DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to tamping assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a tamping assembly for tamping of a powder/filler in a capsule filling machine.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Capsules containing pharmaceutical formulations in the form of products such as micro-tablets, mini tablets, tablets, caplets, soft gels, pellets, spherical balls and filled capsules are known and generally used for controlled drug delivery. Capsule filling machines are widely used to precisely fill such pharmaceutical formulations in gelatine capsules.
[0004] Typically, a capsule filling machine includes a central turret or carousel with capsule handling units and plurality of processing or operating stations positioned around periphery of the turret. The turret rotates intermittently, carrying the capsule handling unit to each of the processing or operating stations. Each of the processing stations have equipment or machinery to carry out a dedicated operation. Such operations include capsule loading, capsule opening, capsule filling-powder filling or pellet filling, capsule closing, capsule rejection and capsule ejection.
[0005] Equipment or machinery at the processing station for powder filling comprises a tamping assembly. The tamping assembly comprises of a hopper, a container, a dosing disc, a bottom plate, and plurality of set of top tamping plungers. The powder to be filled in the capsules is first loaded into a hopper which is then transferred to the container. The dosing disc is provided with a plurality of sets of through vertical passages, which are equidistantly placed around the periphery of the dosing disc. The bottom plate is provided below the dosing disc so as to close the vertical passages in the dosing disc at the bottom thereof expect the vertical passages which align with the capsule handling unit.
[0006] A plurality of sets of vertical plungers (pistons) are mounted above the dosing disc and disposed in the same layout as the sets of vertical passages in the dosing disc. The plungers are mounted on a movable platform, whereby the movable platform is lifted or lowered to move the plungers up and down.
[0007] In a cycle of operation of the typical capsule filling machine, one set of vertical passages of the dosing disc is filled up with the powdery product and respective set of plungers move down and press the powdery product to form a slug into the corresponding sets of vertical passages and, the dosing disc is indexed by a predetermined angle to align the vertical passages with next set of vertical plungers. The operation discussed hereinbefore is repeated in stages to form slug in layers or stages of increased quantity until the same set of the vertical passages indexes and aligns itself with the second to last (penultimate) set of vertical plungers and is completely filled with the powdery product to the required dose. At the last stage the slug is delivered into a capsule bottom. This is called the tamping operation. Following this the plungers move up and the carousels rotate by a predetermined angle. This is called the indexing operation. The said set of the vertical passages among the remaining set of vertical passages filled with the powdery product, moves back to its original/initial position, the capsule bottoms are closed with the capsule tops in the respective upper capsule holder and the closed capsules are expelled from the capsule handling carousel.
[0008] FIG 1 illustrates a typical tamping assembly as per prior-art. The tamping assembly 100 includes a dosing disc 110, a bottom plate 120 disposed below the dosing disc, and tamping plungers 130 disposed above the dosing disc. In order to ensure rotation of the dosing disc over the bottom plate with limited sliding friction during indexing a clearance or gap is provided between the dosing disc and the bottom plate.
[0009] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a gap A is provided between the dosing disc 110 and the bottom plate 120 to allow rotation of the dosing disc 110. During the tamping and indexing operations, the powdery product in the vertical passages in the dosing disc 110 escape into the gap/clearance A between the dosing disc 110 and the bottom plate 120, and is lost. This is called powder dusting. Due to powder dusting there is loss of the powdery product resulting in economic loss. The accuracy in the volume of the doses and reliability of the machine are also affected. The presence of the bottom plate 120 in the typical tamping assembly makes it difficult to perform cleaning and servicing operation in typical tamping assembly.
[0010] There is, therefore, a need for a tamping assembly for a capsule filling machine addressing at-least aforementioned problems, which minimizes loss of powder or filler material during tamping process, and have reduced number of reciprocating elements and eliminating the need of a bottom plate to provide ease in cleaning and servicing, and which also provides synchronized rotation of the dosing disc with the in and out movement of the vertical plunger in the dosing disc.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0011] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a tamping assembly for a capsule filling machine.
