Tableted Cannabinoid Gum Extrusion and Granulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing tableted cannabinoid chewing gum are labor-intensive, prone to issues with gum base sticking, and lack attention to sensorics properties and release profiles, leading to inefficient delivery of cannabinoids.
Innovation Solution
A method involving extrusion of a gum composition through a die into a liquid-filled chamber to create smooth, round particles, followed by mixing with water-soluble ingredients and tableting, which reduces labor and improves release and sensorics properties by controlling temperature and pressure, and ensuring cannabinoids are in an unbound form for optimal delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional mixing and milling methods are used to produce tableted chewing gum, then the process can be completed with basic equipment, but the gum base sticks to surfaces during mixing and milling, requiring extensive manual labor and reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gum base into small particles before the sticking problem occurs during mixing. By pre-granulating the gum base with cannabinoids and other ingredients, the material is segmented into free-flowing particles that can be easily handled, mixed, and milled without adhering to surfaces, thereby eliminating the need for extensive manual labor and improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs granulation as a preliminary step before mixing and milling. The gum base is pre-processed into granulated particles containing the cannabinoids, which prevents the sticking issue from occurring during subsequent mixing and milling operations. This preliminary action ensures smooth processing and eliminates the need for manual intervention
2Device complexity
If traditional milling is used to create particles, then the equipment is simple, but the gum base sticks to milling surfaces and requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gum base into small particles through granulation before milling. This pre-segmentation ensures that the material flows freely through the milling equipment without adhering to surfaces, making the milling process straightforward and eliminating the need for complex anti-sticking mechanisms or manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and surface properties of the gum base through granulation, transforming it from a sticky mass into free-flowing particles. This parameter change in particle morphology and surface characteristics enables simple milling equipment to operate efficiently without complex modifications or manual assistance
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional gum base formulations are used, then the production process is straightforward, but the sensorics properties such as initial chew, texture, and flavor perception are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating cannabinoids and functional ingredients into specific granulated particles of the gum base. This localized distribution ensures that the sensorics properties (initial chew, texture, flavor perception) are enhanced in specific regions of the chewing gum, while maintaining overall production simplicity through the granulation process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite granulated particles combining gum base with cannabinoids and other functional ingredients. This composite structure enhances the sensorics properties of the chewing gum by integrating multiple functional components into the gum matrix, while the granulation process maintains ease of manufacture
4Device complexity
If manual mixing and processing are used, then equipment requirements are minimal, but the process is labor-intensive and economically inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses granulation to segment the gum base into free-flowing particles, which enables automated mixing and processing equipment to handle the material efficiently. This segmentation eliminates the need for manual intervention, allowing the use of cost-effective automated equipment that improves productivity and economic efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated processing systems. The granulated gum base can be easily fed into automated mixers, millers, and tableting machines, substituting manual labor with automated mechanical systems that are economically efficient and scalable
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 reduces labor costs, enhances the release profile of cannabinoids, and improves sensorics properties such as initial chew and texture, leading to effective and convenient delivery of cannabinoids with reduced adverse effects.
Implementation Method 1
pressurizing the gum composition in the extruder while controlling temperature and pressure of the gum composition
Implementation Method 2
pressurizing the gum composition in the extruder while controlling temperature and pressure of the gum composition
Implementation Method 3
extruding the gum composition through a die means
Implementation Method 4
cutting the extruded gum composition in a liquid filled chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of producing a tableted chewing gum composition for oral administration of cannabinoids, the method comprises the steps of: i) feeding a gum composition comprising water-insoluble gum base into an extruder from one or more feeding inlets, optionally including additional ingredients, ii) pressurizing the gum composition in the extruder while controlling temperature and pressure of the gum composition, optionally including further ingredients from one or more feeding inlets, iii) extruding the gum composition through a die means, iv) cutting the extruded gum composition in a liquid filled chamber, thereby obtaining a first population of particles comprising water-insoluble gum base, v) including the first population of particles with a second population of particles comprising water-soluble chewing gum ingredients and one or more cannabinoids, the second population of particles being free of water-insoluble gum base, thereby obtaining a chewing gum composition and vi) tableting the chewing gum composition in a tablet pressing apparatus, thereby obtaining a tableted chewing gum composition.