the snap connection to be achieved in a simple manner.

[0024] According to a further improvement scheme, each extension can have a stop portion. The stop portion can be designed in the form of a collar or flange surrounding the extension, especially around one end of the extension.

[0025] The stop portion can be designed such that when the snap connection is closed, the stop portion engages axially, in particular, behind the corresponding clamping portion of the capsule carrier. This enables the capsule carrier to be fixed between the first chain and the second chain in a form-fitting manner, especially axially.

[0026] This enables the capsule carrier to be fixed in a form-fitting manner in all spatial directions, especially axially (see below).

[0027] According to an improvement scheme, the drying device can have a plurality of gears. The gears can mesh with the links of the first chain and / or the second chain. The first and / or second chain can be pulled over the gears. The first and / or second chain can move cyclically through the gears. The first chain, the second chain and the gears can be designed in a chain tower structure.

[0028] By using gears, the paths of the two chains within the drying device can be flexibly achieved.

[0029] According to a further improvement scheme, the device can include a supply device for supplying capsules to the sealing device. In other words, the capsules can be supplied to the sealing device through the supply device.

[0030] This eliminates the need for an additional machine to feed the capsules.

[0031] According to an improvement scheme, the drying device can include an ejection device. The ejection device can be designed to remove or eject the capsules from the receiving portion of the capsule carrier.

[0032] The ejection device can be designed to release the snap connection between the capsule carrier and the first chain and the second chain. In other words, the coupling or connection between the capsule carrier and the two chains can be released by the ejection device.

[0033] This enables the capsule to be automatically removed from the capsule carrier receiving part. In addition, the capsule carrier can also be automatically released from the two chains.

[0034] According to an improvement, the ejection device can include a shaft. The shaft can have a first gear and a second gear. The two gears can each be arranged at one end of the shaft. The first gear and the second gear can be coupled to the shaft in a non-rotatable relative manner, especially arranged at or on the shaft. The first gear can mesh with the links of the first chain. The second gear can mesh with the links of the second chain.

[0035] The shaft can have a first support surface and a second support surface. The first support surface can be adjacent to the first gear. The second support surface can be adjacent to the second gear. Each capsule carrier can have contact surfaces in the region of its first end and in the region of its second end.

[0036] When the capsule carrier moves around the shaft, each capsule carrier can contact at least one region of the first support surface and at least one region of the second support surface with at least one region of its contact surface, especially with its entire contact surface. In other words, when the capsule carrier moves around the shaft, each capsule carrier can rest at least partially with its contact surface on the first or second support surface of the shaft.

[0037] Then, the capsule carrier is fixed in a form-fitting manner by the contact surface and a snap connection, especially at both ends of the capsule carrier. Then, the capsule carrier is coupled to the shaft in a non-rotatable relative manner, especially. Due to the rotation of the capsule carrier around the shaft, the capsule can fall out of the capsule carrier receiving part due to gravity. In other words, the capsule carrier can be rotated in such a way that the capsule can fall out of the receiving part of the capsule carrier due to gravity.

[0038] This enables the capsule to be removed from the capsule carrier receiving part in a simple manner, especially in an automated manner.

[0039] According to a further improvement, the shaft can include a sleeve, a first flange, and a second flange. The sleeve can be cylindrical, especially cylindrical. The sleeve can be designed as a hollow cylinder. The sleeve, the first flange, the second flange, and / or the shaft can be arranged coaxially. The sleeve can surround the shaft on the radial outside. The sleeve can be arranged between the first flange and the second flange.

[0040] The sleeve, the first flange, and the second flange can be coupled together such that the rotation of the sleeve relative to the shaft causes the first flange and the second flange to move axially between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the distance between the first flange and the second flange is the smallest. In the second position, the distance between the first flange and the second flange is the largest.

[0041] Rotation of the sleeve relative to the shaft in a first rotational direction can cause axial movement of the first flange and the second flange towards each other. Rotation of the sleeve relative to the shaft in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction can cause the first flange and the second flange to move axially away from each other.