[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a tamping assembly, which provides synchronized/calibrated rotation of the dosing disc with in and out movement of plunger in the dosing disc.
[0014] It is an object of the present disclosure to minimize loss of powder/filler material during the tamping process in the taming assembly.
[0015] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a driving mechanism in the tamping assembly, which enables linear movement of moving members upon rotation of the dosing disc.
[0016] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a tamping assembly, which has different set of plungers that may have different height, tamping force, and provide same or different stroke.
[0017] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a tamping assembly with reduced number of reciprocating components, to provide ease in cleaning and servicing of the tamping assembly.
[0018] It is an object of the present disclosure to eliminate need for a support plate in a tamping assembly, and reduce the number of reciprocating components, to make the tamping assembly economical and efficient, and provide ease in cleaning and servicing of the tamping assembly.

SUMMARY
[0019] The present disclosure relates to tamping assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a tamping assembly for tamping of a powder/filler in a capsule filling machine.
[0020] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a tamping assembly comprising: a dosing disc provided with a plurality of first holes and adapted to get at least partially covered with a filler material to be tamped; one or more movable platforms positioned above the dosing disc and comprising a set of plungers, the one or more movable platforms may be configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position may correspond to a lifted position where the set of plungers is at a predefined height above the dosing disc, and the second position may correspond to a lowered position such that the set of plungers are at least partially disposed in the plurality of first holes; and one or more moving members provided with a plurality of second holes and configured to move between a third position and a fourth position, wherein the third position may correspond to a closed position where a bottom end of the plurality of first holes are closed by the one or more moving members, and wherein the movement of the set of plungers towards the second position when the one or more moving members are in the third position may facilitate compression of the filler material in the corresponding first holes to form a slug; and wherein the fourth position may correspond to an opened position where the plurality of second holes are aligned with the plurality of first holes and allows any or a combination of the filler material, and the slug to discharge through the corresponding first holes and the second holes.
[0021] In an aspect, the dosing disc may be configured to rotate by a predetermined angle when the set of the plungers moves from the second position to the first position, and wherein the dosing disc may be configured to stop rotating when the set of the plungers moves from the first position to the second position.
[0022] In an aspect, a bottom surface of the dosing disc may comprise one or more sections, and wherein the tamping assembly may comprise one or more fixed members movably coupled to the one or more moving members and may be configured in the one or more sections such that no gap is present between the one or more moving members and the one or more sections of the dosing disc.
[0023] In an aspect, the dosing disc may be rotatably mounted on a shaft and configured to rotate about a first axis along a coaxial length of the shaft, and wherein the one or more fixed members and the one or more moving members may be configured to rotate along with the dosing disc about the first axis.
[0024] In an aspect, the tamping assembly may comprise a drive mechanism operatively coupled between the shaft and the one or more moving members such that the rotation of the shaft about the first axis enables movement of the one or more moving members between the third position and the fourth position.
[0025] In an aspect, the tamping assembly may comprise a first driving unit operatively coupled to the shaft and may be configured to enable rotation of the dosing disc about the first axis.
[0026] In an aspect, the tamping assembly may comprise a second driving unit operatively coupled to the one or more movable platforms and may be configured to move the one or more movable platforms between the first position and the second position.
[0027] In an aspect, the tamping assembly may comprise a control unit operatively coupled to the first driving unit and the second driving unit, and may be configured to transmit a set of control signals to the first driving unit and the second driving unit to calibrate the rotation of the dosing disc with the movement of the one or more moving member, and the movement of the set of plungers.
[0028] In an aspect, the drive mechanism may comprise: an actuator coupled to the shaft; an engaging member coupled to the actuator such that the rotation of the shaft facilitates linear movement of the engaging member; and an actuation block configured between the engaging member and the one or more moving members such that the linear movement of the engaging member may enable the one or more moving members to move between the third position and the fourth position.
[0029] In an aspect, any or a combination of the one or more fixed members, and the one or more moving members may be configured to provide support to the dosing disc.
