Surface-Reacted Calcium Carbonate Compaction for Granule Flowability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing dosage forms using surface-reacted calcium carbonate often require formulating aids like binders and disintegrants, which can be incompatible and pose challenges in achieving improved flowability, bulk density, and reduced dusting, especially in the absence of these aids.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of surface-reacted calcium carbonate loaded with active ingredients, compacted using a roller compactor without formulating aids, and then milled into granules, which enhances flowability and bulk density while minimizing dusting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If surface-reacted calcium carbonate powder is used as carrier material, then high porosity and capacity for loading active/inactive agents are achieved, but poor flowability, low bulk density, excessive dusting, and adhesion to equipment occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading capacityVSAvoidflowability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by compacting the powder mixture at controlled pressures (2-20 bar) to transform the physical state of the material. This compaction process fundamentally alters the powder's flowability, bulk density, and dusting characteristics while preserving the high porosity and loading capacity of the surface-reacted calcium carbonate carrier material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If surface-reacted calcium carbonate powder is used as carrier material, then high porosity and capacity for loading active/inactive agents are achieved, but poor flowability, low bulk density, excessive dusting, and adhesion to equipment occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading capacityVSAvoiddusting
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The compaction process changes the physical parameters of the powder by applying pressure (2-20 bar), which reduces dusting by consolidating the particles into a more stable structure while maintaining the internal porosity necessary for loading capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If surface-reacted calcium carbonate powder is used as carrier material, then high porosity and capacity for loading active/inactive agents are achieved, but poor flowability, low bulk density, excessive dusting, and adhesion to equipment occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading capacityVSAvoidadhesion to equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By compacting the powder at controlled pressures, the patent changes the physical state and surface characteristics of the material, reducing its tendency to adhere to equipment while preserving the loading capacity through maintained porosity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If formulating aids such as binders and disintegrants are used during compacting, then dosage form production is enabled, but compatibility issues and complexity in selecting suitable aids arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosage form productionVSAvoidcompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for formulating aids such as binders and disintegrants from the manufacturing process. By compacting the powder mixture directly without these additional components, the invention resolves compatibility issues and simplifies the manufacturing process while still enabling dosage form production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Ease of manufacture

If formulating aids such as binders and disintegrants are used during compacting, then dosage form production is enabled, but compatibility issues and complexity in selecting suitable aids arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosage form productionVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the complexity associated with selecting and incorporating formulating aids by compacting the powder mixture directly. This eliminates multiple compatibility considerations and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the ability to produce dosage forms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method allows for the production of dosage forms with improved flowability and bulk density, reduced dusting, and efficient compaction in the absence of binders and disintegrants, facilitating easier processing.

Implementation Method 1

compacting the mixture obtained in step d) by means of a roller compactor at a compaction pressure in the range from 2 to 20 bar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompaction: Compression

Implementation Method 2

milling the ribbon of step e) into granules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMilling: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP3471707B1Method for the production of a dosage form
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 OMYA INT AG
  • EP3471707B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3471707B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3471707B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for producing a dosage form, granules and tablets obtained by the method, the use of a surface-reacted calcium carbonate in a such a method, a dosage form comprising the granules, the use of the granules, or the tablets and/or capsules, or the dosage form in a pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, agricultural, cosmetic, home, food, packaging and personal care product as well as a pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, agricultural, cosmetic, home, food packaging and personal care product comprising the granules, or the tablets and/or capsules, or the dosage form.