| abstract |
Apparatus for manufacturing pharmaceutical capsules uses an aqueous solution of a thermogelling cellulose ether composition, and uses capsule body pins and capsule cap pins as molds. The apparatus heats the pins, dips the pins into the solution to cause the solution to gelatinize on the surface of the pins, and dries the gelatinized solution on the surface of the pins to form capsule bodies and caps. The apparatus provides differential heating and supplemental heating of the pins before dipping, and directed radiant heating after dipping. The apparatus provides counterflow air for drying. The apparatus removes parts from pins by gripping. The pins are smaller than pins used to make gelatin capsules of the same size number. |