[0030] In an aspect, the one or more fixed members may be provided with a plurality of third holes such that the plurality of first holes corresponding to each of the one or more sections of the dosing disc may be in line with the corresponding third holes, and wherein radii of the plurality of first holes, the plurality of second holes and the plurality of third holes may have same as the radius of the set of plungers.
[0031] In an aspect, the tamping assembly may comprise a set of sliding rods biased between the one or more moving members and the one or more fixed members by one or more springs to restrict the one or more moving members at the third position.
[0032] In an aspect, the tamping assembly may comprise a filler material container to supply the filler material for at least partially covering any or a combination of an upper surface of the dosing disc, and the plurality of first holes, and wherein the filler material container is enclosing the dosing disc.
[0033] In an aspect, the set of plungers associated with each of the one or more movable platforms may have different plunger attributes comprising any or a combination of height, radius, tamping force, and strokes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0035] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical tamping assembly as per prior-art.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary capsule filling machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG, 3 illustrates an embodiment of the proposed tamping assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIG, 4 illustrates an exploded view of the proposed tamping assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] FIG, 5 illustrates a top view of a dosing disc of the proposed tamping assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0041] FIG, 6 illustrates a bottom view of the dosing disc of the proposed tamping assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
[0042] FIG, 7 illustrates an exemplary support member of the proposed tamping assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0044] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0045] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0046] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0047] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[0048] In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, devices, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” or other like terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.
[0049] The present disclosure relates to tamping assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a tamping assembly for tamping of a powder/filler in a capsule filling machine.
[0050] According to an aspect the present disclosure elaborates upon a tamping assembly including: a dosing disc provided with a plurality of first holes and adapted to get at least partially covered with a filler material to be tamped; one or more movable platforms positioned above the dosing disc and including a set of plungers, the one or more movable platforms can be configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position can correspond to a lifted position where the set of plungers is at a predefined height above the dosing disc, and the second position can correspond to a lowered position such that the set of plungers are at least partially disposed in the plurality of first holes; and one or more moving members provided with a plurality of second holes and configured to move between a third position and a fourth position, wherein the third position can correspond to a closed position where a bottom end of the plurality of first holes are closed by the one or more moving members, and wherein the movement of the set of plungers towards the second position when the one or more moving members are in the third position can facilitate compression of the filler material in the corresponding first holes to form a slug; and wherein the fourth position can correspond to an opened position where the plurality of second holes are aligned with the plurality of first holes and allows any or a combination of the filler material, and the slug to discharge through the corresponding first holes and the second holes.
[0051] In an embodiment, the dosing disc can be configured to rotate by a predetermined angle when the set of the plungers moves from the second position to the first position, and wherein the dosing disc can be configured to stop rotating when the set of the plungers moves from the first position to the second position.
[0052] In an embodiment, a bottom surface of the dosing disc can include one or more sections, and wherein the tamping assembly can include one or more fixed members movably coupled to the one or more moving members and can be configured in the one or more sections such that no gap is present between the one or more moving members and the one or more sections of the dosing disc.
[0053] In an embodiment, the dosing disc can be rotatably mounted on a shaft and configured to rotate about a first axis along a coaxial length of the shaft, and wherein the one or more fixed members and the one or more moving members can be configured to rotate along with the dosing disc about the first axis.
[0054] In an embodiment, the tamping assembly can include a drive mechanism operatively coupled between the shaft and the one or more moving members such that the rotation of the shaft about the first axis enables movement of the one or more moving members between the third position and the fourth position.
[0055] In an embodiment, the tamping assembly can include a first driving unit operatively coupled to the shaft and can be configured to enable rotation of the dosing disc about the first axis.
[0056] In an embodiment, the tamping assembly can include a second driving unit operatively coupled to the one or more movable platforms and can be configured to move the one or more movable platforms between the first position and the second position.
[0057] In an embodiment, the tamping assembly can include a control unit operatively coupled to the first driving unit and the second driving unit, and can be configured to transmit a set of control signals to the first driving unit and the second driving unit to calibrate the rotation of the dosing disc with the movement of the one or more moving member, and the movement of the set of plungers.