[0042] The shaft can include a plurality of, in particular two, flexible elements. The flexible elements can be designed as O-rings.

[0043] The flexible element, the first flange and the second flange can be configured and arranged such that movement of the first flange and the second flange to a first position causes radial inward movement of the flexible element. Movement of the first flange and the second flange to the first position can cause a reduction in the diameter of the flexible element.

[0044] The flexible element, the first flange and the second flange are configured and arranged such that movement of the first flange and the second flange to a second position causes radial outward movement of the flexible element. Movement of the first flange and the second flange to the second position can cause an increase in the diameter of the flexible element.

[0045] The shaft can be arranged such that when the first flange and the second flange are arranged in the second position, when the capsule carrier moves around the shaft, the flexible element causes the capsule carrier to move radially outwards. This enables the snap connection to be released. The capsule carrier can be pushed out of the snap connection by the flexible element.

[0046] This enables the snap connection to be automatically released, so that the capsule carrier can be released from the first chain and the second chain.

[0047] The shaft can rotate about a rotational axis. The rotational axis of the shaft can extend along or parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the shaft.

[0048] In the present case, "axial" or "axial direction" means a direction along or parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the shaft. In other words, the central longitudinal axis of the shaft is oriented in the axial direction. Accordingly, "radial" or "radial direction" means a direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the shaft and extending outwards from the central longitudinal axis of the shaft.

[0049] According to a further refinement, the first flange can be coupled to the sleeve by means of a threaded connection, in particular a threaded connection with a left-hand thread. The second flange can be coupled to the sleeve by means of a threaded connection, in particular a threaded connection with a right-hand thread. This enables the connection between the sleeve and the two above-mentioned flanges to be achieved in a simple manner. The first flange and the second flange can each be pneumatically, hydraulically and / or electrically coupled to the sleeve.

[0050] According to an improved solution, the ejection device may include a deflector. The deflector may be designed such that the capsule carrier can be disengaged from the first chain and / or the second chain through the deflector. The release of the capsule carrier may be effected by the deflector.

[0051] According to a further improved solution, the ejection device may include at least one inflatable hollow ring, in particular a plurality of inflatable hollow rings. The ejection device may include at least one, in particular a plurality of, hub expansion devices. The hollow ring, in particular a plurality of hollow rings, and / or the hub expansion device, in particular a plurality of hub expansion devices, may be designed to be able to increase the hub diameter of the shaft. The (one or more) hollow rings and / or hub expansion devices may be arranged on the shaft.

[0052] Other technical measures capable of increasing the hub diameter of the shaft are also conceivable.

[0053] According to an improved solution, the ejection device may include a chute. The chute may be designed to guide the capsules removed from the receiving part of the capsule carrier out of the device. The capsules that fall out of the receiving part of the capsule carrier due to gravity may fall into the chute.

[0054] The chute may also be designed to guide the capsule carriers released from the first chain and the second chain out of the device. The capsule carriers released from the two chains may fall into the chute due to gravity.

[0055] The chute may be arranged below the shaft in the direction of gravity.

[0056] This enables the capsules and capsule carriers to be removed from the device in a simple manner.

[0057] The above object is also achieved by a method for detaching (or disengaging) the capsule carrier of the device according to the above embodiments.

[0058] The method includes the following steps:

[0059] Providing the device, wherein the capsule carrier is coupled to the first chain and the second chain by a snap connection.

[0060] Applying a (relative) force to each capsule carrier to release (or open) the snap connection and disengage the capsule carrier from the first chain and the second chain.

[0061] Regarding the advantages that can be achieved by this method, reference is made to the description related to the device in this regard. The measures described in combination with the device description and / or explained below can be used for further embodiments of this method.

