Apparatus for sealing and drying capsules, and a method for dismantling capsule carriers

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for sealing and drying capsules (12), comprising a sealing device (14) for sealing capsules (12) and a drying device (16) for drying capsules (12), the drying device (16) comprising a plurality of capsule carriers (18), a first chain (26) and a second chain (28) for receiving and transporting the capsule carriers (18), each capsule carrier (18) being coupled or couplable to the first chain (26) and to the second chain (28) by means of a snap-fit connection (30). The invention also relates to a method for dismantling capsule carriers (18) in such an apparatus (10).

Description

[0001] Title: Device for sealing and drying

[0002] Capsules and a method for disassembling capsule-inert

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to a device for sealing and drying capsules with features of claim 1 and a method for dismantling capsule carriers of such a device with features of the independent claim.

[0005] Capsules made of gelatin or those made from plant-based substitutes typically consist of two halves that are inserted together. In a pre-process, the capsules are usually filled with bulk medicinal materials, such as powder or pellets, with liquid substances for medical use, or with dietary supplements. For this purpose, the capsules, which are usually delivered sealed and inserted together, are opened, filled, and simply inserted back together.

[0006] The next step involves sealing the assembled capsules in a sealing machine. Here, the capsules are sealed at the seam between the two capsule halves, usually by adding an active substance to the seam or by permanently welding them to protect the product.

[0007] CN 107982066 A discloses such a sealing machine.

[0008] Within the sealing machine, the capsules are held in capsule carriers. The capsules are transported using the capsule carriers. After the capsules have been sealed, the capsule carriers, along with the capsules contained therein, are transported to a drying device. The still wet or moist sealing seam of the capsules can dry in the drying device. The capsule carriers are usually transported using two chains. The capsule carriers can be suspended between the two chains and secured from falling out solely by their own weight.

[0009] After sealing a batch of capsules (at the end of a

[0010] Batches) usually require cleaning of the entire sealing machine. For this purpose, all capsule carriers are dismantled, transported to a cleaning device, and cleaned. The cleaned capsule carriers must then be reinserted into the sealing machine.

[0011] The disadvantage is that assembling or disassembling the capsule carrier is often time-consuming and / or complicated.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for sealing and drying capsules and a method for disassembling capsule carriers of such a device, wherein the above disadvantages are eliminated.

[0013] This object is achieved by a device for sealing and drying capsules having the features of claim 1.

[0014] The capsules can be hard capsules made of gelatin or of substances of plant origin ( or other origins ) .

[0015] The device comprises a sealing device for sealing capsules and a drying device for drying capsules.

[0016] The drying device comprises several capsule carriers.

[0017] Each capsule carrier is elongated, has a first end, a second end, and a plurality of receptacles for receiving capsules. The receptacles can be arranged along the longitudinal extent of the individual capsule carriers, in particular along a straight line. Each receptacle can be configured to receive one capsule.

[0018] The drying device comprises a first chain and a second chain for receiving and transporting the capsule carriers.

[0019] The capsule carriers can be transported within the drying device using the two chains.

[0020] The first end of each capsule carrier is coupled or can be coupled (or connected or connectable) to the first chain by means of a snap connection (clip connection).

[0021] The second end of each capsule carrier is coupled or can be coupled (or connected or connectable) to the second chain by means of a snap connection (clip connection).

[0022] The snap connections are designed such that the capsule carriers can be rotated about a rotation axis when the snap connections are closed. The capsule carriers can be mounted so they can rotate about the respective rotation axis when they are coupled (or connected) to the two chains.

[0023] The snap connections can in particular be designed such that they can engage around an extension on the chains in a form-fitting manner. The engagement does not have to be completely encompassing. The engagement provides a form-fitting safeguard against separation of the snap connections and the extension simply by falling down. The form-fitting engagement can in particular be clamp-free. The snap connection therefore encloses the extension without gripping it in a force-fitting or clamping manner. In particular, the snap connections can be designed like clamps with expandable clamp arms. The snap connections can be pressed onto an extension on the chains so that the arms expand and snap back and engage around the extension in a form-fitting manner. The clamp arms are designed on their inner surfaces in particular to be complementary to the outer shape of the extensions on the chains.

[0024] The snap connections can be designed as ball joint connections with a snap ball and / or as ring snap connections with a snap cylinder.

