DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to pharmaceutical devices and more particularly, relates to capsule opening devices.

BACKGROUND

Generally, capsules, such as hard-shelled capsules, are employed for encapsulating drugs which can be taken orally or be used as suppositories. For instance, the hard-shelled capsules are designed to be consumed orally by swallowing the entire capsule. Although, oral consumption of the hard-shelled capsules may be difficult for various patients, such as pediatric patients and geriatric patients. Therefore, it is essential for such patients to refrain from oral consumption of the hard-shelled capsules, and instead rely on the consumption of the drug enclosed in such capsules.

Currently, various devices are employed to open capsules, such as sprinkle type capsules, by performing a twisting movement to access the drug enclosed within such capsules. However, the sprinkle type capsules are designed to be opened by performing the twisting movement, and therefore, such capsules can be easily opened to access the drugs enclosed therein. Although, the aforesaid devices lack provisions to open the hard-shelled capsules which have different locking mechanisms compared to the sprinkle type capsules. Therefore, there is a need for an improved solution for opening different types of capsules to access the drug with ease.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a capsule opening device is disclosed. The capsule opening device includes a cap assembly adapted to hold a cap portion of a capsule. The cap assembly comprises a cap casing having an opening and adapted to receive the capsule within the opening. Further, the cap assembly comprises a bush member disposed within the opening of the cap casing and adapted to hold the cap portion of the capsule. The cap assembly comprises a body assembly removably coupled to the cap assembly and adapted to hold a body portion of the capsule. The body assembly comprises a gripper member adapted to be coupled to the cap assembly and comprising a plurality of flanges adapted to hold the body portion of the capsule. Further, the body assembly comprises an inner casing slidably coupled to the gripper member. The inner casing is adapted to be moved relative to the gripper member to radially move the plurality of flanges. The cap assembly is rotated with respect to the body assembly and simultaneously, the body assembly is moved away from the cap assembly to separate the cap portion of the capsule from the body portion of the capsule.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a capsule opening device is disclosed. The capsule opening device comprises a cap assembly and a body assembly. The cap assembly is adapted to hold a cap portion of a capsule. The body assembly is removably coupled to the cap assembly and adapted to hold a body portion of the capsule. The body assembly comprises an outer casing, an inner casing, and a gripper member. The inner casing is adapted to be disposed within the outer casing. The gripper member is disposed within the inner casing and comprises a plurality of flanges adapted to abut the body portion of the capsule. The cap assembly comprises a scrapper and a cap. The scrapper is removably coupled to the cap and the inner casing of the body assembly. The cap is screwed to the scrapper by rotating the cap in a clockwise direction, the cap is rotated in the clockwise direction until the scrapper is unscrewed from the inner casing to separate the cap portion of the capsule from the body portion of the capsule.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a capsule opening device is disclosed. The capsule opening device comprises a first gripper assembly adapted to be engaged with a cap portion of a capsule. Further, the capsule opening device comprises a second gripper assembly removably coupled to the first gripper assembly and adapted to be engaged with a body portion of the capsule. Each of the first gripper assembly and the second gripper assembly comprises an outer casing and an inner casing coupled to the outer casing. The second gripper assembly comprises a gripper member adapted to be received in the inner casing and comprises a plurality of flanges adapted to hold one of the cap portion and body portion of the capsule. The outer casing is slidably coupled to the gripper member. The outer casing is adapted to be moved relative to the gripper member to radially move the plurality of flanges. The first gripper assembly and the second gripper assembly are unscrewed by rotating the first gripper assembly and the second gripper assembly in the opposite directions to separate the cap portion of the capsule from the body portion of the capsule.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a capsule opening device is disclosed. The capsule opening device comprises an upper assembly and a lower assembly. The upper assembly comprises a bush member adapted to hold a cap portion of a capsule. The lower assembly is movably coupled to the upper assembly. The lower assembly comprises a holding member, a pusher, and a knob. The holding member has a plurality of flanges adapted to hold a body portion of the capsule. The plurality of flanges is adapted to be moved in a radial direction. The pusher is disposed in the holding member and adapted to radially move the plurality of flanges of the holding member. The knob is coupled to the pusher and adapted to axially move the pusher. The knob is rotated to radially move the plurality of flanges through the pusher. The upper assembly and the lower assembly are adapted to be rotated in opposite directions to separate the cap portion positioned in the bush member from the body portion positioned between the plurality of flanges.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate exploded views of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 3a and 3b illustrate cross sectional views of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 4a and 4b illustrates cross sectional views of the capsule opening device depicting insertion of a capsule in the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5 illustrates a portion of the capsule opening device as shown in Figure 4b, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 6a, 6b, and 6c illustrate cross sectional views of the capsule opening device depicting separation of a top portion and a bottom portion of the capsule, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a capsule opening device, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 8 illustrates an exploded view of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 9a-9e illustrate an operation of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 10 illustrate a perspective view of a capsule opening device, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 11 illustrates a partial planar view of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 12a and 12b illustrate exploded views of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 13a-13g illustrate an operation of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figures 14a and 14b illustrate perspective views of a capsule opening device having a spherical shape, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 15a and 15b illustrate perspective views of the capsule opening device having an elliptical shape, according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 16a and 16b illustrate exploded views of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 17 illustrates a cross sectional view of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 18a-18f illustrate an operation of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skills in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a capsule opening device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the capsule opening device 100 may be employed for opening a capsule 102 (shown in Figure 2) to consume a drug encapsulated therein. The capsule 102 may include a top portion 102-1 and a bottom portion 102-2 adapted to be attached to the top portion 102-1. In an embodiment, the top portion 102-1 and the bottom portion 102-2 may interchangeably be referred to as the cap portion 102-1 and the body portion 102-2, respectively, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The cap portion 102-1 and the body portion 102-2 may be attached with each other to define a housing adapted to encapsulate the drug. In an embodiment, a diameter of the cap portion 102-1 may larger than a diameter of the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102.