[0062] According to an improved solution, the method may include the following steps:

[0063] The capsule carrier is moved along a circular path or along an arc segment, in particular about an axis, by means of a first chain and a second chain.

[0064] A (relative) force is exerted on the capsule carrier radially outwards from the centre of the circular path or the arc segment in order to open or release the snap connection and to release the capsule carrier from the first chain and the second chain.

[0065] According to an improvement, the method may comprise the following steps:

[0066] The capsule carrier is fixed in such a way that, when the capsule carrier is moved along a circular path or along an arc segment, in particular about an axis, the capsule carrier is prevented from rotating about its axis of rotation due to gravity.

[0067] According to an improvement, the method may comprise the following steps:

[0068] The capsule carrier released from the first chain and the second chain is led out or discharged from the device, in particular by means of a chute. Description of the drawings

[0069] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings:

[0070] - Figure 1 is a front view of a device for sealing and drying capsules;

[0071] - Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of a capsule carrier of the device according to

[0072] - Figure 3 shows details of a sectional view of a capsule carrier according to Figure 2 ;

[0073] - Figure 4 shows Figure 1 magnified details;

[0074] - Figure 5 shows details of a perspective view of the shaft of a drying device of the device according to Figure 1 ;

[0075] - Figure 6 shows details of a sectional view of the shaft according to Figure 5 ;

[0076] - Figure 7 is a sectional view of the shaft according to Figure 5 in which the first flange and the second flange are in a first position;

[0077] - Figure 8 shows Figure 7 magnified details;

[0078] - Figure 9 is Figure 5 an enlarged detail of a cross-sectional view of the shaft, where the first flange and the second flange are in the second position; and

[0079] - Figure 10 is a perspective view of the shaft and the ramp according to Figure 5 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] In the following description and drawings, corresponding parts and elements carry the same reference numerals. For a clearer presentation, not all reference numerals are shown in all drawings.

[0081] Figure 1 A front view of the apparatus 10 for sealing and drying the capsules 12 is shown. The apparatus 10 includes a sealing device 14 for sealing the capsules 12 and a drying device 16 for drying the capsules 12. The apparatus 10 further includes a feeding device 40 for feeding the capsules 12 into the sealing device 14.

[0082] In the sealing device 14, the filled and closed capsules 12 are sealed. After the capsules 12 are sealed, they are dried in the drying device 16.

[0083] The drying device 16 has a plurality of capsule carriers 18. The capsules 12 are received and conveyed in the drying device 16 by the capsule carriers 18.

[0084] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the capsule carrier 18 of the apparatus 10 according to Figure 1 . Each capsule carrier 18 is elongated and has a first end 20 and a second end 22. Each capsule carrier 18 has a plurality of receiving portions 24. The receiving portions 24 are arranged adjacent to or in front of and behind each other along the longitudinal extension dimension of the corresponding capsule carrier 18.

[0085] The drying device 16 further includes a first chain 26 and a second chain 28 for receiving and conveying the capsule carriers 18 (see, for example, Figure 1 , Figure 5 or Figure 10 ). Each capsule carrier 18 is coupled or connected to the first chain 26 at its first end 20 and to the second chain 28 at its second end 22. For conveying the capsule carriers 18, the drying device 16 has a plurality of gears 38. In the drying device 16, the two chains 26, 28 are circulated in a rotary manner by the plurality of gears 38 (see Figure 1 ).

[0086] The capsule carrier 18 is coupled or connected to two chains 26, 28 by a snap connection 30. To this end, each capsule carrier 18 has clamping portions 34 at its first end 20 and its second end 22. The first chain 26 and the second chain 28 each have a plurality of bolt-shaped extensions 32 corresponding to the clamping portions 34 of the capsule carrier 18. In other words, each clamping portion 34 of the capsule carrier 18 forms a snap connection 30 with a corresponding one of the extensions 32 of the two chains 26, 28.

