METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTING A RIBBON FOR PACKAGING GELATIN CAPSULES

This invention relates to an apparatus for producing image bearing filled soft capsules which includes positively driven comprises guide rollers for directing the gelatin ribbons from casting drums to an encapsulation station. Along the path of at least one ribbon is a transfer station at which images are applied to the ribbon. The images are applied in a pattern which corresponds to the pattern of capsules formed from the ribbon at the encapsulation station. Both the rollers at the encapsulation station, and the support roller at or adjacent the transfer station are positively driven and a control system ensures that the peripheral speed of the support roller in the transfer station is the same as the speed of the ribbon into and through the encapsulation station. The drive motor for the respective support roller at the transfer station is preferably a stepping motor which is adjustable to advance or retard relative to the ribbon speed at the encapsulation station. Sensors are also included to positively monitor the alignment of ribbon within the encapsulation process. Provision is also made monitoring the lateral positioning of images on the ribbon and for shifting the ribbon to accommodate any lateral misalignment.