In order to retrieve the drug from the capsule 102, the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 may be separated from the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Referring to Figure 1, in the illustrated embodiment, the capsule opening device 100 may be adapted to separate the cap portion 102-1 from the bottom portion 102-2 of the capsule 102 to retrieve the drug. In an embodiment, the capsule opening device 100 may be manually operated by a user to separate the cap portion 102-1 from the bottom portion 102-2. In the illustrated embodiment, the capsule opening device 100 may have a cylindrical shape, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Constructional and operational details of the capsule opening device 100 are explained in detail in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate exploded views of the capsule opening device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2a and 2b, the capsule opening device 100 may include a cap assembly 202 and a body assembly 204 movably coupled to the cap assembly 202. The cap assembly 202 and the body assembly 204 may be adapted to hold the cap portion 102-1 and the body portion 102-2, respectively, of the capsule 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap assembly 202 may include, but is not limited to, a top lid 206, a cap casing 208, and a bush member 210. The top lid 206 may be adapted to be coupled to the cap casing 208. In an embodiment, the top lid 206 may include an engaging member 206-1 (shown in Figure 3a) adapted to be engaged with the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102. Further, the bush member 210 may be adapted to be inserted within the cap casing 208.

In one embodiment, the top lid 206 may be coupled to the cap casing 208 via a hinge. In such an embodiment, the top lid 206 may be adapted to be pivotably moved with respect to the cap casing 208 about the hinge. In another embodiment, the top lid 206 may be removably coupled to the cap casing 208 via snap locks. In such an embodiment, the top lid 206 may be entirely removed from the cap casing 208 of the capsule opening device 100. However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it should not be construed as limiting, and the top lid 206 can be coupled to the cap casing 208 by using other provisions, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 2b, the cap casing 208 may be adapted to be removably coupled to the body assembly 204 of the capsule opening device 100. The cap casing 208 may include a first end 208-1 and a second end 208-2 distal to the first end 208-1. The first end 208-1 and the second end 208-2 may be adapted to be coupled to the top lid 206 and the body assembly 204, respectively, of the capsule opening device 100. The cap casing 208 may be adapted to receive the capsule 102 within the capsule opening device 100. In an embodiment, the capsule 102 may be inserted within the capsule opening device 100 through the first end 208-1 of the cap casing 208.

Further, the cap casing 208 may include an opening extending from the first end 208-1 to the second end 208-2. As mentioned earlier, the bush member 210 may be adapted to be inserted in the cap casing 208. In an embodiment, the bush member 210 may be disposed within the opening of the cap casing 208. In an embodiment, the bush member 210 may be formed of one of a polymer material and a metallic material, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The bush member 210 may be adapted to hold the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 within the capsule opening device 100.

Figures 3a and 3b illustrate cross sectional views of the capsule opening device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the cap assembly 202 may be adapted to be rotated with respect to the body assembly 204 to separate the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 from the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the body assembly 204 of the capsule opening device 100 may include, but is not limited to, a gripper member 212 and an inner casing 214. The gripper member 212 may include a first end 212-1 and a second end 212-2 distal to the first end 212-1. In an embodiment, the first end 212-1 may be adapted to be coupled to the cap assembly 202 of the capsule opening device 100.

Referring to Figure 3a and 3b, the first end 212-1 of the gripper member 212 may be adapted to be coupled to the cap casing 208 of the cap assembly 202. The second end 212-2 may be adapted to be coupled to the inner casing 214 of the body assembly 204. Referring to Figure 3b, the gripper member 212 may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of flanges 302 adapted to hold the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Each of the plurality of flanges 302 may be adapted to be resiliently moved in a radial direction with respect to a central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device 100. Each of the plurality of flanges 302 may be adapted to be moved between an engaged position and a released position.

In the engaged position, the plurality of flanges 302 may hold the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102 inserted in the capsule opening device 100. Particularly, in the engaged position, the plurality of flanges 302 holds the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102 inserted in the capsule opening device 100 to restrict rotational and axial movement and of the body portion 102-2, when the cap assembly 202 is rotated with respect to the body assembly 204. In the released position, the plurality of flanges 302 may release the body portion 102-2 to allow an axial movement of the capsule 102 along the central axis C-C’. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of flanges 302 may be distributed in a circular arrangement with respect to the central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device 100. Each of the plurality of flanges 302 may include an outer surface having a slanted contour. The outer surface of each of the plurality of flanges 302 may be adapted to be engaged with the inner casing 214 of the body assembly 204. The inner casing 214 may be slidably coupled to the gripper member 212. The plurality of flanges 302 may be adapted to be moved between the engaged position and the released position by sliding the inner casing 214 with respect to the gripper member 212.

In an embodiment, the inner casing 214 may be adapted to be moved relative to the gripper member 212 of the body assembly 204. The inner casing 214 may be adapted to be moved in a direction parallel to the central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device 100. The inner casing 214 may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of extending legs 304 adapted to be engaged with the plurality of flanges 302 of the gripper member 212. The inner casing 214 may be adapted to be moved between an extended position and a retracted position. The inner casing 214 may be adapted to be moved along a direction parallel to the central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device 100. In an embodiment, dimensional characteristics of the bush member 210 and the gripping member 212 may vary based on a size of the capsule 102 to be opened using the capsule opening device 100.