[0087] Figure 3 Shows details of a cross-sectional view of the capsule carrier 18 according to Figure 2 . In the figure, two capsules 12 are shown received in the receiving portion 24 of the shown capsule carrier 18. The shown capsule carrier 18 is coupled or connected to the shown extension 32 of the first chain 26 by its first end 20 or the clamping portion 34 arranged at the first end 20. For clarity, Figure 3 the first chain 26 and its links are not shown in

[0088] In the current embodiment, the extension 32 forms an extension of the bolt 33 that connects or couples two adjacent links of the first chain 26 to each other. In the current embodiment, the extension 32 and the bolt 33 are integrally formed.

[0089] When the capsule carrier 18 is connected or coupled to the two chains 26, 28 (i.e., when the snap connection 30 is closed), each capsule carrier 18 can rotate about a rotation axis 31. The rotatable mounting of the capsule carrier 18 is formed by the snap connection 30. The rotation axes 31 of the capsule carriers 18 are each parallel to the longitudinal extension dimension of the corresponding capsule carrier 18 (see Figure 2 ).

[0090] In the current embodiment, the extension 32 has a stop portion 36, which is formed in the form of a flange (or collar) surrounding one end of the extension 32. The stop portion 36 can prevent the release or opening of the snap connection 30 due to the movement of the extension 32 or the capsule carrier 18 along the rotation axis 31 (to the left or right in Figure 3 ).

[0091] The drying device 16 also has an ejection device 42.

[0092] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 the enlarged details of Figure 4 . The ejection device 42 is shown in Figure 7)。

[0093] Figure 5 Shows details of the three - dimensional view of the shaft 44. Figure 5 Shows the way the capsule carrier 18 moves around the shaft 44. The capsule carrier 18 rotates about the respective rotation axis 31 such that the capsule 12 can fall out of the receiving part 24 of the capsule carrier 18 due to gravity. For clarity, the capsule 12 is not shown in the figure.

[0094] Figure 6 Shows according to Figure 5 Details of the cross - sectional view of the shaft 44. The shaft 44 is designed to be able to rotate about the rotation axis 37 (see Figure 7 ). The capsule carrier 18 moves along a circular path or an arc segment 35 around the shaft 44. Thus, the capsule carrier 18 is coupled to the shaft 44 in a non - relatively rotatable manner at least temporarily. This causes the capsule carrier 18 to move about the rotation axis 37 of the shaft 44 (see Figure 7 ).

[0095] The capsule carrier 18 is pressed onto the shaft 44 by the first chain 26 and the second chain 28 (or by the snap connection 30 with the two chains 26, 28), thereby establishing a (at least temporary) non - relatively rotatable coupling between the shaft 44 and the capsule carrier 18.

[0096] For this purpose, the shaft 44 has a first support surface 50 and a second support surface 52 (see Figure 7 and Figure 8 ). Each capsule carrier 18 has contact surfaces 54 in the region of its first end 20 and in the region of its second end. The capsule carrier 18 is fixed or held in a form - fitting manner between the snap connection 30 and the contact surfaces 54 or the support surfaces 50, 52 while the capsule carrier 18 moves around the shaft 44.

[0097] Figure 7 Shows according to Figure 5 The cross - sectional view of the shaft 44, Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 The enlarged details. The shaft 44 has a sleeve 56, a first flange 58 and a second flange 60. The first support surface 50 is adjacent to the first flange 58, and the second support surface 52 is adjacent to the second flange 60.

[0098] In the current embodiment, the sleeve 56 is coaxially arranged with the shaft 44 and surrounds the shaft 44 on the radially outer side. The two flanges 58, 60 are designed to be axially movable and are also coaxially arranged with the shaft 44.

[0099] In this embodiment, the sleeve 56 is coupled to the shaft 44 in a non-rotatable relative manner by a force fit connection. In other words, the sleeve 56 rotates with the shaft 44 about the axis of rotation 37. Alternatively or additionally, the sleeve 56 can be coupled to the shaft 44 in a non-rotatable relative manner by a form fit connection via at least one coupling element (not shown).