[0025] The rotation axis of a capsule carrier can run along the central longitudinal axis of the respective capsule carrier or parallel to it. The rotation axis of a capsule carrier can run along the longitudinal extension of the capsule carrier.

[0026] The snap connections enable secure and easy assembly and disassembly of the capsule carriers. Assembly and disassembly of the capsule carriers is possible without tools. According to a further development, the first chain and the second chain can each have several extensions. The extensions can be pin-like or bolt-like (as bolts). The extensions can each be arranged on a bolt connecting two adjacent chain links of the first chain and / or the second chain.

[0027] The first end and the second end of the capsule carrier can each have a clamp (or clip). Each extension and clamp can form a snap connection.

[0028] This allows a snap connection to be implemented using simple means.

[0029] According to a further development, each extension can have a stop. The stop can be collar-like or flange-like around the respective extension, in particular around one end of an extension.

[0030] The stop can be configured such that, when the snap connection is closed, the stop engages behind the respective clamp of a capsule carrier, particularly in the axial direction. This allows the capsule carrier to be positively secured between the first chain and the second chain, particularly in the axial direction. This allows for positively securing the capsule carrier in all spatial directions, particularly in the axial direction (see below).

[0031] According to a further development, the drying device can comprise a plurality of gears. The gears can mesh with the chain links of the first chain and / or the second chain. The first and / or the second chain can be pulled over the gears. The first and / or the second chain can be moved in a circuit by means of the gears. The first chain and / or the second chain can be arranged in a slalom-like manner in the drying device by means of the gears. The first chain, the second chain and the gears can be designed as a chain tower.

[0032] By using the gear wheels, the path of the two chains can be designed flexibly within the drying device.

[0033] According to a further development, the device can comprise a feed device for feeding the capsules into the sealing device. In other words, the capsules can be fed to the sealing device by means of a feed device.

[0034] This eliminates the need for an additional machine for feeding the capsules. According to a further development, the drying device can comprise an ejection device. The ejection device can be configured to remove capsules from the receptacles of the capsule carriers or to eject them.

[0035] The ejection device can be configured to release the snap connections between a capsule carrier, the first chain, and the second chain. In other words, the coupling or...

[0036] The connection between the capsule carriers and the two chains must be released.

[0037] This allows the capsules to be automatically removed from the capsule holders. Furthermore, the capsule holders can be automatically released from the two chains.

[0038] According to a further development, the ejection device can comprise 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 rotationally fixed manner, in particular arranged on or on the shaft. The first gear can mesh with the chain links of the first chain. The second gear can mesh with the chain links of the second chain.

[0039] The shaft may have a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The first contact surface may be adjacent to the first gear. The second contact surface may be adjacent to the second gear. Each capsule carrier may have a contact surface in a region of its first end and in a region of its second end.

[0040] Each capsule carrier can contact at least one region of the first contact surface and at least one region of the second contact surface with at least one region of its respective contact surfaces, in particular with all of its respective contact surfaces, when the respective capsule carrier is moved around the shaft. In other words, each capsule carrier can rest at least partially with its contact surfaces on the first or second contact surface of the shaft when the respective capsule carrier is moved around the shaft.

[0041] The capsule carriers are then positively fixed, in particular at each of their ends, by means of the contact surface and the snap connection. The capsule carriers are then coupled to the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. Due to the resulting rotation of the capsule carriers around the shaft, the capsules can fall out of the receptacles of the capsule carrier due to gravity. In other words, the capsule carriers can be rotated in such a way that the capsules can fall out of the receptacles of the capsule carrier due to gravity.

[0042] As a result, the capsules can be removed from the receptacles of the capsule carrier using simple means, in particular in an automated manner. According to a further development, the shaft can comprise a sleeve, a first flange and a second flange. The sleeve can be cylindrical, in particular circular-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 radially outwards. The sleeve can be arranged between the first flange and the second flange.

[0043] The sleeve, the first flange, and the second flange may be coupled together such that rotation of the sleeve relative to the shaft causes axial movement of the first flange and the second flange between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first flange and the second flange may be minimally spaced from each other. In the second position, the first flange and the second flange may be maximally spaced from each other.

[0044] Rotating the sleeve relative to the shaft in a first direction of rotation can cause the first flange and the second flange to move axially towards one another. Rotating the sleeve relative to the shaft in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation can cause the first flange and the second flange to move axially away from one another. The shaft can comprise several, in particular two, flexible elements. The flexible elements can be designed as O-rings.

