Machine for filling and sealing two-part capsules

Abstract

A machine for filling and sealing two-part capsules (C), in particular hard gelatin capsules, is proposed. The machine includes a capsule delivery device, which has receptacles ( 14 A), each for one capsule (C). The further includes at least one capsule expulsion station (XI), which has a capsule expulsion device ( 19 ) for axially expelling the capsules (C) from the respective receptacle ( 14 A); guide flaps ( 24 A, 24 B) which are individually controllable by means of an actuating device ( 39 ) and are pivotable relative to a pivot shaft ( 31 ) and are each assigned to one capsule receptacle ( 14 A) and which each have two guideways ( 33 A, 34 A), triggerable by means of the actuating device ( 39 ), for the respective associated capsules (A); and partitions, which separate the guideways ( 33 A, 34 A) of adjacent guide flaps ( 24 A, 24 B) from one another. The partitions are each an integrated component of one guide flap ( 24 A, 24 B) (FIG. 3 ).

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . In a machine for filling and sealing two-part capsules, in particular hard gelatin capsules, having a capsule delivery device, which has receptacles, each for one capsule, and having at least one capsule expulsion station, which includes 
 a capsule expulsion device for axially expelling the capsules each out of their respective receptacle;    guide flaps, individually controllable by means of an actuating device and pivotable with respect to a pivot shaft, which are each assigned to one capsule receptacle and each have two guideways, triggerable by means of the actuating device, for the respective associated capsules, and    partitions, which separate the guideways of adjacent guide flaps from one another,    the improvement wherein the partitions are each an integrated component of a respective guide flap.    
   
   
       10 . The machine in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the guide flaps are supported on a common pivot shaft.  
   
   
       11 . The machine in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein that the guide flaps cooperate with two rows of capsule receptacles.  
   
   
       12 . The machine in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein that the guide flaps cooperate with two rows of capsule receptacles.  
   
   
       13 . The machine in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein adjacent guide flaps are separated from one another across a gap, which is preferably defined by a step in the bearing region of at least one of the adjacent guide flaps.  
   
   
       14 . The machine in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein adjacent guide flaps are separated from one another across a gap, which is preferably defined by a step in the bearing region of at least one of the adjacent guide flaps.  
   
   
       15 . The machine in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein adjacent guide flaps are separated from one another across a gap, which is preferably defined by a step in the bearing region of at least one of the adjacent guide flaps.  
   
   
       16 . The machine in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising means for subjecting at least one of the guideways of each guide flap is subjected to suction.  
   
   
       17 . The machine in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the expulsion device comprises a plurality of tappets which are assigned one to each capsule receptacle.  
   
   
       18 . The machine in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the expulsion device comprises a plurality of tappets which are assigned one to each capsule receptacle.  
   
   
       19 . The machine in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the expulsion device comprises a plurality of tappets which are assigned one to each capsule receptacle.  
   
   
       20 . The machine in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the expulsion device comprises a plurality of tappets which are assigned one to each capsule receptacle.  
   
   
       21 . The machine in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the expulsion device comprises a plurality of tappets which are assigned one to each capsule receptacle.  
   
   
       22 . The machine in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the guide flaps are each triggerable by means of a respective pneumatic cylinder.  
   
   
       23 . The machine in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the guide flaps are each triggerable by means of a respective pneumatic cylinder.  
   
   
       24 . The machine in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the guide flaps are each triggerable by means of a respective pneumatic cylinder.  
   
   
       25 . The machine in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the guide flaps are each triggerable by means of a respective pneumatic cylinder.  
   
   
       26 . The machine in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the guide flaps are each triggerable by means of a respective pneumatic cylinder.  
   
   
       27 . The machine in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the guide flaps are each triggerable by means of a respective pneumatic cylinder.  
   
   
       28 . The machine in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the actuating device for the guide flaps cooperates with at least one inspection station for the capsules.