[0100] In this embodiment, the sleeve 56 can rotate relative to the shaft 44 about the axis of rotation 37. For example, this can be achieved by applying a force that overcomes the force fit connection between the sleeve 56 and the shaft 44. If the sleeve 56 is connected to the shaft 44 via at least one coupling element, the connection must first be released so that the sleeve 56 can rotate relative to the shaft 44.

[0101] The sleeve 56 is coupled to the two flanges 58 and 60 respectively by a threaded connection 68. For this purpose, the sleeve 56 has a left-handed thread in the region of its first end and a right-handed thread in the region of its second end opposite the first end. Thus, rotation of the sleeve 56 in the first direction of rotation causes an axial movement of the two flanges 58, 60 towards each other. Rotation of the sleeve 56 in a second direction of rotation opposite the first direction of rotation causes the two flanges 58, 60 to move axially away from each other.

[0102] The two flanges 58, 60 can move axially Figure 7 between the first position 62 shown Figure 9 and the second position 64 shown. In the first position 62, the two flanges 58, 60 are at a minimum distance from each other. In the second position 64, the two flanges 58, 60 are at a maximum distance from each other.

[0103] Figure 9 shows Figure 5 an enlarged detail of a cross-sectional view of the shaft 44, in which the first flange 58 and the second flange 60 are arranged in the second position 64.

[0104] The shaft 44 includes two flexible elements 66, designed here as O-rings. The flexible elements 66 are arranged coaxially with the shaft 44.

[0105] Movement of the two flanges 58, 60 to the first position 62 (towards each other) causes the two flexible elements 66 not to project radially outwards beyond the bearing surfaces 50, 52 of the shaft 44. In other words, the two bearing surfaces 50, 52 are axially aligned with the radial outer side (or radial outer circumference) of the flexible elements 66. Thus, the two bearing surfaces 50, 52 of the shaft 44 have the same radial outer diameter as the two flexible elements 66. This enables the capsule carrier 18 to rest with its contact surface 54 against the two bearing surfaces 50, 52 (see Figures 5 to 8 ).

[0106] The movement of the two flanges 58, 60 to the second position 64 (away from each other) causes the two flexible elements 66 to move radially outwards. The radially outer side (radial outer circumference) of the flexible elements 66 projects radially outwards beyond the bearing surfaces 50, 52 of the shaft 44. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the two flexible elements 66 is greater than the diameter of the two bearing surfaces 50, 52 of the shaft 44. In the present embodiment, the diameter of the flexible element 66 designed as an O-ring increases as the two flanges 58, 60 move to the second position 64.

[0107] Accordingly, while the capsule carrier 18 moves around the shaft 44, the flexible elements 66 press the capsule carrier 18 radially outwards and press it out of its snap connection 30, thereby releasing or opening the snap connection 30, respectively. In this way, the capsule carrier 18 is released from the two chains 26, 28.

[0108] In order to increase the diameter of the flexible element 66 designed as an O-ring, the shaft 44 has two pressure surfaces 39 which are inclined with respect to the axis of rotation 37 (see, for example, Figure 8 ). When the two flanges 58, 60 move to the second position 64, they press the flexible element 66 and cause it to move axially away from each other. Due to the inclined pressure surfaces 39, the two flexible elements 66 are forced to move radially outwards. In other words, the diameter of the flexible element 66 designed as an O-ring expands (increases) at the inclined pressure surfaces 39. The axial and radial movements of the two flexible elements 66 are superimposed on each other.

[0109] If the two flanges 58, 60 move to the first position 62 (towards each other), the restoring force of the flexible element 66 (due to the flexibility of the flexible element) forces them radially inwards. In other words, the flexible element 66 designed as an O-ring contracts again, thereby reducing its diameter. Due to the inclined pressure surfaces 39, the flexible element 66 is forced to move axially towards each other. Here, too, the axial and radial movements of the two flexible elements 66 are superimposed on each other.