[0045] The flexible elements, the first flange, and the second flange can be configured and arranged such that movement of the first flange and the second flange into the first position causes radial inward movement of the flexible elements. Movement of the first flange and the second flange into the first position can cause a reduction in diameter of the flexible elements.

[0046] The flexible elements, the first flange, and the second flange can be configured and arranged such that movement of the first and second flanges into the second position causes radial outward movement of the flexible elements. Movement of the first flange and second flange into the second position can cause an increase in the diameter of the flexible elements.

[0047] The shaft can be configured such that, when the first flange and the second flange are arranged in the second position, the flexible elements move the capsule carriers radially outward as the capsule carriers are moved around the shaft. This allows the snap connections to be released. The capsule carriers can be pressed out of the snap connections by means of the flexible elements. This allows the snap connections to be released automatically, and thus the capsule carriers to be released from the first and second chains.

[0048] The shaft can be rotated about a rotational axis. The rotational axis of the shaft can run along a central longitudinal axis of the shaft or parallel to it.

[0049] In this context, "axial" or "axial direction" refers to a direction aligned along the central longitudinal axis 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. Similarly, "radial" or "radial direction" refers to a direction aligned perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the shaft and emanating from the central longitudinal axis of the shaft.

[0050] According to a further development, the first flange can be coupled to the sleeve by means of a screw connection, in particular with a left-hand thread. The second flange can be coupled to the sleeve by means of a screw connection, in particular with a right-hand thread. This allows the coupling between the sleeve and the two flanges described above to be implemented using simple means. The first flange and the second flange can each be coupled to the sleeve pneumatically, hydraulically and / or electrically. According to a further development, the ejection device can comprise a switch. The switch can be set up in such a way that the capsule carriers can be detached from the first chain and / or the second chain by means of the switch. The capsule carriers can be detached by means of the switch.

[0051] According to a further development, the ejection device can comprise at least one inflatable hollow ring, in particular a plurality of inflatable hollow rings. The ejection device can comprise at least one, in particular a plurality of, hub extension means. The hollow ring, in particular the hollow rings, and / or the hub extension means, in particular the hub extension means, can be designed such that they can enlarge the hub diameter of the shaft. The hollow ring (or the hollow rings) and / or the hub extension means (or the hub extension means) can be arranged on the shaft.

[0052] Other technical measures that can increase the hub diameter of the shaft are also conceivable.

[0053] According to a further development, the ejection device can comprise a chute. The chute can be designed to guide or direct the capsules removed from the receptacles of the capsule carriers out of the device. The capsules falling out of the receptacles of the capsule carriers due to gravity can land in the chute. The chute can also be designed to guide or direct the capsule carriers released from the first chain and the second chain out of the device. The capsule carriers released from the two chains can fall into the chute due to gravity.

[0054] The slide may be arranged below the shaft with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0055] This allows both the capsules and the capsule carriers to be removed from the device using simple means.

[0056] The above object is further achieved by a method for dismantling (or detaching) capsule carriers of a device according to the above statements.

[0057] The procedure includes the following steps:

[0058] Providing the device, wherein the capsule carriers are coupled to the first chain and the second chain by means of the snap connections.

[0059] Exerting a (relative) force on the individual capsule carriers in order to release (or open) the respective snap connection and to detach the capsule carriers from the first chain and the second chain. Regarding the advantages achievable with the method, reference is made to the relevant explanations of the device. The measures described in connection with the device and / or those explained below can be used to further refine the method.

[0060] According to a further development, the procedure may include the step :

[0061] Moving the capsule carriers by means of the first chain and the second chain along a circular path or along a circular segment, in particular around a shaft.

[0062] Exerting a (relative) force directed radially outwards from a center of the circular path or the circular segment onto the capsule carriers in order to open or release the snap connections and to release the capsule carriers from the first chain and the second chain.

[0063] According to a further development, the procedure may include the step :

[0064] Fixing the capsule carriers in such a way that rotation about the respective axis of rotation of the capsule carriers is prevented due to gravity while the capsule carriers are moved along the circular path or along the circular segment, in particular around a shaft.

[0065] According to a further development, the method can comprise the step of: guiding or directing out the capsule carriers released from the first chain and the second chain from the device, in particular by means of a chute.