[0058] In an embodiment, the drive mechanism can include: an actuator coupled to the shaft; an engaging member coupled to the actuator such that the rotation of the shaft facilitates linear movement of the engaging member; and an actuation block configured between the engaging member and the one or more moving members such that the linear movement of the engaging member can enable the one or more moving members to move between the third position and the fourth position.
[0059] In an embodiment, any or a combination of the one or more fixed members, and the one or more moving members can be configured to provide support to the dosing disc.
[0060] In an embodiment, the one or more fixed members can be provided with a plurality of third holes such that the plurality of first holes corresponding to each of the one or more sections of the dosing disc can be in line with the corresponding third holes, and wherein radii of the plurality of first holes, the plurality of second holes and the plurality of third holes can have same as the radius of the set of plungers.
[0061] In an embodiment, the tamping assembly can include a set of sliding rods biased between the one or more moving members and the one or more fixed members by one or more springs to restrict the one or more moving members at the third position.
[0062] In an embodiment, the tamping assembly can include a filler material container to supply the filler material for at least partially covering any or a combination of an upper surface of the dosing disc, and the plurality of first holes, and wherein the filler material container is enclosing the dosing disc.
[0063] In an embodiment, the set of plungers associated with each of the one or more movable platforms can have different plunger attributes including any or a combination of height, radius, tamping force, and strokes.
[0064] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary capsule filling machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0065] As illustrated, in an embodiment, a capsule filling machine 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can include a central turret (also referred to as carousel or turret herein), and plurality of processing stations 1 to 10 (or more as per requirement positioned) positioned around periphery of the turret. The turret can be provided with a plurality of capsule handling units disposed equidistantly around the periphery thereof. Each of the capsule handling unit can include two superimposed capsule holders (also referred to as capsule bodies, herein), which can be an upper capsule holder and a lower capsule holder. The upper capsule holders can be fixed to the carousel and can be provided with a set of bushes or seating to hold capsule tops. The lower capsule holders can be provided with another set of bushes or seating to hold capsule bottoms. The turret can be configured to rotate intermittently, carrying the capsule handling unit to each of the processing stations 1 to 10.
[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing station denoted by numeral 1 can be a capsule loading station where empty gelatine capsules are supplied. The processing station denoted by numeral 3 can be a capsule opening station where cap and body segments of the capsules are separated. The processing station denoted by numeral 4 to 7 can be filling stations where products such as powder, pellets, tablet etc. are filled in the capsules. As per the present invention, the capsule filling machine can be configured for filling powder in capsules, but not limited to the likes.
[0067] It is to be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure elaborate upon filling powder in the capsule. However, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the present invention is not just limited to filling powder in capsules, but can also be used for filling other products such as granules, and pellets, and all such embodiments are well within the scope of the present invention.
[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing station denoted by 5 can be a powder filling station where powder is filled by a tamping assembly 200A. The tamping assembly can include a plurality of tamping stations T1 to T6. The processing station denoted by numeral 8 can be a capsule closing station where split capsule holders are joined again ensuring the capsule cap fits on the capsule body and closes the capsule, after which the capsules are ejected at the processing station 9. The processing station 10 can be provided for cleaning of cap and body bushes by air and vacuum.
[0069] It is to be appreciated that, in the capsule filling machine illustrated through the figures a total of ten processing stations are provided, the number of processing stations may be varied depending upon requirement, and all such embodiments are well within the scope of the present invention.
[0070] FIG, 3 illustrates an embodiment of the proposed tamping assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0071] FIG, 4 illustrates an exploded view of the proposed tamping assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0072] As illustrated in FIGs, 3 and 4, in an aspect, the proposed tamping assembly 200A can include a dosing disc 302 provided with a plurality of first holes, and mounted on a shaft 304. The tamping assembly 200A can include a filler material container (also referred to as a tub or a container, herein) enclosing the dosing disc 302. The tub can be configured to store filler material selected form a group including any or a combination of powder, granules, pellets, but not limited to the likes. The tub can be mounted on the dosing plate 302 and can be configured to rotate along with the dosing disc 302. The tub can enclose the dosing disc 302 such that the filler material can at least partially cover a top surface and plurality of first holes of the dosing disc 302. In an exemplary embodiment, the filler material can be accumulated in form of a heap on top of the dosing disc.