[0110] Figure 10 A perspective view of the shaft 44 according to Figure 5 is shown. The ejection device 42 has a chute 70. Through the chute 70, both the capsule 12 and the capsule carrier 18 can be guided out of the device 10. The capsule 12 or the capsule carrier 18 falls by gravity onto the chute 70 and slides out of the device 10 on the chute 70.

[0111] During operation of the device 10, the two flanges 58, 60 are arranged in the first position 62 (see Figure 7)。To disassemble the capsule carrier 18, the two flanges 58, 60 are moved to the second position 64. This is achieved by rotating the sleeve 56 relative to the shaft 44 about the axis of rotation 37. When the two flanges 58, 60 are arranged in the second position 64, the flexible elements 66 designed as O-rings have an increased diameter. The two flexible elements 66 thus project radially outwards beyond the two bearing surfaces 50, 52. This corresponds to an increase in the hub diameter of the shaft 44.

[0112] Now, when the capsule carrier 18 is moved around the shaft 44 by the two chains 26, 28, they are pressed against the radially outwardly projecting flexible elements 66 by the two chains 26, 28. In this case, a radially outward force is applied to the capsule carrier 18 such that the capsule carrier 18 is squeezed out of the snap connection 30 (due to this radially outward acting force).

[0113] Once the snap connection 30 is released or opened, the capsule carrier 18 drops from the two chains 26, 28 due to gravity. The capsule carrier 18 then lands on the chute 70, which is arranged below the shaft 44 in the direction of gravity 41.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for sealing and drying capsules (12), comprising: - a sealing device (14) for sealing the capsules (12); and - a drying device (16) for drying the capsules (12), wherein the drying device (16) comprises: - a plurality of capsule carriers (18), each capsule carrier (18) being elongate and having a first end (20), a second end (22) and a plurality of receiving portions (24) for receiving the capsules (12), - a first chain (26) and a second chain (28) for receiving and conveying the capsule carriers (18), wherein the first end (20) of each capsule carrier (18) is coupled or can be coupled to the first chain (26) by a snap connection (30), wherein the second end (22) of each capsule carrier (18) is coupled or can be coupled to the second chain (28) by a snap connection (30), wherein the snap connection (30) is designed such that when the snap connection (30) is closed, the capsule carrier (18) can rotate about a rotation axis (31).

2. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) each have a plurality of extensions (32), in particular bolt-shaped extensions (32), wherein the first end (20) and the second end (22) of the capsule carrier (18) each have a clamping portion (34), wherein each extension (32) and the clamping portion (34) form a snap connection (30).

3. The apparatus (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each extension (32) has a stop portion (36), wherein when the snap connection (30) is closed, the stop portion (36) engages behind the corresponding clamping portion (34) of the capsule carrier (18), thereby fixing the capsule carrier (18) in a form-fitting manner, in particular axially, between the first chain (26) and the second chain (28).

4. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drying device (16) comprises a plurality of gears (38), wherein the gears (38) mesh with the links of the first chain (26) and / or the second chain (28).

5. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (10) comprises a supply device (40) for supplying the capsules (12) to the sealing device (14).

6. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drying device (16) comprises an ejection device (42), wherein the ejection device (42) is designed to remove the capsules (12) from the receiving portions (24) of the capsule carriers (18), and wherein the ejection device (42) is designed to release the snap connection (30) between the capsule carrier (18) and the first chain (26) and the second chain (26).