[0066] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0067] Fig. 1 is a front view of a device for sealing and drying capsules;

[0068] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a capsule carrier of the device according to Figure 1;

[0069] Fig. 3 shows a section of a sectional view of the capsule carrier according to Figure 2;

[0070] Fig. 4 shows an enlarged section of Figure 1;

[0071] Fig. 5 shows a section of a perspective view of a shaft of a drying device of the device according to Figure 1;

[0072] Fig. 6 shows a section of a sectional view of the shaft according to Fig. 5; Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the shaft according to Fig. 5 with a first flange and a second flange in a first position;

[0073] Fig. 8 shows an enlarged section of Figure 7;

[0074] Fig . 9 an enlarged section of a

[0075] Sectional view of the shaft of Figure 5 with the first flange and the second flange in a second position and

[0076] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the shaft according to Figure 5 and a slide.

[0077] In the following description and in the figures, corresponding components and elements bear the same reference symbols. For the sake of clarity, not all reference symbols are shown in all figures.

[0078] Figure 1 shows a front view of a device 10 for sealing and drying capsules 12. The device 10 comprises a sealing device 14 for sealing capsules 12 and a drying device 16 for drying the capsules 12. The device 10 also comprises a feed device 40 for feeding the capsules 12 into the sealing device 14.

[0079] The already filled and closed capsules 12 are sealed in the sealing device 14. After sealing the capsules 12, they are dried in the drying device 16.

[0080] The drying device 16 has a plurality of capsule carriers 18. The capsules 12 are received and transported in the drying device 16 by means of the capsule carriers 18.

[0081] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a capsule carrier 18 of the device 10 according to Figure 1. The capsule carriers 18 are each elongated and each have a first end 20 and a second end 22. The capsule carriers 18 each have a plurality of receptacles 24. The receptacles 24 are arranged next to one another or one behind the other along the longitudinal extent of the respective capsule carrier 18.

[0082] The drying device 16 further comprises a first chain 26 and a second chain 28 for receiving and transporting the capsule carriers 18 (cf. e.g. Figures 1, 5 or 10). Each capsule carrier 18 is coupled or connected with its first end 20 to the first chain 26 and with its second end 22 to the second chain 28. For transporting the capsule carriers 18, the drying device 16 has a plurality of gear wheels 38. The two chains 26, 28 are moved in a slalom-like manner in a circuit by means of a plurality of gear wheels 38 in the drying device 16 (cf. Figure 1).

[0083] The capsule carriers 18 are coupled or connected to the two chains 26, 28 by means of a snap connection 30. For this purpose, each capsule carrier 18 has a clamp 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 that correspond to the clamps 34 of the capsule carriers 18. In other words, the clamps 34 of the capsule carriers 18 and the extensions 32 of the two chains 26, 28 each form a snap connection 30.

[0084] Figure 3 shows a section of a sectional view of the capsule carrier 18 according to Figure 2. Two capsules 12 are shown accommodated in the receptacles 24 of the capsule carrier 18 shown. The capsule carrier 18 shown is coupled or connected with its first end 20 or with the clamp 34 arranged at the first end 20 to the illustrated extension 32 of the first chain 26. The first chain 26 or its chain links are not shown in Figure 3 for the sake of clarity.

[0085] In the present case, the extension 32 forms an extension of a bolt 33, which connects or couples two adjacent chain links of the first chain 26. The extension 32 and the bolt 33 are formed as a single piece.

[0086] When connected or coupled to the two chains 26, 28 (i.e., when the snap connections 30 are closed), the capsule carriers 18 are each rotatable about a rotation axis 31. The rotatable mounting of the capsule carriers 18 is formed by the snap connections 30. The rotation axes 31 of the capsule carriers 18 each extend parallel to the longitudinal extent of the respective capsule carrier 18 (see Figure 2).

[0087] In the present case, the extension 32 has a stop 36 which is flange-like (or collar-like) around one end of the extension 32. The stop 36 prevents the snap connection 30 from being released or opened by a movement of the extension 32 or the capsule carrier 18 along the rotation axis 31 (to the left or right in Figure 3).

[0088] The drying device 16 also has an ejection device 42.

[0089] Figure 4 shows an enlarged section of Figure 1. Figure 4 shows the ejection device 42. The ejection device 42 has a shaft 44. The shaft 44 has a first gear 46 and a second gear 48. The first gear 46 meshes with the first chain 26 (or with its chain links). The second gear 48 meshes with the second chain 28 (or with its chain links). This moves or transports the capsule carriers 18 coupled to the two chains 26, 28 around the shaft 44 (see Figure 7).