In an embodiment, the gripper member 212 may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of cavities adapted to receive the plurality of extended legs 302 of the inner casing 214. The plurality of extended legs 302 may be adapted to slide within the plurality of cavities, when the inner casing 214 is moved between the extended position and the retracted position. Referring to Figures 3a and Figure 3b, arrows A and A’ indicate directions of movement of the inner casing 214 to the retracted position and the extended position, respectively. At the extended position, the plurality of flanges 302 may be moved in a radially outward direction with respect to the central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device 100 to release the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102 from the body assembly 204. At the extended position, the capsule 102 may be inserted within the body assembly 204 in a manner that the body portion 102-2 positioned between the plurality of flanges 302.

Further, at the retracted position, the plurality of extended legs 304 may push the plurality of flanges 302 in a radially inward direction with respect to the central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device 100. In an embodiment, the gripper member 212 may include a stopping arm 306 adapted to restrict a movement of the inner casing 214 beyond the extended position in a direction away from the gripper member 212. Operational details of the capsule opening device 100 are explained in detail in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

Figures 4a and 4b illustrates cross sectional views of the capsule opening device 100 depicting insertion of the capsule 102 in the capsule opening device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 illustrates a portion of the capsule opening device 100 as shown in Figure 4b, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 4a, firstly, the inner casing 214 may be moved to the extended position with respect to the gripper member 212. Subsequently, the top lid 206 may be removed from the cap assembly 202 of the capsule opening device 100 to insert the capsule 102 within the cap casing 208. Upon insertion of the capsule 102 in the cap assembly 202, the top lid 206 may be attached to the cap casing 208 in a manner that the engaging member 206-1 of the top lid 206 may engage with the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102.

In the illustrated embodiment, referring to Figure 4b and Figure 5, the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 may abut the bush member 210 and the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102 may be positioned between the plurality of flanges 302 of the gripper member 212, when the capsule 102 is inserted in the cap casing 208. Subsequently, the inner casing 214 may be moved to the retracted position with respect to the gripper member 212. In the retracted position, the plurality of extended legs 304 of the inner casing 214 may push the plurality of flanges 302 in the radially inward direction. Owing to such movement of the plurality of flanges 302, the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102 may be gripped by the plurality of flanges 302.

Figures 6a, 6b, and 6c illustrate cross sectional views of the capsule opening device 100 depicting separation of the top portion 102-1 and the bottom portion 102-2 of the capsule 102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap assembly 202 may be rotated with respect to the body assembly 204 of the capsule opening device 100. Simultaneously, the body assembly 204 may be axially moved away from the cap assembly 202. Owing to the rotation of the cap assembly 202, the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 may rotate along with the bush member 210 disposed in the cap casing 202. In particular, the rotational movement of the cap assembly 202 may be transferred to the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 through the bush member 210.

Further, the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102 may be gripped by the plurality of flanges 302 of the gripping member 212 to restrict rotational movement of the body portion 102-2, when the cap assembly 202 is rotated about the central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device 100. Owing to the axial movement of the body assembly 204 and the rotational movement of the cap assembly 202, the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 may be separated from the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102.

Referring to Figure 6b, the cap assembly 202 may be removed from the body assembly 204 of the capsule opening device 100 to retrieve the drug from the capsule 102. Thereafter, referring to Figure 6c, the top lid 206 may be detached from the cap casing 208 to remove the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 from the cap assembly 202. Further, the inner casing 214 may be moved to the extended position to remove the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102 from the body assembly 204 of the capsule opening device 100.

Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a capsule opening device 700, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details of the present disclosure that are explained in details in the description of Figure 1, Figures 2a-2b, Figures 3a-3b, Figures 4a-4b, Figure 5, and Figures 6a-6c are not explained in detail in the description of Figure 7. Similar to the capsule opening device 100 explained with respect to the Figure 1, Figures 2a-2b, Figures 3a-3b, Figures 4a-4b, Figure 5, and Figures 6a-6c, the capsule opening device 700 of the illustrated embodiment includes a cap assembly 700-1 and a body assembly 700-2. The cap assembly 700-1 and the body assembly 700-2 may be adapted to hold the cap portion 102-1 and the body portion 102-2, respectively, of the capsule 102.

Figure 8 illustrates an exploded view of the capsule opening device 700, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap assembly 700-1 may include, but is not limited to, a cap 802 and a scrapper 804. In an embodiment, the cap 802 may be adapted to be removably fastened to the body assembly 700-2 of the capsule opening device 700. The scrapper 804 may be disposed between the cap 802 and the body assembly 700-2. The scrapper 804 may be adapted to be removably coupled to the cap 802 and the inner casing 808 of the body assembly 700-2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the scrapper 804 may be removably screwed to the inner casing 808 of the body assembly 700-2. Further, the cap 802 may be removably screwed to the scrapper 804. In such an embodiment, the cap 802 may be detached from the scrapper 804 by rotating the cap 802 about the central axis C-C’ (as shown in Figure 9b) of the capsule opening device 700. In an example, the cap 802 may be unscrewed from the scrapper 804 by rotating the cap 802 in an anti-clockwise direction. In such an example, the scrapper 804 may be unscrewed from the inner casing 808 by rotating the scrapper 804 in the clock-wise direction.

