Metering and packaging method and device for pharmaceuticals and drugs

Patent 5960609 Issued on October 5, 1999. Estimated Expiration Date:

June 12, 2018. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3241625

3437074

3889636

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Inventors

Assignee

Microdose Technologies, Inc.

Application

No. 097104 filed on 06/12/1998

US Classes:

53/428, With contents treating53/111R, WITH CONTENTS TREATING53/235, DEPOSITING ARTICLES AND ARRANGING MATERIAL IN PREFORMED RECEPTACLES53/266.1, MEANS TO FILL AND CLOSE PREFORMED RECEPTACLE53/467, Filling preformed receptacle and closing53/473, Filling preformed receptacle53/502, By weight of contents53/503, By volume of contents53/900CAPSULES

Examiners

Primary: Moon, Daniel

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Hayes Soloway Hennessey Grossman & Hage PC

Foreign Patent References

0431924 EP. 01/20/1996
9800337 WO. 01/20/1998

International Class

B65B 001/30

Abstract

Electrostatic phototechnology is used to package microgram quantities of fine powders such as drugs in discrete capsule and tablet form. An electrostatic "image" having a given size and charge density is exposed to ionized drug powder to attract a known amount of drug to the image. The resultant drug "image", is then transferred to a an open ended capsule, a partially formed tablet or edible wafer or belt. The capsule is then sealed, i.e. by capping, or the tablet finished.