[0090] Figure 5 shows a section of a perspective view of the shaft 44. Figure 5 illustrates how the capsule carriers 18 are moved around the shaft 44. The capsule carriers 18 are rotated about the respective rotation axis 31 such that the capsules 12 can fall out of the receptacles 24 of the capsule carriers 18 due to gravity. The capsules 12 are not shown for clarity.

[0091] Figure 6 shows a section of a sectional view of the shaft 44 according to Figure 5. The shaft 44 is designed to rotate about a rotational axis 37 (see Figure 7). The capsule carriers 18 are moved along a circular path or a circular segment 35 around the shaft 44. The capsule carriers 18 are thus at least temporarily rotationally coupled to the shaft 44. The capsule carriers 18 are thus moved about the rotational axis 37 (see Figure 7) of the shaft 44.

[0092] The capsule carriers 18 are pressed onto the shaft 44 by means of the first chain 26 and the second chain 28 (or by means of the snap connections 30 with the two chains 26, 28), whereby a (at least temporarily) rotationally fixed coupling is established between the shaft 44 and the respective capsule carriers 18.

[0093] For this purpose, the shaft 44 has a first contact surface 50 and a second contact surface 52 (cf. Figures 7 and 8). Each capsule carrier 18 has a contact surface 54 in an area of ​​its first end 20 and in an area of ​​its second end. The capsule carriers 18 are positively fixed or held between the respective snap connection 30 and the contact surfaces 54 or the contact surfaces 50, 52, while the capsule carriers 18 are moved about the shaft 44. Figure 7 shows a sectional view of the shaft 44 according to Figure 5 and Figure 8 shows an enlarged section of Figure 7. The shaft 44 has a sleeve 56, a first flange 58 and a second flange 60. The first contact surface 50 borders on the first flange 58 and the second contact surface 52 borders on the second flange 60.

[0094] In this case, the sleeve 56 is arranged coaxially with the shaft 44 and surrounds it radially outward. The two flanges 58, 60 are designed to be axially movable and are also arranged coaxially with the shaft 44.

[0095] In this case, the sleeve 56 is non-rotatably coupled to the shaft 44 by means of a frictional connection. In other words, the sleeve 56 rotates with the shaft 44 about the rotation axis 37. Alternatively or additionally, the sleeve 56 can be non-rotatably coupled to the shaft 44 by means of a positive connection by means of at least one coupling element (not shown).

[0096] The sleeve 56 can in the present case be rotated relative to the shaft 44 about the axis of rotation 37. This can be implemented, for example, by applying a force which overcomes the frictional connection between the sleeve 56 and the shaft 44. If the sleeve 56 is connected to the shaft 44 by means of at least one coupling element, this connection must first be released so that the sleeve 56 can be rotated relative to the shaft 44. The sleeve 56 is coupled to the two flanges 58 and 60 by means of a screw connection 68. For this purpose, the sleeve 56 has a left-hand thread in a region of its first end and a right-hand thread in a region of its second end, opposite the first end. Rotation of the sleeve 56 in a first direction of rotation therefore causes the two flanges 58, 60 to move axially towards one another.A rotation of the sleeve 56 in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation causes the two flanges 58, 60 to move axially away from each other.

[0097] The two flanges 58, 60 can be moved axially between a first position 62 shown in Figure 7 and a second position 64 shown in Figure 9. In the first position 62, the two flanges 58, 60 are minimally spaced from each other. In the second position 64, the two flanges 58, 60 are maximally spaced from each other.

[0098] Figure 9 shows an enlarged section of a sectional view of the shaft 44 from Figure 5, wherein the first flange 58 and the second flange 60 are arranged in the second position 64.

[0099] The shaft 44 comprises two flexible elements 66, which in this case are designed as O-rings. The flexible elements 66 are arranged coaxially with the shaft 44.

[0100] Moving the two flanges 58, 60 into the first position 62 (towards each other) has the effect that the two flexible elements 66 do not protrude radially outwards beyond the contact surfaces 50, 52 of the shaft 44. In other words, the two contact surfaces 50, 52 are aligned in the axial direction with the radial outer side (or radial outer circumference) of the flexible elements 66. The two contact surfaces 50, 52 of the shaft 44 and the radial outer diameter of the two flexible elements 66 are therefore the same. This allows the capsule carriers 18 to rest with their contact surfaces 54 on the two contact surfaces 50, 52 (cf. Figures 5 to 8).