Referring to Figure 8, the cap 802 may include an engaging member 802-1 adapted to be engaged with the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102. Further, the scrapper 804 may include a cavity 804-1 adapted to be engaged with the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. The body assembly 700-2 may include, but is not limited to, a gripper member 806, an inner casing 808, an outer casing 810, a stopper 812, a fastening member 814, and a closing cap 816. The inner casing 808 may be adapted to be disposed within the outer casing 810. Further, the gripper member 806 may be disposed within the inner casing 808 and adapted to hold the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Similar to the gripper member 212 of the capsule opening device 100, the gripper member 806 of the capsule opening device 700 may also include a plurality of flanges 806-1 adapted to abut the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102.

The outer casing 810 may include a first end 810-1 and a second end 810-2 distal to the first end 810-1. The second end 810-2 may include an opening 818 adapted to receive the fastening member 814 along with the stopper 812. The fastening member 814 may be adapted to be engaged with the inner casing 808 and the gripper member 806. The fastening member 814 may be inserted within the outer casing 810 through the opening 818 in such a manner that the fastening member 814 may be engaged with the inner casing 808 disposed within the outer casing 810. Further, the closing cap 816 may be adapted to cover the opening 818 of the outer casing 810.

Figures 9a-9e illustrate an operation of the capsule opening device 700, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 9a and 9b, firstly, the cap 802 may be separated from the scrapper 804 by rotating the cap 802 in the anti-clockwise direction about the central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device 700. Subsequently, referring to Figure 9c, the capsule 102 may be inserted in the gripper member 806 through the cavity 804-1 of the scrapper 804 attached to the inner casing 808. Referring to Figure 9d, the cap 802 may be screwed to the scrapper 804 by rotating the cap 802 in the clockwise direction. The cap 802 may be rotated in the clockwise direction until the scrapper 804 is unscrewed from the inner casing 808. Owing to such movement of the cap 802 and the scrapper 804, the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 may be separated from the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Subsequently, the drug may be retrieved from the capsule 102 for further consumption.

Figure 10 illustrate a perspective view of a capsule opening device 1000, according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 illustrates a partial planar view of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 10 and Figure 11, in the illustrated embodiment, the capsule opening device 1000 may include, but is not limited to, a first gripper assembly 1102 and a second gripper assembly 1104 coupled to the first gripper assembly 1102. The first gripper assembly 1102 and the second gripper assembly 1104 may be removably coupled to each other. In an embodiment, the first gripper assembly 1102 and the second gripper assembly 1104 may be rotated in opposite directions to detach the first gripper assembly 1102 from the second gripper assembly 1104.

Referring to Figure 11, the capsule opening device 1000 may be adapted to receive the capsule 102 between the first gripper assembly 1102 and the second gripper assembly 1104. The first gripper assembly 1102 may be adapted to be engaged with the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102. Further, the second gripper assembly 1104 may be adapted to be engaged with the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Operational details of each of the first gripper assembly 1102 and the second gripper assembly 1104 may be similar to the operational details of the body assembly 204 of the capsule opening device 100 which is explained with respect to the Figure 1, Figures 2a-2b, Figures 3a-3b, Figures 4a-4b, Figure 5, and Figures 6a-6c.

Figures 12a and 12b illustrate exploded views of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 12a, in the illustrated embodiment, the first gripper assembly 1102 may include, but is not limited to, a gripper member 1202, an inner casing 1204, a fastening member 1206, a washer 1208, an outer casing 1210, and a closing cap 1212. The gripper member 1202 may be adapted to be disposed within the inner casing 1204. Further, the outer casing 1210 may be movably coupled to the inner casing 1204.

Similar to the gripper member 212 of the capsule opening device 100, the gripper member 1202 may include a plurality of flanges 1202-1 adapted to hold the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102. Each of the plurality of flanges 1202-1 may be adapted to resiliently moved in the radial direction with respect to the central axis C-C’ (as shown in Figure 11) of the capsule opening device 1000. Each of the plurality of flanges 1202-1 may be adapted to be moved between an engaged position and a released position. In the engaged position, the plurality of flanges 1202-1 may hold the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 inserted in the capsule opening device 1000. In the released position, the plurality of flanges 1202-1 may allow an axial movement of the capsule 102 along the central axis C-C’.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer casing 1210 may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of extended legs 1214 adapted to be engaged with the plurality of flanges 1202-1 of the gripper member 1202. The inner casing 1204 may include a plurality of cavities 1216 adapted to receive the plurality of extended legs 1214 of the outer casing 1210. The plurality of extended legs 1214 may come in contact with the plurality of flanges 1202-1 through the plurality of cavities 1216 of the inner casing 1204. The outer casing 1210 may be adapted to be moved between an extended position and the retracted position. In the retracted position, the plurality of extended legs 1214 may push the plurality of flanges 1202-1 in the radially inward direction to hold the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102.

Referring to Figure 12b, similar to the first gripper assembly 1102, the second gripper assembly 1104 may include a gripper member 1218, an inner casing 1220, a fastening member 1222, a washer 1224, an outer casing 1226, and a closing cap 1228. As mentioned earlier, the second gripper assembly 1104 may be adapted to hold the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. The gripper member 1218 of the second gripper assembly 1104 may include a plurality of flanges 1218-1 adapted to hold the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Operational details of the second gripper assembly 1104 may be similar to the operational details of the first gripper assembly 1102. Therefore, for sake of brevity, the operational details of only the first gripper assembly 1104 is explained in the present disclosure.

