APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CAPSULES AND CAPSULE PROCESSING EQUIPMENT INCLUDING SUCH AN APPARATUS

摘要

The invention relates to an apparatus for handling capsules in a capsule processing equipment, comprising - a hopper (25) for containing a bulk of capsules, said hopper having an upper portion with an upper inlet (31) for feeding the capsules; and - a conveying belt (37) for transferring the capsules from the hopper (25) within the processing equipment (1), said conveying belt (37) travelling in an inclined travel direction (D) for receiving capsules from the hopper (25), the belt (37) being provided with successive cavities adapted to accommodate a single capsule. The apparatus is adapted to singulate capsules in the cavities of the conveying belt (37) from the bulk, into a pre-defined and repeatable position. The invention also relates to a capsule processing equipment, such as an inspection equipment (1) or a capsule printing equipment comprising such an apparatus.