Oblique jet and adjustable nozzle soft gel pill eccentric cooling device

Abstract

The oblique jet and adjustable nozzle soft rubber pill eccentric cooling device comprises a rack, a cooling column is arranged on one side of the rack, an overflow groove is arranged on the upper part of the cooling column, a collecting funnel is connected to the lower part of the cooling column, the cooling column is placed on a tripod support as a whole, a nozzle and an oil rush elbow are arranged above the cooling column, the nozzle and the oil rush elbow are connected to the top of the rack through ball hinges and U-shaped clamps respectively, and the spraying direction of the oil rush elbow is inclined to the horizontal plane. The eccentricity of the pill core caused by the uneven thickness of the rubber is solved by balancing the gravity and the buoyancy of the pill core (liquid medicine).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of oral solid dosage form production, and to a cooling and forming device for the production of seamless soft capsules by the dripping method, particularly to an eccentric cooling device for soft capsules with oblique jet and adjustable nozzle. Background Technology

[0002] In the pharmaceutical industry, seamless soft capsules are primarily produced using the dripping method. This method involves simultaneously ejecting the drug solution and the gelatin solution through the center of concentric circles and an annular gap. The high-viscosity coaxial jet breaks down into droplets under surface tension, and the gelatin solution, encapsulating the drug solution, shrinks into a spherical shape and solidifies in cooling oil. Existing equipment often uses a vertical coaxial jet, with the cooling oil entering the cooling column via a central overflow. Because the density difference between the cooling oil and the capsule core (drug solution) is small, gravity and buoyancy are balanced, resulting in slow droplet descent, high sphericity, and a centered capsule core. However, for products with a larger density difference, the capsule core experiences an imbalance between gravity and buoyancy, leading to uneven capsule thickness and eccentricity. In severe cases, this can cause the soft capsules to bulge and deform during the rotary drying process, and leak during blister packaging. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cooling and molding device for improving the eccentricity of soft capsules by using a method of synergistic oblique jet and adjustable nozzle angle. By balancing the gravity and buoyancy of the capsule core (medicinal liquid), the problem of capsule core eccentricity caused by uneven thickness of the rubber sheet is solved.

[0004] To solve the above problems, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows: An eccentric cooling device for soft capsules with oblique jet and adjustable nozzle includes a frame, a cooling column on one side of the frame, an overflow groove at the top of the cooling column, and a collection funnel at the bottom. The cooling column is placed on a tripod support. A nozzle and an oil jet bend are provided above the cooling column. The nozzle and the oil jet bend are connected to the top of the frame by ball joint and U-shaped clamp, respectively. The spray direction of the oil jet bend is inclined to the horizontal plane.

[0005] Furthermore, the ball joint includes a ball cup and a ball head fitted inside the ball cup. The nozzle is threadedly connected to the ball head, and the ball cup has a two-lobed symmetrical structure. The ball joint's structure of a ball cup and a ball head, with the ball cup being two symmetrical lobes, facilitates the installation and adjustment of the nozzle angle. The nozzle is threadedly connected to the ball head, making the nozzle installation more secure. Furthermore, after the ball cup is fixed, precise adjustment of the nozzle angle can be achieved to meet different cooling requirements.

[0006] Furthermore, the angle between the nozzle outlet direction and the vertical direction is within the range of 5°-15°. Within this angle range, when the liquid column formed by the adhesive and the medicine enters the cooling oil at an angle, the combined force of the impact force, gravity, and buoyancy can reach a relatively ideal balance, making the movement trajectory and force conditions of the droplets in the cooling oil more conducive to the uniform distribution of the adhesive.

[0007] Furthermore, the ball head and the ball cup are interference-fitted. This ensures that the nozzle remains at the set angle position, maintaining the stability of the oblique jet.

[0008] Furthermore, the U-shaped clamp fixes the oil jet elbow within the semi-circular groove, with the angle between the spray direction of the oil jet elbow and the vertical direction ranging from 10° to 80°. By adjusting this angle, the spray direction and impact force of the cooling oil can be changed, allowing it to cooperate with the oblique jet of the nozzle to act together on the droplets, further optimizing the droplet's movement in the cooling oil.

[0009] Furthermore, the U-shaped clamp is connected to the frame via an L-shaped bracket, which has a slotted hole for adjusting the relative distance between the oil jet elbow and the nozzle. During production, operators can adjust the distance between the two through the slotted hole according to the actual situation, thereby changing the interaction mode and degree between the cooling oil and the droplets.

[0010] Furthermore, the tripod support has a ring-shaped structure, with adjusting screws at the feet for leveling. By rotating the adjusting screws, the levelness of the tripod support can be adjusted, thereby ensuring that the cooling column is horizontal, allowing the droplets to fall vertically within the cooling column. This prevents uneven force on the droplets due to the tilt of the cooling column, which would affect the molding quality of the soft capsules.

