Apparatus for and method of sealing capsules

Abstract

A method is disclosed for the sealing of hard shell capsules having coaxial body parts which overlap when telescopically joined. Also described is an apparatus to seal the capsules. The method comprises the steps of holding the capsule in a precise and upright position and injecting a known quantity of sealing fluid in the overlap of the body parts. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sealing clamp ( 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 ) to hold the capsule in an upright position and means ( 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65 ) to inject the sealing fluid in the overlap of the body parts.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for sealing a pharmaceutically-acceptable hard shell capsule having coaxial body parts which overlap when telescopically joined, the apparatus comprising:
 a sealing clamp to clamp and hold the capsule in an upright position; and   means to inject a sealing fluid in the overlap of the body parts of the capsule,   wherein the pharmaceutically-acceptable capsule concerns both chemical and physical properties.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the means to inject the sealing fluid are injection ports in the sealing clamp. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the sealing clamp comprises liquid recovery grooves. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the sealing clamp comprises an airing and a suction port. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the sealing clamp has a liquid injection groove.