SOP
on Cleaning of Semi-Automatic Capsule Filling Machine
Objective : To describe cleaning procedure
for Semi- automatic capsule filling machine.
Scope : To ensure that
the equipment is clean and free from any starting materials of previous batch
or product residues.
Responsibility : 1.It is the responsibility of
operating staff to clean the equipment.
2. Production Chemist to ensure that
procedure is followed.
Materials &
Equipment :
1.
Cleaning agent: Teepol or liquid soap.
2.
Mops / brush / lint free cloth
Procedure
(1)
Switch ‘OFF’ the mains of machine and vacuum pump.
(2)
Remove any visible material from the machine with
the help of a jet of compressed air.
(3)
Dismantle the hopper & stirrer assembly, pin
plate from the inner unit and the powder-filling turntable. Keep all the
dismantled parts in a plastic tub containing 10 liters of boiled tap water.
(4)
Remove any visible material from surfaces of all the
dismantled parts with the help of nylon brush or scrubber and drain the
washings.
(5)
Prepare a Teepol solution (10ml à 10 liters water)
or liquid-soap (50gm à 5 liters water) and clean the surfaces of dismantled parts by mopping.
(6)
Wash all the dismantled parts with running tap water
for 10 minutes and drain the washings. Repeat the procedure for another 5 minutes.
(7)
Wash the inner surfaces of all the dismantled parts
by using 10 liters of purified water for 10 minutes and drain the washings.
(8) Finally rinse all the dismantled parts with
previously boiled purified water and drain it completely.
(9)
Send the wash water for analysis of residual active
ingredients of previous product.
(10)
Let all the parts dry in air or dry with a clean,
lint free cloth.
(11)
Remove the dust receiving bag and take to the
washing area. Clean the external surface of the bag with boiled tap water. Then
turn the bag inside-out and again wash with boiled tap water. Clean the bag
using detergent solution with the help of a scrubber. Wash the bag by running
tap water for 30 minutes, squeeze and again wash with 10 liters of boiled
purified water & squeeze. Place the bag on a hanger and allow to dry in
air.
(12)
Re-assemble all the cleaned parts in the reverse
order of dismantling and put a label “Cleaned” or “Ready for use”.