SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MANUFACTURING DOSAGE FORMS
Systems, methods and apparatuses for manufacturing dosage forms, and to dosage forms made using such systems, methods and apparatuses are provided. Novel compression, injection molding, and thermal setting molding modules are disclosed. One or more of such modules may be linked, preferably via a transfer device, into an overall system for making dosage forms. The injection molding module having at least one mold shell with an interior surface capable of producing non-uniform coatings over compressed cores or molded inserts contained therein.
1 - 27 . (canceled)
28 . A linked apparatus for making dosage forms containing a medicant, comprising:
a) a compression module having means for forming compressed dosage forms by compressing a powder containing said medicant;
b) a transfer device having means for continuously transferring said compressed dosage forms from said compression module to a subsequent operating module; and
c) a subsequent operating module to receive said compressed dosage form.
29 . The apparatus according to claim 28 , wherein said compression module comprises a die table mounted for rotation about a first axis and having a plurality of die cavities disposed around the perimeter thereof, whereby rotation of said die table carries said die cavities around a first circular path.
30 . The apparatus according to claim 29 , wherein said transfer device comprises a flexible conveying means traversing around a third path, a first portion of said third path being coincident with said first circular path.
31 . The apparatus according to claim 28 , wherein the transfer device further comprises transfer units that are mounted onto said conveying means in a cantilever configuration.
32 . The apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein the transfer units comprise retainers made of an elastomeric material and comprising segmented fingers to grip said compressed dosage form.
33 . The apparatus according to claim 31 , further comprising vacuum means for applying a vacuum to said dosage forms while they are held by the transfer units.
34 . The apparatus according to claim 31 , wherein said transfer units are rotatably mounted to said conveying means, such that said transfer units are rotated while being transferred from a first location to a second location.
35 . An apparatus for transferring substrates from a first operating module comprising a first rotor adapted to carry said substrates around a first circular path to a second operating module comprising a second rotor adapted to carry said substrates around a second circular path, said apparatus comprising a flexible conveying means traversing a third path, a first portion of said third path being coincident with a portion of said first circular path and a second portion of said third path being coincident with a portion of said second circular path.
36 . The apparatus according to claim 35 , wherein said flexible conveying means operates at a velocity that matches the velocities of the first rotary module and the second rotary module.