David A Nicholson

US Patent:

39371760, Feb 10, 1976

Filed:

Feb 19, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/551191

Inventors:

David W. Nicholson - Indianapolis IN
Gerrit J. Diepering - Franklin IN

Assignee:

Eli Lilly and Company - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

B05C 308

US Classification:

118 19

Abstract:

Tablet coating and polishing apparatus comprising a conventional rotatable pan with a gravity discharge unloader chute connected for rotation therewith. The unloader chute has an inlet associated with the interior of the pan and an outlet exterior of the pan with a substantially truncated conical surface extending therebetween and having a progressively increasing width toward said outlet for gravity unloading of tablets from the pan.

US Patent:

44176627, Nov 29, 1983

Filed:

May 4, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/260003

Inventors:

David W. Nicholson - Indianapolis IN
Larry G. Smith - Plainfield IN
Harold B. Dinius - Mooresville IN
Ronald R. Oberle - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Eli Lilly and Company - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

B07C 502

US Classification:

209522

Abstract:

A continuous series of vials carried by their caps on reciprocable vacuum chucks on a turret move continuously (a) through a gross visual inspection station while slowly rotated and under side, top, and back lighting, and with each vial in an intense beam of light from below which moves with the vial; (b) then, while raised into stabilizing cups, across a spinner belt which rotates the cups and vials at high speed; and (c) then, while stopped with their contents rotating, through a particulate visual inspection station with similar lighting for observation of foreign matter suspended in the contents. Inspectors have unrestricted view of each entire vial, except only for the top of the cap, in a continuous series for comparison or pattern inspection and can, with a finger, tap defective vials off the chucks to a reject conveyor for reinspection. The vacuum chucks are on spindles which are biased upward against a fixed cam which lowers them for pickup, positions them for gross inspection, raises them into the stabilizing spinner cups, and lowers them for particulate inspection and delivery. The turret is vertically adjustable to position the chucks for different bottle heights.