Figures 13a-13g illustrate an operation of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 13a, the outer casing 1210 of the first gripper assembly 1102 and the outer casing 1226 of the second gripper assembly 1104 may be simultaneously pulled in the opposite directions to the extended position. Further, referring to Figure 13b, the first gripper assembly 1102 and the second gripper assembly 1104 may be simultaneously rotated in the opposite directions with respect to each other. Owing to such rotational movement, the first gripper assembly 1102 may be detached from the second gripper assembly 1104.

Referring to Figure 13c, in the illustrated embodiment, the capsule 102 may be positioned between the plurality of flanges 1202-1 of the gripper member 1202 of the first gripper assembly 1102. In another embodiment, the capsule 102 may be positioned between the plurality of flanges of the gripper member 1218 of the second gripper assembly 1104. Subsequently, referring to Figure 13d, the first gripper assembly 1102 and the second gripper assembly 1104 may be coupled to each other to enclose the capsule 102 within the capsule opening device 1000.

Referring to Figure 13e, upon fastening the first gripper assembly 1102 with the second gripper assembly 1104, outer casings, such the outer casing 1210 and the outer casing 1226, may be pushed simultaneously in the opposite directions to the retracted position to lock the capsule 102 within the capsule opening device 1000. Subsequently, referring to Figure 13f, the first gripper assembly 1102 and the second gripper assembly 1104 may be unscrewed by rotating the first gripper assembly 1102 and the second gripper assembly 1104 in the opposite directions. Owing to the rotation, the first gripper assembly 1102 and the second gripper assembly 1104 may be pulled away from each other in the opposite directions. This results in detachment of the first gripper assembly 1102 from the second gripper assembly 1104. Owing to such detachment, the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 may be separated from the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Referring to Figure 13g, the first gripper assembly 1102 and the second gripper assembly 1104 may be tilted to retrieve the drug from the cap portion 102-1 and the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102.

Figures 14a and 14b illustrate perspective views of a capsule opening 1400 device having a spherical shape, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 15a and 15b illustrate perspective views of the capsule opening device 1400 having an elliptical shape, according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 16a and 16b illustrate exploded views of the capsule opening device 1400, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 16a and Figure 16b, the capsule opening device 1400 may include, but is not limited to, an upper assembly 1602 and a lower assembly 1604 adapted to be coupled to the upper assembly 1602.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper assembly 1602 may include, but is not limited to, a top lid 1606, a bush member 1608, and a bush holder 1610. The top lid 1606 may be adapted to be coupled to the bush holder 1610. In one embodiment, the top lid 1606 may be coupled to the bush holder 1610 via a hinge. In such an embodiment, the top lid 1606 may be adapted to be pivotably moved with respect to the bush holder 1610 about the hinge. In another embodiment, the top lid 1606 may be removably coupled to the bush holder 1610 via snap locks. In such an embodiment, the top lid 1606 may be entirely removed from the bush holder 1610 of the capsule opening device 1400. The top lid 1606 is adapted to be coupled to the bush holder 1610. The top lid 1606 may be adapted to be moved with respect to the bush holder 1610 to insert the capsule 102 within the capsule opening device 1400.

However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it should not be construed as limiting, and the top lid 1606 can be coupled to the bush holder 1610 by using other provisions, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the bush member 1608 may be disposed within the bush holder 1610. The bush member 1608 may be adapted to hold the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102. The bush holder 1610 may be removably screwed to the lower assembly 1604. The bush holder 1610 and the lower assembly 1604 may be adapted to be rotated in opposite directions to unscrew the bush holder 1610 from the lower assembly 1604.

Figure 17 illustrates a cross sectional view of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lower assembly 1604 may be movably coupled to the upper assembly 1602. Referring to Figure 16b and Figure 17, the lower assembly 1604 may include, but is not limited to, a bottom lid 1612, a knob 1614, a pusher 1616, and a holding member 1618. The bottom lid 1612 may be adapted to be coupled to the holding member 1618. The bottom lid 1612 may include an opening adapted to receive a first end of the knob 1614. Further, a second end of the knob 1614 may be adapted to be coupled to the pusher 1616. The knob 1614 may be adapted to be rotated in a clockwise direction and an anti-clockwise direction about a central axis C-C’ (as shown in Figure 17) of the capsule opening device 1400.

In the illustrated embodiment, the holding member 1618 may include a plurality of flanges 1620 adapted to hold the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Each of the plurality of flanges 1620 may be adapted to be moved in a radial direction with respect to a central axis of the capsule opening device 1400. Each of the plurality of flanges 1620 may be adapted to be moved in a radially inward direction to hold the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Each of the plurality of flanges 1620 may be adapted to be moved between an engaged position and a released position. In the engaged position, the plurality of flanges 1620 may hold the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Further, in the released position, the plurality of flanges 1620 may allow axial movement of the capsule 102 with respect to the holding member 1618.

The pusher 1616 may be disposed in the holding member 1618 and adapted to radially move the plurality of flanges 1620 of the holding member 1618. Referring to Figure 16 and Figure 17, the pusher 1616 may include a plurality of extending legs 1622 adapted to be engaged with the plurality of flanges 1620. The plurality of extending legs 1622 may be adapted to move the plurality of flanges 1620 between the released position and the engaged position. As mentioned earlier, the knob 1614 may be coupled to the pusher 1616 and adapted to axially move the pusher 1616 along the central axis C-C’ by screw mechanism. The knob may be rotated to radially move the plurality of flanges 1620 through the pusher 1616. The plurality of legs 1622 of the pusher 1616 may push the plurality of flanges 1620 to the engaged position by rotating the knob 1614 in the clockwise direction. Further, the plurality of flanges 1620 may move to the released position, when the knob 1614 is rotated in the anti-clockwise direction.