[0011] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: 1. When the droplets formed by the adhesive and pharmaceutical solution enter the cooling oil, the weight of the capsule core exceeds the buoyancy. Combined with the impact force of the nozzle, this creates a combined force that squeezes the adhesive solution below, resulting in the soft capsule being thicker at the top and thinner at the bottom. By adjusting the angle of the nozzle and the oil jet bend, the droplets enter the cooling oil at an angle. The nozzle impact force is decomposed into horizontal and vertical components, reducing the combined force and thus decreasing the degree of compression of the adhesive solution below the capsule core, achieving a more uniform distribution of the adhesive solution.

[0012] Second, the oblique cooling jet helps the liquid column break up quickly into droplets under the action of surface tension. The jet impact gives the droplets angular momentum, and the soft capsules continue to rotate during the cooling process, with the glue liquid being evenly distributed along the circumference.

[0013] Third, the oblique jet suppresses the natural convection mixing of the cooling oil, preventing vertical heat exchange and the formation of a temperature difference layer. The temperature above the oil jet is high, and the temperature below is low. Gradual cooling avoids localized sudden cooling and promotes uniform distribution of the adhesive. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the adjustable nozzle of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention related to oil-bending.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the tripod support of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting component structure of this utility model.

[0019] In the diagram: 11. Ball bowl, 12. Ball head, 13. Nozzle, 21. Overflow groove, 22. Cooling column, 23. Tripod support, 24. Collection funnel, 25. Discharge pipe, 26. Adjusting screw, 31. L-shaped support, 32. Oil jet elbow, 33. U-shaped clamp, 4. Frame, 5. Lifting seat, 6. Screw jack. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0021] Combination Figure 1-5 The cooling forming device of this utility model includes the following components: 1. Adjustable nozzle device: including a ball joint and a nozzle 13. The ball joint consists of a ball cup 11 and a ball head 12. The ball cup 11 has a symmetrical, split structure. After the ball cup 11 is inserted into the ball head 12, it is fixed to the frame 4 with bolts. Tightening the screws achieves clamping and angle locking of the ball head 12. The nozzle 13 is connected to the ball head 12 via threads. The inner tube delivers the liquid medicine, and the outer ring delivers the adhesive liquid.

[0022] 2. Angled jet assembly: Composed of an L-shaped bracket 31, an oil jet elbow 32, and a U-shaped clamp 33. The L-shaped bracket 31 is machined with a waist-shaped hole for adjusting the distance between the oil jet elbow 32 and the nozzle 13. The oil jet elbow 32 is fixed to the L-shaped bracket 31 by the U-shaped clamp 33, and the angle is adjustable.

[0023] 3. Cooling Column System: The upper end of the cooling column 22 is equipped with an overflow groove 21, which is fitted inside the cooling column 22 and sealed with an O-ring. A discharge port is located at the bottom. A collecting funnel 24 is connected to the bottom of the cooling column 22, and the bottom of the funnel is connected to a shot discharge pipe. The entire device is placed on a tripod support 23, with adjusting screws 26 at the bottom of the tripods. The tripod support 23 is placed inside the disc of the lifting base 5, and the lifting base column is threadedly connected to the screw jack 6.

[0024] Further explanation: The ball cup 11 has a symmetrical two-part structure, measuring 52mm in length, 26mm in width, and 20mm in thickness, with an inner diameter of 15.5mm and countersunk screw holes. The ball head 12 has a diameter of 16mm and an internal thread at the bottom for connecting the nozzle 13. During installation, the ball head 12 is placed inside the ball cup 11, and after closing, it is fixed to the frame 4 with M6 hex socket screws.

[0025] The L-shaped bracket 31 has a long side length of 70mm, a width of 20mm, and a thickness of 5mm, and an oblong hole length of 40mm and a width of 6.5mm. The short side is divided into two parts, one 40mm long and the other a U-shaped clip 33 14mm long, both 26mm wide and 5mm thick, with a semi-circular groove of 10mm radius machined at the end. The L-shaped bracket 31 is connected by welding, and the U-shaped clip 33 is fixed to the short side by bolts.

[0026] The oil-jet elbow 32 has an inner diameter of 19mm and an outer diameter of 21mm, with dimensions of 100mm × 150mm. Bolts pass through the slotted holes to fix the L-shaped bracket 31 to the frame 4. All components are made of 316 stainless steel.

[0027] The cooling column 22 is made of 5mm thick acrylic cylinder, with a diameter of 140mm and a height of 860mm. The overflow trough 21, with a diameter of 180mm and a height of 120mm, is fitted inside the cooling column 22, and its bottom is connected to a pipe to the cooling oil tank. The collecting funnel 24 is made of stainless steel, with a height of 56mm. One end is bonded to the cooling column 22, and the other end is welded to a 22.4mm diameter stainless steel pipe and connected to a 50.5mm diameter stainless steel quick-release chuck. It is then connected to the shot discharge pipe to the conveyor belt above the cooling oil tank.

