Cold-Applied Coating for Orally Soluble Gummy Candy Cores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pharmaceutical coating methods require high temperatures, limiting the use of certain active ingredients and increasing energy costs, especially in the production of orally soluble products like capsules and tablets.

Innovation Solution

A cold-applied coating method using a water-based solution and powder with sweeteners to encase active ingredients, applied at room temperature without heating, allowing for the use of any active substance and reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional heating methods are used in coating pans, then coating application is effective, but active ingredients cannot be used that cannot withstand high temperatures and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuse of active ingredientsVSAvoidcoating pan temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter from traditional heated conditions (50-60°C) to cold conditions (0-20°C). This parameter change allows heat-sensitive active ingredients to be used in the coating without degradation, directly resolving the contradiction between temperature requirements and active ingredient versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of heating the active ingredients and coating materials as in traditional methods, the invention inverts the approach by cooling the coating pan and using cold spraying techniques. This inversion eliminates thermal exposure to active ingredients while maintaining effective coating application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional heating methods are used in coating pans, then coating application is effective, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating applicationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the thermal field (heating system) with a mechanical field (cold spraying system). By using mechanical spray application at cold temperatures instead of thermal processing, the method eliminates the need for heating energy while maintaining coating effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Changing the temperature parameter from heated to cold conditions eliminates the need for energy-intensive heating equipment and operations, directly reducing energy consumption while preserving coating application capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If gummy candy cores are processed in coating pans, then coating can be applied, but cores easily deform and batch size must be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebatch processing capacityVSAvoidcore deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary freezing to the gummy candy cores before coating application. This pre-treatment increases the cores' structural rigidity and resistance to deformation, allowing them to withstand the coating process even in larger batches without losing their shape

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the phase transition of water in gummy candy cores by pre-freezing them. This phase change from liquid to solid water increases the mechanical strength and dimensional stability of the cores, preventing deformation during subsequent coating operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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

Enables the use of all active ingredients without thermal degradation, reduces production costs, and allows for larger batch processing of gummy candy cores, resulting in a more economical and versatile pharmaceutical product preparation.

Implementation Method 1

the introduction of hot air inside the coating pan promotes the evaporation of the solution leaving a hard, thick and resistant coating on the core

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

it may be convenient for the gummy candy (11) to be pre-frozen, so that larger quantities of cores (1) are processed simultaneously (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Data Source

PatentEP4442250A1Pharmaceutical product and related preparation method
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 LINEA BLU SRL
  • EP4442250A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4442250A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP4442250A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An orally soluble pharmaceutical product comprises a core (1) comprising a gummy candy (11), a coating (2) and active ingredients (3), wherein the active ingredients (3) are contained in the coating (2).