[0073] In an embodiment, the tamping assembly 200A can include one or more tamping stations T1 to T6 (collectively referred to as tamping stations, herein) positioned above the dosing disc 302. The tamping stations can include a movable platform 306 including the set of plungers 308 and can be configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the dosing disc 302. The first position can correspond to a lifted position where the set of plungers 308 is at a predefined height above the dosing disc 302. The second position can correspond to a lowered position such that the set of plungers 308 are at least partially disposed in the plurality of first holes.
[0074] In an embodiment, the dosing disc 302 can be rotatably mounted on the shaft and can be configured to rotate sequentially about a first axis, about a coaxial length of the shaft. The shaft can be operatively coupled to a first driving unit to facilitate rotation of the dosing disc about the first axis. In an exemplary embodiment, the first driving unit can include any or a combination of as servo motor, induction motor, brushless DC motor, indexer, but not limited to the likes. which can provide intermittent rotary motion or sequential rotary motion.
[0075] As shown, the sets of plungers 308 can be disposed above the dosing disc 302. The layout of each of the plurality of first holes can correspond with the set of plungers 308 provided above the dosing disc member 302. Basically, the set of plungers 308 can be placed in the same layout as the plurality of first holes in the dosing disc 302. The set of plungers 308 can form different tamping stations of the dosing disc 302 during its intermittent rotation. The set of plungers 308, at the upper ends can be mounted on the movable platforms 306 whereby the movable platforms 306 can be lowered and lifted between the first position and the second position by a second driving unit to perform tamping. The lower ends of the set of plungers 308 can be profiled to pass through the plurality of holes of the dosing disc 302 and press or compress the filler material (powdery product) from the top to form a slug.
[0076] In an embodiment, the first driving unit can be operatively coupled to the movable platforms 306 to facilitate upward and downward movement of the movable platforms 306 such that the set of plungers 308 can move between the first position and the second position.
[0077] In an embodiment, the tamping assembly 200A can include one or more support members 310 (collectively referred to as support members 310, herein), which can include one or more moving members 312 (also referred to as moving members 312, herein) and one or more fixed members 314 (also referred to as fixed members 314, herein). The support members 312 can be configured to rotate along with the dosing disc 302 about the first axis. The support members 312 can be adapted to provide support to the dosing disc 302, especially during tamping operations where force exerted by the set of plungers 308 is transferred from the dosing disc 302 to the fixed members 314, thereby preventing the moving members 312 from bending due to tamping force of the set of plungers 308.
[0078] In an embodiment, the moving members 312 can be provided with a plurality of second holes. The moving members 312 can be configured to move between a third position and a fourth position. The third position can correspond to a closed position where a bottom end of the plurality of first holes of the dosing disc 302 are closed by the moving members 312. In an implementation, the movement of the set of plungers 308 towards the second position when the moving members 312 are in the third position can facilitate compression of the filler material in the corresponding first holes to form the slug.
[0079] In an embodiment, the fourth position can correspond to an opened position where the plurality of second holes of the moving members 312 are aligned with the plurality of first holes and allows any or a combination of the filler material, and the slug to discharge through the corresponding first holes and the second holes.
[0080] In an embodiment, the tamping assembly 200A can include a drive mechanism 316 configured between the shaft 304 and the support members 310. The drive mechanism 316 can include an actuator 318 coupled to the shaft 304 and an engaging member 320 coupled to the actuator 318 such that the rotation of the shaft 304 can facilitate linear movement of the engaging member 320. The drive mechanism 316 can further include an actuation block 322 configured between the engaging member 320 and the moving members 312 such that the linear movement of the engaging member 320 can enable the moving members 312 to move between the third position and the fourth position. The actuating block can be coupled to a bottom portion of the moving members 312. Accordingly, the linear movement of the actuation block 322 can facilitate linear movement of the moving members 312 between the third position and the fourth position. In an exemplary embodiment, the engaging member 320 can be a cam follower.