[0028] The tripod support 23 has a ring-shaped structure with an outer diameter of 190mm, an inner diameter of 155mm, and a foot height of 120mm. Adjustment screws 26 are installed at the bottom of the feet. The lifting base 5 is disc-shaped with a diameter of 190mm. The column is welded to the center of the disc, and the other end is connected to the screw jack 6 via a thread.

[0029] Work process: During the dripping process, the cooling column 22 is raised by the screw jack 6, immersing the nozzle 13 and the oil jet elbow 32. A variable frequency pump delivers cooling oil through pipelines to the oil jet elbow 32, gradually filling the cooling column 22. The bottom shot outlet pipe 25 uses the drop height to return the cooling oil to the mesh belt above the cooling oil tank. Excess cooling oil overflows from the top of the cooling column 22 into the overflow trough 21 and then flows back to the cooling oil tank through pipelines. Adjusting the variable frequency pump speed and the drop height between the cooling column 22 and the shot outlet pipe ensures the cooling column 22 remains full of cooling oil and maintains overflow, keeping the circulating cooling oil in a balanced state.

[0030] The gel and the medicine are coaxially jetted through nozzle 13 and converge into droplets under the action of surface tension. The gel encapsulates the medicine and is then cooled and solidified in cooling oil. The solidified soft capsules are separated from the conveyor belt above the cooling oil tank by the collection funnel 24 at the bottom of the cooling column 22 and the pellet outlet pipe 25. The soft capsules flow into the collection container below through the conveyor belt, and the cooling oil flows to the cooling oil tank.

[0031] Adjust the nozzle 13 angle to 10° (5°-8° is suitable for low-density solutions (ρ<1.0g / cm³), and 9°-15° is suitable for high-density solutions (ρ≥1.0g / cm³)) to make the liquid column enter the cooling column 22 at an angle. Simultaneously, adjust the oil jet bend 32 angle to 50° (related to the nozzle 13 angle; when the nozzle angle is 5°-8°, the oil jet bend angle is 60°-80°; when the nozzle angle is 9°-15°, the oil jet bend angle is 10°-59°) to generate a jet. The combined effect of these two jets causes the droplets to be deflected by the horizontal component of the force, reducing the impact of gravity and the liquid impact on the bottom of the soft capsule, thus preventing the soft capsule from being thicker at the top and thinner at the bottom. The oblique jet causes the soft capsule to rotate continuously during cooling, ensuring that any uncooled liquid is evenly distributed circumferentially, preventing capsule misalignment.

[0032] The embodiments described in this specification are merely examples of implementations of the inventive concept. The scope of protection of this utility model should not be considered as limited to the specific forms described in the embodiments. The scope of protection of this utility model also extends to equivalent technical means that can be conceived by those skilled in the art based on the inventive concept.

Claims

1. An eccentric cooling device for soft capsules with oblique jet and adjustable nozzle, comprising a frame (4), a cooling column (22) provided on one side of the frame (4), an overflow groove (21) provided on the upper part of the cooling column (22), and a collection funnel (24) connected to the lower part, the cooling column (22) being placed entirely on a tripod support (23), characterized in that: A nozzle (13) and an oil jet bend (32) are provided above the cooling column (22). The nozzle (13) and the oil jet bend (32) are connected to the top of the frame (4) through a ball joint and a U-shaped clip (33), respectively. The spray direction of the oil jet bend (32) is inclined to the horizontal plane.

2. The oblique jet and adjustable nozzle eccentric cooling device for soft capsules according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball joint includes a ball cup (11) and a ball head assembled inside the ball cup (11). The nozzle (13) is threadedly connected to the ball head (12). The ball cup (11) has a two-lobed symmetrical structure.

3. The oblique jet and adjustable nozzle eccentric cooling device for soft capsules according to claim 2, characterized in that: The angle between the nozzle (13) outlet direction and the vertical direction is within the range of 5°-15°.

4. The oblique jet and adjustable nozzle eccentric cooling device for soft capsules according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ball head (12) and the ball bowl (11) are interference fit.

5. The oblique jet and adjustable nozzle eccentric cooling device for soft capsules according to claim 1, characterized in that: The U-shaped clip (33) fixes the oil jet elbow (32) in the semi-circular groove. The angle between the spray direction of the oil jet elbow (32) and the vertical direction is between 10° and 80°.

6. The oblique jet and adjustable nozzle eccentric cooling device for soft capsules according to claim 1, characterized in that: The U-shaped clip (33) is connected to the frame (4) via the L-shaped bracket (31). The L-shaped bracket (31) is provided with a waist-shaped hole for adjusting the relative distance between the oil jet elbow (32) and the nozzle (13).

7. The oblique jet and adjustable nozzle eccentric cooling device for soft capsules according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tripod (23) has a ring-shaped structure, and the feet are equipped with adjusting screws (26) for adjusting the level.

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