Figure 18a-18f illustrate an operation of the capsule opening device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 18a, the top lid 1606 may be opened and subsequently, the knob 1614 may be rotated in the anti-clockwise direction. Referring to Figure 18b, the capsule 102 may inserted within the capsule opening device 1400 in a manner the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 abuts the bush member 1608 and the body portion 102-2 rests between the plurality of flanges 1620 of the holding member 1618. Further, referring to Figure 18c, the top lid may be closed and subsequently, the knob 1614 may be rotated in the clockwise direction. Owing to such rotation of the knob 1614, the plurality of flanges 1620 may be moved to the engaged position to hold the capsule 102.

The upper assembly 1602 and the lower assembly 1604 may be adapted to be rotated in opposite directions to separate the cap portion 102-1 positioned in the bush member 1608 from the body portion 102-1 positioned between the plurality of flanges 1620. Referring to Figure 18d, the upper assembly 1602 and the lower assembly 1604 may be rotated in the anti-clockwise direction and the clockwise direction, respectively. Owing to such rotational movement, the upper assembly 1602 may be separated from the lower assembly 1604 in an axial direction. This results in separation of the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 from the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Referring to Figure 18e, the upper assembly 1602 and the lower assembly 1604 may be tilted to retrieve the drug from the cap portion 102-1 and the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Further, referring to Figure 18f, the top lid 1606 may be opened to remove the cap portion 102-1 from the upper assembly 1602. The Knob 1614 may be rotated in the anti-clockwise direction to move the plurality of flanges 1620 to the released position and to remove the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102 from the lower assembly 1604.

As would be gathered, the present disclosure offers the capsule opening devices 100, 700, 1000, 1400 for retrieving the drug from the capsule 102 by separating the cap portion 102-1 and the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102. Each of the capsule opening device 100, 700, 1000, 1400 provides a pulling movement and a rotating movement to the capsule 102 for separating the cap portion 102-1 from the body portion 102-2. This enables implement of the capsule opening device 100, 700, 1000, 1400 for opening capsules, such as hard-shelled capsules. Therefore, the capsule opening devices 100, 700, 1000, 1400 of the present disclosure is comprehensive, simple in construction and assembly, enhanced operability, cost-effective, and flexible in implementation.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. ,CLAIMS:1. A capsule opening device (100) comprising:
a cap assembly (202) adapted to hold a cap portion (102-1) of a capsule, the cap assembly (202) comprising:
a cap casing (208) having an opening and adapted to receive the capsule within the opening; and
a bush member (210) disposed within the opening of the cap casing (208) and adapted to hold the cap portion (102-1) of the capsule, and
a body assembly (204) removably coupled to the cap assembly (202) and adapted to hold a body portion (102-2) of the capsule, the body assembly (204) comprising:
a gripper member (212) adapted to be coupled to the cap assembly (202) and comprising a plurality of flanges (302) adapted to hold the body portion (102-2) of the capsule; and
an inner casing (214) slidably coupled to the gripper member (212), wherein the inner casing (214) is adapted to be moved relative to the gripper member (212) to radially move the plurality of flanges (302),
wherein the cap assembly (202) is rotated with respect to the body assembly (204) and simultaneously, the body assembly (204) is moved away from the cap assembly to separate the cap portion (102-1) of the capsule (102) from the body portion (102-2) of the capsule 102.

2. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap assembly (202) comprises:
a top lid (206) having an engaging member (206-1) adapted to be engaged with the cap portion (102-1) of the capsule 102.

3. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the top lid (206) is coupled to the cap casing (208) via a hinge, wherein the top lid (206) is adapted to be pivotably moved with respect to the cap casing (208) about the hinge.

4. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the top lid (206) is removably coupled to the cap casing (208) via snap locks, wherein the top lid (206) is adapted to be entirely removed from the cap casing (208) of the capsule opening device (100).

5. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap casing (208) comprises a first end (208-1) and a second end (208-2) distal to the first end 208-1, the first end (208-1) and the second end (208-2) are adapted to be coupled to the top lid 206 and the body assembly 204, respectively, of the capsule opening device 100.

6. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the opening of the cap casing (208) extends from the first end (208-1) to the second end (208-2).

7. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripper member (212) comprises a first end (212-1) and a second end (212-2) distal to the first end (212-1), the first end (212-1) is adapted to be coupled to the cap casing (208) of the cap assembly (202) and the second end (212-2) is adapted to be coupled to the inner casing (214) of the body assembly (204).

8. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of flanges (302) is adapted to be resiliently moved in a radial direction with respect to a central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device (100), each of the plurality of flanges (302) is adapted to be moved between an engaged position and a released position.

9. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein:
in the engaged position, the plurality of flanges (302) holds the body portion (102-2) of the capsule (102) inserted in the capsule opening device (100) to restrict rotational and axial movement and of the body portion (102-2), when the cap assembly (202) is rotated with respect to the body assembly (204), and
in the released position, the plurality of flanges (302) releases the body portion (102-2) to allow an axial movement of the capsule (102) along the central axis C-C’.

10. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of flanges (302) is distributed in a circular arrangement with respect to the central axis (C-C’) of the capsule opening device (100), each of the plurality of flanges (302) includes an outer surface having a slanted contour.

11. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the outer surface of each of the plurality of flanges (302) is adapted to be engaged with the inner casing (214) of the body assembly (204).

12. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner casing (214) is adapted to be moved in a direction parallel to a central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device (100), the inner casing (214) is adapted to be moved between an extended position and a retracted position.

13. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner casing (214) comprises a plurality of extending legs (304) adapted to be engaged with the plurality of flanges (302) of the gripper member (212).

14. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in any of claims 12 and 13, wherein the gripper member (212) comprises a plurality of cavities adapted to receive the plurality of extended legs (302) of the inner casing (214), the plurality of extended legs (302) is adapted to slide within the plurality of cavities, when the inner casing (214) is moved between the extended position and the retracted position.

15. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein, at the retracted position, the plurality of extended legs (304) pushes the plurality of flanges (302) in a radially inward direction with respect to the central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device (100).

16. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the gripper member (212) may include a stopping arm (306) adapted to restrict a movement of the inner casing (214) beyond the extended position in a direction away from the gripper member (212).

17. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein, at the extended position, the plurality of flanges (302) moves in a radially outward direction with respect to the central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device (100) to release the body portion (102-2) of the capsule from the body assembly (204).

18. The capsule opening device (100) as claimed in claim 17, wherein, at the extended position, the capsule is inserted within the body assembly (204) in a manner that the body portion (102-2) positioned between the plurality of flanges (302).

19. A capsule opening device (700) comprising:
a cap assembly (700-1) adapted to hold a cap portion (102-1) of a capsule; and
a body assembly (700-2) removably coupled to the cap assembly (700-1) and adapted to hold a body portion (102-2) of the capsule, the body assembly (700-2) comprising
an outer casing (810); and
an inner casing (808) adapted to be disposed within the outer casing (810); and
a gripper member (806) disposed within the inner casing (808) and comprises a plurality of flanges adapted to abut the body portion (102-2) of the capsule (102),
wherein the cap assembly (700-1) comprises a scrapper (804) and a cap (802), the scrapper (804) is removably coupled to the cap (802) and the inner casing (808) of the body assembly (700-2), the cap (802) is screwed to the scrapper (804) by rotating the cap (802) in a clockwise direction, the cap (802) is rotated in the clockwise direction until the scrapper (804) is unscrewed from the inner casing (808) to separate the cap portion 102-1 of the capsule 102 from the body portion 102-2 of the capsule 102.

20. The capsule opening device (700) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cap (802) includes an engaging member (802-1) adapted to be engaged with the cap portion (102-1) of the capsule (102).

21. The capsule opening device (700) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the scrapper (804) includes a cavity (804-1) adapted to be engaged with the body portion (102-2) of the capsule (102).

22. The capsule opening device (700) as claimed in any of claims 19 and 21, the capsule (102) is inserted in the gripper member (806) through the cavity (804-1) of the scrapper (804) attached to the inner casing (808).

23. The capsule opening device (700) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the body assembly (700-2) comprises a stopper (812), a fastening member (814), and a closing cap (816).

24. The capsule opening device (700) as claimed in any of claims 19 and 23, wherein the outer casing (810) includes a first end (810-1) and a second end (810-2) distal to the first end (810-1), the second end (810-2) includes an opening (818) adapted to receive the fastening member (814) along with the stopper (812).

25. The capsule opening device (700) as claimed in claim 24, wherein the fastening member (814) is adapted to be engaged with the inner casing (808) and the gripper member (806), the fastening member (814) is inserted within the outer casing (810) through the opening (818) in such a manner that the fastening member (814) engages with the inner casing (808) disposed within the outer casing (810).

26. The capsule opening device (700) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cap (802) is separated from the scrapper (804) by rotating the cap (802) in an anti-clockwise direction about the central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device (700).

27. A capsule opening device (1000) comprising:
a first gripper assembly (1102) adapted to be engaged with a cap portion (102-1) of a capsule (102);
a second gripper assembly (1104) removably coupled to the first gripper assembly (1102) and adapted to be engaged with a body portion (102-2) of the capsule (102), each of the first gripper assembly (1102) and the second gripper assembly (1104) comprises:
an outer casing (1210, 1226);
an inner casing (1204, 1220) coupled to the outer casing (1204, 1226); and
a gripper member (1202, 1218) adapted to be received in the inner casing (1204, 1220) and comprises a plurality of flanges (1202-1, 1218-1) adapted to hold one of the cap portion (102-1) and body portion (102-2) of the capsule (102),
wherein the outer casing (1210, 1226) slidably coupled to the gripper member (1202, 1218), wherein the outer casing (1210, 1226) is adapted to be moved relative to the gripper member (1202, 1218) to radially move the plurality of flanges (1202-1, 1218-1),
wherein the first gripper assembly (1102) and the second gripper assembly (1104) are unscrewed by rotating the first gripper assembly (1102) and the second gripper assembly (1104) in the opposite directions to separate the cap portion (102-1) of the capsule (102) from the body portion (102-2) of the capsule (102).

28. The capsule opening device (1000) as claimed in claim 27, wherein each of the plurality of flanges (1202-1, 1218-1) is adapted to resiliently moved in the radial direction with respect to the central axis C-C’ of the capsule opening device (1000), each of the plurality of flanges (1202-1, 1218-1) may be adapted to be moved between an engaged position and a released position.

29. The capsule opening device (1000) as claimed in claim 28, wherein:
in the engaged position, the plurality of flanges (1202-1, 1208-1) holds one of the cap portion (102-1) and the body portion (102-2) of the capsule (102), and
in the released position, the plurality of flanges (1202-1, 1208-1) allows an axial movement of the capsule (102) along the central axis C-C’.