[0081] In an embodiment, the actuator 318 can be mounted on the shaft 304, and as the shaft 304 is rotated by a predetermined angle by the first driving unit, the actuator 318 can also move. The actuator 318 can include a groove to engage with the engaging member 320. The groove can engage the engaging member 320, and thereafter, the engaging member 320 can cause actuation block 322 to move linearly upon rotation of the shaft 304, and thereby the movable members 312 to move. Alternately, the present invention can employ other types of drive mechanism such as hydraulic drive mechanisms, pneumatic drive mechanisms, but not limited to the likes.
[0082] In an implementation, in a cycle of operation, the dosing disc 302 can be rotated sequentially to all the tamping stations by the first driving unit, whereby the dosing disc 302 along with the support members 310 can rotate. In this regard, as explained hereinbefore, by way of illustration/example, six tamping stations T1 to T6 can be provided. As powder is provided as the filler material from the tub, the dosing disc 302 can be provided with intermittent circular motion, and the set of plungers 308 at each station can be driven by the second driving unit to enable vertical motion between the first position and the second position. The timing of the rotation of the dosing disc 302 and the vertical movement of the set of plungers 308 can be synchronized/calibrated ie when the set of plungers 308 are lifted, the dosing disc 302 rotates by a predetermined angle (For example 60°) and stops. Once the dosing disc 302 stops in the particular position, the set of plungers 308 can be brought down to tamp the powder from the powder heap into the first holes of the dosing disc 302. After the tamping operation is completed, the set of plungers 308 can be lifted, and the dosing disc 302 can be rotated by the predetermined angle. This cycle can be repeated at all the tamping stations except the last tamping station, which can lead to the formation of a powder slug, inside the plurality of first holes of the dosing disc 302. At the last tamping station, the slug can then be delivered to the body of the capsule held by the body segment of the capsule filling turret. At the remaining tamping stations, the movable members 312 can stay in the third position (a non-aligned position) enabling the tamping operation, whereas at the last tamping station, the drive mechanism 316 can move the movable members 312 to the fourth position (an aligned position) allowing the slug to be transferred to the capsule holder.
[0083] In an embodiment, the set of plungers 308 associated with each of the one or more tamping stations can have different plunger attributes, which can be any or a combination of height, radius, tamping force, and strokes, but not limited to the likes.
[0084] In an embodiment, the tamping assembly 200A can include a control unit operatively coupled to the first driving unit and the second driving unit. The control unit can be configured to transmit a set of control signals to the first driving unit and the second driving unit to calibrate the rotation of the dosing disc 302 with the movement of the moving members 312, and the movement of the set of plungers 308.
[0085] FIG, 5 illustrates a top view of a dosing disc of the proposed tamping assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0086] As illustrated, in an embodiment, the dosing disc 302 can be in form of a circular disc having the plurality of first holes (X). The dosing disc 302 can be provided with a circular section at its center to accommodate and configure a shaft 304 to the dosing disc 302. The plurality of holes X can be configured to form a vertical passage between a top surface and a bottom surface of the dosing disc.
[0087] In an embodiment, the dosing disc 302 can have a suitable thickness to provide a desired height of the vertical passages formed by the plurality of first holes X on the dosing disc. The height of the vertical passages can be adapted to accommodate the set of plungers 308 and can be based on the required height of the slug formation and number of layers of powder in the slug, inside the plurality of first holes X.
[0088] FIG, 6 illustrates a bottom view of the dosing disc of the proposed tamping assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0089] As illustrated, in an embodiment, a bottom face of the dosing disc 302 can be divided into plurality of sections 602-1 to 602-6 (collectively referred to as sections 602 or regions 602, herein), wherein each section 602 can be configured to receive one support member 310. Accordingly, the support members 310 can rotate along with the dosing disc 302. This rotation of the support members 310 along with the dosing disc 302 can eliminate or overcome the requirement of providing a support disc or support plate below the dosing disc member as was required in the prior-art FIG. 1. This non requirement of the support disc or the support plate below the dosing disc 302 in the present invention can provide the proposed tamping assembly 200A with a technical advancement over the typical tamping assembly (Prior art), which can include making the proposed tamping assembly 200A more economical and efficient, and providing ease in cleaning and servicing. Moreover, the support members received in each sections of the dosing disc do not require a gap or an area to allow rotation of the dosing disc. Thus, the dosing disc 302 of the present invention can overcome the problem of powder dusting or spillage.