[0101] Moving the two flanges 58, 60 into the second position 64 (away from each other) causes the two flexible elements 66 to be moved radially outwards. The radial outer side (radial outer circumference) of the flexible elements 66 projects radially outwards beyond the contact surfaces 50, 52 of the shaft 44. The radial outer diameter of the two flexible elements 66 is therefore larger than the diameter of the two contact surfaces 50, 52 of the shaft 44. In the present case, the diameter of the flexible elements 66 designed as O-rings is increased by the movement of the two flanges 58, 60 into the second position 64.

[0102] The flexible elements 66 thus press the capsule carriers 18, as they are moved around the shaft 44, radially outwards and out of the respective snap connection 30, so that the respective snap connection 30 is released or opened. The capsule carriers 18 are thus released from the two chains 26, 28. In order to enlarge the diameter of the flexible elements 66, which are designed as O-rings, the shaft 44 has two pressure surfaces 39 which are oriented obliquely with respect to the axis of rotation 37 (cf. e.g. Figure 8). When the two flanges 58, 60 are moved into the second position 64, these press on the flexible elements 66 and also move them axially away from one another. Due to the obliquely oriented pressure surfaces 39, the two flexible elements 66 are forced into a radial outward movement. In other words, the diameter of the flexible elements 66 designed as O-rings is widened (enlarged) at the obliquely oriented pressure surfaces 39.The axial and radial movement of the two flexible elements 66 are superimposed on each other.

[0103] If the two flanges 58, 60 are moved into the first position 62 (towards each other), the restoring force of the flexible elements 66 (due to the flexibility of the flexible elements) forces them radially inwards. In other words, the flexible elements 66 designed as O-rings contract again and thereby reduce their respective diameters. Due to the obliquely oriented pressure surfaces 39, the flexible elements 66 are forced into an axial movement towards each other. Here, too, the axial and radial movement of the two flexible elements 66 are superimposed on one another.

[0104] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the shaft 44 according to Figure 5. The ejection device 42 has a chute 70. By means of the chute 70, both the capsules 12 and the capsule carriers 18 can be guided out of the device 10. In this case, the capsules 12 or the capsule carriers 18 fall onto the chute 70 due to gravity and slide out of the device 10 on the chute 70.

[0105] During operation of the device 10, the two flanges 58, 60 are arranged in the first position 62 (cf. Figure 7). To dismantle the capsule carriers 18, the two flanges 58, 60 are moved into the second position 64. This is implemented by rotating the sleeve 56 about the axis of rotation 37 relative to the shaft 44. When the two flanges 58, 60 are arranged in the second position 64, the flexible elements 66 designed as O-rings have an enlarged diameter. The two flexible elements 66 therefore project radially outwards beyond the two contact surfaces 50, 52. This essentially increases the hub diameter of the shaft 44.

[0106] When the capsule carriers 18 are now moved around the shaft 44 by means of the two chains 26, 28, they are pressed by the two chains 26, 28 against the flexible elements 66 projecting radially outwards. In the process, a radially outward-directed force is exerted on the capsule carriers 18, so that the capsule carriers 18 are pressed out of the respective snap connections 30 (due to this radially outward-acting force). As soon as the snap connections 30 are released or opened, the capsule carriers 18 can fall off the two chains 26, 28 due to gravity. The capsule carriers 18 then land in the chute 70, which is arranged below the shaft 44 in the direction of gravity 41.