30. The capsule opening device (1000) as claimed in claim 27, wherein the outer casing (1210, 1226) comprises a plurality of extended legs (1214) adapted to be engaged with the plurality of flanges (1202-1, 1208-1) of the gripper member (1202).

31. The capsule opening device (1000) as claimed in claim 30, wherein the inner casing (1204, 1220) may include a plurality of cavities (1216) adapted to receive the plurality of extended legs (1214) of the outer casing (1210, 1226), the plurality of extended legs (1214) comes in contact with the plurality of flanges (1202-1, 1208-1) through the plurality of cavities (1216) of the inner casing (1204, 1220).

32. The capsule opening device (1000) as claimed in claim 31, wherein the outer casing (1210, 1226) is adapted to be moved between an extended position and the retracted position, wherein in the retracted position, the plurality of extended legs (1214) pushes the plurality of flanges (1202-1, 1208-1) in the radially inward direction to hold one of the cap portion (102-1) and the body portion (102-2) of the capsule (102).

33. The capsule opening device (1000) as claimed in any of claims 27 and 32, wherein:
the outer casing (1210) of the first gripper assembly (1102) and the outer casing (1226) of the second gripper assembly (1104) may be simultaneously pulled in the opposite directions to the extended position, and
the first gripper assembly (1102) and the second gripper assembly (1104) are simultaneously rotated in the opposite directions with respect to each other to detach the first gripper assembly (1102) from the second gripper assembly (1104).

34. The capsule opening device (1000) as claimed in any of claims 27 and 32, wherein:
the outer casing (1210) and the outer casing (1226) are simultaneously pushed in opposite directions to the retracted position to lock the capsule (102) within the capsule opening device (1000).

35. A capsule opening device (1400) comprising:
an upper assembly (1602) comprising:
a bush member (1608) adapted to hold a cap portion (102-1) of a capsule (102);
a lower assembly (1604) movably coupled to the upper assembly (1602), the lower assembly (1604) comprising:
a holding member (1618) having a plurality of flanges (1620) adapted to hold a body portion (102-2) of the capsule (102), wherein the plurality of flanges (1620) is adapted to be moved in a radial direction;
a pusher (1616) disposed in the holding member (1618) and adapted to radially move the plurality of flanges (1620) of the holding member (1618); and
a knob coupled to the pusher (1616) and adapted to axially move the pusher (1616), wherein the knob is rotated to radially move the plurality of flanges (1620) through the pusher (1616),
wherein the upper assembly (1602) and the lower assembly (1604) are adapted to be rotated in opposite directions to separate the cap portion (102-1) positioned in the bush member (1608) from the body portion (102-1) positioned between the plurality of flanges (1620).

36. The capsule opening device (1400) as claimed in claim 35, wherein the upper assembly (1602) comprises:
a bush holder (1610) adapted to removably hold the bush member (1608); and
a top lid (1606) adapted to be coupled to the bush holder (1610), wherein the top lid (1606) is adapted to be moved with respect to the bush holder (1610) to insert the capsule (102) within the capsule opening device (1400).

37. The capsule opening device (1400) as claimed in claim 36, wherein the top lid (1606) is coupled to the bush holder (1610) via a hinge, the top lid (1606) is adapted to be pivotably moved with respect to the bush holder (1610) about the hinge.

38. The capsule opening device (1400) as claimed in claim 36, wherein the top lid (1606) is removably coupled to the bush holder (1610) via snap locks, the top lid (1606) may be entirely removed from the bush holder (1610) of the capsule opening device (1400).

39. The capsule opening device (1400) as claimed in claim 36, the bush holder (1610) is removably screwed to the lower assembly (1604), the bush holder (1610) and the lower assembly (1604) are adapted to be rotated in opposite directions to unscrew the bush holder (1610) from the lower assembly (1604).

40. The capsule opening device (1400) as claimed in claim 35, wherein each of the plurality of flanges (1620) is adapted to be moved in a radially inward direction to hold the body portion (102-2) of the capsule (102), each of the plurality of flanges (1620) may be adapted to be moved between an engaged position and a released position.

41. The capsule opening device (1400) as claimed in claim 40, wherein:
in the engaged position, the plurality of flanges (1620) holds the body portion (102-2) of the capsule (102), and
in the released position, the plurality of flanges (1620) allows axial movement of the capsule (102) with respect to the holding member (1618).

42. The capsule opening device (1400) as claimed in any of claims 35 and 40, wherein the pusher (1616) includes a plurality of extending legs (1622) adapted to be engaged with the plurality of flanges (1620), the plurality of extending legs (1622) is adapted to move the plurality of flanges (1620) between the released position and the engaged position.

43. The capsule opening device (1400) as claimed in claim 42, wherein the plurality of legs (1622) of the pusher (1616) pushes the plurality of flanges (1620) to the engaged position by rotating the knob (1614) in a clockwise direction.

44. The capsule opening device (1400) as claimed in claim 42, wherein the plurality of flanges (1620) moves to the released position, when the knob (1614) is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction.

45. The capsule opening device (1400) as claimed in claim 35, wherein the capsule (102) is inserted within the capsule opening device (1400) in a manner that the cap portion (102-1) of the capsule (102) abuts the bush member (1608) and the body portion (102-2) rests between the plurality of flanges (1620) of the holding member (1618).

46. The capsule opening device (1400) as claimed in claim 35, wherein the upper assembly 1602 may be separated in an axial direction from the lower assembly 1604, when the upper assembly 1602 and the lower assembly 1604 are rotated in opposite directions.