[0090] In an exemplary embodiment, the number of sections 602 and the number of support members 310 can be equal to the number of movable platforms 306 to the number of tamping stations.
[0091] FIG, 7 illustrates an exemplary support member of the proposed tamping assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0092] As illustrated, in an embodiment, the fixed members 314 of the support members 310 can be rigidly mounted in each sections 604 of the dosing disc 302, and the moving members 312 can be movably coupled to the fixed member 314. The moving members 312 can be sandwiched between the sections 602 of the dosing disc 302 and the fixed members 314. whereby the movable members 312 can be configured to slide by a pre-determined distance (For ex 8mm). Accordingly, as the dosing disc 302 rotates, the support members 310 also rotate along with the dosing disc 302 to the different tamping stations. Further, the fixed members 314 can also provide support to the dosing disc 302 and the moving members 312, especially during tamping operations where force exerted by the set of plungers 308 is transferred from the movable members 312 to the fixed members 314. This can prevent the movable members 312 from bending due to tamping force. In an advantageous aspect of the invention, as discussed hereinbefore there is no gap between the support members 310 and the dosing disc 302, which can prevent wastage or spillage of the powder or filler material.
[0093] In an exemplary embodiment, the support members 310 can have a curvilinear profile to match with the dosing disc 302 such that the support members 310 can be configured with the sections 602 of the dosing disc 302.
[0094] In an embodiment, the fixed members 314 can be provided with a plurality of third holes Y such that the plurality of first holes X corresponding to each sections 602 of the dosing disc 302 can be in line with the corresponding third holes Y. The radii of the plurality of first holes X, the plurality of second holes Z and the plurality of third holes Y can be same as the radius of the set of plungers 308.
[0095] In an embodiment, the fourth position of the moving members 312 can correspond to the opened position where the plurality of second holes Z of the moving members 312 are aligned with the plurality of first holes X of the dosing disc 302 and the plurality of third holes Y of the fixed member 314. This alignment of the plurality of first holes X, the plurality of second holes Z, and the plurality of third holes Y can allow any or a combination of the filler material, and the slug to discharge through the corresponding first holes, the second holes, and the third holes.
[0096] In an embodiment, the support members 310 can include a set of sliding rods 702 biased between the moving members 312 and the fixed members 314 by one or more springs 704 to restrict the moving members 312 at the third position until the moving members 312 are driven by the first driving unit.
[0097] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGS OF THE INVENTION
[0098] The present disclosure provides a tamping assembly for a capsule filling machine.
[0099] The present disclosure provides a tamping assembly, which provides synchronized/calibrated rotation of the dosing disc with in and out movement of plunger in the dosing disc.
[00100] The present disclosure minimizes loss of powder/filler material during the tamping process in the taming assembly.
[00101] The present disclosure provides a driving mechanism in the tamping assembly, which enables linear movement of moving members upon rotation of the dosing disc.
[00102] The present disclosure provides a tamping assembly, which has different set of plungers that may have different height, tamping force, and provide same or different stroke.
[00103] The present disclosure provides a tamping assembly with reduced number of reciprocating components, to provide ease in cleaning and servicing of the tamping assembly.
[00104] The present disclosure provides eliminate need for a support plate in a tamping assembly, and reduce the number of reciprocating components, to make the tamping assembly economical and efficient, and provide ease in cleaning and servicing of the tamping assembly.
