Chewable Softgel Capsule Shell Composition and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional soft gelatin capsules are difficult to swallow, especially for children and the elderly, and exhibit issues with stickiness and stability during storage, particularly in high-temperature, high-humidity conditions, which affects their chewability and texture.
Innovation Solution
A chewable softgel capsule composition comprising 20-60% gelatin, a plasticizer to render the shell flexible, an anti-tacking and softening agent like lecithin or beeswax to prevent stickiness, and starch to form a non-sticky matrix, along with water and optional flavorants, colorants, and preservatives, processed to maintain softness and stability under varying moisture levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If plasticizer content is increased to soften the capsule and improve chewability, then the capsule flexibility and chewability are improved, but the capsule becomes more likely to stick to other capsules or containers, causing deterioration in storage stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the plasticizer content within a specific range (20-40% of total capsule weight) and adjusting the gelatin-to-plasticizer ratio. This optimization allows the capsule to achieve sufficient softness and flexibility for easy chewing while preventing excessive stickiness during storage. The balanced formulation resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal parameter values that satisfy both chewability and storage stability requirements.
2Reliability
If gelatin content is increased to improve storage stability and reduce stickiness, then the capsule becomes more stable during storage, but the chewability, texture and mouth feel deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing the gelatin content within a specific range (60-80% of total capsule weight) and carefully controlling the gelatin-to-plasticizer ratio. This balanced formulation ensures the capsule maintains adequate structural integrity and storage stability while remaining soft and chewable. The specific parameter ranges allow simultaneous achievement of both storage stability and chewability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining gelatin and plasticizer in a specifically balanced formulation. The gelatin provides structural framework and stability, while the plasticizer contributes flexibility and chewability. The synergistic combination of these two materials in optimized proportions resolves the contradiction between storage stability and chewability that cannot be achieved with either material alone.
3Ease of operation
If end water content is increased to improve chewability and texture, then the capsule becomes softer and more pleasant to chew, but the storage performance deteriorates with capsules sticking together and melting or leaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the end water content within an optimized range that balances chewability and storage performance. The water content is adjusted to ensure the capsule remains soft and pleasant to chew while preventing excessive stickiness and structural failure during storage. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between texture quality and storage reliability.
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 capsules remain non-sticky and soft during extended storage, even at high temperatures and humidity, and exhibit improved manufacturing properties, maintaining softness and stability with variable moisture content, addressing the challenges of stickiness and stability in conventional formulations.
Implementation Method 1
the shell of a soft gelatin capsule comprises gelatin and a plasticizer to control the softness and flexibility of the shell
Implementation Method 2
conventional soft gelatin capsules, or chewable softgels, are designed such that the user chews upon the capsule to release the fill into the mouth instead of swallowing the capsule with the fill still encapsulated within the shell
Data Source
AI summary
A chewable softgel capsule configured for encasing orally ingestible articles. The chewable soft capsule is provided with an outer shell composition which comprises at least one gelatin in a range of 20% to 60% of the total weight of the shell composition, at least one plasticizer in an amount selected to render flexible the outer shell composition, an anti-tacking agent in an amount selected to render the outer shell composition non-sticky, and water. In one embodiment the chewable soft capsule further comprises at least one starch in a range of 0.1% to 35% of the total weight of the shell composition. The chewable softgel capsule is suitable for encasing therein medicines, pharmaceutical compositions, nutraceuticals, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and the like.