Enrobed core

Abstract

An enrobed a core, such as a tablet core, that has a coating made of one or more patterned films each having portions that are visually distinct (e.g., differently colored) from one another and having a transition line segment between these visually distinct portions. At least a portion of an outer surface of the core is covered with the film or films, such that the transition line segments form a substantially continuous transition line on the coating and a film seam is formed which is different from the transition line. Where the patterned films are bi-colored, the resulting enrobed core can be bi-colored, or the resulting enrobed core can have a coating with at least four visually distinct portions alternately arranged thereon, thereby forming a “checkerboard” pattern on the coating. In either case, the film seam of the coating is different from the transition line of the coating.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an enrobed core, such as a tablet core, having a patterned coating formed by one or more patterned films. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Various oral dosage forms have been developed over the years for pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. Among the more popular oral dosage forms are tablets, capsules and, most recently, gelcaps. Tablets are compressed or molded solid dosage forms of any size or shape. Solid, generally oblong-shaped tablets may sometimes be referred to as caplets. Tablets remain popular with consumers, however uncoated tablets suffer from drawbacks such as medicinal taste, a tendency to powder or flake (i.e., physical disintegration) when packaged in bottles, and / or the perception by consumers that they are not easy to swallow. These limitations are eliminated by coating the tablets with a polymeric coating. [0003] During most of the 20th century, hard gelatin capsules were a popular dosage form f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] In addition, where the patterned films are bi-colored, the resulting enrobed core can be bi-colored with the film seam of the coating lying substantially in the first reference plane and the transition line between the two colors thereof lying substantially in the second reference plane. The resulting enrobed core may, instead, have four alternately arranged colored portions, two of which are of a first color and the other two of which are of a second color, thereby resulting in a “checkerboard” effect.

Problems solved by technology

Tablets remain popular with consumers, however uncoated tablets suffer from drawbacks such as medicinal taste, a tendency to powder or flake (i.e., physical disintegration) when packaged in bottles, and / or the perception by consumers that they are not easy to swallow.

However, due to potential tampering concerns, capsules are no longer a preferred delivery choice for consumer (i.e., over-the-counter) pharmaceuticals.

However, such spray-coated tablets lack the glossy surface and elegance of the hard gelatin capsules.

Additionally, it is not commercially feasible to spray-coat a tablet with a different color coating on each end.

Each of the foregoing methods for producing tamper-proof coated tablets suffer from several shortcomings, including uneven color of the capsule halves and / or coatings, uneven thickness of the capsule halves and / or coatings, and the creation of raised seams between capsule halves and / or coatings.

Films prepared by this process suffer from the limitation of having multiple layers, with increased total film thickness in the area where the second film material is applied.

The increased film thickness creates an uneven appearance and feel to the surface, and retards dissolution, which is undesirable for immediate release dosage forms.

Images