,CLAIMS:1. A tamping assembly comprising:
a dosing disc 302 provided with a plurality of first holes X and adapted to get at least partially covered with a filler material to be tamped;
one or more movable platforms 306 positioned above the dosing disc 302 and comprising a set of plungers 308, the one or more movable platforms 306 configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a lifted position where the set of plungers 308 is at a predefined height above the dosing disc 302, and the second position corresponds to a lowered position such that the set of plungers 308 are at least partially disposed in the plurality of first holes X; and
one or more moving members 312 provided with a plurality of second holes Z and configured to move between a third position and a fourth position, wherein the third position corresponds to a closed position where a bottom end of the plurality of first holes Z are closed by the one or more moving members 312, and wherein the movement of the set of plungers 308 towards the second position when the one or more moving members 312 are in the third position facilitates compression of the filler material in the corresponding first holes X to form a slug; and
wherein the fourth position corresponds to an opened position where the plurality of second holes Z are aligned with the plurality of first holes X and allows any or a combination of the filler material, and the slug to discharge through the corresponding first holes X and the second holes Z.
2. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dosing disc 302 is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle when the set of the plungers 308 moves from the second position to the first position, and wherein the dosing disc 302 is configured to stop rotating when the set of the plungers 308 moves from the first position to the second position.
3. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the dosing disc 302 comprises one or more sections 602, and wherein the tamping assembly 200A comprises one or more fixed members 314 movably coupled to the one or more moving members 312 and configured in the one or more sections 602 such that no gap is present between the one or more moving members 312 and the one or more sections 602 of the dosing disc 302.
4. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 3, wherein the dosing disc 302 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 304 and configured to rotate about a first axis along a coaxial length of the shaft 304, and wherein the one or more fixed members 314 and the one or more moving members 312 are configured to rotate along with the dosing disc 302 about the first axis.
5. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tamping assembly 200A comprises a drive mechanism 316 operatively coupled between the shaft 304 and the one or more moving members 312 such that the rotation of the shaft 304 about the first axis enables movement of the one or more moving members 312 between the third position and the fourth position.
6. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tamping assembly 200A comprises a first driving unit operatively coupled to the shaft 304 and configured to enable rotation of the dosing disc 302 about the first axis.
7. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 6, wherein the tamping assembly 200A comprises a second driving unit operatively coupled to the one or more movable platforms 306 and configured to move the one or more movable platforms 306 between the first position and the second position.
8. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 7, wherein the tamping assembly 200A comprises a control unit operatively coupled to the first driving unit and the second driving unit, and configured to transmit a set of control signals to the first driving unit and the second driving unit to calibrate the rotation of the dosing disc 302 with the movement of the one or more moving member 312, and the movement of the set of plungers 308.
9. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 5, wherein the drive mechanism 316 comprises:
an actuator 318 coupled to the shaft 304;
an engaging member 320 coupled to the actuator 318 such that the rotation of the shaft 304 facilitates linear movement of the engaging member 320; and
an actuation block 322 configured between the engaging member 320 and the one or more moving members 312 such that the linear movement of the engaging member 320 enables the one or more moving members 312 to move between the third position and the fourth position.
10. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 3, wherein any or a combination of the one or more fixed members 314, and the one or more moving members 312 are configured to provide support to the dosing disc 302.
11. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 3, wherein the one or more fixed members 314 are provided with a plurality of third holes Y such that the plurality of first holes X corresponding to each of the one or more sections 602 of the dosing disc 302 are in line with the corresponding third holes Y, and wherein radii of the plurality of first holes X, the plurality of second holes Z, and the plurality of third holes Y are same as the radius of the set of plungers 308.
12. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tamping assembly 200A comprises a set of sliding rods 702 biased between the one or more moving members 312 and the one or more fixed members314 by one or more springs 704 to restrict the one or more moving members 312 at the third position.
13. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tamping assembly 200A comprises a filler material container to supply the filler material for at least partially covering any or a combination of an upper surface of the dosing disc 302, and the plurality of first holes X, and wherein the filler material container is enclosing the dosing disc 302.
14. The tamping assembly 200A as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of plungers 308 associated with each of the one or more movable platforms 306 have different plunger attributes comprising any or a combination of height, radius, tamping force, and strokes.