7. The apparatus (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ejection device (42) comprises a shaft (44), wherein the shaft (44) has a first gear (46) and a second gear (48), Wherein, the first gear (46) and the second gear (48) are coupled to the shaft (44) in a non-rotatable relative manner and mesh with the links of the first chain (26) and the second chain (28). Wherein, the shaft (44) includes: a first support surface (50), which is particularly adjacent to the first gear (46); and a second support surface (52), which is particularly adjacent to the second gear (48). Wherein, each capsule carrier (18) has contact surfaces (54) in the region of its first end (20) and in the region of its second end (22). Wherein, when the capsule carrier (18) moves around the shaft (44), the capsule carrier (18) contacts at least one region of the first support surface (50) and at least one region of the second support surface (52) with at least one region of its corresponding contact surface (54), particularly with its entire corresponding contact surface (54).

8. The device (10) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the shaft (44) includes a sleeve (56), particularly a cylindrical one, a first flange (58) and a second flange (60). Wherein, the sleeve (56), the first flange (58), the second flange (60) and the shaft (44) are coaxially arranged. Wherein, the sleeve (56) is arranged between the first flange (58) and the second flange (60). Wherein, the sleeve (56), the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are coupled to each other such that rotation of the sleeve (56) relative to the shaft (44) causes axial movement of the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) between a first position (62) and a second position (64), in the first position (62), the distance between the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) is the smallest, and in the second position (64), the distance between the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) is the largest. Wherein, the shaft (44) includes a plurality of, particularly two, flexible elements (66), particularly O-rings. Wherein, the flexible elements (66), the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are arranged such that movement of the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) to the first position (62) causes radial inward movement of the flexible elements (66), particularly causes a decrease in the diameter of the flexible elements (66), and movement of the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) to the second position (64) causes radial outward movement of the flexible elements (66), particularly causes an increase in the diameter of the flexible elements (66). Wherein, the shaft (44) and the capsule carrier (18) are arranged such that when the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are arranged in the second position (64), when the capsule carrier (18) moves around the shaft (44), the flexible elements (66) cause the capsule carrier (18) to move radially outward, thereby releasing the snap connection (30).

9. The device (10) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the first flange (58) is coupled to the sleeve (56) by a threaded connection (68), particularly a threaded connection with a left-handed thread. Wherein, the second flange (60) is coupled to the sleeve (56) by a threaded connection (68), in particular a threaded connection with a right-handed thread. In particular, the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are each pneumatically, hydraulically and / or electrically coupled to the sleeve (56).

10. The device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the ejection device (42) includes a deflector, wherein the deflector is designed such that the capsule carrier (18) can be detached from the first chain (26) and / or the second chain (28) by the deflector.

11. The device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the ejection device (42) includes at least one inflatable hollow ring, in particular a plurality of inflatable hollow rings and / or at least one, in particular a plurality of hub expansion devices, wherein the hollow ring, in particular a plurality of hollow rings and / or the hub expansion device, in particular a plurality of hub expansion devices, are arranged to be able to increase the hub diameter of the shaft (44).

12. The device (10) according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the ejection device (42) includes a chute (70), wherein the chute (70) is arranged to guide the capsules (12) taken out from the receiving part (24) of the capsule carrier (18) out of the device (10), wherein the chute (70) is further arranged to guide the capsule carrier (18) taken off from the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) out of the device (10).

13. A method for detaching the capsule carrier (18) of the device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising the following steps: - providing the device (10), wherein the capsule carrier (18) is coupled to the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) by a snap connection (30), - applying a force to each capsule carrier (18) to release the snap connection (30) respectively and release the capsule carrier (18) from the first chain (26) and the second chain (28).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: - moving the capsule carrier (18) along a circular path or along an arc segment, in particular around the axis (44), by the first chain (26) and the second chain (28), - applying a force radially outward from the center point of the circular path or the arc segment to the capsule carrier to open the snap connection (30) and release the capsule carrier (18) from the first chain (26) and the second chain (28).

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: - fixing the capsule carrier (18) such that when the capsule carrier (18) moves along a circular path or along an arc segment, in particular around the axis (44), the rotation about the rotation axis (31) due to gravity is prevented.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: - Guide the capsule carrier (18) released from the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) out of the device (10), in particular by means of a chute (70).

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