Claims

Patent claims Device (10) for sealing and drying capsules (12) comprising: a sealing device (14) for sealing capsules (12) and a drying device (16) for drying capsules (12), wherein the drying device (16) comprises: a plurality of capsule carriers (18), wherein each Capsule carrier (18) is elongated, has a first end (20), a second end (22) and a plurality of receptacles (24) for receiving capsules (12), a first chain (26) and a second chain (28) for receiving and transporting the capsule carriers (18), wherein the first end (20) of each capsule carrier (18) is or can be coupled to the first chain (26) by means of a snap connection (30), wherein the second end (22) of each capsule carrier (18) is or can be coupled to the second chain (28) by means of a snap connection (30), wherein the snap connections (30) are designed such that the capsule carriers (18), when the snap connections (30) are closed, can be rotated about a rotation axis (31). Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) each have a plurality of, in particular bolt-shaped, extensions (32), wherein the first end (20) and the second end (22) of the capsule carrier (18) each have a clamp (34), wherein in each case an extension (32) and a clamp (34) form a snap connection (30). Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each extension (32) has a stop (36), wherein the stop (36), when the snap connection (30) is closed, engages behind the respective clamp (34) of a capsule carrier (18), so that the capsule carriers (18) are fixed, in particular axially, in a form-fitting manner between the first chain (26) and the second chain (28). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drying device (16) comprises a plurality of gear wheels (38), wherein the gear wheels (38) mesh with the chain links of the first chain (26) and / or the second chain (28). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) comprises a feed device (40) for feeding the capsules (12) into the sealing device (14). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drying device (16) comprises an ejection device (42), wherein the ejection device (42) is configured to remove capsules (12) from the receptacles (24) of the capsule carriers (18) and wherein the ejection device (42) is configured to release the snap connections (30) between the capsule carriers (18), the first chain (26), and the second chain (26).Device (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 rotationally fixed manner and are connected to the chain links of the first chain (26) and the. second chain (28), wherein the shaft (44) comprises a first contact surface (50), which in particular adjoins the first gear (46), and a second contact surface (52), which in particular adjoins the second gear (48), wherein each capsule carrier (18) has a contact surface (54) in a region of its first end (20) and in a region of its second end (22), wherein, when a capsule carrier (18) is moved around the shaft (44), the capsule carrier (18) at least with a region of its respective contact surfaces (54), in particular with its entire respective Contact surfaces (54), at least one region of the first contact surface (50) and at least one region of the second contact surface (52). Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shaft (44) comprises a, in particular circular-cylindrical, sleeve (56), 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 arranged coaxially, 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 one another in such a way that rotation of the sleeve (56) relative to the shaft (44) causes an axial movement of the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) between a first position (62), in which the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are minimally spaced from one another, and a second position (64), in which the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are maximally spaced from one another, wherein the shaft (44) comprises several, in particular two, flexible elements (66), in particular O-rings, wherein the flexible elements (66), the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are designed and arranged in such a way that a movement of the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) into the first position (62) causes a radial Movement of the flexible elements (66) radially inwards,in particular a reduction in the diameter of the flexible elements (66), and that a movement of the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) into the second position (64) causes a radial movement of the flexible elements (66) radially outward, in particular an increase in the diameter of the flexible elements (66), wherein the shaft (44) and the capsule supports (18) are configured such that, when the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are arranged in the second position (64), the flexible elements (66) move the capsule supports (18) radially outward when the capsule supports (18) are moved about the shaft (44), so that the snap connections (30) are released. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first flange (58) is coupled to the sleeve (56) by means of a screw connection (68), in particular with a left-hand thread, wherein the second flange (60) is coupled to the sleeve (56) by means of a screw connection (68), in particular with a right-hand thread, in particular wherein the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are each pneumatically, hydraulically and / or electrically coupled to the sleeve (56).Device (10) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the ejection device (42) comprises a switch, wherein the switch is configured such that the capsule carriers (18) can be detached from the first chain (26) and / or the second chain (28) by means of the switch. Device (10) according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the ejection device. (42) comprises 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 extension means, wherein the hollow ring, in particular the hollow rings, and / or the hub extension means, in particular the hub extension means, are configured such that they can increase the hub diameter of the shaft (44). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ejection device (42) comprises a chute (70), wherein the chute (70) is configured to guide the capsules (12) removed from the receptacles (24) of the capsule carriers (18) out of the device (10), wherein the chute (70) is additionally configured to guide the capsule carriers (18) removed from the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) out of the device (10).Method for dismantling capsule carriers (18) of a device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising the steps of:. Providing the device (10), wherein the capsule carriers (18) are coupled to the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) by means of the snap connections (30), Exerting a force on the individual capsule carriers (18) to release the respective snap connection (30) and to release the capsule carriers (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 step: Moving the capsule carriers (18) by means of the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) along a circular path or along a circular segment, in particular around a shaft (44), Exerting a force directed radially outwards from a center of the circular path or the circular segment onto the capsule carriers in order to open the snap connections (30) and to release the capsule carriers (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 step: Fixing the capsule carriers (18) in such a way that rotation about the respective rotation axis (31) due to gravity is prevented while the capsule carriers (18) are moved along the circular path or along the circular segment, in particular around a shaft (44).

16. Method according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the method comprises the step: Leading out the capsule carriers (18) released from the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) from the device (10), in particular by means of a chute (70).

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